(Written For Blue Man Hoop)
For the first time in many years, the Warriors are regarded as a future contender. While Dwight Howard’s opinion has proven to be untrustworthy, the ability to attract top-level free agents is a drastic change for the Golden State Warriors franchise. Here are some of the pros-and cons the Warriors will consider with regards to pursuing Dwight Howard.
Pro: When healthy, Dwight Howard is the best center in the league. Though, likely due to back and shoulder injuries, he struggled this season, Howard has been the league’s premier center for several seasons. Howard has, or at least recently had, the mobility to cover pick and rolls and rotate on help defense, the strength to defend post ups, the leaping ability to contest shots at the rim, and the positioning to prevent many shots from being attempted. Offensively, Howard relies on the same mobility and athleticism. He is stronger than many defenders in the post. More importantly, he was the single best pick and roll roll-man in the league. When healthy, he has the mobility to attack the lane, the coordination to catch most passes, and is one of the better finishers at the rim. With Curry’s shooting and Howard’s finishing, the Warriors’ pick and roll would be a consistent source of efficient offense. Of course, the same claims were made about the Nash-Howard pick and roll before this season.
Pro: He has been healthy most of his career. Despite injuries, Howard played 76 regular season games for the Lakers, 92.6 percent of the possible 82. In terms of games played, 2011-12 was Howard’s worst season. He played 54 of 66 regular season games, about 81 percent. In seven other career seasons, he has played a greater percentage, including a full 82 games five times. Recent issues included, Howard is far less of a health issue than Andrew Bogut.
Also worth mentioning is that despite health issues, Howard was not as bad this year as many portrayed him to be. After a discouraging start, he regained something resembling his typical form over the course of the season.
Con: Chasing Howards restricts off-season mobility. He is not known for quick decisions (nor good ones). Though he is likely hesitant to replicate last season’s “Dwight-mare,” Howard’s free agency courting process could easily last weeks. A dragged out process could prevent the Warriors from making other key moves.
Con: Giving Dwight Howard the maximum four year contract he demands will restrict future flexibility. Along with Andris Biedrins’ and Richard Jefferson’s, Bogut’s contract expires after next season. Currently, the Warriors only have 33 million committed to the 2014-2015 season, per basketball-reference. Adding Howard’s contract, along with the contracts of players included in the trade or brought in to fill roster spots, the Warriors salary flexibility could be drastically decreased. The possible Klay Thompson extension would kick in during the 2014-15 season and likely join Howard Curry and Lee in a growing collection of big-money contracts pushing the Warriors up to the salary cap. Harrison Barnes would be due for an extension the year after Thompson (though one of Barnes or Thompson would almost certainly be surrendered in a trade for Howard). If Howard plays to his typical standards, this decreased flexibility would be a minor issue but given the variability of human health and the NBA, Howard’s contract is a concern.
Con: He seems committed to fulfilling the historic role of an offensive center. Amid the chaos of the Laker’s locker-room, there was one constant clamor. Dwight Howard wanted more touches. While he finished with the third lowest usage percentage of his career, he still finished with a 21.3 percent usage rate, not ball-dominant, but still a focus of the offense. The concerning part of his possession pleas was the demand for more “post-touches.” According to mysynergysports.com, he scored 0.74 points per play in post up situations, 121st in the league. In the pick and roll, where he has excelled his whole career, Howard scored 1.29 points per play, 8th in the league. Howard draws attention in the post, freeing up shooters, but his desire for more post-touches indicates a misunderstanding of his own strengths and weaknesses not beneficial to the development of an elite team.