Ever since he joined the Houston Rockets during the 2013 offseason, we’ve all been waiting for Dwight Howard to finally become the physical presence/force of nature he was during his Orlando Magic days.
After a meh season from him during the 2013-14 campaign, we thought it would take some time for him to shed the stink that a brief period with the now helpless Los Angeles Lakers left on him.
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After almost two full seasons, we’re still waiting.
Dwight Howard has missed exactly as many games as he’s played during the season — precisely 32 games out of 64, leaving James Harden and the Rockets without the “most physically dominant player in the game” at a disadvantage against the rising Western Conference.
Nevertheless, with James Harden playing at the highest level around he league, the Houston Rockets have held their own by finding a way to succeed without the injury-riddled All-Star big man.
D-Mo — as Rocket fans call him nowadays — was drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the 20th pick in the 2011 draft, but has been with the Houston Rockets ever since. However, as a player who averaged 12.2 and 15.4 minutes per game during his first two seasons, respectively, his name started meaning something to the Rockets and their fans throughout the ongoing season.
Throughout the 2014-15 season, Donatas Motiejunas’ per-game numbers have increased dramatically. Jumping from a career-high 15.4 minutes per game in 2013-14, to 27.9. I’ll let the numbers speak for themselves …
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 3/11/2015.
Even though his free-throw and two-point percentages seem to be down from his career-high rookie season, however, we should take into consideration that Motiejunas attempts have almost doubled in every single shooting category for the 2014-15 season.
Therefore, his shooting-percentage “regression” is not exactly a “regression” but rather something that happens when you start shooting more.
Of course, Donatas Motiejunas’ per-36 minutes numbers through three seasons in the league are nothing compared to Howard’s, however, they’re closer than you think.
| Rk | Player | From | To | G | GS | MP | FG% | 3P% | 2P% | FT% | TRB | BLK | TOV | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dwight Howard | 2005 | 2007 | 246 | 245 | 8714 | .554 | .167 | .555 | .610 | 11.8 | 1.7 | 2.9 | 15.4 |
| 2 | Donatas Motiejunas | 2013 | 2015 | 169 | 71 | 3249 | .479 | .308 | .537 | .613 | 7.7 | 0.7 | 2.2 | 14.7 |
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 3/11/2015.
Space City Scoop
The Houston Rockets have almost the exact same record with Dwight Howard on the floor, than without him. However, this doesn’t mean that the team is at their absolute best without Dwight Howard.
Without Dwight Howard on the floor, the Houston Rockets are allowing 100.4 points per game, whereas with him they only allow 95.6 points per game. Also, the Rockets have a plus-1.5 plus/minus with him off the court; with him, plus-7.5.
Dwight Howard is still a basketball force to be reckoned with. Unfortunately, a series of constant injuries in the past couple of seasons seem to have seriously damaged the big man’s career. As we all know, the NBA’s not the place for a big man with recurring leg and/or back injuries.
Unfortunately for the Houston Rockets, Donatas Motiejunas’ takeover doesn’t exactly speak too much about his rise as it does about Dwight Howard’s fall. And it still remains to be seen if Dwight will ever be able to come back as explosive or as resilient as he once was during his career.
One thing’s for sure, if he — God forbid — never does, the Houston Rockets have someone capable of stepping up for the aching big-man; Donatas Motiejunas.
Next: The Rockets' Eventual Demise
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