CelticsBlog

this isnt good. this might result in dwight getting traded which gives us almost no chance at signing dwight during FA

rondeezy - January 29, 2012 reply

Agreed

My gut continues to tell me he’s going to be wearing purple and gold.

jv_squad - January 29, 2012 via mobile reply

I dont think he will

Just because I dont think he wants to be shaq part 2

Kgwillkillyou - January 29, 2012 via mobile reply

+1

I think c’s have a shot. He always hates playing c’s probably out of jealousy

vgarcia890 - January 29, 2012 reply

Depends on how his teammates took it

After the Celtics was blown out by the Lakers by 33 pts in the Finals, Birds also lashed out on his teammates. They responded in a positive way and won the champ in the end.

But when DH did the same, how his teammates take it will tell something not only about the team but also the status of DH in the eyes of his teammates. Frankly I don’t expect the Magic to take it nicely.

getthat18now - January 29, 2012 reply

DH vs Bird

Bird was a respected leader of the team. I don’t think Howard is. Bird also knew when to call his teammates out and when a practical joke was needed to loosen them up. I don’t think Howard has that in him. Also Bird would never single out a player. So I don’t think his teammates will react one way or another. Howard’s made it known that he doesn’t want to be on this team so I don’t see anything positive coming from this.

Bird was also playing with Hall of Fame talent

Dwight isn’t even playing with all stars.

Absolutely true.

We’re talking about a team and Howard does all he can on the court. Great player.

His team is absolutely terrible. If you put any of Ray, Pierce or KG on the Magic they’d be the best teammate Dwight has ever had. The thing about basketball is how many legit stars do you have? The Celtics have 4 legit stars, even if they’re “fading”.

Stars exude that ultimate confidence, mental toughness and professionalism, who find ways to consistently impact games. Dwight has never played with a guy like that so he’s always trying to pull a bunch of scrubs along with him. And Stan isn’t the right coach for Dwight either.

Not saying that Dwight is a natural leader. I don’t believe he is at all. But frankly playing for an organization like the Magic with Otis at the helm…. That must be downright atrocious… complete mess of a roster and Stan’s bugging about something every other week. They’re almost as bad as the Jets and Rex Ryan… LOL…

If Dwight wants to learn how to really play championship ball he needs to come here and learn it for himself. Big Baby isn’t a qualified Teacher in the Way of the Celtics.

if we were to trade for him, we'd almost have to use Rajon.

wahz - January 29, 2012 reply

oops, Rajon, JO, and stuff will make the contracts work plus we'd have top throw in at least 2 first rounders

would anyone beat that is the question

wahz - January 29, 2012 reply

why trade for him

If he is traded to anybody why would he sign now and not test the market to chose where he wants the lakers still need a point. Guard to go with DH …The Celtics can offer more money and already have a PG and a bench in place his best chance at a ring is wearing Green and after those two wins he see his value to Celtics Doc locked that up before he resigned . Watch how we use our draft picks . What out NBA world the green machine will win two rings before Paul retires

emilio745i - January 29, 2012 reply

Agree, No Reason To Trade For Howard

I’m not a Howard fan, but I think he could thrive on a team like the Celtics. Before Shaq came here he was complaining about not getting the ball. It wasn’t about him, it was about playing the game right. When he came to Boston the vets on the team realized Shaq’s value and when he started he played great with the other starters (until he got hurt). He didn’t do too well with the reserves who weren’t able to or didn’t want to get him the ball when he had position down low.

I don’t see Howard as a player or personality who could be an impact player by himself as Bill Russell was, but he could probably thrive with a good coach and good players around him.

Howard is in a bad environment and he's immature.

What he needs is a more stable environment with a coach who’s able to clearly articulate what his role needs to be and teammates who not only know how to play off of his skills but who can open up opportunities for him to minimize his weaknesses and maximize his strengths situationally.

Basically what I'm getting at is...

That Howard would be a perfect for this team and that this team would be the perfect fit for Howard. He could really learn a lot from playing with this group of guys and being a part of this tradition. He could rival in a very symbolic fashion the path that Shaq took from similar beginnings. And biggest of all Howard could win for years and years here in Boston.

The best case is that the Celtics get Howard in the offseason (after winning a championship ;) and we draft two good players in the first and we become a dynasty!

But if you have to trade Rondo and pieces to get him you just have to get that deal done. No excuses.

