Howard, Paul or Bryant
Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 4:18 pm
There is a poll at the bottom of the daily dime on ESPN asking who had the more impressive first round, Kobe, Chris or Dwight. Right now Dwight is only getting 15% of the vote.
I voted for Dwight (obviously) but am a little surprised that non-homers rate his series so far behind the other two. For the series:
Chris Paul: 24 pts, 5.6 reb, 12 ast
Kobe Bryant: 28 pts, 6.3 reb, 5.4 ast
Dwight Howard: 22 pts, 18 reb, 3.8 blk
I know points are the flashiest stat, but for the series I think Dwight's numbers are more impressive. I think it's much harder to average 8 more ppg than 8 more rebounds as in Kobe to Dwight. And Dwight's 8 block game was incredible.
Granted I did not watch all the Lakers and Hornets games, but of the ones I saw I don't think either Bryant or Paul were unquestionably more dominant than Dwight.
Dwight's impact on the defensive end, with the countless number of shots he altered and intimidated, and the amount of constant attention he commanded on offense made everyone elses job easier.
Obviously both Paul and Bryant are more potent scorers but I think a big man in the paint who can score attracts more attention from the defense and puts more pressure on them than a scoring wing or guard. Even though Howard isn't a threat to go off for 40 like Kobe or Paul, I think he requires more defensive energy and thus opens the game up more for his teammates.
If I'm going to try and be unbiased, I'd rank it Paul (12 ast is just gaudy), Howard, Bryant.
I voted for Dwight (obviously) but am a little surprised that non-homers rate his series so far behind the other two. For the series:
Chris Paul: 24 pts, 5.6 reb, 12 ast
Kobe Bryant: 28 pts, 6.3 reb, 5.4 ast
Dwight Howard: 22 pts, 18 reb, 3.8 blk
I know points are the flashiest stat, but for the series I think Dwight's numbers are more impressive. I think it's much harder to average 8 more ppg than 8 more rebounds as in Kobe to Dwight. And Dwight's 8 block game was incredible.
Granted I did not watch all the Lakers and Hornets games, but of the ones I saw I don't think either Bryant or Paul were unquestionably more dominant than Dwight.
Dwight's impact on the defensive end, with the countless number of shots he altered and intimidated, and the amount of constant attention he commanded on offense made everyone elses job easier.
Obviously both Paul and Bryant are more potent scorers but I think a big man in the paint who can score attracts more attention from the defense and puts more pressure on them than a scoring wing or guard. Even though Howard isn't a threat to go off for 40 like Kobe or Paul, I think he requires more defensive energy and thus opens the game up more for his teammates.
If I'm going to try and be unbiased, I'd rank it Paul (12 ast is just gaudy), Howard, Bryant.