[ChicagoCaseyParticipant]

 I want to ask some questions…. Why is their so much Dwight Howard hate coming out the woodwork now. On social media you can see tons of analyst and fans non stop bashing him saying stuff as " He’s a soft and a dirty player combine " to way worst comments that. I remember in time that Dwight Howard was as likable as any player in the league when he was in Orlando and doing the Dunk Contest. He was first known a good guy and now he’s portrayed as a villian, He did basically nothing wrong to desearve the hate that he have recieved.

Most fans mock Dwight Howard because he percieved as a soft guy, but then if he does something that a so-called " tough guy " would do people will say he’s dirty. People have to make up their minds to what he is because they make no sence. I want to know how is Dwight Howard is soft? Is it because he complain to the refs if he felt that someone fouled him or is it because smile during the basketball games because if that’s the case then most of the league is soft. 

In Rockets vs Warriors series Andrew Bogut was hacking Dwight Howard and doing the sane after the play. If he engage with Andrew Bogut he would be labeled as dirty and if he engage with the refs he’s soft. 

People need to stop treating Dwight Howard like he’s a bad person because he give back like no other in this league. 

Alot of media members and fans try to deminish everything he’s done off the court and on the court. Dwight Howard is the most decorated centers in this league bby wining 4 defensive player of the year awards, made multiple AllNBA teams, and led his team to the finals. He didn’t have a good year with the Lakers. Lots of fans bash him but fail to mention that he been dealing with back trouble since his last year in Orlando.

Dwight Howard deserve more respect because he accomplished so many tthings in his career and he actually was a team go to score and took them to the finals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[JordoParticipant]

 I feel like a lot if the hate comes from the messy exit from Orlando among other things. I remember there was a media circus during dwight’s last year. A lot of dysfunction from Dwight wanting SVG fired and input in personnel decisions.  His personality also turns people off for whatever reason. They see him smiling all the time and thinks he doesn’t take the game serious. Then they really start to pile it on him when they bring up his offensive game(which isn’t the worst) but they want him dominate and avg 29-30 ppg when he’s never been that type of guy. Lastly, calling him soft is a low blow i mean i’m not a huge Dwight fan but you tell me that a guy that’s led the league in rebounding and blocks on multiple occasions is soft? Only thing soft about him is his cheesy personality and i guess his leadership has been questioned as well.

 

 

[JordoParticipant]

 I feel like a lot if the hate comes from the messy exit from Orlando among other things. I remember there was a media circus during dwight’s last year. A lot of dysfunction from Dwight wanting SVG fired and input in personnel decisions.  His personality also turns people off for whatever reason. They see him smiling all the time and thinks he doesn’t take the game serious. Then they really start to pile it on him when they bring up his offensive game(which isn’t the worst) but they want him dominate and avg 29-30 ppg when he’s never been that type of guy. Lastly, calling him soft is a low blow i mean i’m not a huge Dwight fan but you tell me that a guy that’s led the league in rebounding and blocks on multiple occasions is soft? Only thing soft about him is his cheesy personality and i guess his leadership has been questioned as well.

 

 

[MopgrassParticipant]

 1) It all starts with not living up to potential. He’s one of the best centers in the league, but a lot of people thought he should’ve become the best player in the league. 

2) Yes, the Orlando exit. Not the fact that he wanted a coach gone, but that he smiled and said he and the coach were best friends, meanwhile the coach announced that Howard asked him to be removed. There was s lot of acting involved and some fans felt he was phony. 

3) Players dislike him. Even Durant. I mean, Durant. Even before he was a Laker, guys like Shaq were ragging on him. 

4) At least two NBA players called him "soft," starting with Kobe. That started that perception.

5) Unlike his teammate Harden, he almost never makes a shot when he’s fouled. It’s a little bizarre given how strong he is. That adds to the "soft" perception. 

6) He doesn’t make free throws. Everyone who shoots a bunch of free throws and missed half will get ragged on. 

7) he’s a sneaky player. He does a lot of unnecessary fouling to get into other played heads and there those who don’t appreciate that. 

8) He portrayes himself as fun loving and all of those other traits run contrary to being a nice guy, so he’s seen as disingenuous. 

[MopgrassParticipant]

 1) It all starts with not living up to potential. He’s one of the best centers in the league, but a lot of people thought he should’ve become the best player in the league. 

2) Yes, the Orlando exit. Not the fact that he wanted a coach gone, but that he smiled and said he and the coach were best friends, meanwhile the coach announced that Howard asked him to be removed. There was s lot of acting involved and some fans felt he was phony. 

