Does Dwight Howard’s baggage outweigh his talent?
When it came to survival, Stan Van Gundy should've known he wasn't going to win a battle with Dwight Howard. (AP photo)
Last November, I proposed a trade for the Hawks: Deal any two players on their roster for Dwight Howard.
Joe Johnson and Josh Smith. Josh Smith and Al Horford. Johnson and Al Horford. Marvin Williams, several Mediterranean islands and the undying gratitude of every Atlanta resident.
But given what just occurred, I’m wondering how much better off the Hawks would be in the long run with such a diva on the roster.
The Orlando Magic, in an expected move, fired coach Stan Van Gundy, ostensibly because Howard wanted him out. Even before Van Gundy went public late in the season that Howard was trying to get him fired, it was clear the two were in an unworkable situation.
Ownership knows firing their coach and general manager (Otis Smith) won’t lose them any ticket sales. Losing Howard would. So this was an easy choice. Of course, if Howard leaves any way, they will fired Van Gundy for nothing.
Van Gundy is a terrific coach, one of the NBA’s best, in my opinion. Critics banged on him for outing Howard publicly. But given that the franchise centerpiece had been stabbing him in the back for months to management, undermined his authority in the locker room and wrecked any conceivable chance Orlando had of succeeding this season, I had no problem with it. Fact is, Van Gundy probably gained a lot respect around the league for it (certainly within the coaching fraternity and with the media).
It seems strange to suggest this. But Howard, despite being the world’s most dominant center and one of the five best players in the world, period, may nonetheless be poison for a franchise. Whether he remains in Orlando or ultimately is traded or leaves in free agency, there is reason to believe he will wield too much power wherever he ends up.
When it gets to the point that an athlete has the call on who the coach is and how a team is built, it’s an unhealthy situation. Ultimately, the owner is bowing to ever whim of the player because he’s worried about turnstile counts. It doesn’t play well in the front office or the locker room, and that spills onto the court.
The way the Magic have been operating lately, they might as well let Howard interview the candidates to replace Van Gundy. Better yet, let them march, one by one, into the Roman Coliseum, while Howard sits on a throne and gives the thumbs up or thumbs down signal.
Have the lions ready.
It sounds extreme to suggest an NBA team would be better off without Dwight Howard. But it speaks to the player’s prima donna tendencies that it’s suddenly something worth thinking about.
By Jeff Schultz
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143 comments Add your comment
I'm First
May 21st, 2012
5:05 pm
YES
JB
May 21st, 2012
5:05 pm
First
JB
May 21st, 2012
5:05 pm
dang
I'm First
May 21st, 2012
5:06 pm
Isn’t basketball over yet?
Summer of Braves and then FOOTBALL!!!!!!!
I'm First
May 21st, 2012
5:09 pm
Basketball is starting to seem like soccer…..wherein somebody is always trying to force it down our throats, yet majority of people don’t care whatsoever.
I'm First
May 21st, 2012
5:12 pm
We may watch once in a blue moon…..kind of like the World Cup. And only if USA plays halfway decent.
In Atlanta we’ve got the Hawks, so there’s never even a reason to watch once every few years.
Astro Joe
May 21st, 2012
5:15 pm
My guess is that the third wheel of this tricycle leaves Orlando in about 6 weeks. IMO, this is a precursor to trading Howard and starting all over again. They get to present a whole new brain trust to reshape the franchise. SVG is NOT the kind of head coach you want for a rebuilding project. If Otis Smith were staying, I’d probably agree this was a Howard-related coup… but with Otis gone as GM, my guess is that they are wiping the slate clean and hoping for a Herschel to the Vikings type trade.
GT
May 21st, 2012
5:17 pm
You got your eyes fixed for DH, but you still have that blind spot for Josh Smith.
JackWilson
May 21st, 2012
5:20 pm
Jeff Van Gundy just got fired for no reason . . . . other than Dwight Howard had called for his head earlier in the season. I guess it got a delayed reaction, but it appears the players are running the asylum. Many years ago, Magic Johnson called for the firing of Paul Westhead. Westhead was promptly fired and replaced with Phil Jackson. Phil went on to coach the Lakers to five world championships.
LukeMerriman
May 21st, 2012
5:21 pm
Yesterdays Miami Heat game in the third quarter where LaBron and Wade did most of the scoring, those two playing off each other looked like the Harlem Globe Trotters–even though it was mostly those two doing most of the scoring. I have never seen anything like it and I think if the Heat can keep it up, they might just win that title that they are so desparately seeking.
Skeezix
May 21st, 2012
5:30 pm
Howard is way overrated, has a big head, and Magic ownership should have unloaded him. Orlando has become a circus.
JohnGTFan
May 21st, 2012
5:31 pm
JackWilson…that was funny. It was Pat Riley that replaced Westhead, not Phil Jackson.
JohnGTFan
May 21st, 2012
5:33 pm
and riley won 4 titles, phil won 5 in 2 different stints as the lakers coach
Plateau Hawks
May 21st, 2012
5:34 pm
Typical Hawks….in a year when 2nd seeded Chicago sputters out after losing their main player in 1st round. They blow a great chance of moving past 2nd round and (finally) going to conference finals. But of course, being the Hawks, they blew a great start against Boston in the first round and couldn’t move past it.
If these guys haven’t hit a plateau…..I don’t know what one is.
Mr. Riley
May 21st, 2012
5:35 pm
It does seem that D. Howard is more of a headache than its worth. I just see him turning into another P. Ewing. All the talent and game in the world but no ring because of his ego.
Ted Striker
May 21st, 2012
5:40 pm
I wouldn’t want anyone on my team I wouldn’t want on my side in a bar fight — especially if a guy is going to change sides in the middle of the fight.
Howard is the Eastern conference version of Kobe Bryant. Both are game changers, neither are team players.
Thumbs down on DH.
Plateau Hawks
May 21st, 2012
5:41 pm
Where’s the magic frozen lottery envelope for the Hawks, i.e. Knicks/Ewing?
I know they use ping pong balls and the Hawks aren’t BAD ENOUGH for the lottery.
Maybe they should give a small percentage chance to all teams that don’t win it all.
Might help give a good team that missing ingredient to get better.
Lottery teams usually stay lottery teams for a while before inching upwards.
probably
May 21st, 2012
5:43 pm
Hawks would probably choose a Marvin WIlliams over a Chris Paul again.
