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For the month of January we've seen Dwight's scoring drop. I agree with those who argue he needs more touches, he definitely does. But one problem I am noticing is that over this stretch he is getting the ball farther from the basket and then facing up constantly like he's been doing the last 3 seasons. Ive never liked him facing up since he doesn't have a jumper and usually gets stripped, tries to go baseline and goes out of bounds/is blocked, or commits an offensive foul when he tries to get around a guy. Basically nothing good really ever comes from him spinning and facing his defender. when he gets the ball deep or bangs his way into the paint with his back to the basket he is a much more effective offensive player. Earlier this season he was facing up less and trying more running swoop hooks ( a Ewing trademark) and a nice dropstep. I think he needs to put that face-up game away, at least until he develops a decent jumper. what good does it do to face up when you cant shoot? Once he does that he'll be back up to 23-25 consistently. I think we need to run more stuff for him but he also needs to put that face-up game away. Anyone else notice this? Why isn't Ewing telling him he needs to stop facing up so much?

He seems in an offensive funk, but yeah I agree he is facing up a little too much.. hes not even shooting that bank much, just trying to drive past the center like a PG and its not working well (other than drawing fouls - so I guess it's working alright.)

They never get him the ball. The Heat game was a prime example. He got 10 shots/15 touches in the first half and came out with 12 points. He got 4 total touches for the entire 2nd half and he played every minute. The coaches are stupid for not running the offense through Howard on just about every play. He causes double and triple teams, which opens the floor for wide open 3s or lanes for slashing dunks. It is the coaches and PGs fault. There were a few times the PGs would completely look off Howard and other times they were scared to actually throw the ball into him. The Magic need a true PG right now. It is getting stupid.

No, I think his problem is that if he was Tim Duncan, opponents would'nt get away with slapping at evry ball without ever getting a foul called, but I do think Howard is having trouble holding on to the ball.

Idunkonyou2 wrote:They never get him the ball. The Heat game was a prime example. He got 10 shots/15 touches in the first half and came out with 12 points. He got 4 total touches for the entire 2nd half and he played every minute. The coaches are stupid for not running the offense through Howard on just about every play. He causes double and triple teams, which opens the floor for wide open 3s or lanes for slashing dunks. It is the coaches and PGs fault. There were a few times the PGs would completely look off Howard and other times they were scared to actually throw the ball into him. The Magic need a true PG right now. It is getting stupid.

Whats this have to do with him facing up though?

With Nelson out, Howard is missing the lob pass, often for an alley oop dunk.

Soul wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



Whats this have to do with him facing up though?

I was listing reasons for his scoring drop. In the first month Nelson was attacking, passing great, playing great. He got hurt and Dwight's scoring has been going down ever since. He is basically our only real PG for the entire team. Dooling is a hybrid of PG/SG. Arroyo is a scoring PG. Neither is as good of a passer as Nelson. We need to get Nelson back at 100% for Howard's numbers to start going up again IMO.

In the few games I have watched over the past 2 weeks, Howard has barely faced up at all. It is apart of his game that he isn't comfortable with just yet. I figure next year we will see a lot more of it as he continues to work on his jumper.

The problem is he just doesn't get theball enough. Tonight he was getting it a little more than he has been lately but still not nearly enough. Just get him the ball and let him get some shot attempts up. He shoot's friggin 60%.

1. against the sixers, he had enough of ball.
2. the problem is, he did not do great with the touches he had.
3. he is probably tired for all the beating he has been getting.
4. that his offensive production dropped due to the lack of alley oop(s?) from nelson is laughable.
5. ha ha ha.

1. by the way, that hedo completely ignores dwight on the pick & rolls, especially in the fourth quarter, a la arroyo/darko pair of the last season, is something to watch out.
2. if dwight gets upset at hedo, it will be trouble for the whole team.
3. hedo is new at this leading thing in the nba.
4. here is to hoping that he does his thing with grace.

he'll go off against indy...just watch...no JO

MagicStarwipe wrote:The problem is he just doesn't get theball enough. Tonight he was getting it a little more than he has been lately but still not nearly enough. Just get him the ball and let him get some shot attempts up. He shoot's friggin 60%.

As before, with a healthy Nelson, Howard can expect more easy baskets.

drsd wrote:With Nelson out, Howard is missing the lob pass, often for an alley oop dunk.

Nelson does look for Howard more then others on the team. It's a shame though because if he were taller he could pull the entry pass off a lot easier.