Dwight Howard not happy with centre spot being taken out of nomination for All Star Games – NBA News
Dwight Howard, three time defensive player of the year and regarded as one of the greatest centres to have played the game of basketball, is not happy with the NBA’s decision of having the centre spot ruled out for nominations for the All Star Games. Owing to the fact that many of the basketball franchises are playing small ball in the NBA of today and there are a number of power forwards who are holding down the centre position, the NBA has changed their rules for All Star Nominations.
Previously, fans would vote for two forward starters and a centre starter. However, starting from this season, fans will vote for three front court players, meaning they have the option of not adding a true centre to the All Star team. And Howard, who has played in that position and even revolutionized it over the duration of his career, is not happy about the league’s decision at all.
“I don't like it at all. We work just as hard as anybody else. I don't think it's fair to take away a position which has been here for life. You need a center on the court. That's like taking away a guard. Its’ been that way since they started All-Star Games, so why change it now? Because centres shoot 3's now?,” said the 6 time all star emphatically.
Howard feels that although guards and forwards attract the most attention in the NBA of today because of their fancy plays and are usually the ones that land on the highlight reel, the centre spot is still as important in today’s league as it was before. He classifies the changing trends with regard to the skills of a centre player as mere evolution, saying that centres are evolving with the game and trying to add more skills to their craft, including shooting and passing.
"You look at some of the guys playing center, they're jumping out of the gym. And they're athletic, shooting the ball well. Moving around. The game is evolving. They teach you now you gotta have more than just a back-to-basket game. You gotta be able to face up and shoot and move the defence,” added Howard.
Howard is the first of the current centres in the league to criticize the league decision, but there might be more players who will question the decision in the future because it is being interpreted as centre not being a legitimate position in the league anymore.
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