Howard Lives Up to Super Standards
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Feb 9, 2009
ORLANDO -- Superheroes are held to a higher standard.
In comic books, their performances are graded by a different barometer. What would normally be considered an outstanding achievement for a regular human being falls under the guise of an average everyday accomplishment for those extraordinary individuals.
So why would things be any different for the Magic’s Superman Dwight Howard?
Although he dominates the interior just about every night, rarely do you hear Magic Head Coach Stan Van Gundy openly admit that he was completely pleased with Howard’s all-around performance after any given game.
It’s not that he doubts Howard’s effectiveness. It’s just that he grades him using a different scale.
“Because he’s got that kind of ability the bar is very, very high and it’s very hard for him to have a performance at both ends that really pleases me,” Van Gundy said. “I don’t mean to say that in a bad way but he’s just so talented.”
But after Howard’s sensational 30-point, 16-rebound effort in Orlando’s 101-84 home victory over New Jersey on Sunday, even his toughest critic was singing his highest praises.
“Everybody will focus on his points and rebounds and that was key, plus shooting the ball well from the free throw line; he could have given the rest of our guys lessons tonight,” the Magic’s head coach explained during his postgame press conference. “The real key, I thought with him as a leader is that he brought a lot better effort and intensity tonight.”
Along with his immense point and rebound totals, Howard went a scorching 9-of-13 from the field and 12-of-18 from the charity stripe.
He also delivered on the defensive end, notching three steals and three blocks. His hustle up and down the court aided in Orlando’s transition defense which prevented the Nets from scoring a single fast-break point.
“It is tough on both ends,” Nets All-Star point guard Devin Harris said after the game. “They have a lot of things that complement one another with the inside presence of Dwight. He obviously changes things defensively for them. Then they have the guy to pound the ball into and space him with shooters. They are tough to guard.”
The impact that Howard makes on the game was easily recognizable to Orlando’s newly acquired point guard Tyronn Lue, even though he only graced the court for just over two minutes in his first action with the Magic.
“(He makes things) a lot easier, just get it to him,” Lue pointed out after the contest. “And also, you’ll get into the bonus early because the (other) team is always fouling him. (He) creates double teams and guys are going to foul him so we get into the bonus earlier.”
Howard’s 18 shots from the free throw line were more than the entire Nets team (17). And as the All-Star Game’s leading vote getter was quick to point out, it’s just a matter of his team staying aggressive from start to finish.
“We should be aggressive period,” Howard said. “The time we’re on the floor, we’ve got to give it our all. And then when we sit down, the next guy in has to step up and come in and play the same way.”
His dominance on the court has the Magic at a Southeast Division-leading 38-12 with one contest remaining before the All-Star break. And even though they are just two and a half games out of first place in the East Conference, don’t expect his head coach to lighten his load any time soon.
“The thing is, this is both a blessing for him and a burden; he’s so talented there’s absolutely nothing he’s incapable of doing,” Van Gundy explained. “I know from my standpoint, I expect him to do all of it.”
As it’s widely known throughout the world of superheroes, with great power comes great responsibility.
