Denton: Howard Wants a Championship for Birthday
By John Denton
December 7, 2009
Note: The contents of this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Orlando Magic. All opinions expressed by John Denton are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of the Orlando Magic or their Basketball Operations staff, partners or sponsors. His sources are not known to the Magic and he has no special access to information beyond the access and privileges that go along with being an NBA accredited member of the media.
LOS ANGELES – Legend has it that it never rains in Southern California, but you could have fooled the Orlando Magic on Monday when a heavy thunderstorm battered the hangar-turned-gymnasium where they were practicing and threatened to drown out Stan Van Gundy’s screaming.
To make matters more bizarre, it was unseasonably frigid in L.A., so much so in the gym that assistant coach Patrick Ewing wore a hood over his head, Vince Carter donned two mismatched shooting sleeves to keep his arms warm and at least four players practiced in long sleeves.
Not Dwight Howard, who wore merely his stretchy, sleeveless adidas undershirt, allowing his massive shoulders to glisten with sweat as he worked on hook shots with both hands for more than 20 minutes. On this day, playful Dwight morphed into serious Dwight and the Magic’s big man had his focus locked in.
For a second consecutive year, the Magic will play in Los Angeles against the Clippers on Howard’s birthday. And after battering L.A. for 23 points and 22 rebounds last season, Howard wants to celebrate his 24th birthday on Tuesday with another dominant showing. And he’s already picked out just the gift that he wants for a birthday present, too.
``I just want a championship. That’s the only birthday present that I want for the rest of my life,’’ Howard said in all seriousness.
At 16-4 through 20 games, the Magic could be on course to put themselves in position to get that championship that the franchise narrowly missed last spring. But they have gotten this far with play that has been sometimes spectacular and sometimes spotty from their superstar center.
Howard’s aggressiveness and effectiveness has been limited by foul trouble and frustration. Through 20 games, he has just 36 blocks compared to 82 through the first 20 games of last season. Four times, he’s played less than 30 minutes because of foul trouble, leading to some un-Howard-like numbers such as: six games without a blocked shot; five single-digit rebound games; and five games with five fouls and two ejections for fouling out.
But Howard has battled through his issues, and when he’s been good, he’s been really good. He destroyed New Jersey and Milwaukee for 20-point, 20-rebound games and he battered the Atlanta Hawks on Thanksgiving Day in arguably Orlando’s biggest win of the season. Before Saturday’s victory at Golden State when Howard encountered foul trouble throughout, the Magic’s center seemed to have turned the corner with some stellar play.
When his individual work was finished followed by a 20-minute weight-lifting session, Howard said he’s tried to learn from his struggles as the team has thrived. And he’s working better to harness emotions that have occasionally spilled over at times.
``I understand that whatever I’m going through that night that I have to keep fighting and battle through the frustration,’’ said Howard, who ranks first in the NBA in field goal percentage (64.6 percent), second in rebounding (12.1), second in double-doubles (14) and 11th in blocked shots (1.8), while averaging 18.1 points. ``Whether I’m getting calls or they are going through me, I’ve tried to tell myself it’s an adjustment that I have to make. I know I’ll overcome whatever is in front of me.’’
Magic general manager Otis Smith said he has to remind himself daily that Howard is still only 24 years old, and there’s not a dunk that goes by that he doesn’t think about the progress that Howard has made since he was selected first overall in 2004. Smith often communicates with Howard daily and sometimes on multiple occasions in an attempt to help him get through the frustrations that he sometimes faces in games.
``It’s every day from everyone because we’re trying to get him to understand his value to us and the value to the opposing team when he’s frustrated,’’ Smith said. ``When that happens, that plays right into their hands. Part of other team’s game plans going in is, `How can we frustrate Dwight and take him out of the game?’’’
Smith thinks there is still plenty more growth in Howard’s game to come in the very near future. Smith balks at some of the criticism from TNT analyst that Howard failed to grow his game in the post since last spring’s Finals loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
While some has asked for Howard to add more of a jump shot to open things up, Smith simply wants his center to focus on getting better at his moves in the post. Both Van Gundy and Smith have raved about Howard’s development of patience and think the center has grown in light years as far as passing the ball.
``He’s gotten better at letting plays develop, better the last 15 games than early on. He’s getting it in the post and understanding that he doesn’t always have to be the end product of the ball going in the hoop,’’ Smith said. ``I think he’s starting to actually enjoy passing the ball.
``My magic number for him is still 26,’’ continued Smith, referring to Howard’s age after two more seasons. ``That’s when I think the world will be his and he’ll see things a little different.’’
Howard said that’s already happening, even though it may seem his game is only growing in baby steps instead of the monumental strides everyone wants. He said he’s dramatically better at reading defenses and make the correct plays now, and he thinks his uneven start to the season will soon be a thing of the past.
``The big area for me is still patience,’’ he said. ``Knowing when to shoot and when to pass and when to drive into the paint. Doing the little things have made me better. Last year, I was one speed and this year everything is slowing down for me.’’
John Denton writes for Orlandomagic.com. His Orlando Magic ``Behind the Scenes’’ segment can be heard on ESPN 1080 AM on Thursday at 5:05 p.m. Submit questions to John for his ``Ask J.D.’’ mailbag feature that will appear every Friday at AskJD@orlandomagic.com.
