Dwight Howard vs. Alonzo Mourning

KyleCleric · Post #21 » by **KyleCleric** » Sun May 18, 2008 4:12 am

This is a tough one, but I think I'd go with Dwight. Neither would be players that I'd want as my first offensive option and they're both fairly even in terms of offensive ability. Zo was more skilled, technical, but Dwight's athleticism and explosiveness is off the charts, which, IMO, more than compensates. I like how Howard has worked on his post game and improved. They both have the same biggest flaw on offense; they're turnover prone. Zo is the better shot blocker, but Howard certainly is as intimidating defensively around the rim as Zo was ever. In terms of post defense, I'm not sure if Zo was better than Howard. He probably was, but in terms of how much better, I'd probably rank that ability fourth behind shot blocking, rebounding, and scoring. Unquestionably, Howard is a far better rebounder and for centers that is important to me. Around 10 rebounds a game is nice, but Howard puts up 14 a game. 95-96 was probably Zo's best season, 23.2 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks and this year Howard had 20.7 points, 14.2 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks. It's hard to pass up the year Howard had, IMO, for the year Zo had.

Post #22 » by **miller31time** » Sun May 18, 2008 4:15 am

The current Howard has rebounding as his only advantage, and even that isn't as big as some might think (as was already mentioned, your teammates' ability to rebound the ball greatly affects your own rebounding numbers). I'd take a prime Mourning fairly easily, but Dwight will surpass that in time.

shawngoat23 · Post #23 » by **shawngoat23** » Sun May 18, 2008 4:20 am

KyleCleric wrote:This is a tough one, but I think I'd go with Dwight. Neither would be players that I'd want as my first offensive option and they're both fairly even in terms of offensive ability. Zo was more skilled, technical, but Dwight's athleticism and explosiveness is off the charts, which, IMO, more than compensates. I like how Howard has worked on his post game and improved. They both have the same biggest flaw on offense; they're turnover prone. Zo is the better shot blocker, but Howard certainly is as intimidating defensively around the rim as Zo was ever. In terms of post defense, I'm not sure if Zo was better than Howard. He probably was, but in terms of how much better, I'd probably rank that ability fourth behind shot blocking, rebounding, and scoring. Unquestionably, Howard is a far better rebounder and for centers that is important to me. Around 10 rebounds a game is nice, but Howard puts up 14 a game. 95-96 was probably Zo's best season, 23.2 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks and this year Howard had 20.7 points, 14.2 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks. It's hard to pass up the year Howard had, IMO, for the year Zo had.

I'm kind of partial to Mourning's lockout season. His pace that year was a brutal 84.8, which was over 10% slower than the Magic's pace this year.

(Not denying any of your points in favor of Howard, but that 20.1/11.0/1.6/0.7/3.9 looks a lot better in that regard.)

Post #24 » by **NO-KG-AI** » Sun May 18, 2008 4:39 am

I think Zo's post and help defense were a lot better. Not really close yet, Dwight has a lot to learn.

KyleCleric · Post #25 » by **KyleCleric** » Sun May 18, 2008 4:40 am

In terms of athleticism, explosiveness, size, height, most every measurement of athletic ability, except maybe speed and quickness (though that's more intangible), Howard is far superior. In a match up between the two, the only way that Zo wins is if he plays smarter than Howard. My memory may deceive me, but Zo as I remember was more reliant on his athleticism than his basketball IQ. I kind of seeing them both canceling each other out offensively and defensively and the match up coming down to rebounding. The stats seem to be in favor of Howard in that situation.

Post #26 » by **NO-KG-AI** » Sun May 18, 2008 4:56 am

Zo is really smart, he's about as good as anyone at giving the man he is guarding just enough space when they turn to draw a foul, where he can still get up and block the shot without fouling them.