3) Players dislike him. Even Durant. I mean, Durant. Even before he was a Laker, guys like Shaq were ragging on him. 

4) At least two NBA players called him "soft," starting with Kobe. That started that perception.

5) Unlike his teammate Harden, he almost never makes a shot when he’s fouled. It’s a little bizarre given how strong he is. That adds to the "soft" perception. 

6) He doesn’t make free throws. Everyone who shoots a bunch of free throws and missed half will get ragged on. 

7) he’s a sneaky player. He does a lot of unnecessary fouling to get into other played heads and there those who don’t appreciate that. 

8) He portrayes himself as fun loving and all of those other traits run contrary to being a nice guy, so he’s seen as disingenuous. 

[r377Participant]

Ive always hated him since the clown dressed up like superman with the matching music. His dirty fouls and the way he ripped former teammates. All of the attention seeking with wanting to go to another team after the Magic.

This is small but some of the comments are quite funny

http://ca.complex.com/sports/2015/05/dwight-howard-rockets-c-says-hes-still-a-champion-nba-fans-respond/

[r377Participant]

Ive always hated him since the clown dressed up like superman with the matching music. His dirty fouls and the way he ripped former teammates. All of the attention seeking with wanting to go to another team after the Magic.

This is small but some of the comments are quite funny

http://ca.complex.com/sports/2015/05/dwight-howard-rockets-c-says-hes-still-a-champion-nba-fans-respond/

[ThepessimestParticipant]

Most of you pointed out great points on why he is hated. The smiling gives off a perception that he does not care or he isn’t serious about the game. The issue with Stan Van Gundy was a big thing. The way he exited the Lakers was also a big issue. All of these things fuel the hate. The last one; and my favorite, is this idea that Dwight has not lived up to his potential and somehow is underachieving.

I want to focus on the last point mostly. I played hoop and now coach it. When I started coaching I learned a valuable lesson about player development. That lesson is that you can actually have a player who works extremely hard on a certain skill and it never fully develops to where the time spent would suggest it should. Here is the disconnect with how Dwight is perceived. There are people who look at Dwight’s phyiscal body and based upon his athleticism assume he should be this or that. Athleticism is incorrectly associated with potential and this can be seen in every single draft with the NBA (where athletic players who can’t play/shoot/dribble are always seen as having more "upside"). Dwight was incorrectly compared to Shaq when entering the league and people incorrectly assume he should do what Shaq did.

The assumption from all my friends is that Dwight isn’t an elite post scorer because he doesn’t work hard at it. Dwight from what I know works with Hakeem during the summer AND during the year. Why does he still appear to play the game without feel? Because that is who he is. Scorers have a gift. Shaq was GIFTED to score. The things Hakeem did were unique to him. Dwight lacks certain things mentally to quickly process what defenses are doing and make them pay for what they are giving him. I could really type all day on it but the point I’m trying to get across is this; if becoming an elite scorer was as simple as working hard at it then everyone would become one. You can improve….but on certain skills we each have a mximum capacity. An analogy is that of a person who struggles with math their entire life. They have gone to tutoring and gotten help from friends; yet, in college they still fight for that B while others get an A working half as hard. 

And despite this….Dwight has still managed to average 18-20ppg over his career, 13-14 rebounds, and 2-3 blocks a year. And for that he’s ridiculed.

Last point I will make is society today; especially the media is made up of a bunch of people who participate in group think. That means once a popular opinion is formed most people will just repeat what the popular statement is without researching it’s validity to avoid being seen as the odd person out. Dwight had 18 points and 16 rebounds with 5 blocks but the rhetoric on twitter and First Take on ESPN this morning is about how Dwight is just Dwight and you can’t win with that guy as if James Harden going 2-11 with 13 turnovers never happened.

I acknowlede Dwight’s deficiencies but I put into perspective who he is. I never expected him to be Shaq so where he is in his career doesn’t frustrate me. This is about who I thought he’d be. I don’t dislike a guy because he smiles after a foul is called. Or because he has a quirky personality that isn’t my preference. I judge based upon what I see on the court.

Does Dwight commit dumb fouls? Yes
Does Dwight miss free throws? Yes
Does Dwight lack the offensive skill of the all time greats? Yes

But he also rebounds at an extremely high rate. He deters people from attacking the rim. He finishes everything close to the rim. He sprints the floor. He gets a high rate of steals for a center. When used correctly; he causes defenses to collaspe which allows shooters open shots and commands a double WHEN used correctly (which Houston does not).