This is all Big Baby's fault.

StarzNBarz - January 29, 2012 reply

Off subject

Whos the knicks new coach gonna be?

Kgwillkillyou - January 29, 2012 via mobile reply

Stan Van Gundy

European NBA fan - January 29, 2012 reply

Threadcount in the bed that he made himself?

Great line. Seriously. Stole it? Came up with it? Or top secret?

Kiorrik - January 29, 2012 reply

+1

Very nice turn of phrase, there.

MiracleMilt - January 29, 2012 via mobile reply

made it up

unless it was lodged in my subconscience

Jeff Clark - January 29, 2012 reply

I am stealing it...

Love it. Just have to remember not to try to recycle it here on the Blog.

thirstyboots18 - January 29, 2012 reply

lol steal away

Jeff Clark - January 29, 2012 via iPhone app reply

Raise your hands

Who admits they wondered whether or not he made Big Baby cry?

LooseCannon - January 29, 2012 reply

Better just wait for the off season

Its not like it would not cost too much to trade for Howard at this point

Karasu - January 29, 2012 reply

Why do I have the feeling that the unnamed player is BBD?

Marjun Raposon - January 29, 2012 reply

I think you are wrong

BBD might lose his head some times, but he always plays with heart. Turk and J-Rich are the obvious culprits, since they are in the starting lineup and don’t deliver. And while Turk is inconsistent, I do believe that he tries. So I would go with Jason Richardson.

Oh you're right, I forgot about the pizza man.

And yeah J-rich, it’s like he doesn’t even exist.

Marjun Raposon - January 29, 2012 reply

Be careful what you wish for

All you bloggers who want Howard. I remain skeptical that Howard is the max contract guy the Celtics should build around.

Having said that the leader of the team is supposed to lead and saying nothing after three performances like that would have been poor leadership. I don’t fault him there but I don’t really want him for the Cs

Wildblu1 - January 29, 2012 reply

or lead by example

Not turn in a 20/10 and rant.

Howard Overrated

His footwork/post moves is non existant just brute force wont win u titles,In the latter stages of playoffs good teams can easily implement a plan to stop him easily

B-Rex(5) - January 29, 2012 reply

A Speciman to be Sure

But like other players named Lebron has coasted on his physical gifts rather than developing his game. Also dislike the wa he starts throwing elbows when challenged. Acts entitled.

with that in mind...

would Dwight still be dominant 5-6 years from now?

Papatrichs - January 29, 2012 reply

wqe ddont need him for 506 only got like 3 then we can trade him

EXER123 - January 29, 2012 reply

Howard

I think he has improved his game and can probably improve some more. As to footwork, Al Jefferson beats him by a mile and more. And Howard definitely can be stopped. Perk was great at that by just moving him further away from the basket. Even Baby was able to do that.

If we’re talking about getting a Center, the guy I really like is Javale McGee of the Wizards. I think he’s a free agent next year. With his native athletic ability and a good big man coach I think he would be a great fit on the C’s.

mcgee is good and come cheaper but is a knuckle headd

EXER123 - January 29, 2012 reply

Howard IS overrated

Bravo!!!!!! One of the main reason the C’s were able to crush the Magic by 30 and then come back from 27 down was largely attributed to Orlando’s refusal to stop force feeding Dwight in the post. He has no go to game in the post and handicaps the entire offense by forcing up bad shots. Let’s not even discuss the free throw shooting smh.

Larrybird17 - January 29, 2012 reply

The hope is.....

that being part of the Celtics team would change Howard’s mindset. That in Boston, he would become the fierce never-give-up competitor this team demands.

But I think that hope is faint. It’s been my lifelong experience that people’s basic personalities rarely, if ever, change. Howard is what he is — supremely gifted and a magnificent physical specimen — except, unfortunately, for his heart. If he doesn’t have it by now — and he does not — then it’s very, very unlikely that he will ever grow one.

JR99 - January 29, 2012 reply

His clown-around personality and constant whining drive me nuts, but a guy who gets 20 and 20 on a fairly regular basis has heart. You can’t do that on athleticism alone.

I think he could be the centerpiece of a defensive-oriented team with a tough 4 (like a resurrected Charles Oakley) and a true point guard (rondo).

jv_squad - January 29, 2012 via mobile reply

That's been my Thought

Not saying he can’t grow, but so far…havent seen it. And the current business of throwing his mates under the bus and wanting to go where he can get a Title (can’t get on at Harrod’s, D) shows he has a few miles to go, yet.

