Do we really want Dwight Howard?

[nickagneta]

I sometimes wonder if we even want Dwight Howard here because maybe he isn't the serious minded and championship dedicated individual that we need. Maybe he's just in it for the money, the fame and the good times and oh, by the way, if he wins basketball titles, that would be cool too.

I watched the draft and near the end Jeff Van Gundy made a very telling observation about his brother Stan's team:

Whenever former coach and current analyst Jeff Van Gundy talks about the Orlando Magic, we pay extra close attention. Van Gundy’s brother is Stan Van Gundy who is the head coach at Orlando. Not only does Jeff speak honestly when providing analysis, but we figure his words reflect the thoughts of his brother when he talks about the Magic. As Orlando was getting ready to make its second round pick Thursday night at the draft, Jeff Van Gundy provided the following analysis of the team:

“They’ve gotten older, Rashard Lewis got older,” Van Gundy said. “Turkoglu in his second turn back did not play real well. They’ve had some injuries and some turnover. They’ve just have a lot of age creep in. I just think they have to get their chemistry right again. Clowns kill chemistry and they’ve got to get serious minded professionals who come ready to play every single night.”

http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/jeff_van_gundy_orlando_magic_has_too_many_clowns_needs_to_improve_chemistry/5210707

Couple this with the recent stories coming out about Howard's constant goofing around with Gilbert Arenas and his "planking" photos and I am just not sure if I want this guy on the Celtics anymore. Was Jeff Van Gundy talking about Gilbert Arenas or Dwight Howard or both? Is Dwight Howard a clown?

He is the guy that during the Celtics playoff series decided to interview himself as Clark Kent and Superman. He does seem to be awfully caught up in his nickname wearing a cape during the dunk contest. Now he's laying down in strange places and taking pictures of himself to compete with Agent Zero to see who can "plank" in the most outrageous place?

This throws some serious doubts on the man's maturity level and makes me wonder:

If we as a fanbase think Glen "Big Baby" Davis is immature and at times not committed to "team" what do we expect this "clown" to be like?

Do we really want him here if this is what he will be like?

Does his immaturity show a flaw that will preclude him from ever winning a title because he can't be seriously dedicated enough to do what he has to to win?

[housecall]

For the type money Howard will want he's not worth it.He doesn't have the killer instinct it takes to win a championship.

[CaptainJackLee]

He's the 2nd best player in the game. I'm not sure what could have Dwight done more for Orlando. The reason they don't win is because they have so little talent around him. The clown in this story is Otis Smith.

[saltlover]

Yes, we do.  Clowns don't have to kill chemistry.  Shaq is a clown, and all we heard was how good Shaq was for chemistry on the Celtics.  Clowns kill chemistry if they're clowns on the court.  Dwight Howard gives it his all when the game is being played, and I absolutely want that on the Celtics.

And who cares about wearing a Superman cape to a dunk contest?  That's pure entertainment.  Based on how much the NBA scripts that contest, I wouldn't be at all surprised if someone told him to wear it.  Of all the things to criticize someone for, that certainly shouldn't be one of them.

[Fafnir]

Yes, absolutely.

I'd rather have an MVP caliber player and contend and deal with chemistry and leadership issues than rebuild and be stuck in the lottery for years.

Howard's shown he'll let other players lead, Jameer for most of his time, so we just need to stock the right sort of players and personalities around him.

[PosImpos]

Do I want the best center in the league and the 3 time reigning DPOY?


HMMMMMMMMMMMMM


That's a tough one!




You raise a good point -- maybe Dwight isn't the guy you want as the emotional leader of your team.  But that doesn't mean he isn't somebody you want on your team.

[Cman]

Yes, we want Dwight Howard.
Do we want to do what it takes to get Howard? No.
(i.e.: not sign any FAs this year out of fear of killing our cap space, then renouncing Ray and KG and gutting the team in order to ... have a shot at signing him)

[wdleehi]

Yes, the Celtics want Howard.



The Celtics do not want Gilbert. 




Unfortunate side effect of the the Gilbert trade, he is now in Howard's ear.

[clover]

Rondo can be a goof, but he also wants to win pretty intensely.

[mgent]

No, he's not a serious minded player but that can always change.  Especially as he becomes more mature and sees his time left in the league getting smaller and smaller.

Talent is more important than chemistry and harder to come by.  Worry about putting together a contender first and then hire KG to lock in a room with him.

[Fafnir]

Unfortunate side effect of the the Gilbert trade, he is now in Howard's ear.

Yet another reason that trade was a terrible move....

[Roy H.]

Yes, absolutely.

I'd rather have an MVP caliber player and contend and deal with chemistry and leadership issues than rebuild and be stuck in the lottery for years.

Howard's shown he'll let other players lead, Jameer for most of his time, so we just need to stock the right sort of players and personalities around him.

Yep. 

What current player is the ideal player?  Lebron fades on the largest stages.  Wade is dirty.  Durant is passive.  Dirk is old and doesn't play much defense.  Kobe shoots too much and doesn't get along with teammates.

Howard's clowning, while not ideal, is hardly a reason not to sign him.  He's already led his team to the Finals once, and he's had his team in contention every year since despite having a very mediocre roster and incompetent management.

Howard could grow up a bit, but being around the right type of coach, teammates, and organization would bring him a long way.  I'd absolutely sign him without any hesitation.

[action781]

As another poster pointed out, Shaq was a clown and did just fine.

Also, having owned Dwight in fantasy basketball and noting the regular season win totals that Orlando has amassed in recent seasons, I have no question that Dwight comes ready to play every single night.  I think Gilbert is the clown.  

I absolutely want Dwight.  No matter who you surround him with, he will lead your team to 50 wins.

[paulcowens]

I am not deadset on having Howard come here, but I do like players who aren't afraid to show personality, and I think Howard's clownishness might actually blend well with Rondo's deadpan.

[Mike-Dub]

Um is this a serious question?   Of couse we want him lol.