Jump to content


Toggle shoutbox Shoutbox Open the Shoutbox in a popup

@  YaoMan : (23 October 2015 - 04:49 PM) Zach Lowe seems to think the Rox are the biggest threat to GSW: http://grantland.com...-16-nba-season/
@  cointurtlemoose : (23 October 2015 - 04:36 PM) Hey if yall want a good podcast to listen to, find the Dunc'd On Basketball Podcast on Itunes, Rahat just did a Rockets preview with the host.
@  majik19 : (13 October 2015 - 09:09 PM) Apparently we claimed Arsalan Kazemi off waivers from the Hawks today... yet another undersized (6'7") power forward for Morey's cupboard.
@  Mario Peña : (10 October 2015 - 01:12 PM) If your part if the Red94 Fantasy Basketball League check the thread to vote for the date and time for the draft event. Thanks y'all!
@  jorgeaam : (07 October 2015 - 08:47 PM) Guys we need 1 more owner for the Red94 fantasy league, if interested please comment on the post in the fantasy basketball thread
@  slick shoes : (07 October 2015 - 06:50 PM) Kobe ranked one spot higher than Ariza? Is this based on legacy or...??
@  slick shoes : (07 October 2015 - 04:13 PM) It was hard to keep up with both the Astros and Rockets at the same time. Should be interesting on Thursday with the Texans and Astros on simultaneously.
@  Mario Peña : (07 October 2015 - 04:09 PM) It was fun to have the Rockets on last night! Right now I'm watching the Celtics versus Milan and Alessandro Gentile is impressive.
@  jorgeaam : (06 October 2015 - 07:47 PM) Well, thinking twice about it, I'd rather have him score less and have the team as a whole do better. Lawson should take a lot of his load off
@  jorgeaam : (06 October 2015 - 07:47 PM) Loving that, hope he hits 30 PPG this year
@  thejohnnygold : (06 October 2015 - 06:15 PM) Someone is feeling confident :) : LINK
@  jorgeaam : (06 October 2015 - 05:54 PM) 10 Teams done, will need 2 more
@  Mario Peña : (06 October 2015 - 02:35 PM) Alright guys, if anyone is interested in joining the Red94 fantasy basketball league we could use one more player to get us to 10 teams (or three to get us to 12 teams). Just check the thread in the Fantasy Basketball forum. Thanks!
@  thejohnnygold : (05 October 2015 - 06:23 PM) I use leaguepass here in Austin with no problems...
@  skip 2 my lou : (05 October 2015 - 03:14 PM) Hey fellas, I'm a rocket fan but I live in the heart of Dallas. Does anybody know if I buy NBA Leaguepass if it's too close to be subject to blackouts?
@  Losthief : (02 October 2015 - 02:24 AM) tks jg
@  thejohnnygold : (29 September 2015 - 05:16 AM) FYI, it was media day today. Interviews are up at NBA.com
@  slick shoes : (23 September 2015 - 06:37 PM) kind of late in the day but NBATV is broadcasting classis Rockets games all day today.
@  SadLakerFan : (16 September 2015 - 04:37 AM) Man, as a Laker fan, I'm learning how little you care about the off season when your team sucks. Anyway, a quick moment to remember Moses. Still remember watching the 81 team as a kid - losing record, NBA Finals. I would have cried w/joy if they could have beaten the Celtics.
@  jorgeaam : (15 September 2015 - 08:30 PM) http://bleacherrepor...ist-after-crash

Photo

DwightLife: Then and Now


  • Please log in to reply
3 replies to this topic

#1 Red94

Red94

    Senior Member

  • Administrators
  • 1,416 posts

    Posted 03 February 2014 - 04:57 AM

    New post: DwightLife: Then and Now
    By: John Eby

    Dwight Howard’s arrival in Houston signals the arrival of one of the most dominant players in basketball, along with one of the most polarizing personalities in sports. Here at Red94, we are embracing the drama of Superman’s first season as a Rocket with a weekly column: “DwightLife.” This is the 14th installment.

    We've already passed the anniversary of when Dwight Howard's tenure in Los Angeles went the way of month-old dairy products.

    It was just over a year ago when stories like these started flowing from the keyboards of the NBA's chattering classes--when the chemical reaction between the personalities of Howard and Kobe did exactly what the laws of science predicted. At this point in Howard's career with the Rockets, it's clear that Superman has been flying through much less turbulence, but it bears examining whether any of the seeds are there for similar drama in the future.

