Rondo and Dwight Howard

[connerhenry43]

I like Dwight Howard. He is an excellent player. However, why is the media so willing to point out the deficiencies in Rondo's game, yet no one comments how limited Howard's offensive game is? Sure Rondo is not the best shooter in the world, but he is light years ahead of where he was 2-3 years ago. Even last night, Reggie Miller (a nitwit by the way, give me back mike and tommy) is saying what Rondo needs to go to take his game to the next level, to become an elite player. Did he watch the Chicago series?

Meanwhile, Dwight Howard has a dunk shot and a semi-reliable hook shot to his game. Does anyone notice how limited his offensive game is? And he has roughly the same amount of nba experience as rondo, so youth cannot be mentioned.

All I am saying is that it seems to be the in thing to do to talk about what Rondo cannot do, instead of focusing on the tons of things he does well. Is it simply because  his game, for a 6-1 guy, is somewhat unconventional?

[CoachBo]

The difference, I think, is that the Celtic offense runs through Rondo on every possession. Orlando doesn't run through Howard - and I think a lot of Howard's issues are the defense of Kendrick Perkins.

When Rondo's working the basketball off the dribble and moving it, he's very, very good, as he was when he came back with five minutes left in the ballgame. When he doesn't - about 50 percent of the time in the playoffs, and for three quarters last night - the Celtics have a terrible time trying to score. He's more visible as the initiator of the Celtics' offense.

[idrinkdetergent]

You also have to remember that to Reggie miller if you cant shoot u cant play, because all he ever did was shoot. Don't recall any defensive or assist awards for him...

[Slugger]

Valid points.

I suppose Rondo, being a guard, would indicate most of his time spent on the perimeter - therefore they'd expect him to have a decent jumper.

I dont recall Tony Parker copping this much flack for his lack of outside touch though during the Spurs title runs.

[pengaloo]

You also have to consider that Dwight Howard is personable and has a nice media personality. Rondo's a mystery, so I'm sure for the media, everything about him can be fit into a one-page fact sheet.

Also, Dwight Howard not having an offensive game isn't going to kill the Magic. I agree with CoachBo - Rondo not having an offensive game hurts everybody on that team. The most obvious when you're watching is when they're double teaming off of him and Rondo stands in one place dribbling the ball.

[goz421]

I think one needs to look at the full body of work to understand what people are saying.  Rondo is younger in his carrer and just had one of the greatest series ever.  Howard is an mvp canidate and has been doing it a lot longer.  I don't see any slights.  As for Reggie Miller and his comments I think Rondo would be wise to take his advice.  Develop Ray Allen type of workout and Rondo can become even better.  I think it speaks volumes that people see just how good Rondo could be.  I think the op needs to chill and let things develop with time. One series does not make one elite.

[Michael Anthony]

As much as I dislike Reggie the Announcer (about half as much as I disliked Reggie the Player), I have to give him credit for his off-season advice.

If Rondo take the 500-700 15 footers and 1000 teardrops every day as perscribed by Miller the most prolific three point shooter of all time, it would not hurt his game.

And if Rondo averaged one made three pointer per night on 35% shooting, and could hit a wide open 15 footer 42% of the time, you could make a valid arguement that he is the top pointguard in the league.

[connerhenry43]

I think one needs to look at the full body of work to understand what people are saying.  Rondo is younger in his carrer and just had one of the greatest series ever.  Howard is an mvp canidate and has been doing it a lot longer.  I don't see any slights.  As for Reggie Miller and his comments I think Rondo would be wise to take his advice.  Develop Ray Allen type of workout and Rondo can become even better.  I think it speaks volumes that people see just how good Rondo could be.  I think the op needs to chill and let things develop with time. One series does not make one elite.

to quote sam malone, if i were any more relaxed, i would be dead. and about one year ago, i seem to remember rondo being the starting point guard on an nba title winner. so he has done more than play well in one series. he is an amazingly hard worker. he was better last year than he was the prior year, and he is better this year than last year. this is not luck, this is hard work. he will never be the shooter ray allen is, but he is a very hard worker, by all accounts. the proof is in the pudding.

[shiggins]

Valid points.

