During a recent NBA broadcast of an Orlando Magic game, one analyst wondered if Dwight Howard has inherited the title of "Superman" from Shaquille O'Neal even before the Big Mouth has packed it in.
Surely it takes more than wearing a cape during the Slam Dunk contest or even a tattoo to inherit the mantle. He even chucks free throws like the Big Whiner so there's a little to the analogy.
If anything, I think he's in the mold of an Amare Stoudemire who both get more dunks than anybody.
I think Howard is a superb hoopster who has done well with Orlando and the Redeem Team but I'm tempering any Hallelujahs for him. Last season, I pointed out at the early kick off for adidas' Brotherhood campaign that he fought and had an ugly spat with Kevin Garnett during one game. So much for brothers, huh? Then the other day when the Magic beat the Lakers at the Staples Center, he got entangled rather innocently with Pau Gasol and he elbowed the Spaniard after a deadball. Incredibly, Gasol was whistled for the T and Howard was seen explaining himself to Kobe Bryant in the sidelines. WTF! Bum call and the bum got away with it.
I'd withhold the Superman tag just yet because people might have to take it back and replace it with "Superjerk."
Taking out Howard's rough patch, the Magic are a fun team to watch. You gotta like Jameer Nelson. Two years ago, people wondered if he was the right player to quarterback this team. Then as in now, he was. He just needed more seasoning. And Orlando was right to have been patient.
Unlike those in New Jersey right now who are contemplating moving Vince Carter or Josh Boone after a three-game slide.
I don't think this team can survive trading Vinsanity. They already do not have Jason Kidd or Richard Jefferson. Yes, they have Devin Harris but you think he can carry the team by himself? VC gives this team a clutch shooter and a go-to guy. They need help up front where Boone and Eduardo Najera are not the answer. If they still had Nenad Kristic they'd battle in there but they are soft up front. They don't have the frontline to battle even the Celtics. They should have known that last season and the front office didn't offer much help in the off season.
Every season a team is supposed to know if they can challenge for a championship. But I feel that many teams go in knowing they are not going to compete yet they ask so much of the fans to pork out their cash.
So now what? Go through another rebuilding year?
It is rather unfortunate that players and coaches can be replaced because of poor performance but the same cannot be said of dumb managers and owners.
Surely it takes more than wearing a cape during the Slam Dunk contest or even a tattoo to inherit the mantle. He even chucks free throws like the Big Whiner so there's a little to the analogy.
If anything, I think he's in the mold of an Amare Stoudemire who both get more dunks than anybody.
I think Howard is a superb hoopster who has done well with Orlando and the Redeem Team but I'm tempering any Hallelujahs for him. Last season, I pointed out at the early kick off for adidas' Brotherhood campaign that he fought and had an ugly spat with Kevin Garnett during one game. So much for brothers, huh? Then the other day when the Magic beat the Lakers at the Staples Center, he got entangled rather innocently with Pau Gasol and he elbowed the Spaniard after a deadball. Incredibly, Gasol was whistled for the T and Howard was seen explaining himself to Kobe Bryant in the sidelines. WTF! Bum call and the bum got away with it.
I'd withhold the Superman tag just yet because people might have to take it back and replace it with "Superjerk."
Taking out Howard's rough patch, the Magic are a fun team to watch. You gotta like Jameer Nelson. Two years ago, people wondered if he was the right player to quarterback this team. Then as in now, he was. He just needed more seasoning. And Orlando was right to have been patient.
Unlike those in New Jersey right now who are contemplating moving Vince Carter or Josh Boone after a three-game slide.
I don't think this team can survive trading Vinsanity. They already do not have Jason Kidd or Richard Jefferson. Yes, they have Devin Harris but you think he can carry the team by himself? VC gives this team a clutch shooter and a go-to guy. They need help up front where Boone and Eduardo Najera are not the answer. If they still had Nenad Kristic they'd battle in there but they are soft up front. They don't have the frontline to battle even the Celtics. They should have known that last season and the front office didn't offer much help in the off season.
Every season a team is supposed to know if they can challenge for a championship. But I feel that many teams go in knowing they are not going to compete yet they ask so much of the fans to pork out their cash.
So now what? Go through another rebuilding year?
It is rather unfortunate that players and coaches can be replaced because of poor performance but the same cannot be said of dumb managers and owners.
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