Dwight Howard Isn't Playing Hard; Can't Have it Both Ways

[milesfides]

Ok, so Dwight has told everybody he's hurting. But what I don't get is the passive-aggressive complaints about not getting enough shot attempts. I don't get the lack of defense or rebounding.

If a guy has a torn labrum, how are more shot attempts going to help?

He got that injury precisely because:

1) he always brings the ball down, then up for the dunk
2) he's a terrible free throw shooter

So, of course opponents are going to hack him.

What can he do if his shoulder is really hurt?

He can keep his arms up to play defense and protect the rim. He can rebound. He can move his feet. If he has a torn labrum, that's what he can do to help this team.

The guy is not playing hard. That's it. He's pointing fingers at teammates. Like he expects Nash and Jamison to be capable defensive players? The Lakers got Dwight precisely so he could cover for them, not expose them.

If he really is hurting that badly, then he should either not play, or do other things that will help the team. He's doing neither. He's only playing because he was called out, but he wants to world to see how unhappy he is and how his teammates aren't passing the ball. Every now and then he'll throw down a thunderous dunk or an athletic move to try to show the world that he's a caged butterfly but what he ends up doing is just confusing everybody about his injury. What a beast-ohwaitaminutewhyaren'tyoudoingthatattheotherend?

Shoulder hurts? Don't complain about getting touches. Move the ball. Tip rebounds. Move your feet. Box out. Set solid screens.

Kobe and Nash have changed and sacrificed their games for the benefit of the team. Yeah, you can criticize D'Antoni or any of the other players for sucking, being old or being stupid. And for a large part, they're valid criticisms.

But Dwight? He's just out there sulking and playing half-assedly. That's simply unacceptable. It's unworthy of purple and gold. Plenty of Lakers, both great and small, have played hurt, and they played as hard as they could in the capacity they could.

One thing you cannot hide from the camera is effort. It's the guy who's fighting on the court. The guy who's gutting it out. Playing with heart. Dripping sweat. Fighting.

The kinda crap I'm seeing on the court, arguing with teammates, not defending, not rebounding, indifferent attitude. You can't hide those things behind an injury excuse.

[KB24TBOTB]

Ok, so Dwight has told everybody he's hurting. But what I don't get is the passive-aggressive complaints about not getting enough shot attempts. I don't get the lack of defense or rebounding.

If a guy has a torn labrum, how are more shot attempts going to help?

He got that injury precisely because:

1) he always brings the ball down, then up for the dunk
2) he's a terrible free throw shooter

So, of course opponents are going to hack him.

What can he do if his shoulder is really hurt?

He can keep his arms up to play defense and protect the rim. He can rebound. He can move his feet. If he has a torn labrum, that's what he can do to help this team.

The guy is not playing hard. That's it. He's pointing fingers at teammates. Like he expects Nash and Jamison to be capable defensive players? The Lakers got Dwight precisely so he could cover for them, not expose them.

If he really is hurting that badly, then he should either not play, or do other things that will help the team. He's doing neither. He's only playing because he was called out, but he wants to world to see how unhappy he is and how his teammates aren't passing the ball. Every now and then he'll throw down a thunderous dunk or an athletic move to try to show the world that he's a caged butterfly but what he ends up doing is just confusing everybody about his injury. What a beast-ohwaitaminutewhyaren'tyoudoingthatattheotherend?

Shoulder hurts? Don't complain about getting touches. Move the ball. Tip rebounds. Move your feet. Box out. Set solid screens.

Kobe and Nash have changed and sacrificed their games for the benefit of the team. Yeah, you can criticize D'Antoni or any of the other players for sucking, being old or being stupid. And for a large part, they're valid criticisms.

But Dwight? He's just out there sulking and playing half-assedly. That's simply unacceptable. It's unworthy of purple and gold. Plenty of Lakers, both great and small, have played hurt, and they played as hard as they could in the capacity they could.

One thing you cannot hide from the camera is effort. It's the guy who's fighting on the court. The guy who's gutting it out. Playing with heart. Dripping sweat. Fighting.

The kinda crap I'm seeing on the court, arguing with teammates, not defending, not rebounding, indifferent attitude. You can't hide those things behind an injury excuse.

Preach, dude is a drama queen. I thought Drew was bad about post touches but this guy is way worse and it's funny because he isn't half the player Drew is in the post. What a damn shame

[leeprettyp]

Been saying this for months and people just labeled me a Dwight hater and Kobe homer on here. It doesnt take Einstein to realize and see Dwight doesn't play hard out there. His issue is he "THINKS" he is a dominant force in the post but is far from it (whether thats because of the back issue or not can be argued). IMO the issue is in Orlando SVG realized Dwight's lack of back to the basket game and compensated that with running a 4 wing/shooter lineup that would space the court, prevent double teams and allow Dwight to use what his best gift is....HIS ATHLETICISM, to grab almost every offensive rebound. On the defensive end Steve Clifford ran the same exact defensive system that we're running out here in LA now but dwight isnt totally committed to being this teams Ben Russell/Ben Wallace like player (at this current time what we need from him). I've never seen a teammate point fingers at his guys on both ends of the court when it was really them making the mistake. The guy literally stop playing to yell at Steve Nash (on an ABC nationally televised game) and when Nash later went over to try to hug the guy to mend fences with him he shrugged him off. This guy really needs to get over himself. And if he thinks he gonna tank it so Mike D gets fired so we can re-hire Phil Jackson he's in for a RUDE AWAKENING. He thinks Kobe misconstrued comments throws him over the bus. Wait till Phil gets back into the fold. All that lackluster play wont cut it Phil. He's a master manipulator of the media and he'd talk about Dwight so bad if he's trying to be a team cancer. The guy has all the talent in the world to be Bill Russell version 2.0 and win rings but somehow after that 2009 NBA finals he got big headed and started to believe he was the 2nd coming of Shaq smh