I suppose Rondo, being a guard, would indicate most of his time spent on the perimeter - therefore they'd expect him to have a decent jumper.

I dont recall Tony Parker copping this much flack for his lack of outside touch though during the Spurs title runs.

I think you heard wrong then.  Tony Parker got all kinds of crap for not being able to shoot.

[ManUp]

The only thing I don't like about D.Howard is how overrated his offense is. His game is based entirely on his strength, and freakish athleticism. I've said it a million times he's a bully offensively. There's a reason he can't score on Perk at will, and that's because he can't out muscle him. He doesn't have much touch, he doesn't know how to use his quickness, and his hook is as consistent as baby's jumper. People always said that about Shaq, but Shaq has shown he has the moves when he isn't dunking. Think about it a bit, when was the last time Dwight had a dominant offensive game against the Celtics?

Nothing new to me.

[CoachCowens]

The only thing I don't like about D.Howard is how overrated his offense is. His game is based entirely on his strength, and freakish athleticism. I've said it a million times he's a bully offensively. There's a reason he can't score on Perk at will, and that's because he can't out muscle him. He doesn't have much touch, he doesn't know how to use his quickness, and his hook is as consistent as baby's jumper. People always said that about Shaq, but Shaq has shown he has the moves when he isn't dunking. Think about it a bit, when was the last time Dwight had a dominant offensive game against the Celtics?

Nothing new to me.

you missed that he is a bad free throw shooter. although he has hit a few this series

[Fafnir]

You also have to consider that Dwight Howard is personable and has a nice media personality. Rondo's a mystery, so I'm sure for the media, everything about him can be fit into a one-page fact sheet.

Also, Dwight Howard not having an offensive game isn't going to kill the Magic. I agree with CoachBo - Rondo not having an offensive game hurts everybody on that team. The most obvious when you're watching is when they're double teaming off of him and Rondo stands in one place dribbling the ball.

You're wrong about Howard's flaws not "killing" his team. If you're going to be a championship team built around a Center in today's NBA, he has to be able to get the team some high percentage shots out of the post game.

Dwight doesn't have a reliable post game when he can't just muscule the other teams Center, he doesn't pass well enough to create layups out of the post to cutters, and he doesn't shoot well enough to have a face up game.

[Fafnir]

The only thing I don't like about D.Howard is how overrated his offense is. His game is based entirely on his strength, and freakish athleticism. I've said it a million times he's a bully offensively. There's a reason he can't score on Perk at will, and that's because he can't out muscle him. He doesn't have much touch, he doesn't know how to use his quickness, and his hook is as consistent as baby's jumper. People always said that about Shaq, but Shaq has shown he has the moves when he isn't dunking. Think about it a bit, when was the last time Dwight had a dominant offensive game against the Celtics?

Nothing new to me.

you missed that he is a bad free throw shooter. although he has hit a few this series

That is the aspect of his game that I think he is improving. His form is a lot better than it was when he came into the league. He's really worked on it. If he keeps up his effort he'll probably climb to a 70+% free throw shooter. Which would make him a much scarier prospect to defend in the fourth quarter.

[moiso]

Howard is an awesome defender and rebounder but he's pretty much a stiff offensively.  He looks super mechanical with his moves.  However, he is so athletic that he's still going to score a lot of points if you lose focus on him.

[pengaloo]

You also have to consider that Dwight Howard is personable and has a nice media personality. Rondo's a mystery, so I'm sure for the media, everything about him can be fit into a one-page fact sheet.

Also, Dwight Howard not having an offensive game isn't going to kill the Magic. I agree with CoachBo - Rondo not having an offensive game hurts everybody on that team. The most obvious when you're watching is when they're double teaming off of him and Rondo stands in one place dribbling the ball.

You're wrong about Howard's flaws not "killing" his team. If you're going to be a championship team built around a Center in today's NBA, he has to be able to get the team some high percentage shots out of the post game.

Dwight doesn't have a reliable post game when he can't just muscule the other teams Center, he doesn't pass well enough to create layups out of the post to cutters, and he doesn't shoot well enough to have a face up game.

True, but I feel that Dwight's defense and rebounding more than makes up for his offense... he gives his team so many offensive opportunities in that way.