Kelly
May 21st, 2012
5:43 pm
Howard is another in a long line of players to behave this way. The league has serious leadership issues. Of course, Stern let it turn into the WWE circus it is, so he really only has himself to blame. “Players league” or not, any viable enterprise has a hierarchy in place for a reason. With the NBA, it’s often turned upside down. While it’s nice to see that players have a little say in the decision-making process, it’s counterproductive. Howard is the poster child for counterproductivity. He’s a privileged snot drama queen and adding him to ATL would be tantamount to bringing TO to your football team. Bad move. Now…if we can oust this crappy ownership, that would be productive.
Delbert D.
May 21st, 2012
5:50 pm
How about trading any 2 Hawks player for some luggage?
Reality
May 21st, 2012
5:52 pm
Reality- The Hawks will never be a contender with Joe Johnson
Reality- The Hawks will never be a contender with Josh (jump shooting) Smith
Reality- The Hawks will never be contenders with Marvin and Al
Reality- The Hawks will never be a contender with current head coach
Reality- The Hawks will never be a contender with current ownership and GM
Reality- The misguided direction of this franchise will never change-small market-small thinkers
Kelly
May 21st, 2012
5:55 pm
@Reality Stop it! I CAN’T HANDLE THE TRUTH! JJ was a terrible move, resigning. Smith wants out anyway, but he’s shown improvement, sort of. The ownership blows. I don’t think the coaching situation is that huge of a deal, but I’d rather see Van Gundy in ATL. Too late. Ownership blows.
Mike in Georgia
May 21st, 2012
5:58 pm
I have no respect for a player like Dwight Howard who won’t play for the home team (just like a top prospect in GA signing with ALA or Auburn)…just seems like a traitor to me….selfish in that he thinks he’s too good for us.
Second, I, like so many others, are truly sick of this new generation of players who think the league is all about them. Like there weren’t great players before them. Divas are just childish, immature dirtbags no matter what industry they’re in.
Let’s find some new talent for this team….keep Horford and Teague as a nucleus and start from there. We don’t need “stars” to be a winning team or playoff contender…think Dallas Mavericks of 2011. Good luck Hawks!
Shame upon you Dwight Howard…you’re no longer a Georgian in my book.
Rick James
May 21st, 2012
6:06 pm
I dont see Dwight Howard staying Orlando which means that a good coach has been fired for nothing..He’s a super talent but as an owner I just dont want is element on my team.As a coach/general manager I wouldnt want him because he’s a whining backstabber.He’s quit on his Orlando teamates more than once so as a player I dont think so either.But a tandem of Howard,Smith and Horford would be fun to watch.
Chris
May 21st, 2012
6:10 pm
Mike, Why hate on a guy just because he doesn’t want to play for the “home” team? That is just childish. Just because people grow up or live in Georgia does not mean they have to be blindly loyal to only sports teams in Georgia. A person should be able to make the best choice for themselves and if that means going out of state then so be it. I wish all players wanted to stay and represent this great state but I wouldn’t knock a guy for going somewhere else if it’s the best fit for them, even if it is going to Bama or Florida.
I’m glad Howard doesn’t want to play in Atlanta. The pathetic Hawks have enough problems as it is without bringing this prima-donna to town.
Misty From Macon
May 21st, 2012
6:12 pm
Schultz you are soooo predictable. i bet you used the same article, dusted off from your old typewriter, about Jordan. Jordan wasn’t winning with Collins as the Head Coach, but I bet in your twisted, soulless, myopic eyes it was probably Jordan’s fault. He was being a “diva”.
Stop blaming the players for the coaches bad decisions. Let’s start there, then you can move forward to actually being able to report the sports without those jaundiced eyes bothering you………
pj
May 21st, 2012
6:12 pm
Trade J-smoove and marvin and a draft pick for Howard. Then your starting lineup would be PG – Teague SG – Iso Joe SF – T-Mac/Stackhouse PF – Big Al C – Dwight Howard
This lineup plus a passable bench and hawks make Eastern Finals.
Benjamin
May 21st, 2012
6:18 pm
Stan Van Gundy over Larry Drew?
Wish we’d waited a day or two before extending Drew. Regardless of what happens down in Orlando, it’s time to shake the bottle a little in Atlanta.
Benjamin
May 21st, 2012
6:21 pm
Also, I’d like to see Jack Wilson’s history book. lol
Kelly
May 21st, 2012
6:27 pm
Yeah, Misty, but did Jordan try to be the GM, the owner and quit on his teammates? That’d be a “no.” Don’t let hatred corrupt your analysis. Not trying to get in blog fight at all, but the personal attacks are just weird.
Time
May 21st, 2012
6:30 pm
These people hate Josh. It would be pure comedy to see their reaction to a true diva like Dwight.
Paul in NH
May 21st, 2012
6:40 pm
“Howard is the Eastern conference version of Kobe Bryant. Both are game changers, neither are team players.”
Having Howard in the same sentence as Kobe is an insult to Kobe. Kobe has 5 championship rings (3 with Shaq, 2 without), an NBA MVP and 2 NBA Finals MVPs – not to mention he wants the ball in the clutch. One of the Lakers finals victories was over the Howard-led Magic.
Benny
May 21st, 2012
6:41 pm
This happened in the 90’s to the same team, when Ron Rothstein was coach.
donte080
May 21st, 2012
6:52 pm
Why is it necessarily Howard’s fault Van Gundy got canned? Anyone who watched the magic could see that team is not put together well (Otis Smith), and has a very poor game plan (Coach Van Gundy).
How is this Dwight Howard’s fault?
ryan
May 21st, 2012
6:55 pm
D12 a coach killer i am starting think maybe its good idea we are not geting him i just don’t why though he wants to go to the Nets so bad they are no were near championship caliber i guess he just wants a New York penthouse .
steven a smith
May 21st, 2012
6:59 pm
If Dwight Howard would make his free throws, the Orlando Magic would allready be NBA champions., suffice it to say, Dwight Howard is the main problem with that organizations’ lack of success!
donte080
May 21st, 2012
6:52 pm
Why is it necessarily Howard’s fault Van Gundy got canned? Anyone who watched the magic could see that team is not put together well (Otis Smith), and has a very poor game plan (Coach Van Gundy).
How is this Dwight Howard’s fault?
