21 replies to this topic

[Majesty]

Dwight Howard coming back into contention and becoming healthier is truly helping the Lakers on both ends but particularly the defensive end.

First he brought our defense since the all-star break from the 22nd in the league to now the 11th or 12th for a time and since the all star break our defense has been the 2nd best in the league and here's a new statistic in our last 4 games

Mike Trudell @LakersReporter5h
LAL D last 4 games: allowing 91.8 ppg on 40.0% FG's (3 of last 4 opponents have been held to less than 40%). Howard's been the key.

Put that with the fact that when Howard sits because of no Gasol our allowed defensive numbers would boost up to 122.8 allowed and you'll see just how huge of a difference he makes when on the court! That's astounding.

Should he be in DPOY discussions?

Edited by Majesty, March 17, 2013 - 02:52 PM.

[bigfetz]

Gotta be top 5 in defense and have a team known for good defense for any player on the team to have a chance. We are known as a bad defensive team so he has no chance. 

[Piston Honda]

Even still, how do you ignore a 30 pt difference?

[lakerfan0307]

If Dwight was healthy from the beginning of the season we would have much better defensive numbers. Probably has no chance this season, but next season he would be my favorite.

[Massacre]

For those saying Dwight is not in the running, can you please list your leading candidates for DPOY?

Statisticians (that's you Majesty), get ready.

[Majesty]

Gotta be top 5 in defense and have a team known for good defense for any player on the team to have a chance. We are known as a bad defensive team so he has no chance.

Well the top 5 is Indiana, Memphis, San Antonio, Boston, Chicago.

[Ham]

Well the top 5 is Indiana, Memphis, San Antonio, Boston, Chicago.

So what player from those teams make them DPOY. All of those teams play really good team defense, IMO. They do not really anyone specific who is known for playing defense that single handedly makes the team better in defense. For example, Tyson for the Knicks last year.

[CueTheRain]

I just can't see Dwight getting it, however deserving he may be of it. It is very true that perception of the team heavily impacts the award. This year the media is all over the Heat, I wouldn't be surprised if LeBron got the DPOY if the MVP went to Durant. The Lakers are perceived as horrible by the media (which is not really fair, as if only 5 losses were replaced by wins, we would have the same record as the "second best team in the East" in Indiana). 

 

Out of those five teams listed, I see Joakim Noah and Tim Duncan as the most likely. Bradley is also deserving, but he hasn't had to play a whole season of hard defense.

[True Lakers Fan]

I was mentioning this earlier, but nobody responded lol 

[LakeShow805]

but we need to trade him...he bad.

[stillshining]

First of all, unless you're anchoring a top 5 defensive team you have a hard time being seriously considered for DPOY. The Lakers are not even a top ten defensive team if we're talking about any type of metric really, opponents FG%, 3point%, forcing turnovers etc... I mean the Lakers have been average if not poor defensively this year.

 

Other than the fact that his team is not that good defensively Dwight is judged differently compared to every other candidate... and only because the dude has won the award four times already, whether people wanna believe it or not there is voter fatigue when it comes to these awards and Dwight ain't exactly the media darling. Honestly nothing he is doing this year is impressive compared to his winning years, I mean the dude had the Magic a consistenly elite defensive team with no other real good defensive player on his team. That difference of scoring when he plays and sits is absolutely ridiculous but just speaks on how bad the paint protection is without him just as much as his great D...

 

Dwight fully healthy is EASILY the best defensive player in the game but he really has no chance to win the award this year

[stillshining]

Here's a real interesting stat, the Lakers give up the third most paints in the paint... I'm not saying thats all his fault but if there was one thing the Lakers were good at defensively you'd think it would be inside

[Majesty]

Here's a real interesting stat, the Lakers give up the third most paints in the paint... I'm not saying thats all his fault but if there was one thing the Lakers were good at defensively you'd think it would be inside

With Dwight

91 points allowed.

Without Dwight

122 points allowed..


Big difference.


Also doesn't the fact that since all star break our defense has been the 2nd best in the league mean anything? Maybe that has to do with Dwight being healthier finally?

Also a majority of the points we gave up in the paint were off fast breaks(where we ranked last in the league defending) NOT in the halfcourt when Dwight is set

Edited by Majesty, March 17, 2013 - 10:42 PM.

[lakerfan0307]

With Dwight

91 points allowed.

Without Dwight

122 points allowed..


Big difference.


Also doesn't the fact that since all star break our defense has been the 2nd best in the league mean anything? Maybe that has to do with Dwight being healthier finally?

Also a majority of the points we gave up in the paint were off fast breaks(where we ranked last in the league defending) NOT in the halfcourt when Dwight is set

I would LOVE to see Dwight win DPOY this year, but the slow start to this year may dampen those chances. However, if he keeps getting better defensively and this team keeps winning like we have, anything is possible.

[Majesty]

Here's some more

Kevin Pelton @kpelton58m
Since the All-Star break, Dwight Howard's net plus-minus is +38.6, per

Mike Trudell @LakersReporter2h
LAL D in the 2nd half was much improved. Held Kings to 39.6% FG's, with Howard shutting down the paint (4 blocks, 6 of 17 boards).

[stillshining]

With Dwight

91 points allowed.

Without Dwight

122 points allowed..


Big difference.


Also doesn't the fact that since all star break our defense has been the 2nd best in the league mean anything? Maybe that has to do with Dwight being healthier finally?

Also a majority of the points we gave up in the paint were off fast breaks(where we ranked last in the league defending) NOT in the halfcourt when Dwight is set

 

Haha that is a huge difference but at the end of the day we're comparing a 35 minute game to less than 13 minutes.... and as much as this points out Dwight's dominance defensively its showing how bad his backups have been also

 

You are absolutely right that Dwight has been more healthy and its showing on the defensive end for the Lakers, unfortunately for Dwight the DPOY award usually goes to the most dominant defensive player for the YEAR.. not since the all star break or not till you think you're healthier.

 

I think there's no chance of him getting it because of the fact that the Lakers have been in the middle of the pack defensively for the year, that hes coming off an injury and that he has already won this award FOUR times..

[djcovi]

Transition points count as points in the paint. Dwight has nothing to do with defending against those...

[djcovi]

To me it's between Dwight and CP3. Chris Paul having an awesome season, about to lead the league in steals again. It's hard for a guard to win DPOY, but he might do it this year. Both players are deserving though.

[Majesty]

If you're ever unsure of the difference Howard makes, especially now. Look at the defense when he's in and then watch when he goes to the bench, its almost a guarantee that the other team goes on a run and unless Howard plays 48 minutes(while Gasol's out) that shall be a blaring weakness. When Dwights on the bench our interior defense goes kaput.

[stillshining]

Haha I really can't believe that people actually believe this dude has a chance of winning this award, he plays for an eighth seeded team that is no more than average defensively.... You would think winning the fifth time would require something almost unheard of but nope Dwights last four games have been great and when Mike subs in ANTWAN JAMISON for him there is a major difference so they might as well ship him the award now