08-09 Dwight=A New Evolution?

[TheMadMagician]

We'll, here is how I see it. I think the only thing standing in the way of Dwight's offensive game is his shot. I know that's cliche, but I really believe dwight can do it. Dwight has the help of instructor and future HOF Patrick Ewing. Patrick's shot was absuloutley text book (ok, i don't know how to spell absoulutely) . It had full extension with a nice follow thru. Now I've heard that Ewing is working with Dwight on his extension and he's good with the high extension shot, but Dwight doesn't feel comfortable with it yet. I believe after this offseason, we will see a new Dwight in action, a face up monster if you will. Dwight has the quickness and strength to get past any big man in the league.

[OMPunk]

The way I see it Dwight made it clear coming into the league he wanted to be a face up type player, he wanted to be more Garnett than Duncan. I think if Dwight gets comfortable with a high release shot that he can shoot from about 8 feet out then he will add another move to his arsenal that I believe he desperately needs.

Right now Dwight's three offensive moves has gotten him about 20 points a game, add a reliable close shot or hook shot in there and he will be golden and pretty much unstoppable. He just has to be comfortable with the shot.

[Pancho_Pantera]

He has really good form on his jump shot, but he better have a damn hook shot in place by next season. Anything less than one move in his arsenal by next season is unacceptable.

[EasternMagic]

if he gets a jumper than other teams will have the white flag before the game even starts

[theTHIEF]

put your white flags down, he's not getting a jumper...

[01Magic01]

Some players will just never develop a jump shot. I'm not saying that Howard won't, but Shaq never did and their games are pretty much the same.

[ivDT]

won't really matter what dwight adds to his repetoire if he doesn't learn to be patient and mix things up.

[EasternMagic]

Some players will just never develop a jump shot. I'm not saying that Howard won't, but Shaq never did and their games are pretty much the same.

and he still dominated

[CourtsideTV]

he doesnt need a jumper. he needs to just practice shooting freethrows..he'll avg 30/15 if he does that.

[mhectorgato]

won't really matter what dwight adds to his repetoire if he doesn't learn to be patient and mix things up.

... and hit more of his FTs.

[Orium]

Hey look, it's the offseason.. time to have the same ol' discussions as last offseason. It's not gonna happen, Dwight is who he is. Time to face reality.

[drsd]

Howard's offensive game explodes if he lowers his TOs and hit his FTs anywhere near 70%. He does not need a new move.

[MitchellUK]

I'd love to see Dwight develop a jumper, but like others on this thread I am not necessarily sure it will happen. Can't rule it out, but it is doubtful.

With that said, I don't think he necessarily needs it. If he learns to pass out of double teams (and develops more of an inclination to do so - at the moment he is far too prone to trying to bulldoze his way through them), opponents will have to think twice about sending help defenders and he will see more single coverage. He then needs to refine the other aspects of his post game - spinning both ways, finishing with either hand (which addmitedly he has shown great improvement in), jab steps and pump fakes.

An unstoppable go-to move - a sky hook or a Dream shake - would be great. But they take years to refine. For the time being, if Dwight can just master a few simple post moves, plenty of teams will start waving the white flag anyway.

[CourtsideTV]

we dont want him taking jumpers..we have a team full of people who do that already..if anything..he needs a low post hakeem move which he fakes defender and gets an easy 2 at will.

[happypedro12]

Right now Dwight's three offensive moves has gotten him about 20 points a game, add a reliable close shot or hook shot in there and he will be golden and pretty much unstoppable. He just has to be comfortable with the shot.

yea I don't know about his jumper, you can tell in games he wants no part in taking a jump shot, but i have watched film in practice and he can shoot well. I say get a baby hook, i mean its such a simple move, especially for someone like dwight. he can still get close to the basket while using another move to throw defenders off

IMO I think his biggest weakness right now is understanding the double team factor. when he gets trapped he makes bad decisions, and he can't pass out of a double team to save his life. I know he understands HOW to do it, i mean he's a professional basketball player, but they should really work with him on that. You're only as strong as ur weakest link right.

[eyriq]

Hmm, the most frustrating thing to me, and a big reason why we have so many turnovers, is that he has a hard time sealing off his man to accept the entry pass. They are seemingly always getting a hand on it. If he changes that then the Magic would be a shockingly more efficient team and Dwight would see the ball a ton more.

Also, he needs to get his damn free throw shooting down. It is ridiculous.

[j-ragg]

I don't see why it's so unrealistic for him to add a jump shot.

If you've seen him warm up you've seen him hit the jumpers with consistency.

If he adds that then it'll (IMO) make him a better free throw shooter too. I couldn't imagine having to shoot free throws when all my shots in the game are dunks are hooks. I have to actually get my rhythm down by shooting a jump shot or two at least.

[TheRevTy]

If he can learn to spin the opposite way of the gambling defender immediately upon receiving the ball, he'll get a lot of dunks. And we know how Dwight loves dunks.

I would just like to see him work on his footwork in general, so he isn't just trying to plow through people. This will make him less susceptible to floppers, and thus less susceptible to getting frustrated and checking out mentally.

[cedric76]

80% free throw and we reach the final

[macdalejax]

80% free throw and we reach the final

Geesh! Stretching a little aren't we? And I thought 70% was a lot to expect out of him.