Dirty Dawg
May 21st, 2012
7:10 pm
Several years back, when Howard and Smith were both HS seniors and both were participating in a ‘camp’, or whatever they called it, sponsored by Adidas and being held in Knoxville, a friend was covering the several-day event for a video for a sports cable channel. He and his crew came away from the thing saying at Howard was both the best player and had the best attitude of any of the attendees, and was recognized as such. Conversely, Smith was a petulant, lazy punk – and was unofficially selected for tat award. Seems as if they both have ended up in he same place…wonder why?
Red Stick
May 21st, 2012
7:26 pm
Good points Jeff except I have to disagree about Howard as a top 5 player. I think he’s overrated as another poster pointed out.
Mike in Georgia
May 21st, 2012
7:43 pm
Chris….first, the Hawks are not pathetic…they’ve made the playoffs several years in a row now and beat Boston a couple of years back…they are missing one or two ingredients to be a true powerhouse. If you think that warrants a pathetic label…that makes you pathetic and maybe childish as well.
Regarding my feelings on Dwight not showing love to his “home” state, it is not childish and many of us feel that way. He has a choice to go where he wants just as I have to feel the way I do.
Anything else?
Mike in Georgia
May 21st, 2012
7:45 pm
And I agree with Red Stick…DH is not a Top 5 player because of his lack of hustle and me-first attitude. He has Top-5 talent but that is it. You have to use the talent to get the credit!
Evander Holyfield's Last Remaining Brain Cell
May 21st, 2012
7:48 pm
Howard is a diva. Be a man a make a decision.
@I’m First- NBA ratings are through the roof, baseball ratings are awful, you aren the minority, kids and the country love the NBA.
The Hawks are competitive but need a star.
Beast from the East
May 21st, 2012
7:50 pm
Terrible move. They should have traded him already and gotten some players that want to play as part of a team. Instead, they can the coach and GM, but keep the Diva. He’ll bail on them after next season, so they better trade him quickly.
Beast from the East
May 21st, 2012
7:53 pm
Mike in Georgia,
You may want to venture across the state line someday. There’s a great big world out there and many folks choose to broaden their horizons. Newsflash…the State of Georgia is a fine place, but it’s not the greatest place on Earth.
Najeh Davenpoop
May 21st, 2012
7:55 pm
Dwight Howard is the best center in the league. This is the NBA, where talent always wins. Talent like that trumps an entire 747 full of baggage. The Hawks would be foolish not to acquire him if they had the chance.
Beast from the East
May 21st, 2012
7:57 pm
Najeh,
If Dwight is the best center and talent always wins, then why doesn’t Dwight have multiple rings?
Najeh Davenpoop
May 21st, 2012
8:00 pm
He’ll have plenty before long, especially if he plays for the best and most successful sports team in Atlanta. Come home, Dwight.
Beast from the East
May 21st, 2012
8:03 pm
He’ll have multiple if he lands on the right TEAM. He’s not Kobe or Jordan.
Najeh Davenpoop
May 21st, 2012
8:46 pm
“If Dwight is the best center and talent always wins, then why doesn’t Dwight have multiple rings?”
“He’ll have multiple if he lands on the right TEAM. He’s not Kobe or Jordan.”
You’re right, he’s not Kobe or Jordan. But Kobe won most of his rings playing with a Hall of Famer. Jordan won his rings playing with another Hall of Famer. Who is the best teammate Dwight has had? Turkoglu? Rashard Lewis? Jameer Nelson?
If Orlando trades him, people will realize how much he has meant to that team. The Magic are going to be atrocious if he is gone. Can’t blame him for having mediocre teammates.
Email Profiling Is Wrong
May 21st, 2012
8:59 pm
Magic Johnson got Paul Westhead fired as Lakers coach years ago. Not comparing Howard to Ervin Johnson, but…
Paul in NH
May 21st, 2012
9:01 pm
Najeh,
You mean JJ Redick isn’t the best teammate Howard has had?
GStateBen
May 21st, 2012
9:01 pm
Agreed Jeff. Otis Smith made bad decision after bad decision and could have told Howard to keep his mouth shut. He drafted Courtney Lee, only to trade him. Then he decided to draft Kentucky players Daniel Orton, who looks like a major project and DeAndre Liggins, who SVG refused to play and could also bust.
This is not a great job either as the Magic have 8 players under contract for roughly $82 million. The project luxury cap limit is $70 million. Hedo is making $11 million next year. Yuck.
JSS
May 21st, 2012
9:25 pm
Magic made the same mistake the Hawks did in 1989, the Mavs did in mid 90s, and Bucks did too; they tried to put an All Star team (on paper) on the floor with a coach who lacked people skills and game management talent. Van Gundy like his brother is vastly overrated as a in-game coach. Like his brother he rode a hot hand against a lot of teams who were flawed (the Cavs) and when they got to the Finals were ripped a new one! Maybe his brother can get him a job commentating and a better tailor… Howard on the hand while not as talented is turning into a modern version of Wilton. A reputation is a hard thing to live down!
JSS
May 21st, 2012
9:27 pm
Hmmm? Jeff Schultz, check your filter, weird…
DawgNole
May 21st, 2012
10:12 pm
LukeMerriman
May 21st, 2012
5:21 pm
Yesterdays Miami Heat game in the third quarter where LaBron and Wade did most of the scoring, those two playing off each other looked like the Harlem Globe Trotters–even though it was mostly those two doing most of the scoring. I have never seen anything like it and I think if the Heat can keep it up, they might just win that title that they are so desparately seeking.
_____________________
With Bosh in there, Miami certainly had a talent advantage, but as I posted a few weeks ago, I just don’t believe you can overlook the Spurs, who are absolutely on fire.
P. Bull Terrier
May 21st, 2012
10:14 pm
The Hawks/ASG should already be camped out in Orlando, offering whatever it takes to sign one of the few guys who could turn this team into a winner – Stan Van Gundy.
Oh yeah, the Hawks/ASG just signed a coach who is 3/4 as good as Van Gundy for 1/4 the price. From an accounting standpoint, that sounds like a pretty good value. The problem is, I’m just as likely to pay for a ticket to watch accountants account as I am to pay for a ticket to watch the Hawks do whatever it is they do.
