Why the Clippers Don't Need Dwight Howard

by CliffHolmes on Jan 25, 2012 7:21 PM PST

Dwight Howard has recently given the Orlando Magic executives his blessing to add the Clippers to his list of teams that he is willing to be traded to. Now, the Clippers join a list that includes the Nets, Knicks, Mavericks, and Lakers. While Howard would be a welcome addition to any team, I'd argue that the Clippers don't need Howard in order to win and NBA championship. I'm not saying that I don't think the Clippers should pull the trigger on this deal if it is possible. I just want to offer a different perspective.

The Clippers already have all of the major components needed to win a championship. Look at all of the NBA champions over the last couple of years. The overwhelming majority of previous NBA championship teams share at least two of these qualities:

A dominant perimeter player.
A player that can take and make big shots in the clutch.
A quality interior player that can get easy points in the paint.

The Clippers have players on their roster that fulfills each one of these areas.

A dominant perimeter player
It's no secret that Chris Paul is one of the top point guards in the league. Paul can take over a game as either a scorer or distributer. He averages over 19 points and 9 assists per game for his career. Plus, he is a really good defender. He made the all defensive team 3 times.

A player that can take and make big shots in the clutch
Most people don't believe that the Clippers need both Chris Paul and Chauncey Billups on their roster. Many people quickly forget that Billups has a championship pedigree. He has taken and made some huge shots over the course of his career, hence the nickname "Mr. Big Shot." Even though he is 35, Chauncey Billups should prove to be an important asset down the stretch.

A quality interior player that can get easy points in the paint
I'm not saying that Blake Griffin is Hakeem Olajuwon, Tim Duncan or Shaq, but he is definitely proving to be a force inside the paint. His athleticism will allow him to make plays that just may not be possible for other players. When the guards and forwards can't get it going from the perimeter, it is nice to be able to dump it down or lob it up to Griffin for some points.

There are a couple of factors that may throw a wrench in the Clippers' train to the championship. The first factor is Chris Paul's health. He's already missed a couple of games this year. It makes me wonder whether we will get the '09-'10 Chris Paul (45 games) or the '10-'11 Chris Paul (80 games).

The second factor is the bench. Outside of Mo Williams and Randy Foye can anyone from this Clippers' bench be counted on to make major contributions? The Clippers need to be able to rely on at least one of their big men to step up. Either Reggie Evans or Brian Cook will need to give Griffin and Jordan some help on the front line.

Don't get me wrong, Dwight Howard is far better than any other front court player that is currently on the Clippers roster. Yes, that includes Blake Griffin. In the long run, it is much easier to find a player of Blake Griffin's caliber than a player of Dwight Howard's caliber.

Acquiring Dwight Howard would be great, but the Clippers already have the components needed to win a championship. I'm not saying that the Clippers should dismiss the notion of acquiring Howard. All I'm saying is that I believe that they can make a championship run without him.

Cliff Holmes is a blog contributor for Gold Star Games, a tailgating games company.

[img credit: sports.cbsimg.net]

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This discussion is so hard because people often make decisions with heart over head

We all love Blake like we all love(d) EJ. He was our moment of hope from the doldrums of the lottery. His game is improving but there are some definate areas of improvment shall we say with shot blocking, playing hard on D, FT% and consistency of his face up jumper. Maybe I’m not being fair there as he’s only in his sophomore year but this roster is really built for winning now.

When you look at it in the cold light of day, Howard is a total overpowering presence at centre, he’s playoff hardened and never gets injured. He’s only 26 so has many years ahead of him and would make an awesome combo with CP3.

He totally opens up a game like no other player with his ability to receive double teams, making guys open on the perimeter, something that CP3’s passing would exploit.

For me, the Broussard proposal of Dwight and Anderson for DJ and Blake would improve our team and that is the bottom line. I’d pick the decision to win now with Howard and Anderson over waiting a few years for Blake and DJ to develop their games.

I’m not expecting to be on peoples Christmas card list at Clips Nation for having this opinion and I really love Blake and DJ but as I said at the start, business decisions are often best made with the head, not the heart.

Oh yeah, one major thing you left off your list for NBA Championship teams – an excellent defence. We are currently 25th out of 30 teams in defensive efficiency whilst Orlando are 13th.

Bingo! Oh me oh my!

by ClippersUK on Jan 26, 2012 7:01 AM PST reply actions 1 recs

Rec'd

Well said.

by Polish Rifle on Jan 26, 2012 7:08 AM PST up reply actions

Yes

Agree. While reading I’m thinking to myself this fella is putting emotions aside and thinking with his head. Next thought is he isn’t from here (centre, defence etc). So I sez to myself he is from across the pond. And judging from your handle I’d be bloody correct.

by wilriv21 on Jan 26, 2012 2:20 PM PST up reply actions

You are too!

Bingo! Oh me oh my!

by ClippersUK on Jan 26, 2012 2:22 PM PST up reply actions

Man you didn't see how Blake schooled both 7 footers last night.

I looking at the eye test and Griffin will have a more productive career than
Howard because he can’t shoot jumpers. We he has no bounce left then
what? I will take Griffin all day long thank you very much.

by ENCUEROMAN on Jan 26, 2012 11:45 AM PST reply actions

"We he has no bounce left then what?"

