Howard Complaining about fouls

[Mezotarkus]

This is an amusing article. Howard averaged 5 blocks per game in less than 30 minutes reflecting an incredibly aggressive playing style during the series but he's baffled why he received so many fouls. He received so many because he committed so many fouls. And there were several non-calls so he should feel lucky. Remember when Howard clothes lined Wallace in the fourth quarter of Game 1 when Howard had 5 fouls and the refs pretended that was not a foul?

I like the part too where Howard complains and then says "I'm not looking to say anything to get myself in trouble with the league, but I just don't see other star players getting called for fouls the way I get them. No star player in the league is outta games the way I am."

First, too late for not getting in trouble. The league should penalize him if not suspend him for game 1 to send the harsher message Stern was talking about last week.

Second, the other "star players" aren't committing as many fouls as Howard so thus they aren't getting called for as many. Its not difficult to understand. I am hoping the Magic meet the Cavs. Shaq is looking very good out there and I am looking forward to watching the two "Supermans" go at it.

Magic center Dwight Howard used his personal web site to vent about his foul trouble in the first round against the Bobcats.

Orlando swept Charlotte in four games.

"Well, back in O-town after a long, frustrating stay in Charlotte, but I'm not hear to gripe and complain because we won the series and that was the goal all along," Howard wrote.

"Like I have said dozens of times already, this is about so much more than just me and me being frustrated. We're trying to win that gold ball and bring that 'chip back to Orlando for all the Magic fans out there.

"...Ya'll know that that series against Charlotte drove me crazy. I mean it was almost comical at times how I was getting fouls called on me. There was nothing I could do our there and I felt like I couldn't even move without getting that whistle blown on me.

"I'm not looking to say anything to get myself in trouble with the league, but I just don't see other star players getting called for fouls the way I get them. No star player in the league is outta games the way I am. I even talked to Pat Ewing about his career and he said he never had foul trouble like what I'm going through.

"I gotta say this is the most frustrating stretch of my career. I've never been through four games in a row like that. But hey, we won the series and we're moving on. I'm so so so hoping that things will be different next series against ATL or Milwaukee."

Howard was called for 22 fouls in the four games against Charlotte.

Read more: http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archi ... z0mOyrv8EQ

[GQCoolest]

I really thought Theo's 4th foul early in the 2nd half Game 4 was going the other way. Theo had his arms up, Dwight was bulling into him, and the whistle blew. The entire arena seemed to think it would go against Howard, and I really think the ref blew the whistle intending to call an offensive foul, realized it would have been 4 on Dwight, and just assigned it to Theo. Theo didn't do anything resembling a foul on that one.

[BigSlam]

"I'm not looking to say anything to get myself in trouble with the league, but I just don't see other star players getting called for fouls the way I get them. No star player in the league is outta games the way I am."

Ummmmmm news flash Dwight: The other "star" players who are bigs (see Bogut, Ming, Duncan, Shaq, Amare, KG etc) aren't as stupid as you.

There are ways to establish your position and not be called for an offensive foul.
There are ways to endure contact from opposing players and not get baited into fouling.

Even his team mates told him to pull his head in. They said something along the lines of "you don't have to try and prove you are the strongest man on the planet every time".

Shaq, Sideshow Bob and Z will eat him up if he doesn't change his ways.

[GQCoolest]

If I'm Atlanta's coach, Jason Collins is getting at least 8 minutes of playing time each game next series.

[Felton for Pres]

Slam nailed the first part of this issue. No one has touched on the bigger 2nd point.

One of the NBAs biggest problem is its star treatment. I know the fans want to see the stars and that doesn't happen if they are on the bench. However, the game HAS TO BE called fairly and consistantly. I don't care if you're Dwight or Theo, a foul is a foul. Do stars in baseball have different strike zones (smaller for batters, larger for pitchers)? I honestly don't know, but I hope not. Consistancy in officiating is extremely important to any games credibility.

Dwight not only acknowledges the star treatment perception in his statements but he flat out states that its expected. I have a massive problem with that.

[Mezotarkus]

Slam nailed the first part of this issue. No one has touched on the bigger 2nd point.

One of the NBAs biggest problem is its star treatment. I know the fans want to see the stars and that doesn't happen if they are on the bench. However, the game HAS TO BE called fairly and consistantly. I don't care if you're Dwight or Theo, a foul is a foul. Do stars in baseball have different strike zones (smaller for batters, larger for pitchers)? I honestly don't know, but I hope not. Consistancy in officiating is extremely important to any games credibility.

Dwight not only acknowledges the star treatment perception in his statements but he flat out states that its expected. I have a massive problem with that.

I agree on the second point and I think we as fans have gotten almost used to this being the norm. I have not performed an analysis to see whether "stars" really get such treatment or whether they get more fouls called on their opponent because, as stars, they have the ball more. But I do think there is a stench of favoritism towards more veteran players and star players. You often hear that rookies "aren't going to get that call" for some reason - why not? if its a foul - whether its Lebron James or Chris Washburn (yeah, I went there) - they foul should be called.

