Atlanta Hawks: Dwight Howard Will Feast In 2016-17

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Dec 29, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) gets a rebound during the first quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Addressing That Glaring Need

Al Horford and Paul Millsap do almost everything at a high level—almost. For as balanced and dynamic as that duo was with the Atlanta Hawks, there’s one area where both were egregiously underwhelming: rebounding.

Dwight Howard’s overall game may or may not work in Atlanta, but he’s a vastly superior rebounder to both Horford and Millsap.

In 2015-16, Atlanta was No. 24 in the NBA in rebounds per game and No. 30—dead last—in offensive rebounding. Atlanta was also No. 28 with a rebound differential of -4.4, meaning opponents grabbed 4.4 more rebounds per game than the Hawks.

Howard, meanwhile, finished the 2015-16 season at No. 4 with 11.8 rebounds per game and No. 3 with 3.4 offensive rebounds per game.

Thus, Howard enters this situation as a player who can fill a need—the best way for a player to feel needed. His presence on the offensive and defensive glass make him an invaluable asset, and that alone should be cherished in Atlanta.

Howard will have more designed plays run for him with the Hawks than he did with the Houston Rockets, but the true strength of his game in Atlanta will be his offensive rebounding.

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