Golden State trying to get a visit with Dwight Howard too. Source says he'll likely meet with them.
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) June 27, 2013
Ever since word got out that the
Warriors are supposedly one of the teams that Dwight Howard is interested in, a
large amount of Warrior fans have voiced strong opinions against Dwight coming
to the Bay Area. They don’t like his seeming insatiable need for attention, his
soap opera free-agency, his attempts to get his coach in Orlando fired, and his
disastrous year in LA. I understand it all, and am not a fan of Howard’s,
personally, but the truth is this: on a bad back for most of the season, Dwight
was still the best center in the NBA. He averaged 17 points a game on 58%
shooting, an INCREASE over last season. He led the NBA in rebounding for the 5th
time in 6 years. He blocked MORE shots this year than last. As his back started
to get better at the ended of the year, he became the old Dwight Howard again.
Over the last quarter of the season, Dwight averaged 20 points, 13 rebounds,
and 3 blocks a game as the Lakers went 15-6 to make the playoffs. Even with the
circus that surrounded him, Dwight Howard proved to still be an utterly
dominant player.
As good as the Warriors looked this
year, they still need another superstar type player alongside Curry if they’re
going to win a title. The only two players currently on the roster who possibly
have that potential are Thompson and Barnes. If you are GM Bob Meyers, and you
are CONVINCED that one of these 2 youngsters can make the leap to superstar
status, then you pass on this deal. Otherwise, you need to make this move, as
I’m not sure there will be a better opportunity to acquire a game-changer of
Dwight’s caliber. The free agent class of 2014 might get you that guy, but
other than LeBron James, no one in that class makes the difference that Dwight
would.
Besides the need for a second
superstar to pair with Curry, Howard fits better with the Warriors current
roster than any other free agent or trade target possibly could. In 2009,
Dwight Howard led the Orlando Magic to the NBA Finals. The rest of that teams
starting lineup? Hedo Turkoglu, Rashard Lewis, Rafer Alston, and Jameer Nelson.
The Magic’s roster was built to surround Dwight with three-point shooters, so
teams either doubled him and became susceptible to a barrage of triples, let
Dwight go one on one in the post and dominate what was almost surely an drastically
inferior big man, or leave the floor spread so thin that any drive to the
basket was either and uncontested layup or a lob to Dwight. The Warriors with
Dwight could be an even deadlier version of that Magic team. That 08-09 Magic team
was 7th in the NBA in 3pt% at 38.1%, while the Warriors led the NBA
this past season, shooting 40.3% from deep. And while Golden State would be
losing a very good shooter in either Thompson or Barnes in the deal, they will
be getting Brandon Rush, a career 41% shooter from three and 45% in his only
year with the Warriors, back from his torn ACL. Howard would upgrade the D as
well, being a better shot blocker and rebounder than even a fully healthy
Andrew Bogut, and a better bet to at least be on the floor as well.
If the Warriors stand pat, their
upside for next year is probably as a 4th seed and the home court
advantage in the first round. If they add Dwight, they might be the best team
in the Western Conference and a legit title contender. It’s a risk, but one
that needs to be taken if the opportunity is there.
You Can Follow Andy on Twitter at @AMOHoop34
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