Statistically, even though Howard is underperforming compared to his last couple seasons, he is actually putting up comparable numbers to his career averages in field goal percentage, blocks, rebounds, and points. While that’s true, anyone’s eyeball test will promptly tell them that this version of Dwight Howard does not resemble pre-LA D-12 in the slightest. He looks a step slow on defense, and he looks completely lost on the offensive end most of the time. The latter is probably attributable to Howard’s trying to fit himself into a new team with a new system playing alongside 3 other All-Stars who all seem to be struggling to varying degrees to play in an offense that doesn’t fit its personnel at all. On the other hand, I feel like we should almost excuse the 1st part of that sentence for at least 1 season, as Howard is coming off of major back surgery after all. If he is as mediocre of a paint defender next season, we may have to start wondering if he will ever regain his pre-surgery form, but I am willing to give that part a partial pass at least, and he seems to have looked a little bit more spry of late anyway.
Howard hasn't played up to his own standards, but I'm willing to give him a little more time to work himself into shape.
Still, even Dwight Howard at 100%, while being an unmatched physical presence, will probably always be a terrible free throw shooter, a weak passer out of the double-team, and an awkward, robotic looking post player on offense. And at this rate, the Kobe-Howard-Mike D’Antoni trifecta may never work even if Howard starts to look a little better. But has anyone else wondered if Howard’s on-court wardrobe could be putting some kind of voodoo on him and the Lakers this year?
Basketball fashions, such as cornrows and headbands, come and go…the latest one to really go viral is the arm sleeve, which someone transformed into the double arm sleeve along the way (possibly initiated by Dwight Howard himself). Now, half the NBA players on the court at any time will sport the sleeve, and I’m sure there’s at least 1 guy on every team’s roster that tries to pull off the discount double-check. Seriously, when is the NBA going to call uncle and just allow guys to wear long sleeve t-shirts under their jerseys?
This year, Howard looks like some kind of caricature of himself, usually wearing arm sleeves on both arms, what basically amounts to basketball leggings, and a headband. Personally, I hate the double arm sleeve. 1 looks cool and tough…2 looks like you are wearing those arm-length gloves that old-timey beauty pageant contestants used to rock. And headbands are one of those things that don’t work for everybody. LeBron has a head for a headband. Plus, he’s always worn one. Plus, if he doesn’t wear it, we are all going to bear witness to his rabidly receding hairline. Howard has never worn a headband before this year to my knowledge, and a headband on Howard’s head makes him look like a little kid. And while a lot of guys wear tights now, Howard’s look about 2 sizes too short. His high-rise tights combined with his tall, angular physique make him look like a ballerina. All in all, Howard looks like a basketball clown…like a hype man posing in a rap video, or a spoiled kid who got his Mom to buy out every possible basketball accessory at Sports Authority. So far, we have caricature of himself, old-school beauty pageant participant, little kid, ballerina, clown, rap video guy, and spoiled basketball wannabe…what part of any of that sounds appealing?
Please, Dwight...allow me to be your personal on-court stylist...you need this.
Whatever happened to simply putting on your jersey, lacing up, and hitting the court? On-court accessorizing is probably the least of Howard’s and the Lakers’ problems, but they say you need to look good to play good. Howard looks like a clown, and the Lakers seem like a 3-ring circus at the moment. Does that make Metta World Peace a flying trapeze artist or the guy who shovels out the elephant s***? I’m not saying…but I’m just saying.
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