Magic Johnson
May 21st, 2012
10:22 pm
This whole league should be shut down…..That’s why I went to BASEBALL!!
will smith
May 21st, 2012
10:24 pm
Let’s see – MJ got Doug Collins fired, Magic got Phil Westhead fired, ya might even say Shaq and D. Wade got van Gundy fired from Miami right before they won an NBA chamionship. Just because you have some sort of man love going on for van Gundy doesn’t mean that DH is wrong to not have him as a coach. IMHO the act of coming out and whining about a player trying to get you fired is a firing offense in and of itself.
DawgNole
May 21st, 2012
10:27 pm
JackWilson
May 21st, 2012
5:20 pm
Jeff Van Gundy just got fired for no reason . . . . other than Dwight Howard had called for his head earlier in the season. I guess it got a delayed reaction, but it appears the players are running the asylum. Many years ago, Magic Johnson called for the firing of Paul Westhead. Westhead was promptly fired and replaced with Phil Jackson. Phil went on to coach the Lakers to five world championships.
JohnGTFan
May 21st, 2012
5:31 pm
JackWilson…that was funny. It was Pat Riley that replaced Westhead, not Phil Jackson.
JohnGTFan
May 21st, 2012
5:33 pm
and riley won 4 titles, phil won 5 in 2 different stints as the lakers coach
__________________________
And it was STAN Van Gundy who just got fired–not Jeff.
ASGmustgo
May 21st, 2012
10:29 pm
The atlanta spirit group is poison to any franchise. Sell the team so we can care again.
DawgNole
May 21st, 2012
10:30 pm
Reality
May 21st, 2012
5:52 pm
Reality- The Hawks will never be a contender with Joe Johnson
Reality- The Hawks will never be a contender with Josh (jump shooting) Smith
Reality- The Hawks will never be contenders with Marvin and Al
Reality- The Hawks will never be a contender with current head coach
Reality- The Hawks will never be a contender with current ownership and GM
Reality- The misguided direction of this franchise will never change-small market-small thinkers
Kelly
May 21st, 2012
5:55 pm
@Reality Stop it! I CAN’T HANDLE THE TRUTH!
_______________________
Hey, at least you admit it. That makes you better than the too many on here who’re in denial.
DawgNole
May 21st, 2012
10:32 pm
Mike in Georgia
May 21st, 2012
7:43 pm
Chris….first, the Hawks are not pathetic…they’ve made the playoffs several years in a row now and beat Boston a couple of years back…
_____________________
Beat Boston in what?!
The ATL Hawks have NEVER won a playoff series against the Celtics.
Ronald Millsaps
May 21st, 2012
10:42 pm
Misty——-You’re way off, way off. Dwight Howard is the biggest punk in sports. This so-called Christian is as self-absorbed, obnoxious, and irreverent (i.e. mocking giving therapy to a choking or heart-attack victim after one of his dunks). Then he carries himself like some kind of victim. He’s the sorriest personality in the NBA, followed by the Dwyane Wade’s trashy girlfriend, LeBron James, and Dwyane Wade. Jeff’s right; this guy’s a poison that doesn’t need to be on the Hawks or anyone else. He did indeed run off a good coach, probably just in an ego flex, i.e. the way the overrated, selfish, pathetic-on-defense Moses Malone led the revolt against Mike Fratello. The Hawks NEVER should’ve acquired that guy; no wonder Wes Unseld was fed up with him.
On a rather-separate note, I’m doing some research on the Denver International Airport and can see why several Denver Broncos players have hated the place. Oh, my. If you don’t hate it, you’re wrong. The smallest strike against it is that it was completely unnecessary, as the previous one was perfectly fine and as this one is very far from downtown and in a high-wind area. Again, this strike against it is the smallest. The interior and exterior are loaded with satanic symbols, i.e. freemasonry symbols (Masons don’t tell anyone initially that their group is just that). A sinister, gigantic statue of a horse on the outside (known as “Blucifer”) is just about the initial impression, though the oddly-shaped roof, which appears to be hats worn by satanists and/or klansmen, is more noticeable from a distance. Gargoyle statues are scattered throughout the interior, including one inside a suitcase (what’s that supposed to mean?). Furthermore, a three-part mural promotes massive genocide and the false message that we only can have world peace via depopulation and one-world government. The main figure in these murals is a nazi-looking figure wielding a sword and wearing a gas mask. (This is beyond weird.) An apparent periodic-table reference to gold and silver is really a reference to an antigen used in concentration camps———————–and underneath the airport are extremely-large structures that clearly appear to be just that, including a large chamber eighty feet underground with a sprinkler system (who ever heard of an underground sprinkler system?). Also, an aerial view shows the runways to form a swastika.
Usually on any construction project, one crew does the whole project. In this case, multiple ones were shuffled in an out in an effort to prevent any group from knowing exactly what’s going on. If you trust our government, you’re delusional.
Ronald Millsaps
May 21st, 2012
10:54 pm
“dawg”— If not for incredibly-biased officiating, Atlanta’s on-paper record in ‘88 would’ve read 4-2 over Boston. Of course, the officiating was indeed extremely biased, and I do believe David Stern’s mom’s favorite team is the Celtics.
Of course, biased officiating and the attempts to re-tell history don’t change what really occurs. The league is a crooked league and needs a commissioner with credibility. The league gives special calls to major-market teams and then does the same to small underdogs in an attempt to help them extend series in an effort to sell more advertising.
Not sure I’d put Howard in the top five, by the way. I’d go Durant, Rose, LeBron, Wade, and Kobe. Number six would be Paul, Howard, or Anthony.
Ronald Millsaps
May 21st, 2012
11:01 pm
first paragraph 10:42 post corrections: add “as they come” after the parenthetical commentary, and omit “the” in reference to Wade’s girlfriend……………………who is indeed good-looking but who seems to be as sorry as they come. She laughs about how she yells “brick” all the time. I know her type; they think the entire arena wants to hear them. Her vulgar comments against Dick Bavetta show her lack of character and ignorance of a legend.
I’m glad folks aren’t comparing LeBron and Wade to Jordan and Pippen like they were before the 2010 season. Neither of the former shows much maturation at all most of the time, and if they would be defensive-minded like the latter, they’d dominate. They were pretty good yesterday, but still, you would think a team with this talent would be dominating even a good team like Indiana, and they would if its two stars weren’t prima donnas. By the way, Jordan and Pippen would annihilate those two, and if LeBron ever wants to warrant a Jordan comparison he’s going to have to learn how to shoot better, defend better, and drop all the randomness, as he seriously does meander with his passes and dribbling quite often.