[KB24TBOTB]

Been saying this for months and people just labeled me a Dwight hater and Kobe homer on here. It doesnt take Einstein to realize and see Dwight doesn't play hard out there. His issue is he "THINKS" he is a dominant force in the post but is far from it (whether thats because of the back issue or not can be argued). IMO the issue is in Orlando SVG realized Dwight's lack of back to the basket game and compensated that with running a 4 wing/shooter lineup that would space the court, prevent double teams and allow Dwight to use what his best gift is....HIS ATHLETICISM, to grab almost every offensive rebound. On the defensive end Steve Clifford ran the same exact defensive system that we're running out here in LA now but dwight isnt totally committed to being this teams Ben Russell/Ben Wallace like player (at this current time what we need from him). I've never seen a teammate point fingers at his guys on both ends of the court when it was really them making the mistake. The guy literally stop playing to yell at Steve Nash (on an ABC nationally televised game) and when Nash later went over to try to hug the guy to mend fences with him he shrugged him off. This guy really needs to get over himself. And if he thinks he gonna tank it so Mike D gets fired so we can re-hire Phil Jackson he's in for a RUDE AWAKENING. He thinks Kobe misconstrued comments throws him over the bus. Wait till Phil gets back into the fold. All that lackluster play wont cut it Phil. He's a master manipulator of the media and he'd talk about Dwight so bad if he's trying to be a team cancer. The guy has all the talent in the world to be Bill Russell version 2.0 and win rings but somehow after that 2009 NBA finals he got big headed and started to believe he was the 2nd coming of Shaq smh

Lol he'd probably start crying after Phil threw him under the bus a couple times

[albasuna]

He's playing himself out of a max contract... but the sad truth is that he's still going to get it.

[ROballer]

He's playing himself out of a max contract... but the sad truth is that he's still going to get it.

Supposedly he can ask for a 5 yr 125 million contract(from us)...that's his MAX

I can't imagine he'll give us any kind of a discount....so we'll be paying him 25 mil per year on average

He better pull his head out of his ass and start playing with some urgency....some thought Kobe's deal was an aberration,well look at how much Dwight will get considering his play/attitude

Like Miles said,he's injured,fine,that's an excuse most of us will accept...but he cannot show that lack of effort on the court EVER and expect getting paid that kind of money

Bitching about touches when an article from a few weeks ago clearly stated that he's getting the 2nd most touches among big man in the post(while converting way way less efficiently than the last few years)
He's also contradicting himself.....he's repeatedly stated that he's not 100%,he can feel his legs tingling when he sits down,his shoulder hurts blablabla....and still he wants more touches despite of that?GTFO

Play hard,do your damn job on D and on the boards and you'll get your touches
It's exactly how JVG said on his rant during the OKC game(I think)....he can't not play D because he's frustrated with his looks on O...he's not an all world skilled player in the post nor is he dominant enough to bully the people they put on him(like Shaq) to warrant that bitching and lack of assertiveness on D

[Beethoven]

Damn Bynum. Want him back.

[Kilroy]

Damn Bynum. Want him back.

Staples has pretty good attendance already, I think we have enough spectators.

[Cashin out]

I wish some of you guys had a bad back and a torn labrum, then try to play 82 games of a basketball season. I will be glad when he leaves, just so you talk about how you miss him next year when he is dominating with Houston.

[AcecardZ]

I just wish people would save their criticism until Dwight is healthy. If he's back at > 90% and still not producing I'll understand all the hate but until the please give the guy a break.

[leeprettyp]

I just wish people would save their criticism until Dwight is healthy. If he's back at > 90% and still not producing I'll understand all the hate but until the please give the guy a break.

Its not that bro. My criticisms of him isnt about production fellas. My issue is the effort he is giving out there. Thats also wearing thin with not just fans but also his teammates. You show up in spots of the game yesterday but then he quit again after that situation with Nash happened. Did u see how Earl Clark ran at Dwight with the, "Stop and Kill it" mentially? Even at 70% he can still impact the game on the defensive end and rebound/ He can COMPETE!!!

[Kilroy]

I wish some of you guys had a bad back and a torn labrum, then try to play 82 games of a basketball season. I will be glad when he leaves, just so you talk about how you miss him next year when he is dominating with Houston.

Cashin out = Dwight's Daddy

[Cashin out]

I wish some of you guys had a bad back and a torn labrum, then try to play 82 games of a basketball season. I will be glad when he leaves, just so you talk about how you miss him next year when he is dominating with Houston.