Dwight is a better athlete, but a lot of guys were better athletes than Zo. I don't see his D coming close to Zo's right now, I think it's insulting to think Dwight is as good as Zo was.

halfHAVOC · Post #27 » by **halfHAVOC** » Sun May 18, 2008 5:45 am

easily zo.

ponder276 · Post #28 » by **ponder276** » Sun May 18, 2008 6:38 pm

Dwight is a better rebounder, and I actually prefer his offense - not as versatile, but give him the ball in the low post and he WILL dunk, draw a foul, or both. But I'll give this one to Zo for the d.

Flash is the Future · Post #29 » by **Flash is the Future** » Sun May 18, 2008 8:23 pm

Take a look at a 36 year old Alonzo Mourning (post kidney transplant) guarding a 21 year old Dwight here. Be sure to check out the last play at 1:41.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYmpPqJLX_Y

Wade2k6 · Post #30 » by **Wade2k6** » Sun May 18, 2008 8:38 pm

that last play was sick

Post #31 » by **Flash3** » Sun May 18, 2008 10:16 pm

Zo's D is what makes him a special kind of player.

His D has been a vital piece on a championship, and one of the major reasons his team was able to even win a title.

Yes, Howard is a very good defensive player, but a prime Zo and his D was just more impressive, IMO.

J-Mezzy · Post #32 » by **J-Mezzy** » Mon May 19, 2008 2:31 am

so far, you have to go with Zo. Better leader, similar offense, better defense.
I do think that if GMs had a choice to draft either guy to start a franchise, Dwight would be the easy choice thoguh

Post #33 » by **NO-KG-AI** » Mon May 19, 2008 2:54 am

^^win.

Miss you J

kundanp333 · Post #34 » by **kundanp333** » Mon May 19, 2008 9:21 am

Hands down Zo... Dwight, currently, is just a baby... prime Zo is a whole a lot better and smarter than Dwight is right now... Future: Dwight has everything to be better than Zo... i hope he can make his freethrows more importantly.... As for Zo, i love him to death... glad he s gonna be back... i hate it that Zo has trouble catchin the ball now... i wonder if he didnt anything about that issue in the off season.

G-Heel · Post #35 » by **G-Heel** » Mon May 19, 2008 4:26 pm

Why are we comparing a 22 year old to Prime Zo? Dwight is still very raw in his games, especially offensively. Prime Zo was a better defender, blocker, while still a force on the offensive end. Even rookie Zo had comparable stats to Dwight's last year stats, if not better. I think all this will change in 2 years when he's around 24.

Baller 24 · Post #36 » by **Baller 24** » Mon May 19, 2008 4:29 pm

G-Heel wrote:Why are we comparing a 22 year old to Prime Zo? Dwight is still very raw in his games, especially offensively. Prime Zo was a better defender, blocker, while still a force on the offensive end. Even rookie Zo had comparable stats to Dwight's last year stats, if not better. I think all this will change in 2 years when he's around 24.

Age has nothing to do with this, and plus Dwight has had a very good year this year.

Post #37 » by **Flash3** » Mon May 19, 2008 11:13 pm

G-Heel wrote:Why are we comparing a 22 year old to Prime Zo? Dwight is still very raw in his games, especially offensively. Prime Zo was a better defender, blocker, while still a force on the offensive end. Even rookie Zo had comparable stats to Dwight's last year stats, if not better. I think all this will change in 2 years when he's around 24.

Because the OP asked us to....

Current Dwight Howard, or Prime Zo?

Post #38 » by **tsherkin** » Tue May 20, 2008 3:39 pm

I side with 'Zo here. Similarly limited on offense compared to the best of his era (worse at drawing FTAs, but still capable of 20 ppg), Zo was radically superior on defense and close enough on the glass as to make the difference unmeaningful.

Alonzo Mourning was pretty much a 20/10 big man who was a monster help defender and an excellent post defender. Dwight has a lot of potential even still but 'Zo was one of the best defenders of all time at the 5 spot.