We don't need his personality to change, although him becoming fierce would make him even better

Now that KG is older, D12 is the best defensive big man by far. Last year looking at points the opposing team scored, opposing team fg%, opposing players being guarded, etc. KG and Dwight were really close in all the important categories, way ahead of all other big men. And Dwight has to be paired with an elite perimeter anyway, we’ll let the perimeter player Rondo or whoever it is be the leader and the one that is serious while dwight smiles.

kg2128 - January 29, 2012 reply

Disagree

Howard is a shot blocker near the basket and does a good job of leaving his man to do this. This is something that can really be used against him. I think KG is a much better defender, including now. KG is much smarter and covers the whole half court with his defense while Howard is stuck under the basket. Also, when Bass or Wilcox defended Howard they didn’t allow him to bully himself to the basket and KG often came from behind to block his shot. I don’t see Howard complementing other players as a defender the way KG does.

KG is a great defensive mind, great length and a very agile, horizontal-vertical athlete.

Howard on the other hand is a great physical presence and vertical defender/rebounder. He’s not that great defensive mind like a KG-Russell but he’s excellent at cleaning the board and intimidating people with his shot blocking.

Putting him next to KG would be perfect as these guys complement each other very well as KG’s clearly had trouble mixing it up inside for rebounds on both ends.

Another bonus to Dwight is his ability to run the floor.

Personalities rarely change, but

Knowing the specifics of his personality is the key to understanding his motivations and how environmental change could impact his displayed behavior.

Boston’s roster has a very different environmental makeup than Orlando does. It is quite possible that a shift in emphasis on his role and change in those influencing decision making around him could significantly alter the facets of his personality he displays

BillfromBoston - January 29, 2012 via mobile reply

have to wonder

How much two devastating and embarrassing losses to an undermanned Celtics squad contributed to this outburst,

On other news, I have always been on the fence about Howard. Offensively he just isn’t very good. He has no touch on his shot at all which is why it rarely goes in if he is more then three feet from the hoop and his foot work is just atrocious. He has no go to move which is something you’d think he’d have developed at this point. Orlando having Patrick Ewing as his tutor probably set him back because Ewing was a jump shooter and that is something Howard will never be. They should have brought in someone like Hakeem who knew the ins and outs of playing in the low post on offense.

Defensively he is a game changer. He’s a great rebounder.

I hate his smiling into the camera crap too.

I just don’t know if he is Celtics material.

CelticsFanNC - January 29, 2012 reply

I thought he was working with Hakeem?

Papatrichs - January 29, 2012 reply

recently

recently yes but he spent most of his career working with Ewing who didn’t have much of a low post game. Ewing was a jump shooter and should have been the last person working with Howard who will never, ever be a good jump shooter because he has no touch.

He also worked with Clifford Ray early on before he came to the Celtic’s.

CelticsFanNC - January 29, 2012 reply

It Don't Come Easy

This is speculative but it would seem that Mr. H has not had to work hard hard hard to make it to where he has. He pushed around kids in HS, skipped college, stepped into the League with an NBA body, made his team instantly competitive. So having had everything else, he thinks he should have a title.

The problem with his title hopes is that its not tied to his own efforts. Put me somewhere I can Win. Team-mates, work hard so I can Win. Meanwhile, Dwight breezes on, getting his basic stats. What is he doing to makes his mates better (6 TOs vs NO)? When does he say, “give me the ball, Ive got it?” Is he working to develop his game? It all smacks of a sense of entitlement. As do the elbows he throws when he gets challenged on court.

All of which is to say I’m not sure he’s Ubuntu-ready. It might make more sense to pay less for a hard-working blue collar player who goes hard than for a max-money guy who expects his mates to carry him.

KGHurtYourFeelings - January 29, 2012 reply

Actually he was really skinny growing up and was not insanely buff when he was first drafted

They drafted him based on potential and he put on a ton of muscle, so stepped into the league with an NBA body is a stretch. I do agree with you about the turnovers and the elbows. Anyway Dwight can average 20 and 15 in his sleep while playing amazing d. No other big man can do that. Love and Griffin look like a joke on d compared to Howard and those guys are the next best big men right now. Also Howard is doing that with crap teammates, Otis Smith has always surrounded him with soft overpaid guys. The Celtics know, they have feasted on them so many times.

kg2128 - January 29, 2012 reply

This is awesome.

