6 replies to this topic

[redfaithful]

 

After Sunday's defeat at Miami, Howard was unable to walk due to a cyst on his left ankle that had been a bother for two and a half weeks, resulting in a DNP on Monday. He subsequently had the cyst removed and fluid drained, but another absence is expected Thursday. As long as he's sidelined, Omer Asik will take on center in the starting five.

 

Taken from ESPN player page (http://espn.go.com/n...4/dwight-howard), Fantasy Basketball section.

 

Assuming the medical problem goes away in a few days with no long term effects, this seems to help the team towards the playoffs in two significant areas. First - Asik gets heavy minutes, getting back in form and sync with the other players. And... Howard gets some rest days which could be crucial a month from now.

[thenit]

I would agree as long as the injury doesn't last longer than a couple of games.

[feelingsupersonic]

I think I would be okay if they held him out extra time and brought him back for Philadelphia as a warm up against the Clippers. That would give him about 10 days off which would be perfect in my eyes. The Rockets should be able to win those games without him and I don't think they would jeopardize their seed. My guess though is that he is coming back before, he's quoted as saying he wants to be back for the Cleveland game by Jonathan Feigen.

[Sir Thursday]

Taken from ESPN player page (http://espn.go.com/n...4/dwight-howard), Fantasy Basketball section.

 

Assuming the medical problem goes away in a few days with no long term effects, this seems to help the team towards the playoffs in two significant areas. First - Asik gets heavy minutes, getting back in form and sync with the other players. And... Howard gets some rest days which could be crucial a month from now.

 

I agree - Asik definitely looked much better for the extra minutes he has been getting recently. More than any other player on the team the offensive side of basketball does not come naturally to him, and I think it will take quite a lot of court time to get back into the rhythm he was able to show last year.

 

ST

[08huangj]

I think I would be okay if they held him out extra time and brought him back for Philadelphia as a warm up against the Clippers. That would give him about 10 days off which would be perfect in my eyes. The Rockets should be able to win those games without him and I don't think they would jeopardize their seed. My guess though is that he is coming back before, he's quoted as saying he wants to be back for the Cleveland game by Jonathan Feigen.

 

Turns out that Dwight sat out in the Cleveland game. I don't think that the Rockets should sit out Howard in the Bobcats game, though. Look at the Blazers getting blown out by the Bobcats at Charlotte. Look at Al Jefferson blowing Robin Lopez up. Howard should be back to defend Jefferson, control the boards, and dominate the post. I'm worried that they'll lose the match without Howard.

P.S: I know Asik is a really good defender

[Cooper]

I'd rather have asik bang around in the post with Big Al, than a recovering Howard. The cats are still a very beatable team if Howard is unable to play.

[feelingsupersonic]

I agree Cooper. Let Asik make Big Al work for his 30 points, he will get his. Work on shutting down the others and the Rockets should have no problem with the Bobcats. Asik may face Duncan and Aldridge in the post season so Jefferson will be a good gauge for McHale to see where Asik is at. This is the short term benefit of having Asik backup Howard.