Ronald Millsaps
May 21st, 2012
11:09 pm
I’m not suggesting by changing the subject from my 10:42 post that the topics I covered need to be dismissed. We need to take action, i.e. speaking up, and the subsequent posts aren’t as disconnected from that post as you might think. Those with a platform of apparent secular influence generally don’t have very good intentions. (Even in post-Katrina times, many citizens felt they could get by with anything, and the crime rate was unspeakably bad….while FEMA was content to do absolutely nothing.)
I still might make a trade for Howard but would be apprehensive about doing so. Maybe he’d like being close to Griffin.
Ronald Millsaps
May 21st, 2012
11:23 pm
Back to my 10:42 post, do some reading on the Georgia Guidestones if you haven’t already. Don’t assume everyone out there is on your side. I had never even heard of this landmark even though I grew up only a couple of hours away from it. If you think I’m giving ear to random, unsubstantiated theories, look around; I’ve seen fingerprints of these agendas now for years. Heck, look at how just over the weekend Arkansas unconstitutionally kicked John Wolfe to the curb.
Jesse Ventura does some fine investigative work on issues like these. According to him, anyone with a Ron Paul bumper sticker is deemed an “enemy of the State”. I’m not surprised. None of what I’ve typed tonight shocks me. Again, I’ve seen fingerprints of this agenda for years (9/11 was another lie and a self-inflicted wound, at that…the subsequent color-coded terror alerts were hoaxes also). It’s still sobering, though, especially the apparent concentration camps.
najeh dappenfart
May 21st, 2012
11:24 pm
8:46 najeh davenport…Amazing points, you big dummy, easy to say that after theyre all retired!!!! Keep this malcontent away from ATL…And besides Jameer, JJ is his best teammate! FIRE SPIRIT!
chuck
May 21st, 2012
11:30 pm
YES!!!!!!! I would however trade Josh Smith for him.
Big Eaarl
May 21st, 2012
11:31 pm
WHO CARES??? Thugs are the only thing left in in the NBA. Only blacks care about this crap. Refs control who wins or loses. I’ve stopped watching and caring since Dominique and Bird played. Pants worn around the ASS, so many tatoos you can’t even tell if they are human beings, refs control who wins and loses; this sport ( and I use that term loosly) IS A JOKE!!! Just let the blacks (Oh, I’m sorry, Afrcan Americans) have this sport. It is not even worth my time…why am I even writing this?
najeh dappenfart
May 21st, 2012
11:35 pm
Big Eaarl: Its TATTOO. Refs don’t control sport….players do…need to watch the sport fellow…and its African….please learn to write before you grace our pages.
Big Earl
May 21st, 2012
11:36 pm
Josh Smith is a piece of crap and so is Dwight (prima donna) Howard. Does anybody except the
blacks even care???
Stan Van Gundy: Happiest Man on Earth Thanks to "Coward Howard" | :: Sparxxrx LLC ::
May 21st, 2012
11:38 pm
[...] Coward Howard did more than turn on his Head Coach. He smacked and slapped every single ticket buyer with his special brand of hubris, ego, and cowardice. [...]
Big Earl
May 21st, 2012
11:38 pm
@najeh dappenfart… what the hell kinds name is that you imbosil? So I have a typo, is that all you can say?
Big Earl
May 21st, 2012
11:40 pm
And if you REALLY think the players control the NBA, I’d love to have some of what you’re smokin.
najeh dappenfart
May 21st, 2012
11:43 pm
Caucasians have tattoos as well, haven’t you noticed? If you spent time away from your Mom and watched the NBA you would see how the sport is better now than 20 yrs ago…lol…you joker
Big Earl
May 21st, 2012
11:55 pm
Looks like I’ve been censored by the AJC…..go figure?
Big Earl
May 21st, 2012
11:55 pm
Yep
TROLL PATROLL
May 21st, 2012
11:56 pm
Big Eaaarl…in over your head…go back and Troll with ur neighbors on another site…TPatroll sniffs em all out!!!!LMAO
TROLL PATROLL
May 21st, 2012
11:57 pm
LMAO even more -throwing out THE CENSURED CARD!!!!HAHAHAHA
Big Earl
May 21st, 2012
11:57 pm
TPatroll … is that short for Toilet Paper?
TROLL PATROLL
May 22nd, 2012
12:07 am
PATROLL arrives and said troll crawls away with head between legs!!!
Paddy
May 22nd, 2012
7:32 am
There is now no doubt why the NBA is so not what fans want to watch. The inmates have been running the jail for many years now. Put a fork in them ,they are done What a waste of a once great sport!
Admirable SnAckBar
May 22nd, 2012
7:34 am
seems all the players from the high school team that Josh, DH, Rhondo turned out to be diva head cases. Is that what happens when you teach self esteem instead of letting people earn it?
Paddy
May 22nd, 2012
7:35 am
Bg Eaarl……the refs control the sport????? That is a statement of a 12 yr old!
Hog Wild Boars
May 22nd, 2012
7:36 am
I wonder what would happen if Larry Drew and Mark Bradley met in the street ? Bradley chastized Hawks mangement for keeping Drew. Stay tuned.
Admirable SnAckBar
May 22nd, 2012
7:39 am
nobody goes there anymore, it is too crowded.
Buddy Grizzard
May 22nd, 2012
7:51 am
“Can’t blame him for having mediocre teammates.”
Yep, kinda like LeBron when he played for Cleveland and the most talented teammate he ever played with was Mo Williams. And idiots like Magic Johnson said “he should do it by himself” when Magic played with multiple hall of famers.
O'Brien
May 22nd, 2012
7:54 am
Congrats to the OKC. They are what the Hawks wanted to be when we rebuilt. Over a period of 4 years, Hawks picked #2, #3, #5, #6, and #11 in the draft. That was our chance to get a potential star. Instead, we take:
#2 – Marvin
#3 – Al
#5 – Shelden
#6 – Childress
Compare that to OKC in their draft over a 3 year span:
#2 – Kevin Durant
#4 – Westbrook
#3 – James Harden
Hawks go 1-4 on their picks, while OKC goes 3-3. And OKC got their coaching hire right. Hawks? Not so much.
O'Brien
May 22nd, 2012
8:01 am
Speaking of coaching, LD should be on 790 at 10:30 am.
