The Boston Celtics Need To Stay Away From Dwight Howard
The Boston Celtics need a superstar on their team, but Dwight Howard is no longer a superstar.
Rumors about Dwight Howard being traded have been going around the NBA after a recent report from Chris Sheridan at Sheridan Hoops. Howard is “unhappy” playing for the Houston Rockets, according to the report, and this has sparked many rumors on where Howard might end up.
One team that’s been bought up is the Boston Celtics. ESPN’s Kevin Pelton listed the Celtics as the No. 1 destination for Howard, and that the Celtics could package a combination of David Lee, Tyler Zeller and a potential first round pick (probably the Brooklyn Nets‘ pick).
Howard is 30, and he is playing in his 11th year. He has played for the Orlando Magic, the Los Angeles Lakers and currently the Rockets. For his career, he has been known as an athletic beast down low with great shot-blocking ability, and rebounding.
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In his eight seasons with Orlando, he averaged 18.0 points, 12.7 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game, and he shot 57.9 percent from the field. Howard had his best years in Orlando without a doubt, and he even led the team to an NBA Finals appearance during the 2008-09 season.
Howard has put up his worst numbers as a pro during his time in Houston. Ever since he left Orlando, his numbers have been declining and this season Howard is averaging 12.6 points, 11.6 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game.
His scoring and rebounding numbers have never been lower other than his rookie season in Orlando, and his attitude on the court has been really bad. He also has not been on the court much in Houston; last season he only played in 41 regular season games and this season he has already missed six games. Not much has been going right for Howard or the 12-14 Rockets.
Howard is still viewed by many as a star, but the Celtics do not need this player messing with their already built foundation.
Howard Is Not What The Celtics Need
Howard used to be one of the biggest free agents around when he was available with many teams trying to snag the former All-Star center, but now he is not worth what he is being paid. Remember, these are just rumors and a little bit of speculation, but Howard is not needed at all in the city of Boston.
The Celtics are looking for a star to help take this team to the next level, but Howard is not that guy for the team. Howard wants to be the center of attention on whatever team he is on, and if he joined the Celtics, he would ruin the chemistry of the team.
The Celtics have plenty of frontourt help with Amir Johnson, Jared Sullinger, David Lee, and Kelly Olynyk. If they want to make a move for a star, they should make a move for superstar on the wing that can shoot the basketball. Howard would also mess with their spacing as well because he literally cannot score from anywhere unless he is within five feet of the hoop.
Overall
Howard would bring a lot of drama to Boston and although he is a big name in the NBA, he is not worth the risk for Celtics at all. He would not make the Celtics immediate contenders in the East; he could poison what Boston has going right now.
Howard might be worth Zeller and Lee, but the first round pick, especially if Boston surrendered the Brooklyn pick, would not be worth it for Howard in the end.
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The Celtics must not get tempted by Dwight Howard; he is not what the team wants or needs.