And almost every team he has been on goes to the playoffs including leading the Orlando Magic to the finals and being on this past Rockets team who went to the Western Conference finals.

Meanwhile Chris Paul (Who I love as a player) has never been past the 2nd round and avoids criticism every year. Why? Because he’s liked.

The focus on Dwight is on what he doesn’t do well because people don’t like him. That’s the answer to this discussion. They don’t like him. Noah is likable and contributes half of what Dwight does but his deficiencies are over-looked and positivies praised. 

Dwight can improve…he’s not perfect…but the people talking; including some former NBA players and coaches, talk about Dwight like it’s personal. 

As stated…Dwight in Orlando was loved. Same player but loved. Dwight today is hated. Same player…the media narrative has changed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Pro-21Participant]

Sports journalism throws words like "potential" around too loosely. Dwight Howard had about as much potential to become a 25 ppg scorer wih a soft touch as Steve Nash did becoming an elite defender. What i saw on Sports Nation today was a joke, and these "journalists" never hand out that same criticism to players like Nash that they do toward D-12, even though D-12 has BEEN to an NBA finals and he has been to conference finals in the most difficult western conference ever. And he was tremendous in last year’s loss to Portland.

CP3 gets a good amount of criticism … but still I understand what you’re saying. 

 Having touch and the coordination to maneuver and score inside the paint like that is just an entirely different ability than being 7 feet and having a 40 inch vertical. Dwight is what he is; a talented two way player with incredible defensive ability and 18-20 ppg scoring ability. He’s basically a much better Deandre Jordan, and honestly, thats an awesome player. 

[Pro-21Participant]

Sports journalism throws words like "potential" around too loosely. Dwight Howard had about as much potential to become a 25 ppg scorer wih a soft touch as Steve Nash did becoming an elite defender. What i saw on Sports Nation today was a joke, and these "journalists" never hand out that same criticism to players like Nash that they do toward D-12, even though D-12 has BEEN to an NBA finals and he has been to conference finals in the most difficult western conference ever. And he was tremendous in last year’s loss to Portland.

CP3 gets a good amount of criticism … but still I understand what you’re saying. 

 Having touch and the coordination to maneuver and score inside the paint like that is just an entirely different ability than being 7 feet and having a 40 inch vertical. Dwight is what he is; a talented two way player with incredible defensive ability and 18-20 ppg scoring ability. He’s basically a much better Deandre Jordan, and honestly, thats an awesome player. 

[ThepessimestParticipant]

Most of you pointed out great points on why he is hated. The smiling gives off a perception that he does not care or he isn’t serious about the game. The issue with Stan Van Gundy was a big thing. The way he exited the Lakers was also a big issue. All of these things fuel the hate. The last one; and my favorite, is this idea that Dwight has not lived up to his potential and somehow is underachieving.

I want to focus on the last point mostly. I played hoop and now coach it. When I started coaching I learned a valuable lesson about player development. That lesson is that you can actually have a player who works extremely hard on a certain skill and it never fully develops to where the time spent would suggest it should. Here is the disconnect with how Dwight is perceived. There are people who look at Dwight’s phyiscal body and based upon his athleticism assume he should be this or that. Athleticism is incorrectly associated with potential and this can be seen in every single draft with the NBA (where athletic players who can’t play/shoot/dribble are always seen as having more "upside"). Dwight was incorrectly compared to Shaq when entering the league and people incorrectly assume he should do what Shaq did.

The assumption from all my friends is that Dwight isn’t an elite post scorer because he doesn’t work hard at it. Dwight from what I know works with Hakeem during the summer AND during the year. Why does he still appear to play the game without feel? Because that is who he is. Scorers have a gift. Shaq was GIFTED to score. The things Hakeem did were unique to him. Dwight lacks certain things mentally to quickly process what defenses are doing and make them pay for what they are giving him. I could really type all day on it but the point I’m trying to get across is this; if becoming an elite scorer was as simple as working hard at it then everyone would become one. You can improve….but on certain skills we each have a mximum capacity. An analogy is that of a person who struggles with math their entire life. They have gone to tutoring and gotten help from friends; yet, in college they still fight for that B while others get an A working half as hard. 

And despite this….Dwight has still managed to average 18-20ppg over his career, 13-14 rebounds, and 2-3 blocks a year. And for that he’s ridiculed.

