Do we really want Dwight Howard?

[Tai]

I am sticking to my opinion that someone like a Marc Gasol would be better in Boston than Dwight Howard because Howard's elbows, which are allowed to work freely now would become lethal weapons worthy of suspension if used while on the Celtics.  I feel that his coaches and the refs have done him no favors by allowing him to freely elbow oponents, to the point of drawing blood, and not doing anything to stop it.  It is now ingrained in him that this is OK.

Meanwhile, Marc Gasol is a big man who is improving each year (IMO will be the better player of the Gasol brothers).  He has not yet reached the salary level of Howard.  He appears to be very coachable.  He doesn't stand at the three point line and chuck them up (huge plus in my book), but will play under the basket...more of a throw back center. 

Did I mention that his is BIG?  (Not just tall...big and tall.)

This sounds like another Perkins/Krstic debate (on a much bigger scale). As in offense/defense.

If I want offense, I take Marc Gasol. If I want defense, I take Dwight Howard. At the same time, Dwight Howard can still get it done offensively because he can bully other centers, easily.

I think his elbow throwing is definitely being heavily overstated, by you. We could say the same thing about Perk with his illegal screens and overall displeasure anytime he gets called for a foul, which is always a potential for a technical.  I'd much rather look at more relevant things, such as Dwight Howard's FT shooting, and how he hasn't hit 60% from the FT line since his rookie year, where he only attempted 5 per game anyways as opposed to 11.7 last year.

If I woke up tomorrow morning and saw it reported that Marc Gasol was gonna be a Celtic (let's assume the lockout doesn't exist.....I might need all that stuff you're offering jay after I vomit for the umpteenth time over this lockout), my day would probably already be complete. I'm sure he'd do great for the Celtics, no question. I'd still take Dwight Howard over him, though, any day of the week, twice on Sundays, etc etc.

[Tai]

I just think Dwight Howard is on his way to boston.  Doc signs for 5 more years to go through this with a half decent team.  First of all the writing is on the wall Perk gets traded, Then after perk gets traded (a young decent bigman btw) Doc re-ups for 5 years.  Another thing Bill Russell is Working on Dwight Howard for us The kid idolizes Russell.  Then to top it off Danny has almost slipped up in interviews a couple of times to the point where he is about to say something then say i can't talk about that.  The Writing is on the Wall.  Also don't be surprised if rondo goes in a trade for chris paul. 

I also found it interesting how touchy a subject it was just at the suggestion that Doc play Howard next to Rondo, Ray, Pierce, and KG during the all-star game. What was the big deal if Howard to Boston doesn't have a chance of happening? Heh, oh well.

[Edgar]

as much as I want NBA without lokouts
world peace

Delonte West
and One vodka right now.

[thirstyboots18]

I just think Dwight Howard is on his way to boston.  Doc signs for 5 more years to go through this with a half decent team.  First of all the writing is on the wall Perk gets traded, Then after perk gets traded (a young decent bigman btw) Doc re-ups for 5 years.  Another thing Bill Russell is Working on Dwight Howard for us The kid idolizes Russell.  Then to top it off Danny has almost slipped up in interviews a couple of times to the point where he is about to say something then say i can't talk about that.  The Writing is on the Wall.  Also don't be surprised if rondo goes in a trade for chris paul. 

I also found it interesting how touchy a subject it was just at the suggestion that Doc play Howard next to Rondo, Ray, Pierce, and KG during the all-star game. What was the big deal if Howard to Boston doesn't have a chance of happening? Heh, oh well.

I just can't see Orlando making it easy for Howard to join a competitor in the east.  I would expect a sign and trade to the Lakers first.  JO "might" make it through this next season, but I don't think he is "the future".  Gasol would come at a cheaper price than Howard and I do  think he would fit in with the Celtic system and tradition of back-to-the-basket center.  Whatever...we do need a center.  Danny has pulled miracles before, and as KG said, "Anything is possible!"

[GreenEnvy]

I just think Dwight Howard is on his way to boston.  Doc signs for 5 more years to go through this with a half decent team.  First of all the writing is on the wall Perk gets traded, Then after perk gets traded (a young decent bigman btw) Doc re-ups for 5 years.  Another thing Bill Russell is Working on Dwight Howard for us The kid idolizes Russell.  Then to top it off Danny has almost slipped up in interviews a couple of times to the point where he is about to say something then say i can't talk about that.  The Writing is on the Wall.  Also don't be surprised if rondo goes in a trade for chris paul. 

