Orlando Magic and Dwight Howard need steel in the backcourt - NBA Feature
Orlando Magic’s big man Dwight Howard, who carried a skinny physique as a teenager, has blossomed into a muscular and heavily built player and has in effect established himself as the best centre in the world of basketball today.
Having a height of 6 feet and 11 inches with extra special leaping abilities, Howard is absolutely unstoppable on both ends of the court.
While Dwight is a beast on the defence who knocks down the best players of the opposition, the 25 year old superstar is a giant on the offence and has the ability to single handedly roll over the best defensive systems of the league.
Boston Celtics’ Kevin Garnett, who is regarded as the most physically intimidating player ever to set foot on the court, once said about Howard.
"[Howard] is a freak of nature, man... I was nowhere near that physically talented. I wasn't that gifted, as far as body and physical presence." This coming out of a man who has been included in the ‘All NBA First Defensive Team’
for a record nine times and counting.
Dwight Howard, who is the three-time reigning Best Defensive Player of the Year, has proved his brilliance in a very short time and is now regarded as one of the best players in the league. Despite of all the success Howard has
achieved in his career so far, he has not been able to get his hands on the holy grail of NBA, the Larry O’ Brien trophy, and many analysts believe that it is the tactical setup at his franchise that is halting his surge towards glory.
Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy prefers to go forward with three point shooter with Howard in the centre. With the help of this strategy, the franchise has succeeded in putting the opposition in two minds over the years and
they are in a mix whether to double-team Dwight on the paint and take a chance with the perimeter shooters or go one on one on Howard and hope for the best.
The offensive system has definitely worked for Orlando Magic and it gives Howard the best chance to dominate on the front court. It means that the Orlando offence does not limit the big man at all. A constant improvement in Howard’s
scoring average every year is a clear proof of the success of the offensive system. In the last season, Dwight averaged 22.9 points per game in less than 38 minutes of playing time.
However, what has not worked so far for the franchise is the effect that this strategy leaves on the defence. With not much support in the D, Howard is forced to use too much energy running back and forth to defend the rim and
at the same time ensure the score board is ticking. What Orland Magic really needs to do is to add some strength on the back court to make things easier for Howard.
There is no doubt that Howard is a kind of player who can lead Orlando Magic towards a number of NBA Championships. However, in order to make that happen promptly, Orlando needs to feel the urgency of a dynamic guard who can help
the big man on the defence.
The NBA is going through the lockout at the moment and the free agency has yet to take place. If Orlando manages to add up some strength on the defence in the next season, Orlando Magic might be the next team for the title fight.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not represent Bettor.com’s editorial policy.
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