Charlotte Hornets: 5 goals for Dwight Howard in 2017-18

5. Make your free throws

If the Hornets want to make it to the playoffs next season, it is imperative that Howard makes his free throws.

I remember as a child someone asking Magic Johnson what’s the best shot he likes to take, and he responded, the free throw. You get to make free shots and no time is taking away from the clock.

There’s no reason for Howard to start being Magic at the charity stripe, but there’s also no reason for Howard to continue being Howard at the free throw line.

Not only is there room for improvement, but Howard must improve. There are no ifs, ands or buts about it, because Howard’s failure to make a free throw makes him an offensive and defensive liability at the same time.

Shortly, after last season ended, while still on the Hawks, Howard remarked that he’s been working on his three point-shot. According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, this is what he had to say, while appearing on The Jump:

"“I’ve been working on my threes, really trying to add some range to my game,” Howard said. “Which is going to be weird for people to see, I guess. They are used to seeing me in the paint battling. “But in order for me to play longer, I have to expand my game. The game is not just back-to-the-basket, get the ball in the post and go to work. It’s more stepping away from the basket, setting screens, popping, shooting threes and stuff like that. People haven’t seen me do that. It’s going to be an adjustment for me, but also the fans. I think it’s going to be fun.”"

That’s a very lofty goal, considering Howard only attempted two shots from the 3-point line last season and missed them both. It’s very admirable of the center, but let’s return to earth and start with the basics. Because if Howard starts jacking up threes in Charlotte, he will do quite the opposite and shorten his career.

There are some players who live at the free throw line. Case in point, Boston Celtics’ Isaiah Thomas complained about the officiating when he didn’t see the free throw line after a playoff loss to the Washington Wizards.

Live Feed

Swarm and Sting

Thomas knows the importance of free throws and uses that to his advantage in every single game. Offensively, he lives at the charity stripe, and games have been won and lost at the line.

And no need to delve into James Harden’s time at the line. I believe Harden should be paying rent to every arena he visits, because not only does he live at the line, I see mail getting delivered to him there.

Therefore, Howard must step away from the 3-point line this season and plant himself at the foul line instead, practicing as many shots as he can until his arms are about to fall off.

Last season, Howard was a 53 percent free throw shooter and commendably, his stat line went up in the postseason to 63 percent. In each season since the start of his career, those percentages have gone up. Therefore, there’s no reason that he can’t start off the season at 60 percent.

Since games are being won and lost at the free throw line, Howard must refocus all his energy there. Because what’s the sense of racking up points when it’s a wash because you can’t make a simple free throw?

Statistically, Howard is the second-best player on the Hornets. But opponents are already gunning for him, because they know that free throws are his weakness. The Hornets are only as strong as their weakest link.

If Howard can believe he can become a 3-point shooter, then surely he can up his free throw percentage.

Bottom line, for Howard: The simplest goal is to make your free throws.