I also found it interesting how touchy a subject it was just at the suggestion that Doc play Howard next to Rondo, Ray, Pierce, and KG during the all-star game. What was the big deal if Howard to Boston doesn't have a chance of happening? Heh, oh well.

I'd be shocked if it happens. I know us fans like to find anything to support the theory, but everyone in the know has no reason to believe Dwight wants to come here. That doesn't mean he definitely doesn't, it just means there is no evidence currently that he does.

To my knowledge, we have never brought in a marquee free agent since the free agency era. We've brought in good players, but usually injury-prone or past their prime.

The last time we put all our eggs in a center's (Oden) basket, we never got him (usual lottery "luck"). But in the end, it all worked out.

Nobody knows what's going to happen with Dwight. Not Ainge or Doc. Not Orlando. And not Dwight.

[energyking1]

I just think Dwight Howard is on his way to boston.  Doc signs for 5 more years to go through this with a half decent team.  First of all the writing is on the wall Perk gets traded, Then after perk gets traded (a young decent bigman btw) Doc re-ups for 5 years.  Another thing Bill Russell is Working on Dwight Howard for us The kid idolizes Russell.  Then to top it off Danny has almost slipped up in interviews a couple of times to the point where he is about to say something then say i can't talk about that.  The Writing is on the Wall.  Also don't be surprised if rondo goes in a trade for chris paul. 

I also found it interesting how touchy a subject it was just at the suggestion that Doc play Howard next to Rondo, Ray, Pierce, and KG during the all-star game. What was the big deal if Howard to Boston doesn't have a chance of happening? Heh, oh well.

I'd be shocked if it happens. I know us fans like to find anything to support the theory, but everyone in the know has no reason to believe Dwight wants to come here. That doesn't mean he definitely doesn't, it just means there is no evidence currently that he does.

To my knowledge, we have never brought in a marquee free agent since the free agency era. We've brought in good players, but usually injury-prone or past their prime.

The last time we put all our eggs in a center's (Oden) basket, we never got him (usual lottery "luck"). But in the end, it all worked out.

Nobody knows what's going to happen with Dwight. Not Ainge or Doc. Not Orlando. And not Dwight.

so why do you think danny wants 1 year contracts, and is saving up cap space for 2012? for no reason?

[GreenEnvy]

so why do you think danny wants 1 year contracts, and is saving up cap space for 2012? for no reason?

For the simple reason of landing a big-time free agent.

Do I think he has his eyes on Dwight? Absolutely.

Do I think he has some sort of wink-wink agreement with him? Definitely not.

I live in NYC and watched the Knicks align themselves years in advance for LeBron. Guess what? He never came.

I think it would be a great mistake to not push ahead for a championship this season (assuming there is one) because of the slight chance Dwight wants to come here. We need to bring in talent this year because we are very close. Closer than most believe. The shorter the season, the more rest the Big Three get. The less gassed they are in April, the better they can be in May and June.

We need to round out the bench now. We need a decent center NOW.

Why look at next year and beyond when Banner 18 can be hung this year?

No great player guarantees championships. Maybe they can guarantee mediocrity and playoff appearances, but I can rattle off a good number of HoF'ers who never won, especially bigs.

[energyking1]

well danny has a plan, and noone knows what it is, but it looks like he's trying to go big. he's so serious about the cap space he got rid of perk. think about that.

[tenn_smoothie]

well danny has a plan, and noone knows what it is, but it looks like he's trying to go big. he's so serious about the cap space he got rid of perk. think about that.

yeah, he's got a plan alright.

let's see, this year, his plan was to break up the best team in the league two months before the playoffs started and bring in two soft, wilt-under-pressure players in some gawd-awful attempt to strengthen an already good bench.

so what's his encore gonna be ?

[cman88]

well danny has a plan, and noone knows what it is, but it looks like he's trying to go big. he's so serious about the cap space he got rid of perk. think about that.

yeah, he's got a plan alright.

let's see, this year, his plan was to break up the best team in the league two months before the playoffs started and bring in two soft, wilt-under-pressure players in some gawd-awful attempt to strengthen an already good bench.

so what's his encore gonna be ?

your post seems like a bit of an exaggeration...Perkins only played 12games with us before being traded...we were the best team in the league without him. and our bench was depleted by injuries..