Last point I will make is society today; especially the media is made up of a bunch of people who participate in group think. That means once a popular opinion is formed most people will just repeat what the popular statement is without researching it’s validity to avoid being seen as the odd person out. Dwight had 18 points and 16 rebounds with 5 blocks but the rhetoric on twitter and First Take on ESPN this morning is about how Dwight is just Dwight and you can’t win with that guy as if James Harden going 2-11 with 13 turnovers never happened.

I acknowlede Dwight’s deficiencies but I put into perspective who he is. I never expected him to be Shaq so where he is in his career doesn’t frustrate me. This is about who I thought he’d be. I don’t dislike a guy because he smiles after a foul is called. Or because he has a quirky personality that isn’t my preference. I judge based upon what I see on the court.

Does Dwight commit dumb fouls? Yes
Does Dwight miss free throws? Yes
Does Dwight lack the offensive skill of the all time greats? Yes

But he also rebounds at an extremely high rate. He deters people from attacking the rim. He finishes everything close to the rim. He sprints the floor. He gets a high rate of steals for a center. When used correctly; he causes defenses to collaspe which allows shooters open shots and commands a double WHEN used correctly (which Houston does not).

And almost every team he has been on goes to the playoffs including leading the Orlando Magic to the finals and being on this past Rockets team who went to the Western Conference finals.

Meanwhile Chris Paul (Who I love as a player) has never been past the 2nd round and avoids criticism every year. Why? Because he’s liked.

The focus on Dwight is on what he doesn’t do well because people don’t like him. That’s the answer to this discussion. They don’t like him. Noah is likable and contributes half of what Dwight does but his deficiencies are over-looked and positivies praised. 

Dwight can improve…he’s not perfect…but the people talking; including some former NBA players and coaches, talk about Dwight like it’s personal. 

As stated…Dwight in Orlando was loved. Same player but loved. Dwight today is hated. Same player…the media narrative has changed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[herceg_bukuParticipant]

Not a fan of Dwight Howard, but he is not soft. People have these expectations that no one can live up to, but most of those people have never even played basketball at a high level to understand just how difficult it can be to stay consistent.

There are injuries, personal issues, team situations that take place that none of us are aware of, that do transfer over to the basketball game, no matter who you are. 

I am not defending him I just want to state that he has been one of the better centers in the league over the past decade. His biggest flaw is that he never developed post moves that are his go to moves.

 

 

 

 

[herceg_bukuParticipant]

Not a fan of Dwight Howard, but he is not soft. People have these expectations that no one can live up to, but most of those people have never even played basketball at a high level to understand just how difficult it can be to stay consistent.

There are injuries, personal issues, team situations that take place that none of us are aware of, that do transfer over to the basketball game, no matter who you are. 

I am not defending him I just want to state that he has been one of the better centers in the league over the past decade. His biggest flaw is that he never developed post moves that are his go to moves.

 

 

 

 

[BigChamp12Participant]

 IMO the hate is unwarranted. I think most of it is definitely from the media and Laker fans. All it took was for him to go to LA and then start battling with Kobe for the team while he was there. You’ll always lose that battle. Kobe is "Mr. Laker". The media puts out a very false perception that Howard is soft. When he knocks guys down and starts playing harder, they say he is a dirty player. His constant smiling is also a reason why they call him soft. I guess for people who don’t play ball, they take the smiling as someone who isn’t serious. They overlook his stats and his impact on a game. The elbow to Iggy last night definitely wasn’t intenional or a dirty play. Howard was screening and Iggy was ducking to go around him, so it connected high. But every media guy out there was tweeting about how bush league of a play that was. Only because it was Dwight. He got hammered in the head and face a few times and nothing was said. I think his peers and coaches around the league have huge respect for him. I don’t take the trash talk from a couple NBA players serious. They do that all the time. Bi*** and Pu**y gets thrown around all the time in the heat of the battle. Coaches and GMs in the league would all sign him if they could have him. LA fans will always hate him. The media will continue to harp on him every chance they he gets. I don’t think he will ever win them over. There has to be a villain. It just so happen that this villiain started out as Super Man. For the first 7years, everybody loved the guy.  