[BigSlam]

Dwight not only acknowledges the star treatment perception in his statements but he flat out states that its expected. I have a massive problem with that.

I agree. I hate the star treatment thing.

There are expectations that are formed through experience. Eg: Wade is sensational at changing direction at high speed, contorting his body and getting into the paint. Getting to the line for him isn't getting star treatment IMO, it's a part of his game and his ability that makes him a star. I have no problem with him getting to the line the way he does.

I do have a problem if Felts and/or DJ are doing the same thing, getting smoked and not getting the calls though. All players should be rewarded the same way, regardless of stature.

The Howard thing is so much more cut and dry though. Raming your elbow or forearm into a defender is raming your elbow or forearm into a defender no matter how you slice it. He can cry "but they were holding me" line all he wants but that doesn't mean the refs should ignore his actions just because he feels he is a star.

Using that logic I guess Howard would feel it be more than ok to pick up a guy and throw him 12 rows back and not be called for a foul, so long as at one stage the defender was holding or playing up on him?

Laughable.

[Mezotarkus]

On the Magic board, one of the Magic fans actually said its arguable whether Howard committed ANY fouls during the entire series. Craziness. In any event, I think Howard was treated fairly if not perhaps did get a bit of star treatment given some of the noncalls or calls in his favor.

[dmutombo321]

I'm really looking forward to watching Howard match up against Shaq.

Shaq is merely a role player at this advanced stage of his career and his his diminished athleticism keeps him grounded now.

However, he is still as strong as he's ever been and he's the only person in the entire league that Howard is not capable of physically overpowering in terms of establishing post position.

To be effective against Oneil, Howard is going to have to employ some touch and finesse to go over him because he certainly isnt going to go through him.

[Walt Cronkite]

Players always complain about calls... but he seems to really think he didn't do anything. Someone should get him to watch tnt's breakdown of the types of calls he got. There's always going to be questionable ones, but those are typically offset by the ones you got away with, imo. Anyway, it's like a few of the Magic fans eventually agreed on, if you want to challenge so many shots and a team is attacking the rim, you're going to be in foul trouble.

He wrote "hear" instead of "here". Come on Dwight, I'm rooting for you to be better than that!

[BigSlam]

I'm really looking forward to watching Howard match up against Shaq.

Shaq is merely a role player at this advanced stage of his career and his his diminished athleticism keeps him grounded now.

However, he is still as strong as he's ever been and he's the only person in the entire league that Howard is not capable of physically overpowering in terms of establishing post position.

To be effective against Oneil, Howard is going to have to employ some touch and finesse to go over him because he certainly isnt going to go through him.

It's not just Shaq's size that Howard will struggle with, it's the fact that Shaq is crafty, disciplined and has a heck of a higher BBIQ than Howard does.

[Walt Cronkite]

I AM.. KAZAAM (because he's also a superior actor and celebrity)

and cop.

[doc.end]

Players always complain about calls... but he seems to really think he didn't do anything. Someone should get him to watch tnt's breakdown of the types of calls he got. There's always going to be questionable ones, but those are typically offset by the ones you got away with, imo. Anyway, it's like a few of the Magic fans eventually agreed on, if you want to challenge so many shots and a team is attacking the rim, you're going to be in foul trouble.

He wrote "hear" instead of "here". Come on Dwight, I'm rooting for you to be better than that!

See, he skipped college for a reason - he would have to play in Europe anyway with current rules.

[TheChaser]

You guys are funny.

[BigSlam]

You guys are funny.

We are a fairly humorous board but not nearly as funny as Howard is for committing stupid foul after stupid foul and taking himself out of a game though!!

[BigSlam]

Justice!!

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard has been fined $35,000 for public criticism of the officiating that appeared on his personal blog, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations.

Howard’s comments appeared on his blog on April 27.

Read more: http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archi ... z0mRbqKldf

[doc.end]

Yup, in turn those characters on Magic board want Stern's head, lol. They are crazy.

If Dwight could count to five, he would know when he needs to stop fouling

Such a waste of potential, imagine what he could become with let's say Jared Dudley's brain instead.

Good catch is that not many players call themselves superstars (even if they are). Dwight does.

[fatlever]

i was very disappointed in howard in this series. half his fouls were stupid offensive fouls. i'll agree there were a few that i was like "wow. OK. i'll take it" but for every one of those was a no call. he was trying to force his way around in the post and just push people out of position and you cant do that. tyson and nazr are big enough and strong enough to battle down there and hold their position. and when you try to block EVERY damn shot in the paint you are bound to miscalculate 2-3 times were game on defense. he has got to learn when to pick his spots.

[BigSlam]

He's got to learn to take a charge.

[doc.end]

He can't do that - he doesn't know where the paint is cause often non-calls when he is more than 3 second inside.

On Magic board they are no different - they are claiming this should be an offensive foul http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwtIe_TmyV8 (taken from Refa screwing Dwight thread) With Van Gundy whining too, maybe there is just something in the water down there.

Like fat said there were some questionable or plain bad calls/non-calls both sides. Dwight just can't adjust, he probably thinks that when he is a superstar, his team will win just because of that.