After many rumors that Dwight Howard was unhappy in Houston due to a horrible relationship with James Harden and lack of touches, the highly expected happened. That's right, Howard is gone after saying bye to the great Houston strip clubs he reportedly took heavily into account when deciding where to move to next three summers ago. And thus marks the end of a three-year age filled with optimism, pleasant surprise, and finally sheer disappointment. Lightly put, it just didn't work out.
Despite strong indication that Howard had ended the season with one foot already out the door since he was so fed up with his situation with the Houston Rockets, management tried their best to retain the big man. This fact is truly baffling. If their priority was to keep Howard, then why on earth would they hire the one coach that he dislikes maybe even more than Stan Van Gundy in Mike D'Antoni? He didn't get the touches he wanted in the seven seconds or less system and do you really think he will with Harden running it instead of one of the greatest passers of all time in Steve Nash? Yeah, thought so. The guy is obviously sick of playing second fiddle to anybody and wants to lead his own team. Be our guest Dwight, just not here.
Even if he were open to the fact that he would get less touches and play for a coach and with a player he dislikes and held Houston strip clubs on a pedestal (sorry for all of the and's, but correct grammar, maybe), retaining Howard would just be a bad move. The locker room will just be even more toxic as the two stars find other ways to get one another traded. He's also getting kind of old, and while he certainly isn't out of shape, his athleticism has faltered; injuries have also had an effect. Therefore, he isn't the rim stopper that he once was, a major reason why the Rockets were keen on keeping him. Another is that they thought he would be a great fit in D'Antoni's offense. It didn't work with the Los Angeles Lakers, so why would it work here? "Because he isn't going through injuries like he did over there, stupid. Geez, Youssef, you are so dumb I'm going to quit reading because you are just a hater." Fine then, just stick around a little longer and you'll see why it still won't work.
Dwight Howard Isn't a Good Fit
First of all, Howard is now 30 years old. He has gone through several injuries that has definitely affected him in the long run. Yes, this may be a repetition, but it's there just in case you need it because it is a big deal. He is not as explosive as he once was. He is no longer the type of player to set a crazy screen, force his man to help on the ball handler then dive to the basket in a flash and end with a monstrous slam. This past season, all of his moves seemed to be going at 70% of his normal speed. That makes it much easier to help on it. If somebody then blocks his path to the basket, he has to rely on his post offense, something that was never great to begin with and has certainly gotten worse despite his training with Hakeem Olajuwon. He loses the ball easily, and even if there are open wing players, he has a hard time locating them and kicking the ball out to them. D'Antoni's system relies heavily on the pick-and-roll, and if Howard cannot run it effectively then he won't perform well in his offense.
Also, it isn't like the Rockets never used the pick-and-roll. Their offenses under Kevin McHale and the horrible J.B. Bickerstaff both used it quite often. So there is a sample to see how Harden and Howard would mesh. If you'd like more proof that he isn't the player he once was and thus cannot play in D'Antoni's system, just look at this comparison. Player A averaged 17.1 points, 12.4 rebounds, 2.4 blocks, and 35.8 minutes per game. Solid averages right? That's a player that might be good for the Rockets. Player B, on the other hand, averaged 13.7 points, 11.8 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, and 32.1 minutes per game.
This guy? Not so much. Well guess what? Player A and Player B are the same player and that man is (drumroll please), none other than Dwight Howard! Big surprise right? Those first numbers were from his time in L.A. where he was injured, while the second numbers are from last season, where he was healthy. His game and athleticism have definitely gotten worse with age. The Harden/Howard pick-and-roll might look deadly on paper, but with Howard's problems, it turns out to be a completely different story entirely. And that is without taking into account their horrible relationship or Harden's selfish tendencies. Finally, if he was actually good in the system, he'd at least be confident in himself right? Well, he isn't whatsoever. That's why he dislikes D'Antoni and wants out so badly. He knows the system isn't as ideal for him as everybody thinks and he wants no part in it. If not even he is confident in his ability to run the seven seconds or less offense, then why do so many other people seem so?
If you are still reading, thank you; this is by no means hating...Ok maybe a little. But it's hating Howard as a Rocket. He definitely still has talent and can succeed in other places, but it's a lost cause in Houston. He will either have to find a place that will embrace him as the go-to guy or settle for less touches. But the Rockets have already disrespected him so much with trade talks, the recent coaching hire, and Daryl Morey's reluctance to give him more touches, that there is no coming back.
There is a chance that he opted out just to restructure his contract, but he is no Tim Duncan or Dirk Nowitzki. He is basically gone and it is only a matter of time before ESPN discloses where he is going next. Early reports say the New York Knicks. A combination of him, Carmelo Anthony, Derrick Rose, and Kristaps Porzingis as well as Phil Jackson managing (quick sidenote, Jackson was the coach Howard hoped for instead of D'Antoni back when he was with the Lakers), could prove to be very deadly. But it will only be a matter of time before everyone hears Howard complaining about lack of touches again and he chooses to go to elsewhere.
Who Can Help Fill the Void
But wait, the article doesn't stop there! Not only is there a rant against Howard, but even a couple of suggestions about who can replace him! This is like one of those buy one get one free deals except time is the currency and in reality, it is not free whatsoever. Maybe, like 50% off. Still pretty good right?
The obvious replacement is Hassan Whiteside, who is actually pretty similar to Howard back in his Orlando Magic days. He is a great rim stopper and rebounder and is very athletic. He's got a big body that can set solid screens and will definitely do some damage if Harden gives him the ball as he's cutting down. He will have to work on his post moves as well as looking for open shooters if the defense converges towards him. But he is by far the most Howard-like player in the league, and the Rockets may be able to get him.
Another center they've been targeting is Al Horford. He would be interesting since he has a nice jumper as well, so he defenses will have to be wary about him popping out as well as him rolling. However, he is not as athletic as either Whiteside or Howard, and will not be able to slam it home when he gets the ball. He brings flexibility but also limits his effectiveness if the pick-and-roll works to perfection and he gets it in the teeth of the defense.
They can also simply stick with Clint Capela, who is basically a poor man's Howard, and look at other positions. Mike Conley might be the point guard they are looking for that can distribute the ball unselfishly like Nash did. This would mean that Harden would have less ball handling responsibilities and they can switch it up between the two. If you think this will be a repeat of what happened with Ty Lawson, Conley is a completely different type of player who works well without the ball in his hands. He will be a vast improvement on Patrick Beverley.
They can also look at shooters. The best option would be Nicolas Batum since he can both shoot and defend very well. Just like Conley and Beverley, Batum would be an improvement on Trevor Ariza as he has a much more reliable shot and is better on the offensive side of the ball. Anyone of those players would help a team that needs a lot of aid. They fit in D'Antoni's system better than Howard would, and may make the Rockets a dark horse (here's to very wishful thinking).