[BigChamp12Participant]

 IMO the hate is unwarranted. I think most of it is definitely from the media and Laker fans. All it took was for him to go to LA and then start battling with Kobe for the team while he was there. You’ll always lose that battle. Kobe is "Mr. Laker". The media puts out a very false perception that Howard is soft. When he knocks guys down and starts playing harder, they say he is a dirty player. His constant smiling is also a reason why they call him soft. I guess for people who don’t play ball, they take the smiling as someone who isn’t serious. They overlook his stats and his impact on a game. The elbow to Iggy last night definitely wasn’t intenional or a dirty play. Howard was screening and Iggy was ducking to go around him, so it connected high. But every media guy out there was tweeting about how bush league of a play that was. Only because it was Dwight. He got hammered in the head and face a few times and nothing was said. I think his peers and coaches around the league have huge respect for him. I don’t take the trash talk from a couple NBA players serious. They do that all the time. Bi*** and Pu**y gets thrown around all the time in the heat of the battle. Coaches and GMs in the league would all sign him if they could have him. LA fans will always hate him. The media will continue to harp on him every chance they he gets. I don’t think he will ever win them over. There has to be a villain. It just so happen that this villiain started out as Super Man. For the first 7years, everybody loved the guy.  

[TarHeelRavenParticipant]

Stating in your postgame press conference that you still consider yourself a champion after your team just got embarrassed in the Western Conference Finals. Saying crap like that won’t get you many supporters.

[Pro-21Participant]

 I think what he meant was "I’m going to hold my head up, I played my heart out and this won’t break me." Like what do you want him to say? Are we really going to criticize athletes for proclaiming their self-belief now? 

 

[Pro-21Participant]

 I think what he meant was "I’m going to hold my head up, I played my heart out and this won’t break me." Like what do you want him to say? Are we really going to criticize athletes for proclaiming their self-belief now? 

 

[ThepessimestParticipant]

 The entire quote was not only that he considers himself a champion. The entire quote was:

"I’m going to keep fighting, I’m going to keep pushing myself to the limit. And no matter how the season ends I will still consider myself a champion. And I won’t let anyone tell me different"

When you add in the first 2 sentences where he talks about "fighting" and "pushing himself" then the context is added to his statement.

See this is my problem with the media. They gave you half his quote and you went after him for it.

By the way; him considering himself a champion is what he should do. It’s not literal; it’s figurative. If he doesn’t consider himself that way then he’ll never become one. 

 

 

 

 

[ThepessimestParticipant]

 The entire quote was not only that he considers himself a champion. The entire quote was:

"I’m going to keep fighting, I’m going to keep pushing myself to the limit. And no matter how the season ends I will still consider myself a champion. And I won’t let anyone tell me different"

When you add in the first 2 sentences where he talks about "fighting" and "pushing himself" then the context is added to his statement.

See this is my problem with the media. They gave you half his quote and you went after him for it.

By the way; him considering himself a champion is what he should do. It’s not literal; it’s figurative. If he doesn’t consider himself that way then he’ll never become one. 

 

 

 

 

[TarHeelRavenParticipant]

Stating in your postgame press conference that you still consider yourself a champion after your team just got embarrassed in the Western Conference Finals. Saying crap like that won’t get you many supporters.

[ExumInfernoParticipant]

 There was that Dwightmare thing that annoyed fans for two or so years.  

 

 Orlando fans don’t like him for leaving, Nets fans don’t like him for not arriving as was the plan at the time, Lakers fans don’t like him.

He seems to think he is as good as Shaq, but he has to win a title for fans to start to think about that.  Can’t just pretend with the Superman stuff.

Howard should be the best center in the NBA, and he has an appearance in the NBA Finals and now the Conference Finals, but he has to win it all and then he can be seen as successful.

A healthier Rockets team, maybe an extra veteran or two, if Howard can improve his free throws maybe next year they can win it all.

 

[ExumInfernoParticipant]

 There was that Dwightmare thing that annoyed fans for two or so years.  

 

 Orlando fans don’t like him for leaving, Nets fans don’t like him for not arriving as was the plan at the time, Lakers fans don’t like him.

He seems to think he is as good as Shaq, but he has to win a title for fans to start to think about that.  Can’t just pretend with the Superman stuff.

Howard should be the best center in the NBA, and he has an appearance in the NBA Finals and now the Conference Finals, but he has to win it all and then he can be seen as successful.

A healthier Rockets team, maybe an extra veteran or two, if Howard can improve his free throws maybe next year they can win it all.

 

[OhCanada-Participant]

 I am also confused by the fact that he receives so much hate. How? That whole Rockets team seems to be hated. Right now they are amongst my favourite NBA team and I think next year they should once again land a home seed.

[OhCanada-Participant]

 I am also confused by the fact that he receives so much hate. How? That whole Rockets team seems to be hated. Right now they are amongst my favourite NBA team and I think next year they should once again land a home seed.

[Author]

Posts