By John DentonDecember 7, 2009
Note: The contents of this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Orlando Magic. All opinions expressed by John Denton are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of the Orlando Magic or their Basketball Operations staff, partners or sponsors. His sources are not known to the Magic and he has no special access to information beyond the access and privileges that go along with being an NBA accredited member of the media.
LOS ANGELES – Legend has it that it never rains in Southern California, but you could have fooled the Orlando Magic on Monday when a heavy thunderstorm battered the hangar-turned-gymnasium where they were practicing and threatened to drown out Stan Van Gundy’s screaming.
To make matters more bizarre, it was unseasonably frigid in L.A., so much so in the gym that assistant coach Patrick Ewing wore a hood over his head, Vince Carter donned two mismatched shooting sleeves to keep his arms warm and at least four players practiced in long sleeves.
Not Dwight Howard, who wore merely his stretchy, sleeveless adidas undershirt, allowing his massive shoulders to glisten with sweat as he worked on hook shots with both hands for more than 20 minutes. On this day, playful Dwight morphed into serious Dwight and the Magic’s big man had his focus locked in.
For a second consecutive year, the Magic will play in Los Angeles against the Clippers on Howard’s birthday. And after battering L.A. for 23 points and 22 rebounds last season, Howard wants to celebrate his 24th birthday on Tuesday with another dominant showing. And he’s already picked out just the gift that he wants for a birthday present, too.
``I just want a championship. That’s the only birthday present that I want for the rest of my life,’’ Howard said in all seriousness.
At 16-4 through 20 games, the Magic could be on course to put themselves in position to get that championship that the franchise narrowly missed last spring. But they have gotten this far with play that has been sometimes spectacular and sometimes spotty from their superstar center.
Howard’s aggressiveness and effectiveness has been limited by foul trouble and frustration. Through 20 games, he has just 36 blocks compared to 82 through the first 20 games of last season. Four times, he’s played less than 30 minutes because of foul trouble, leading to some un-Howard-like numbers such as: six games without a blocked shot; five single-digit rebound games; and five games with five fouls and two ejections for fouling out.
But Howard has battled through his issues, and when he’s been good, he’s been really good. He destroyed New Jersey and Milwaukee for 20-point, 20-rebound games and he battered the Atlanta Hawks on Thanksgiving Day in arguably Orlando’s biggest win of the season. Before Saturday’s victory at Golden State when Howard encountered foul trouble throughout, the Magic’s center seemed to have turned the corner with some stellar play.
When his individual work was finished followed by a 20-minute weight-lifting session, Howard said he’s tried to learn from his struggles as the team has thrived. And he’s working better to harness emotions that have occasionally spilled over at times.
``I understand that whatever I’m going through that night that I have to keep fighting and battle through the frustration,’’ said Howard, who ranks first in the NBA in field goal percentage (64.6 percent), second in rebounding (12.1), second in double-doubles (14) and 11th in blocked shots (1.8), while averaging 18.1 points. ``Whether I’m getting calls or they are going through me, I’ve tried to tell myself it’s an adjustment that I have to make. I know I’ll overcome whatever is in front of me.’’
Magic general manager Otis Smith said he has to remind himself daily that Howard is still only 24 years old, and there’s not a dunk that goes by that he doesn’t think about the progress that Howard has made since he was selected first overall in 2004. Smith often communicates with Howard daily and sometimes on multiple occasions in an attempt to help him get through the frustrations that he sometimes faces in games.
``It’s every day from everyone because we’re trying to get him to understand his value to us and the value to the opposing team when he’s frustrated,’’ Smith said. ``When that happens, that plays right into their hands. Part of other team’s game plans going in is, `How can we frustrate Dwight and take him out of the game?’’’
Smith thinks there is still plenty more growth in Howard’s game to come in the very near future. Smith balks at some of the criticism from TNT analyst that Howard failed to grow his game in the post since last spring’s Finals loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
While some has asked for Howard to add more of a jump shot to open things up, Smith simply wants his center to focus on getting better at his moves in the post. Both Van Gundy and Smith have raved about Howard’s development of patience and think the center has grown in light years as far as passing the ball.
``He’s gotten better at letting plays develop, better the last 15 games than early on. He’s getting it in the post and understanding that he doesn’t always have to be the end product of the ball going in the hoop,’’ Smith said. ``I think he’s starting to actually enjoy passing the ball.
``My magic number for him is still 26,’’ continued Smith, referring to Howard’s age after two more seasons. ``That’s when I think the world will be his and he’ll see things a little different.’’
Howard said that’s already happening, even though it may seem his game is only growing in baby steps instead of the monumental strides everyone wants. He said he’s dramatically better at reading defenses and make the correct plays now, and he thinks his uneven start to the season will soon be a thing of the past.
``The big area for me is still patience,’’ he said. ``Knowing when to shoot and when to pass and when to drive into the paint. Doing the little things have made me better. Last year, I was one speed and this year everything is slowing down for me.’’
John Denton writes for Orlandomagic.com. His Orlando Magic ``Behind the Scenes’’ segment can be heard on ESPN 1080 AM on Thursday at 5:05 p.m. Submit questions to John for his ``Ask J.D.’’ mailbag feature that will appear every Friday at AskJD@orlandomagic.com.