Taylor Wooten
May 22nd, 2012
8:12 am
That Coach was fired….because he was white.
Ghousa Bey
May 22nd, 2012
8:14 am
In an ideal world, thugs like Howard would be riding the back of a garbage truck.
All I'm Saying Is....
May 22nd, 2012
8:17 am
“But given that the franchise centerpiece had been stabbing him in the back for months to management, undermined his authority in the locker room and wrecked any conceivable chance Orlando had of succeeding this season, I had no problem with it.” — And where are your facts, Schultz, to support all of the above? These are powerful statements without any evidence provided to back them up.
How about this: Stan Van Gundy has a track record of being the type of coach whose whiny ways soon lead him to lose his job. He did the same thing in Miami that he did in Orlando. That is a fact.
LET’S GO HAWKS!
Double Zero Eight
May 22nd, 2012
8:23 am
The ansawer is ‘NO.
Most NBA players have baggage of some sort.
I want a winner in ATL after 44 years of
mediocrity. If I want something regarding
spirituality, I will attend church vs. attending
a Hawks game.
Tom Dial
May 22nd, 2012
8:32 am
Magic Johnson got his coach fired, and his successor, Pat Riley, became one of the most successful coaches and executives in NBA history. I follow the Magic closely. Have since they signed Shaquelle in the early ’90s. I think they needed a coaching change. And a point guard change. But not a center change.
observer
May 22nd, 2012
8:39 am
I think it would be the perfect trade if Hawks traded Josh Smith for Howard. We would trade our dumb, selfish player for another of the same kind, but with more talent. As another plus, Howard could then get Larry Drew fired. Talk about improving a team…wow!
nate from detroit
May 22nd, 2012
8:39 am
This is a great example of why the boringest team (at least by what the media says) in the NBA, the San Antonio Spurs, may be on the brink of another title. This kind of crap wouldn’t happen in San Antonio as long as Popovich and Duncan are still there. The Spurs franchise is the model right now of how professionals should and do conduct themselves. In a team sport, the team has to come first and the individual last. Someone needs to teach Mr Howard this lesson.
flagboy?
May 22nd, 2012
8:42 am
This is why most actual sports fans hate professional basketball, and just one reason why I was really hoping the NBA lockout was still going on right now.
NBA is a joke.
It Is What It Is
May 22nd, 2012
8:49 am
As an Orlando resident I can tell you this isn’t the first time this scenario has played out. Penny Hardaway wanted coach Brian Hill out. The Magic fired him. Wasn’t long before Penny was gone too. Now Dwight got Van Gundy fired, in the last year of Dwight’s contract no less. Dwight will be gone too. But the Magic are just stupid enough to pay this guy (who is coming off a back injury/surgery) over a 100 million dollars..again! They are still living in the fear of the whole losing Shaq debacle from the 90’s and are scared to death it’s going to happen again with the face of their current team.
PMC
May 22nd, 2012
8:54 am
No I don’t think it’s completely about Dwight. Part of it is just that Orlando is Orlando, it’s not LA or NYC or Chicago or Boston etc.
Dwight is one of the top players in the league and the Magic have been constructed incredibly poorly.
I think Van Gundy is an excellent coach, but he’s a lousy communicator and his interpersonal skills aren’t very good. In other words, he’s quite talented, but he’s not a guy that is fun to work with when the team isn’t winning.
This team wasn’t going to win because it’s pretty much Dwight and not much else. That’s one reason Dwight wants out.
Put Dwight in the middle with a decent team around him and I think he would have a lot more playoff success (see: Oneill, Shaq)
Eb
May 22nd, 2012
8:59 am
Hawks are clearly the worst franchise of all time in the NBA. For those of you touting Charlotte, the Bobcats have 30 more years of misery before matching the Hawks pitiful existence. Teams that came after us have reached the ECF, WCF, and Finals- which still remain elusive to the Hawks 44 years later. This team has a track record of poor ownership which currently resides with the worst ownership group in proffessional sports history. These guys are undercapitalized and wouldn’t know talent if it fell from the sky and bit them. Until this team is sold to a good owner with a commitment to winning a title, the results and the reputation of the Hawks will remain the same.
T
May 22nd, 2012
9:10 am
Howard being called one of the “five best players” is a bit generous, Schultz.
GaStBen
May 22nd, 2012
9:27 am
Don’t act like this is the first time a player or players got an NBA coach fired. lol How many coaches did the Detroit Pistons players run out of town? Larry Brown was the only one to leave on his own, the rest was player initiated.
GaStBen
May 22nd, 2012
9:27 am
Not to mention Howard has no desire to come to a team to celebrates losing in the 1st round.
JJ2405
May 22nd, 2012
9:33 am
There is no reason to consider Howard. He wants to play for max money in a big city. No thanks.
Everytime a team loses in the playoffs everyone wants to make trades, but what can we realistically get in return to improve the team. I thought the make up of the team this year was very strong. Injuries killed us.
monroe
May 22nd, 2012
9:38 am
in atlanta, dwight will want control over the coach and gm—if not, he’s heading to LA, showtime and all that money!!
bali
May 22nd, 2012
9:56 am
so what s the bib deal..star player does not like the coach so the coach is fired…nba is a players league…look at the nba coaches that are out there today…how many former players are now the head coach of an nba franchise….how many nba coaches out there can you really say ,hey he is a really good coach..not many…throw the basketball on the floor and the players play…star players dominate nba basketballl like never before…star players are never at fault…blame it on the coach or throw a teammate or two under the bus when you lose…wish the nba was a team league instead of a players league
Paddy
May 22nd, 2012
9:56 am
monroe……..LA can have him and any player like him! Check out Bill Bradley’s comments on the state of the NBA and what it really takes to win a championship with regularity. Any person who can memorize the NJ phone book should get our attention. The guy is flat out brilliant and he has won those championships to back it up!
George I.A.
May 22nd, 2012
10:13 am
Only World War II lasted longer than the NBA season and the horror stories like Howard.
Ryder
May 22nd, 2012
10:20 am
It’s amazing how many people on here are actually defending Dwight Howard. Is he really that talented, or is it because he is the only true center left in the NBA? Andrew Bynum is ok, but nothing special. How many MVP’s has Howard even been in contention for? He doesn’t make his teams better the way a Shaq or even a Hakeem Olajuwon did. His best bet for a title is to go to LA where he doesn’t have to be the man, because he lacks the “it” factor needed to take charge when it matters.