We didn’t just beat the magic twice. We may have literally destroyed their team.

We ripped out their hearts, and now they can’t play basketball anymore. They are a sad quivering shell of their former selves, and they have Celtic night terrors that keep them up at night.

They had no heart when we played them

That’s why we won

I have a simple solution for Howard ...

if he is unhappy with his team, come join ours…lol

fordescort - January 29, 2012 reply

howard calling out his mates is leadership. he is not the oncourt problem on that team. his contract situation must be very distracting to all and most to van gundy.

nazzbo - January 29, 2012 reply

To Call out..

..you have to answer the call. A bird or an MJ could do so because they went all out and had that “give it to me-Ive got it mentality”. So does PP for that matter. It would be fair to say that quality has been lacking in Mr Howard, as it has been (up til this season) in his fellow Floridian Mr. James.

ps stand corrected on the ‘nba-ready’ point but reckon he was able to dominate in HS all the same. If he worked on a drop step as much as his pecs…

David Henderson - January 29, 2012 reply

Howard + Coaching

How good did Brandon Bass look on the Magic? Stan has had the horses now for 5 years or so…with 1 finals appearance… all his teams are underachievers. That’s the problem in Orlando.

Hell, Doc had us, briefly mind you, thinking Big Baby could play… LOL

My point being… Howard with a real coach we could be talking not 1, not 2, not 3, not 4, not 5, not 6, not 7, not 8 championships….

Sorry I couldn’t resist using LameBron’s classic octa-negative. He’s not as dumb as pretends not to be….

Fair point.

clover - January 29, 2012 reply

Great post.

Doc >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Stan Van Jeremy

Granted

Orlos organization is not first rate. They have gone for the quick fix, rather than building a good team around DH. Same mistake Cleveland made with Libby. Makes me appreciate Mr Danny all over again.

Bass only went to Orlando in summer 2009

isum - January 30, 2012 reply

Flaws aside...

If you have a chance at a Dwight Howard, you do whatever you can to get him — both to advance our own chances, and certainly to blunt the Lakers’ chances. (Or any other top contender.)

Big_Easy - January 29, 2012 reply

totally disagree

Master Po - January 29, 2012 reply

with respect to my old friend Big Easy.....who is seldom wrong and seldom easy

Master Po - January 29, 2012 reply

Just A Nitpick

The C’s attitude is that they don’t care about the other team. They respect them, but their attitude is that we care about us and if we execute properly, move the ball, etc we can win any game. I don’t think Danny would get a player just to keep him away from another team. Also, the Lakers are pretty much in the same situation as us. Their window is closing and they will be in rebuild mode soon, maybe sooner than us. I don’t think they have the “character” players that we do, players who help incoming players succeed. That will make it harder for them to rebuild.

Beta Male

He has absolutely no killer instinct. He is a beta male pure and simple. A beta male with unbelievable athleticism and strength, but a beta male nonetheless. Which would explain the constant smiling, even when he’s losing in the playoffs or his team is being blown out. NCM. Not Celtics Material.

paul7x5x - January 29, 2012 reply

Hah!

Big_Easy - January 29, 2012 via mobile reply

I didn't think Pierce was a winner or leader...

… until he met Ray and KG.

Big_Easy - January 29, 2012 via mobile reply

I didn't think Parish was Celtics material...

… until he became one.

Big_Easy - January 29, 2012 via mobile reply

Do the Lakers improve if they give up Bynum to get Howard?

impossible to know....health, chemistry, etc...

Master Po - January 29, 2012 reply

Concur Powe

If I’m Orlando, I do that deal if it were offered. Bynum is signed, Howard isn’t. Closest they will get to true value.

Bynum is signed for one more year and then he's eligible for free agency

He get’s paid $16.4 million next season and then he’s an unrestricted free agent. That’s why Bynum alone doesn’t represent enough value. You not only lose another franchise center to LA (making your organization an even bigger disgrace) but then you face the risk of Bynum bolting town the next season. Fool me three times?

Gasol will have to be included because of Bynum’s contract situation and because Otis will at least be smart enough to “scam” the Lakers if they’re going to deal with them at all.