Either way, Perk was going to leave whether danny traded him or not. He doesnt figure into our future as a starting center...and isnt worth giving a big contract to...He worked on the Celtics(and on the thunder) because he was surrounded by scorers where it didnt matter that he was an offensive liability...so, danny got something back for him rather than nothing. I really dont think the Perkins i saw in the playoffs would've helped us against the heat.

in our next phase, with the big 3 gone we need a center who can finish in the post.

Considering most of the other teams in the league, we're in a pretty good position going into next year...we have alot of cap space something we havent ever really had to be big players in the FA on the market. this is dannys plan..with cap space, rondo/pierce and some good 1st round picks, we can get back to being competitive alot sooner. we arent saddled by any bad contracts...

[jayhovaone]

I just think Danny is setting the celtics up for something big.  They asked him on weei the other day what if you got a great offer for one of the big three for the expiring contract like a 28-30 yr old superstar not dwight howard but the contract is longer would u take the deal and his first answer right out and with a flat affect was No i wouldn't do the deal.  He said i am not trading for josh smith or talking to the atlanta hawks.  listen Josh Smith's contract is ONLY for 2 more years.  That is a short contract but it would hurt our chances severely of landing Dwight Howard or Chris Paul.  Something is Gonna Happen And its Gonna Be BIG!!!

[Dante]

No, we dont need Dwight Howard. What has he done for the Magic? How many Rings does he have? He is just another center> Perk has a ring. Perk therefore, is so much better than Dwight. We should everything to get Perk. I wonder why we are not doing anything to get him. Dwight? Naawwww!Who is he?

[housecall]

I think there is a key weakness in D.Howard's game thats being overlooked or just leaving out to make him look better.Howard's career FT%is.598,and.596% 2010-11.I don't see by having better teammates,better coaches,gm's,etc will help make a player better,especially after(7)seasons of not getting better in that area of his game.With already having one of your starters(Raja)shooting.568% this past season with a career.622% how can you insert a less than average FT shooter into your starting rotation and expect to win big games in crunch time.

Some people don't put as high a value on FT shooting as others but i have rarely if ever seen a championship caliber team have 2 of their five starters shooting less than 70% from the charity strike...at least not in the modern day era of basketball.

Personally when im evaluating a top flight free agent i look for the basic five tools in the player,similar to how mlb look at potential star players.

In this case its a big you're  picking to pay top dollar as your number 1 guy...his game should possess1.decent shooting2.decent passing3.great rebounder4.good/great defender5.good/very good free throw shooter.


In the past couple of seasons one thing i could count on when reading thru some Rondo threads him being torched by posters for poor free throw shooting.By adding D.Howard to the mix what do you think will happen when Dwight miss some key free throws or both players taken out of games because teams  purposely foul them to gain an advantage in games.

[rondohondo]

I think there is a key weakness in D.Howard's game thats being overlooked or just leaving out to make him look better.Howard's career FT%is.598,and.596% 2010-11.I don't see by having better teammates,better coaches,gm's,etc will help make a player better,especially after(7)seasons of not getting better.With already having one of your starters(Raja)shooting.568% this past season with a career.622% how can you insert a less than average FT shooter into your starting rotation and expect to win big games in crunch time.

Some people don't put as high a value on FT shooting as others but i have rarely if ever seen a championship caliber team have 2 of their five starters shooting less than 70% from the charity strike...at least not in the modern day era of basketball.

Personally when im evaluating a top flight free agent i look for the basic five tools in the player,similar to how mlb look at potential star players.

In this case its a big you're  picking to pay top dollar as your number 1 guy...his game should possess1.decent shooting2.decent passing3.great rebounder4.good/great defender5.good/very good free throw shooter.


In the past couple of seasons one thing i could count on when reading thru some Rondo threads him being torched by posters for poor free throw shooting.By adding D.Howard to the mix what do you think will happen when Dwight miss some key free throws or both players taken out of games because teams  purposely foul them to gain an advantage in games.

um the c's had 2 starters who shot less than 70%FT when they won the championship in 2008 with Perk and Rondo

Shaq seemed to manage just fine being a crappy free throw shooter his whole career , Howard offers so much that he makes up for any pts he gives up on free throws on the defensive end.

[jayhovaone]

Championship centers Shaq oneal 52% freethrow shooter and wilt the stilt 51%. Dwight Howard is actually a better freethrow shooter than either of them.  I know his offense has a little way to go but he can average 25pts per game in this league.  So don't judge him because of his one Major weakness. He is also aa more dominant bigman than wilt and shaq so it kind of evens it out in the end.  Oh and Dwight will win a championship before Lebron especially if he comes to the celtics.