HoopsHype: You worked with Hakeem Olajuwon last summer. You’re going to do that again?Dwight Howard: I will work with Michael Jordan (laughs). I will continue working with Hakeem on my offensive game but also a shooting specialist to improve my free throw percentage. I will also work with Hedo Turkoglu, Doc Rivers and Rajon Rondo because I want to become a better passer. I also want to work with LeBron. (laughs)Dwight Howard Courtesy Of HoopsHype.com
What seems like a minor comment could mean a whole lot more. The bottom line is Mr. Howard is going to be a free agent after this 2012 season. Talks with Orlando have broken down on an extension and Howard has made it clear that he intends to test the free agent waters. This comment is a window into the mind of one Dwight Howard and his feelings on Boston.
The obvious news here is he mentions Boston Celtics Head Coach Doc Rivers and Rajon Rondo in this comment. He mentions Jordan, Olajuwon, LeBron, and Turkoglu. These names make sense. Olajuwon is one of the greatest of all time as far as post moves and Howard is already one of his students. Jordan is the greatest scorer of all time and the guy Howard probably tried to emulate as a kid. Hedo is his teammate. LeBron is a friend and considered one of the top three forces on a basketball court (except when it matters most). Why Doc and Rondo? Guys like Steve Nash and Chris Paul are considered top passers and have a higher assists per game average than Rondo. Rondo may be one of the best passers, but he is the first guy one thinks of when a person thinks pass? Doc Rivers is a great coach and was a great passer in his day, but is Doc the authority on ball movement to the point that he is the first guy an NBA player thinks of? The answer to these questions is no, unless your name is Dwight Howard.
This comments shows that Howard has Boston on the brain. Howard could have easily mentioned his own point guard in Jameer Nelson and his own coach in Stan Van Gundy. He could have thrown Kobe’s name out there. He could have name dropped Rick Carlisle, but he chose Doc. The man has battled the Celtics and knows how great a coach Doc is due to the frustration that he caused him. Howard mentioned Rondo because he knows how dominant he can be. He watched Rondo pick apart his team in the 2010 playoffs. Howard has battled these men andthese comments show the amount of respect Howard has for the Celtics. I am not saying that Howard is a lock to come to Boston. However comments like this show that it is a much more real possibility than people realize. I believe Ainge knows this and that s why Kendrick Perkins was not offered a realistic contract extension.
Danny Ainge wants Howard. Howard’s comments show he might be open to traveling north. If the man can pull off the KG and Allen trades, do not count Ainge out on landing the dominant big man. This story’s final chapter has not been written. Remember Go Green Or Go Home!!!!!!!!!!!
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