Dwight Howard’s Tough D
Before the NBA playoffs get started later today, I thought I would put in my two cents worth on some of the awards for the regular season.
With the MVP, usually there are one or two top candidates. This year I think there could be three — LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Dwayne Wade. My vote goes to LeBron because of how he has elevated the whole Cavalier team.
Dwight Howard Photo, Buy at AllPosters.com
I think Kobe and the Lakers should be favored to win the title. And I think Kobe’s leadership has elevated the Lakers, too. But I think Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum and Derek Fisher, to name a few, are strong players in their own right.
Mo Williams has contributed a lot to Cleveland’s success. But it just seems LeBron is a more dominating force than Kobe. Dwayne Wade has been spectacular, too, but I’m considering LeBron and Kobe ahead of him based on the regular season success of their teams.
Dwight Howard received three thumbs up from Ernie, Kenny and Charles on TNT for the Defensive Player of the Year.
Kenny (The Jet) Smith said this about Howard’s defensive prowess:
“The only one who changes the game defensively every night is Dwight Howard. You can not come inside, you can not take lay-ups. You can not get it off, without dunking the basketball.”
I was surprised to hear this. I was aware of Howard’s reputation as a Superman dunker at the Slam Dunk Contests and in the regular season. But I wasn’t aware of his strong D.
Turns out Howard is an NBA leader in blocked shots. He had 231 blocks this season. That was more than 50 over second place blocker Chris Andersen of Denver.
I’ll be watching Dwight on both sides of the court when they meet Philadelphia in the first round playoffs.
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