Los Angeles Lakers: Dwight Howard’s Monster Game Shows Lakers Will Be Fine
Dwight Howard is getting healthy, which is bad news for the rest of the league. Photo Credit: Bridget Samuels, Flickr.com
Dwight Howard is one of the best centers the NBA has to offer. Yes, he’s gotten a bit of bad press lately. However, a bit of research shows he doesn’t deserve the bad rap he’s been saddled with. Howard has done his part and showed again why the Los Angeles Lakers will be just fine without Kobe Bryant after a 91-86 victory on Sunday night, April 14.
Howard stepped up when the Lakers needed him most, with 26 points, 17 rebounds, two steals and three blocks. In the fourth quarter, Howard scored six points and secured three rebounds. He didn’t miss a shot from the field (two-for-two) and was also perfect at the line (two-for-two).
For the season, Howard is now averaging 16.9 points, 12.3 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 2.4 blocks. He ranks No. 1 in the league in rebounds per game and is No. 2 with 47 double-doubles.
One of the biggest reasons the Lakers brought Howard in is his defensive abilities. Although the Lakers aren’t rated very highly on defense, at just No. 24 in the league (allowing 101.1 points per game), Howard has been terrific.
SynergySports ranks Howard No. 17 in the NBA, with just .72 points allowed per possession. In the post, he’s been terrific, allowing only .56 points per possession, which is No. 5 in the NBA. That’s not to say he deserves Defensive Player of the Year, as he does have one big fault.
In isolation situations, he allows .83 points per possession, which is No. 171 in the NBA. Dragging Howard away from the basket has resulted in a lot of easy baskets (and second-chance opportunities) for the Lakers’ opponents.
A big reason Howard gets dragged away is sub-par defense by his teammates. While Howard is an all-world defender at his best, he can only cover so much ground. When he has to make up for defensive liabilities like Steve Nash and Steve Blake, he finds himself on an island out of the paint.
People have wanted to see a motivated Howard, an angry Howard and a focused Howard ever since he donned the No. 12 Lakers’ jersey.
With their season on the line and their backs against the wall, Howard delivered. Would they rather have a healthy Nash and Bryant in the lineup? Of course they would. Still, with Howard in the spotlight, they’re going to be just fine.