Hoops Habit
Fansided

Atlanta Hawks: Dwight Howard Will Feast In 2016-17

By Maxwell Ogden

Dec 29, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) attempts a free throw during the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at Toyota Center. The Hawks defeated the Rockets 121-115. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) attempts a free throw during the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at Toyota Center. The Hawks defeated the Rockets 121-115. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 7
Next
OAKLAND, CA - APRIL 16: Dwight Howard #12 of the Houston Rockets warms up prior to playing the Golden State Warriors in Game One of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2016 NBA Playoffs at ORACLE Arena on April 16, 2016 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – APRIL 16: Dwight Howard #12 of the Houston Rockets warms up prior to playing the Golden State Warriors in Game One of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2016 NBA Playoffs at ORACLE Arena on April 16, 2016 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

1. The Playoffs

One of the best kept secrets in the NBA is that, for all of the criticism he faces, there’s no better contemporary center come the playoffs than Dwight Howard. People can knock his fundamentals or criticize his smiling, but in the postseason, he’s outstanding.

That even includes 2016, when he found ways to take over in the first half, only to be phased out by his teammates in the second half.

For his career, Howard has played in 89 playoff games, including an NBA Finals appearance and three trips to the Conference Finals. During that time, he’s accumulated averages of 19.1 points, 14.1 rebounds, 4.1 offensive boards, and 2.6 blocks on 58.9 percent shooting from the field.

Howard has even converted 54.3 percent of his free throws in the playoffs—a weak, but (sadly) acceptable mark for a center.

As recently as 2014, Howard averaged 26.0 points, 13.7 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks in the playoffs. Despite battling injuries in 2015, he averaged 16.4 points, 14.0 rebounds, 2.3 blocks, and 1.4 steals during Houston’s run to the Conference Finals.

For a Hawks team that’s reached the playoffs in nine consecutive seasons, adding a proven postseason performer is the perfect move.

must read: Russell Westbrook should stick it out with the Oklahoma City Thunder

Howard has traveled a long road to his current situation, but if his body holds up, he should feast in 2016-17.

Home/Atlanta Hawks