    The relationship between Howard and his new All-Star running mate, James Harden, has been nothing short of...opaque. Maybe it's the result of the dimmer spotlights of the Houston market, but the personal relationship between Howard and Harden has generated exactly zero news since the initial arrival interviews, consisting mostly of the players' rote acknowledgement of how well their on-court styles mesh. Since then, it has truly been all business. This is both a good thing and a bad thing.

    The good side of it is that when the dynamic duo heads to Houston, it seems like there's virtually zero chance that Dwight Howard puts on Harden's jersey and starts mocking him behind his back. It also helps that he doesn't have someone asking him after literally every game, "Hey, how are you and James getting along?" and opening the door for him to say something to tick his teammate off. It's also a good sign that despite all of the adjustments each player has had to make to play with the other (Howard's taking shots from Harden; Harden isn't exactly a wizard at entering the ball into the post to Howard), and despite the shortcoming in each others' games (Howard doesn't know how to shoot free throws; Harden forgets what defense is), there hasn't really been any public finger-pointing to speak of.

    The bad side is that there seems to be little camaraderie between the two. When Howard pile-drives a lob from the Beard, don't count on seeing a flying chest bump afterward. You'll be lucky to see a jogging fist-bump. It's just two-points and back on D. To some extent, the businesslike focus on winning is admirable, but the general coolness makes me worry. This team has had some tough losses, many of which no doubt led to some uncomfortable conversations on the plane afterward. Still, the 2013-2014 Rockets haven't faced any real adversity. They haven't endured a serious losing streak. They haven't fallen behind in a playoff series. They haven't fallen light years short of expectations. In other words, they haven't faced the kind of stress that led to the feuding between Bryant and Howard last year.

    If the Rockets are going to win a championship, they will face that kind of stress. Barring a miracle of team development, this season will end with an inevitably painful playoff exit. They will look at the tape and see the missed rotations and errant passes that cost them the season. Words will be said, and feelings will be felt. Some of those feelings might include the notion that the other half of the duo didn't quite hold up his end of the bargain. In the absence of trust and friendship, those feelings can become walls.

    Maybe Howard and Harden are developing that trust; maybe they're building it in much more significant ways than high-fives and butt-pats. If they are, they're keeping that process out of the spotlight.


    • 0

    #2 Mario Peña

    Mario Peña

      Officer

    • Moderators
    • 2,311 posts
    • LocationHouston, TX

    Posted 03 February 2014 - 03:27 PM

    I guess I'm a little more optimistic. To me the "coolness" could very well be a combination of Harden's low key demeanor and maybe attempts by Howard to show a more serious face and even keel since he is the leader of this team in many ways. Perhaps McHale has drilled mantras into his stars to keep their eye on the prize and not get overly excited about dunks or whatever as they will set the tone for the team as chemistry grows.

    I agree there will be a series where these Rockets get destroyed and then we may get a clearer picture of how the egos are meshing but don't underestimate Parsons ability to keep this team together. I also think McHale has enough respect to shepherd players with some straight shootin.
    • 0
    How sweet it is!

    #3 John P

    John P

      Junior Member

    • Members
    • PipPipPip
    • 111 posts

      Posted 03 February 2014 - 03:40 PM



      I get the same feeling of their coolness about each other. I hope that others besides Howard are the ones to talk to Harden about his lack of D. That is a good job for Parsons or Casspi or other contributing members.

      I also had the same feeling about the whole team with Asik when he would miss catching a pass or some something wrong on offense, but that ended up ok at the end of the season, particularly when the Thunder tried hack a turk and lost.

      At the end of the day, we need a 3 and D wing who can lead his team. We need Shane Battier...only younger. Anyone have any ideas?


      • 0

      #4 Opasido

      Opasido

        Newbie

      • Members
      • Pip
      • 10 posts

        Posted 03 February 2014 - 03:45 PM



        Nice article. However, it should be noted that Harden doesn't show camaraderie to anybody. He's just a cool-headed guy, who mostly keeps his emotions in check. Feelingsupersonic has it right. The old silly dwight is still there. The now dwight is basically just him trying to be low-key and tuned it to whats important.

        In all his interviews, all Howard talks about is getting the W. On his twitter page, it says "after the ring". I really like his improved focus


        • 0




        1 user(s) are reading this topic

        0 members, 1 guests, 0 anonymous users