Moderators: BigSlam, yosemiteben, fatlever, JDR720, Diop
yosemiteben wrote:Nothing involving Dwight is a main problem for this team relative to our bench.
yosemiteben wrote:Nothing involving Dwight is a main problem for this team relative to our bench.
316Hornets wrote:Dwight has a tough assignment when faced with 5s that space the floor. He's obviously our anchor in the post and I question whether him coming out would actually improve the defense that much since half our team can't stay in front of their man. Instead of open mid range jumpers, we'd give open layups or 3s.
yosemiteben wrote:I think him dropping is a scheme issue, not an effort issue.
catch20two wrote:Am I the only person that notice that it seem like he moves faster with the ball in his hands than without it?
Revived wrote:
catch20two wrote:Revived wrote:
Scrotum isn’t lying but eh. I’m just hoping some team is interested in his expiring contract going into next season. Dwight wasn’t bad for us this season but between his low BBIQ combined with our lack of coaching we loss a lot of games that we shouldn’t have.
2- There is plenty to attribute towards the Hornets struggle this season, but what’s the one theme that bothered you the most?
SP: If you follow me throughout the season, or listen to Buzz Beat Radio for that matter, then you already know the answer to this is going to be Dwight Howard.
D12 strolled into Charlotte this season, gobbled up big numbers at the team’s expense (mostly), and gave the Hornets PR team a dumb “record breaking player” narrative to float when it desperately needed something positive.
Except, therein lies the problem, I don’t see the positive in it. D12 high-jacked a spacey and creative offensive system that Clifford had worked so hard to implement with the Hornets and replaced it with the 3rd highest rate of post-ups in the NBA – refer to BG’s answer for the rest of D12’s frustrating post-up stats. I said it numerous times coming into the season: this offense could work with D12 in it if he bought in to being a committed screener, roller, rebounder and shot blocker – a low usage offensive player that catches lobs and out-muscles the opponent on the offensive glass. He was pretty much the opposite.
Dwight’s usage rate of 24.1% was his highest mark since the ’13-’14 season. D12 has always believed that offenses should go through him, but it’s never been true. The Hornets granted him the touches he demanded, Kemba and Batum usage rates predictably dropped, and the Hornets offense suffered – finishing 14th in the league.
Defensively, D12 shrunk the scheme Clifford could employ with his inability to move outside the paint. His fake effort protecting the rim was a sight that is sure to haunt my basketball dreams for years to come.
It’s likely that Kupchak will at least attempt to unload Dwight this summer (the two have a history), but the realistic prospect of that transaction are debatable (expiring deal, big cap number). Say what you want about D12, but he’s not a winning player and continues to prove that.
BG: A constant source of frustration: the over-reliance on Dwight Howard post-ups. The fun, side-to-side action from two seasons ago — when the Hornets were a top-10 offense and one of the NBA’s best 3-point forces — is gone. It’s replacement: an endless stream of D12 post touches that produce little in terms of positive output.
According to Synergy Sports, Dwight ranks No. 3 in the NBA in post-ups — over 37 percent of his possessions this season. The only two guys with more post touches: soon-to-be All-NBA big men LaMarcus Aldridge and Joel Embiid, both of whom are awesome on the block. There are 20 players this season averaging at least 3 post-ups per game; of that group, Dwight ranks 17th in efficiency — 0.81 points per possession — and 18th in turnover rate (18 percent).
It’s important to remember when these post-ups occur, too. Dwight played 92 percent of his minutes this season with Kemba; as we all know, Kemba is the plus/minus machine that makes Charlotte’s offense functional. So when he’s only the floor, the Hornets have to maximize offensive output in those minutes — knowing that it’ll be a slog once Kemba sits. The Hornets scored 108.8 points per 100 possessions (+2.2 net) with Kemba and Dwight on the floor together, which is pretty good; however, with Dwight on the bench, Charlotte scored 113.3 points per 100 (+7.2 net) with Kemba.
For a team like Charlotte, that’s so challenged for offense, you simply can’t justify lighting 6+ possessions per game on fire. I know, we’re fatigued of this talking point; however, this isn’t an effective way to operate on the margins.
I understand that “The Big Dog’s gotta eat” or whatever; if Dwight doesn’t get his token post touches, then he’s at risk for checking out. But it’s not like Charlotte received incredible activity from Dwight on the defensive end. The dependence on these possessions, especially when the offense slumped, made little sense.
JDR720 wrote:Im hoping that his stats and the fact that he didn't really cause any problems this year (off the court) means that we can get something for him.
what teams would need a big expiring? besides us obviously.
Balllin wrote:Zion Williamson is 6-5, with a 6-10 wingspan. I see him as a slightly better Kenneth Faried.