If I’m the Hawks GM I pull the trigger on a Gasol trade and get Josh Smith out of town. No way Smith stays here and it may be just the thing to motivate Gasol to take his game to another level.
ryan
May 22nd, 2012
10:42 am
I agree we need to keep Josh Smith or trade him and get something for him it would be stupid to just let him go .
KevinM
May 22nd, 2012
10:45 am
Paddy, wasn’t it Jerry Lucas who was the memorizing guru? I think you’ve crossed up 2 different issues.
Jeff, you sure know how to get Hawks fans riled up. There is no chance a DHoward would end up here, no matter the circumstances. Why would anyone consider Howard and Josh to be a good match? All they have to do is foul them with the Hack-a-Shaq rule and take them out of any game plan. Both are horrid and leave a lot of points at the line.
Howard is going to get his wish and go elsewhere. If I was Orlando, I would dump Dwight in Charlotte and let MJ deal with him and take that #1 pick, next year’s #1 pick, and any talent they have on that roster and start reloading. I wouldn’t give Dwight what he wants.
Dwight isn’t coming to Atlanta if you go get him and drive him here.
Move on and wait for Sund or his minion to bring in the next wave of Hawks min vets.
jroll1
May 22nd, 2012
10:50 am
DWIGHT HAS MADE IT PRETTY CLEAR…..ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS THAT HE DOES NOT WANT TO PLAY FOR HIS HOMETOWN TEAM!
O'Brien
May 22nd, 2012
10:51 am
Jeff,
What do we have to do (or not do) to keep a Hawks beat blog open?
KevinM
May 22nd, 2012
10:53 am
OB, thanks for the LD interview tip….he defended every mistake the Hawks have made this year….
On the Celtics series, LD truly did not have good answers for what went wrong. On the Game 2 where Rondo was suspended….he said he would rather have Rondo play….this guy has no strategy to take advantage.
On Al missing the FT, yes, it was discussed on the bench to miss the 2nd one intentionally, but he said it was okay to go ahead and make it and win it with defense…..wow! No clue here…..now I know why our players answer how they answer questions.
On Josh shooting 25% from 3….100 attempts in the NBA isn’t really that many…..no one talks about how good Josh is at the other things like being able to guard 5 positions.
We are in for another repeat of last year and the year before and the year before.
LD said if he has his choice, he wouldn’t break up this roster. He said we just need 1 or 2 more guys to make a serious run.
Where in the HAIL is LD going to get 1 or 2 players? Especially ones that could make an impact?
KevinM
May 22nd, 2012
10:57 am
OB, great review of how the draft has shaped the Hawks and OKC…that and the fact that the GM of OKC is the guy who replaced Sund in Seattle…Sam Presti. That in itself should prove how opposite the 2 teams are in the NBA culture.
Thunder top Lakers 106-90 to reach West finals – Atlanta Journal Constitution | The Time of Press
May 22nd, 2012
11:08 am
[...] Does Dwight Howard’s baggage outweigh his talent? [...]
Trojan
May 22nd, 2012
11:51 am
Go get Gasol, at least he is not the poison that DH has become. I can’t wait to see how the Hawks mess up the upcoming draft.
Sell picks, trade for cash, trade for exceptions that will not be used, draft players that will never even dress out for the Hawks?
Sund is horrible.
Josh, for 3!
May 22nd, 2012
12:52 pm
just build the entire roster around Josh Smith shooting 3s! He’s the man outside the circle and if giving enough shots, can really light it up!
O'Brien
May 22nd, 2012
1:16 pm
KevinM,
Exactly. Maybe we are one or 2 players away, but this past season, we had 8 players at the vet min salary. We are not going to find that one or 2 players for the vet min to help get us over the hump.
But LD’s interview reminds me of why the ASG like guys like him and Sund. They will not rock the boact, and will be content with status quo.
Heisenberg
May 22nd, 2012
1:19 pm
I would still trade Joe & Josh for Dwight. Best thing it does is gets rid of THAT contract.
Worst case Howard plays a year and leaves for nothing in return (unless he is dealt at deadline). I like Josh and would prefer he stay but the odds are probably > 90% he plays out his contract on moves on just like Dwight would. So that would wash out but still with a lot of cap space with Joe gone.
Best case Dwight likes playing in the ATL, matures, & signs an extension. Then you have one of the five best players and a little bit of cap space with Joe gone.
Rock Buzzard
May 22nd, 2012
1:41 pm
The Hawks should make the trade for Howard, giving the Magic Joe Johnson and anything else they want. This trade would get Joe Johnson’s salary off the books and some cap relief. Let Dwight Howard leave during his free agency and then start all over again. Also maybe Howard’s one year tenure in Atlanta would hasten L Drew’s departure.
W Reid Whitaker, Jr.
May 22nd, 2012
1:55 pm
I could not agree with you more wholeheartedly. Anyone who takes DH is in for long or short term trouble. Please don’t bring him to Atlanta. The most sickeningly picture is the one with DH’s arm around Van Gundy.
Jimmy Crack
May 22nd, 2012
2:02 pm
This might as well be a story about Andrew Bynum for all I care about Howard and especially Orlando.
If he’s not coming to the Hawks, then this story is click money for SCHUUUULTZ!!
Heisenberg
May 22nd, 2012
2:14 pm
Hey Jeff if you are still there…does Yahoo owe you royalties for the use of the photo at the bottom of this?
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/olympics-fourth-place-medal/track-officials-counting-error-costs-british-hurdler-jessica-115116830.html
David
May 22nd, 2012
2:18 pm
Hawks: Please hire Stan Van Gundy!
Delbert D.
May 22nd, 2012
2:53 pm
Delta would charge an outrageous amount for Howard’s baggage.
The truth
May 22nd, 2012
3:06 pm
What is this NBA you speak of?
KevinM
May 22nd, 2012
3:10 pm
More ammunition to pound on the ASG for hiring Sund:
He was called inept in 2007 by Seattle Weekly…….he totally handcuffed that franchise with his decisions.
As of 2008, none of Sund’s draft picks were all-stars and 1/2 were out of the league. 2 of those picks, Radmonivich and Green played for us last year….incredible to say the least.
He did bring in Rashard Lewis who eventually had his success elsewhere.
When Sund came to Atlanta, he had no draft pick and had to negotiate with Josh and Childress about reupping?