I think that just about sums it up ;)

Bingo! Oh me oh my!

by ClippersUK on Jan 26, 2012 12:30 PM PST up reply actions

Howard in 8 years still has a limited offensive set.

Offense comes naturally to Blake and defense is something that he can work on. He will never be a great shot blocker like Howard. Blake rebounds the ball just as much as Howard and can pass the ball. Blake offers much more. I know defense wins games, but Blake will be so ahead of Howard when he reaches his 8th season.

by tenkaistar on Jan 26, 2012 12:57 PM PST up reply actions

There is definately some areas where Blake will grow, agreed

but he’s not even an average shot blocker. In blocks per 48 mins amongst PF’s, he’s 42nd in the league. Sure DJ blocks shots but DJ often does this at the expense of his rebounding position in the post – it’s a gamble like when PG’s dive in passing lanes to steal the ball. The stat looks good in steals but there are often plenty of possessions those PG’s leave their team defense in a mess due to the gamble.

Howard is a great shot blocked and a great rebounder. I’m not sure I’d class Blake in that ballpark. Per 48 mins rebounding, Blake is 17th behind Udonis Haslem,

I think to go to the next level, you need a top defensive stopper inside, a great rebounder and shot blocker. Tyson Chandler, Ben Wallace, Andrew Bynum, Shaq, Tim Duncan, even Garnett and Perkins – defensive stoppers who have been on the most recent championship teams.

For me, the combination of players in their primes – Howard, CP3, Butler, Williams, would have the experience to really go for a title.

My heart says the same as you – I’d like to win it with Blake, to have built this thing up (well that’s dreams gone after the last off season) but I think we’d be favourites to reach the finals if we made that move.

Bingo! Oh me oh my!

by ClippersUK on Jan 26, 2012 1:13 PM PST up reply actions

if we can trade

mo wills for a big man that can take a lot of weight off blake and deandre, would complete a title contending team
we have bledsoe too so maybe we can get something from mo’s contract

by B!G R!CK on Jan 26, 2012 11:52 AM PST reply actions

We wait to the trade deadline someone will need to unload a big.

This way we can keep Mo.

by ENCUEROMAN on Jan 26, 2012 12:10 PM PST reply actions

Modern day Cousy and Russell

by teddygreen on Jan 26, 2012 4:42 PM PST reply actions

yeah but what did they ever do?

by wilriv21 on Jan 26, 2012 4:58 PM PST up reply actions

How many players were knocked out by Russell's elbows?

I wouldn’t make that trade.

by eastie Rich on Jan 26, 2012 5:43 PM PST up reply actions

We know Dwight's ceiling, we don't know DJ and Blake's.

If Dwight was ever going to become a good passer, reliable free throw shooter or develop range beyond 10 feet he would have done it by now.

Not that I don’t get the appeal.

Blake stays.

"Buckle your seat belts, folks. This one's going down to the wire." -The inimitable Ralph Lawler.

by Gordon for President on Jan 26, 2012 6:01 PM PST reply actions

Best 2 Players...

If the trade were to go down, the Clippers would have arguably the best 2 players at their position. How many other teams could say that?

Dwight can flat out dominate on both ends. That kind of talent is hard to come by.

I am just testing this. http://www.cliftonholmes.com

by CliffHolmes on Jan 26, 2012 7:10 PM PST reply actions

the heat. kind of.

by Dawool Huh on Jan 26, 2012 10:34 PM PST up reply actions

The Heat no doubt.

LeBron is EASILY the best SF and Dwyane Wade when healthy is the best SG. Lakers are close to that because Kobe is easily the 2nd best (possibly the best, but I think Wade is better) and Gasol is one of the best PFs. I would only put Love in front of him, and soon enough, Griffin will be ahead of him. But as of now, Pau is smart, a great passer, and his range is stellar.

by SurfinQ00 on Jan 26, 2012 11:02 PM PST up reply actions

If the Clippers trade Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan

They better be bringing back more than an expiring Dwight Howard and a system shooter. If Howard were guaranteed to re-up with the Clippers, and the Clippers had any depth at the 4 position at all, I would consider the trade.

As it is, I don’t think this improves the Clippers. They’d render Reggie Evans’ skillset unnecessary, have no legitimate 4 — lets be serious: Anderson is a 3 in a slow 4’s body, and would be really, really scrutinized if it didn’t work out.

Besides, I’m not willing to concede that this isn’t a championship roster to begin with. If you look at it, there isn’t that much difference between this roster and the roster that Dallas won with last season:

1. An unselfish, distributing point guard with range.
2. A dominant, dynamic power-forward.
3. A defense-oriented, high shooting percentage center.
4. An offensive combo guard as the sixth man.
5. No true shooting guard.
6. First big man off the bench is there solely for his rebounding ability.

I’m completely willing to let Olshey further develop the roster, and I’m excited to see what roster moves he’ll make. But I’ll be stunned if dealing Griffin is it because, up until this point, Olshey has made far more good moves than bad moves — and dealing Griffin/Jordan for Howard/Anderson would be bad one.

Besides, am I the only one who actually finds Howard’s style of play pretty boring? Even my girlfriend enjoys watching Blake.

by Marver on Jan 27, 2012 12:02 AM PST reply actions