Can Dwight Howard reach Tim Duncan?

[WesWesley]

This guy is dropping 20/20 games like its a hobby. Man Child is only 22. This type of dominance usually leads to championships. Do you think he has the potential to reach the level of a Tim Duncan?

[conleyorbust]

Anything is possible. Howard isn't as effective of a defender as Duncan and that is at the core of Duncan's greatness and dominance. If he decides to work on his defensive fundamentals he could possibly get to a Duncan level. He isn't nearly as good at setting up his teamates either, that is another thing that has allowed the Spurs to stay good for so long. Its easy to plug role players into the system because all they have to do is be disciplined on D and hit open shots.

Howard has a lot to work on if he wants to be at Duncan's level. He's also really young so its definitely possible.

[HarlemHeat37]

+1 on conley's post..

Howard has all the physical tools to surpass Shaq and Duncan, but he still has to improve a few parts of his game..he isn't even nearly as good as either Shaq or Duncan when it comes to playmaking ability and low post passing..that's a key part of the game when it comes to double teaming of course..the leadership aspect is also going to be vital..

it's all pretty meaningless right now, since Howard is so young and hasn't hit his prime yet..he's impressed me against the Raptors, but then again, who didn't expect him to completely dominate them like this?..

at this point, Lebron can surpass Jordan, Paul can surpass Magic..it doesn't mean it'll happen though..

[Patterns]

Dwight is like a wild young Shaq. He's not a Duncan-like player. He's a rich man's Amare without a jumpshot.

He will never be like Duncan because they are completely different players.

You build your team around Dwight differently. You want shooters who can pass with Dwight.

[sp6r=underrated]

Howard has the ability but that's only a small part of the battle. He has to avoid injury, have an excellent work ethic, and most difficult of all, he needs good luck.

[tsherkin]

Patterns and conley caught it, Howard isn't really anything like Duncan. In theory, he can surpass what Duncan has achieved but that's unlikely.

Duncan's major achievements have come from the incredible defense San Antonio has exhibited for such a long period of time and their perennial contention for the title (and certainly from the 4 chips they've actually won).

Howard really is more like a young Shaq, a dominant offensive force who's a good defender but nothing revolutionary unless he really sets his mind to it in short bursts, he's just not the same kind of smooth high-bball-IQ guy like Duncan.

He's incredibly young and has huge potential but has big flaws he must improve in order to legitimately challenge the status of the greats.

[Heat3]

Reach the level of Tim Duncan??

If this were a marathon, Timmy is crossing the finish line and Dwight is thinking about training for one.

He can...but he has a LOOOOOOOOOOONG way to go

[WesWesley]

Thing is, Howard's defense isn't that bad... One thing he hasn't been given credit for is his intimidation in the paint. That presence alone is so valuable on the defensive end. He forces people to think about him there waiting to pounce on their fg attempt.

Also, he shoots an amazing percentage and has really developed his passing.

The main weakness I see about Howard is his lack of fluidity. When he's put un an awkward situation, he seems to brick his attempts hard off the glass.

Its going to be interesting to see how good he becomes.

[Greer]

He is doing a good job at getting to that level so far. If he builds on his game next season like he did this season than I say it is inevitable. How much better can he get? He is already dropping 27ppg/21rpg/4bpg and shooting 67% in the playoffs. And yet you still see how much better he can get. I guess we will see.

[Heat3]

The primary stat with Duncan is 4 rings...maybe 5. The rest is secondary.

[tsherkin]

Thing is, Howard's defense isn't that bad...

It isn't bad at all, he's an above-average defender and has developed into a pretty good shot-blocker. It's just not at Duncan's level. Tim's one of the best defenders in league history.

[CBS7]

He can potentially destroy Duncan statistically. But he'll have to get the rings, at least two IMO, to compare to Duncan.

[OhMyBosh]

He can potentially destroy Duncan statistically. But he'll have to get the rings, at least two IMO, to compare to Duncan.

Duncan doesn't care about his stats. Never have and never will. He plays to win rings.