Fast forward and who has Sund drafted in 3 drafts that are still employed? Teague.
And this is a guy who will return if he chooses to, not because the ASG is re-evaluating.
So I guess we have to develop our young guys here going forward…oh, we’re the 2nd oldest team in the league last year and we had the 2nd most playoff experience?
We sure have a lot to be excited about going forward. We get to keep our coach and if all goes well, Sund will come off the beach and put together another vet bench that gets to watch Marvin, Josh and Joe perform their usual stunts they are paid so well to do.
Someone buy this team and punt this ownership team. It’s an embarrassment to the city and the franchise continues to flounder.
J.R. Atlanta
May 22nd, 2012
4:02 pm
Funny you would condem a pretty good player for not getting along with his coach! Did’nt we experience this with a guy named “Magic Johnson” with the Laker’s and a pretty good dang coach years ago? We have to realize that all major league sports is nothing but a business and we will never stop seeing these crazy deals, firing and trades in major league sports!
cdog
May 22nd, 2012
4:14 pm
a trade of marvin williams, joe johnson and a future draft pick for dwight howard would work i think.he would play with josh smith and win for atlanta
Delbert D.
May 22nd, 2012
4:19 pm
Just sell $18 million worth of contracts and buy the guy.
Lakers will debate overhaul after playoff exit – Atlanta Journal Constitution | The Time of Press
May 22nd, 2012
4:25 pm
[...] Does Dwight Howard’s baggage outweigh his talent? [...]
Ronald Millsaps
May 22nd, 2012
5:43 pm
Make a move for Andrew Bynum or Pau Gasol. Maybe make a secondary trade for a high draft pick.
Speaking of “Andrew”, the Braves showed a lack of class in giving Randall Delgado Andruw’s number. Arguably the best outfielder of all time and a strong offensive player for a long time, he definitely will be a Braves Hall of Famer and should be one intrinsically, factoring in very good offense and exceptional defense. By the way, Mike Minor needs to be ousted from the rotation. Here’s a novel idea: Make him EARN his way back in. Being patient with someone is great, but being patient in the face of no progress calls for action.
The Hawks need someone you can build an offense around and just do not have that player. I’ve never before seen a team that just hoisted up random shots like this one.
Get Dwight!
May 22nd, 2012
6:10 pm
pay dwight whatever he wants to come to ATL, even for 1 year–he can pack the place with his homies. Get isiah thomas as GM to make some moves to get better players.
Skeezix
May 22nd, 2012
6:21 pm
After getting a very good coach fired, we hear that the overrated Dwight Howard has now decided that he wants out of Orlando. Orlando ownership, having also run off the GM, now looks so, so foolish.
This is one more sad example of why the public is getting turned off on pro sports.
Disgusted
May 22nd, 2012
6:36 pm
I’d be more concerned about his injury, no, I do know if Dwight is the answer at this time to jump start this franchise and drive fan intereest and passion.
If it were not for the back issue, I’d say jump all over it, but you cannot be 100 pct sure he really wants to be here anyway.
So, we have to look in another direction. If they can add to this existing mix, it is probable to make a substantial playoff run. Like at least getting to the confrence final. It could have been done this yr.
OKC might be around for a while, like three or 4 championships in a 5-7 yr stretch. The Lakers are always a threat because they can retool in little time.
Disgusted
May 22nd, 2012
6:37 pm
I mean I do not know if Dwight is the fit here.
Disgusted
May 22nd, 2012
6:38 pm
How about Josh Smith and Horford for Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol?
Don’t know how the $$$$$ would fit in, but hey, its a thought.
Disgusted
May 22nd, 2012
6:41 pm
“a trade of marvin williams, joe johnson and a future draft pick for dwight howard would work i think.he would play with josh smith and win for atlanta”
cdog–It would be a lose lose for Orlando, but hey, great thought. I wish that Orlando would do it and all can fit in the $$$$$$$ structure. Still concerned about the Howard back injury.
ninja
May 22nd, 2012
7:07 pm
Get Dwight in Atl, I don’t think he acts that way in his hometown. Especially with his parents nearby. And if we are able to couple him with Josh, it would translate into a city excited about basketball again. Would be the first time since Dominique was around has this city truly cared. If Gearon truly wants to build a winner and sell lots of tix, hope he considers, instead of trying to save money. And hopefully Sund will leave, and give Steve Smith a front office job!
hjay
May 24th, 2012
10:00 am
If Howard had to play in a league where you had to follow the rules and didn’t get away with murder he would only be an average player. He commits about 40 or 50 fouls a game. He pushes people out of the way for rebounds comes over the back gives hip checks that knock people off the court and sets moving screens that look like a lineman trying to block the opposition in football. How many of these does he get called for maybe 3 a game. Meanwhile the ref makes up for it by calling that many more on the opposition unless they happen to have a big draw player on their team…
MistyJones
May 25th, 2012
1:45 pm
I saw the blog where somebody said, Hawks..PLEASE hire stan van gundy. I agree with that but before you hire stan, interview jerry sloan first.. because SLOAN IS A CERTAIN HALL OF FAME COACH. Stan Van Gundy is not. Sloan can win a championship NOW with the current hawks roster, and yes, the blogger who said the hawks would draft marvin williams now ahead of chris paul, i agree with that. Right now Marvin is a better player than Chris Paul. Chris Paul’s team (la clippers) got CLOBBERED in the playoffs, while the Hawks played great and just got beaten because joe johson wouldnt step up to the plate and take over the games. Joe is the second best closer in the league behind Kobe and Joe Johnson is a better closer than Kevin Durant AND LaBron James. Joe Johnson deserved his max contract and Joe deserves to be the highest players in the league. Actually if the Hawks dont hire jerry sloan, they should hire either stan van gundy or jeff van gundy. they are both GREAT coaches and either would do a remarkable job with the hawks.
LuellaPatterson
May 30th, 2012
11:07 am
I wouldnt necessarily bring Dwight Howard into atlanta. Dwight is CERTAINLY overrated and does not have much of a game besides DUNKING THE BASKETBALL. Howards game is very similar to Shaquille O’Neals game when Shaq first came into the league. Shaq could get you 10 dunks per game. THATS ABOUT IT. Dwight has no perimeter game to speak of and is just as inept as Josh Smith. I say trade Josh Smith for Pao Gasol or trade marvin williams for Chris Paul.