Cashin out = Dwight's Daddy

Nah i'm just tired of Laker fans blaming this guy for everything. I would trade him now if I was the GM, there is no way he is resigning with this team.

[ROballer]

I just wish people would save their criticism until Dwight is healthy. If he's back at > 90% and still not producing I'll understand all the hate but until the please give the guy a break.

Its not that bro. My criticisms of him isnt about production fellas. My issue is the effort he is giving out there. Thats also wearing thin with not just fans but also his teammates. You so it in spots of the game yesterday but then he quit again after that situation with Nash happened. Did u see how Earl Clark ran at Dwight with the, "Stop and Kill it" mentially? Even at 70% he can still impact the game on the defensive end and rebound/ He can COMPETE!!!

Nailed it .....

Said the same thing in my post...I don't give a **** about how much he scores if the impact on D and on the boards are there

It's body language,you can clearly see when the dude is trying or not.....injuries have nothing to do with it

[leeprettyp]

I wish some of you guys had a bad back and a torn labrum, then try to play 82 games of a basketball season. I will be glad when he leaves, just so you talk about how you miss him next year when he is dominating with Houston.

Cashin out = Dwight's Daddy

I get it he's still in love with the name and not focusing on the effort and mental issues out there. If I had the choice, of course I want the guy to resign but its evident that he's gonna need an young elite playmaking wing player with him to be great going forward. We cant bank of this guy mental makeup and approach to the game to change.

[Puffthemagic]

everytime someone posts about Howard..all I can think is "would this be different if Phil were here"

[leeprettyp]

everytime someone posts about Howard..all I can think is "would this be different if Phil were here"

Thats no guarantee IMO, Phil can be a verbal abuser through the media at times. Thats why I said he thinks Phil Jackson is the cure all but in reality Phil wouldnt put up with Dwights antics either. Would I rather have Phil thanMike D..... Of course but lets not act like Phil wouldnt have called out Dwight for demanding post touches without a good back to the basket game. To be honest I'm pretty sure Phil would've moved Dwight to 3rd option at best in favor of Gasol getting majority of the post touches.

[KevinUrb]

I think Kobe can help the cause with Dwight by publicy defend him to the media instead of the latter. Even though it may sound like an excuse, let the media know that Dwight isn't 100%, and if Dwight was at least 90% we would clearly be more of a beast team. I think with Kobe showing more support for Dwight this way, it would gain Dwight's trust, it would at least give Dwight more incentive to go all out. Even though that shouldn't be what it take for Dwight to go all out, it's clear its what needs to be done. Dwight said it himself he thinks the Lakers should support him more.

[bigpimpatl]

everytime someone posts about Howard..all I can think is "would this be different if Phil were here"

Thats no guarantee IMO, Phil can be a verbal abuser through the media at times. Thats why I said he thinks Phil Jackson is the cure all but in reality Phil wouldnt put up with Dwights antics either. Would I rather have Phil thanMike D..... Of course but lets not act like Phil wouldnt have called out Dwight for demanding post touches without a good back to the basket game. To be honest I'm pretty sure Phil would've moved Dwight to 3rd option at best in favor of Gasol getting majority of the post touches.

He probably respects Phil, and if he truly wanted to be a Laker from the start he'd probably do anything for him.

[Slava]

Related article, pretty well-written, by Kevin Ding

For months, Nash has been talking about the Lakers needing to have "shared experiences" to grow together. That's tough if the teammates are seeing the experiences from totally different perspectives.

That's what prompted Nash and Howard to yell at each other in the third quarter of the Lakers' loss Sunday in Miami.

Nash drove and was trapped on the baseline by two Miami defenders, Udonis Haslem about to force Nash out of bounds and Mario Chalmers also there between Nash and Howard, who stood deep in the paint. The other three Lakers had the floor spaced the way Mike D'Antoni wants, all behind the 3-point arc, so no other Heat player could get to Howard.

Howard had time to stand there, stare at Nash and the two Heat players, hold his arms up and wave them.

So Howard's eyes and arms were working. Tragically, his legs and feet were not.

Are we going to chalk this up to after effects from his April back surgery, too?

Howard just stood there instead of trying to help Nash create a passing lane – and get himself an easy dunk, as Nash gestured afterward would've happened if Howard just did something besides stand there.

In Howard's eyes, he was open, so give him the ball. That has been Howard's point of view much of the season: He simply wants the ball, wants his touches, wants his shots – and yet refuses to buy into the D'Antoni doctrine that "the ball finds energy."

If Howard really lusts for individual offense so badly, why not try harder to get the ball? Even if he can't explode like he did when he fully trusted his body, at least try to do something. Just look at how well things went even with makeshift non-Nash point guards for Jordan Hill – with a herniated disk in his back and other injuries before requiring hip surgery – when he simply rolled hard off picks.

When teams trap or zone Nash, as they usually do, and stay at home on Kobe Bryant on the backside, it's pretty obvious that Howard is the guy with no one on him for the moment after the pick.

Catch, step, step. Score.

Not always, but certainly often – if you try.

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