When I first saw Dwight Howard play, I told myself, "Here's another Amare Stoudemire clone."
Except he wasn't.
Sure they both liked to play above the rim, but if the Phoenix Sun was known for his rim-rattling slams, Howard was more than that. He played superb defense and rebounded great. Plus, he has an Olympic Gold Medal and an All-NBA First Team selection.
As the Los Angeles Lakers partied on the Orlando Magic's home floor, Howard pulled Jameer Nelson to watch the entire proceedings no matter how painful it was. They wanted to remember and sear that burning memory onto their minds. No doubt, something to fuel them for the summer and beyond.
Five days after the Lakers' win, people are still dissecting the Finals and its outcome. As fierce as the debate is on Phil Jackson's place in basketball history, most of the questions are reserved for three Eastern Conference teams that fell by the wayside.
For Orlando, the Lakers exposed them as a two-trick pony that either dumped the ball to Howard or ran the kick-out to outside shooters. Now how do they keep the core while adding new pieces to the puzzle?
People think that it was bone-headed to let go of Trevor Ariza. Well, its not the Magic I'm going to crucify for that but the New York Knicks. What were you thinking when you let him go? He showed signs of being a good player. A new Latrell Sprewell minus the attitude. In Orlando, it was clear that his slash and burn style did not fit Stan Van Gundy's system. Oh well...
For the Cleveland Cavaliers, they had a great regular season but the bench totally disappeared in the Eastern Finals. How do they build from this? Is getting Shaq the right thing?
For the Boston Celtics, the championship window is still open. But for how long. Other players like Glen Davis and Eddie House played big but this team still needs to add a few more weapons. Sure when Kevin Garnett went down so did this team but everyone saw how tough this team was. And enough of the Big Three. Rajon Rondo's rapid improvement now brands them as the Fantatsic Four. Too bad there's no Jessica Alba here.
Except he wasn't.
Sure they both liked to play above the rim, but if the Phoenix Sun was known for his rim-rattling slams, Howard was more than that. He played superb defense and rebounded great. Plus, he has an Olympic Gold Medal and an All-NBA First Team selection.
As the Los Angeles Lakers partied on the Orlando Magic's home floor, Howard pulled Jameer Nelson to watch the entire proceedings no matter how painful it was. They wanted to remember and sear that burning memory onto their minds. No doubt, something to fuel them for the summer and beyond.
Five days after the Lakers' win, people are still dissecting the Finals and its outcome. As fierce as the debate is on Phil Jackson's place in basketball history, most of the questions are reserved for three Eastern Conference teams that fell by the wayside.
For Orlando, the Lakers exposed them as a two-trick pony that either dumped the ball to Howard or ran the kick-out to outside shooters. Now how do they keep the core while adding new pieces to the puzzle?
People think that it was bone-headed to let go of Trevor Ariza. Well, its not the Magic I'm going to crucify for that but the New York Knicks. What were you thinking when you let him go? He showed signs of being a good player. A new Latrell Sprewell minus the attitude. In Orlando, it was clear that his slash and burn style did not fit Stan Van Gundy's system. Oh well...
For the Cleveland Cavaliers, they had a great regular season but the bench totally disappeared in the Eastern Finals. How do they build from this? Is getting Shaq the right thing?
For the Boston Celtics, the championship window is still open. But for how long. Other players like Glen Davis and Eddie House played big but this team still needs to add a few more weapons. Sure when Kevin Garnett went down so did this team but everyone saw how tough this team was. And enough of the Big Three. Rajon Rondo's rapid improvement now brands them as the Fantatsic Four. Too bad there's no Jessica Alba here.
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