[conleyorbust]

He can potentially destroy Duncan statistically. But he'll have to get the rings, at least two IMO, to compare to Duncan.

Eh, even there the emphasis is on "potentially". Duncan can create easy shots for some of the less talented teamates without turning it over and he is definitely a more effictive defender without having to worry about foul trouble.

Howard can be a very efficient 20 ppg scorer and a super-elite rebounder but Duncan has a very high rebound rate also and can score at a higher volume, even though he does so at less efficiency he is much more likely to create for teamates and not turn the ball over.

Duncan does very well in the traditional points/rebounds but his versatility and passing on offense and discipline on D are what really make him unique and special and have allowed him to stifle opponents and create offense for his team against more exotic defensive strategies.

Don't get me wrong. Dwight led a team to 52 wins, they played great on both sides of the ball, things look good for the Magic. The question is whether they will be able to have the same success against better teams than the Raps.

[CBS7]

Make no mistake, I do think he has a LONG way to go, but really, if he wins 2-3 rings while putting up 25/15 type seasons while playing great defense, would it be crazy to consider him better then Duncan? The guy is 22, in his 3rd year right out of HS and just put up a 21/14 season and back to back 25/20 games in his first two playoff games as a favorite.

I don't think Howard will ever be the passer Duncan is, though. And Dwight has a ways to go defensively before he can even come close to Duncan.

I'm also not saying he will reach Duncan, I'm saying he can.

[conleyorbust]

Make no mistake, I do think he has a LONG way to go, but really, if he wins 2-3 rings while putting up 25/15 type seasons while playing great defense, would it be crazy to consider him better then Duncan? The guy is 22, in his 3rd year right out of HS and just put up a 21/14 season and back to back 25/20 games in his first two playoff games as a favorite.

I don't think Howard will ever be the passer Duncan is, though. And Dwight has a ways to go defensively before he can even come close to Duncan.

I'm also not saying he will reach Duncan, I'm saying he can.

Don't get me wrong, Dwight has the potential to do almost anything. I was just commenting that even statistically Dwight isn't really at TD's level because of the assists, TOs, and PFs.

[ronnymac2]

He most def can reach and surpass duncan. Everyone hit the points about his weaknesses thus far AND his improvement of these weaknesses. He has shown the ability to really improve parts of his game. The best thing about him is that he knows what he is in the league...hes a dominant center, and tries to show that by doing the big man things (score/rebound/block/defend) and always trying to dunk on people or get a high percentage shot, knowing nothing can really stop him. I don't know if he'll rack up the accomplishments of duncan or shaq or whoever, but i dont doubt that he'll be up there as far as dominance and ability and what he does for a team, with his improvements of course. He's setup to improve on that magic team. its a good shooting team and so-so on d(without him i mean), so he'll be able to learn more about svg's system, improve his decision making and passing, and NEED to continue to be dominant on d and the boards.

and so far in these playoffs, hes going crazy. haha

[Greer]

Duncan is good defensively, but he is hardly that much better than Howard. I'd say Duncan could be a better individual defender even though Dwight has a significantly lower opponents PER. Dwight is forced to guard the teams opposing low post scorer the majority of the time where as duncan can give kurt thomas those duties. However Dwight is a better shot blocker and weakside defender. Dwight is a better rebounder too.

[tsherkin]

As far as passing goes, I might point out that Shaq wasn't MUCH better as a passer in his early years, certainly not at a comparable age.

Defensively and in terms of expanding his game and all that, time will tell but there's no reason to doubt him. He has the work ethic, he has the physical gifts and he's got the foundational elements of his game there, I mean here he is doing the 25/20 thing in consecutive games in the playoffs, so that's something. We'll see how it goes. His defensive development and improvements as a passer will be telling in terms of how great he can become, of course.

[tsherkin]

Duncan is good defensively, but he is hardly that much better than Howard.

That's one of the most ridiculous things I've ever seen written on these boards. Tim Duncan as a rotational defender crushes Dwight Howard in every facet imaginable. And as a man-on defender, he's still superior to Howard.