The latest player trying to downplay the Heat: Dwight Howard

by David Dwork on Aug 3, 2010 1:47 AM EDT

Another short post, as I'm still on vacation and not at the office (aka my house), but since I now have internet access, this one I just couldn't pass up. Well that...and I just miss writing and hearing what you all have to say. That's right, I miss you guys. I love all the comments and conversations that spring up and I cant wait to see how much more we get as the season gets closer and closer. Ok, enough of the sappy blogger love...now to the point of my post.

I got an e-mail from a new buddy over at FanHouse.com (Hi Jimmy!) with some inside info on the latest Heat basher, and this time it's coming from inside our division. While he isn't the highest paid player (some dude in Atlanta has that honor), up until recently he was right up there with D-Wade in the running for best player in the South East.

Of course I'm talking about Dwight Howard. He sent FanHouse an e-mail with some pretty strong words directed at what the Heat have done and the team they've put together. First trying to downplay the talent in Miami, then saying that the team was created with the intention of beating a single team...?

"The Miami Heat is another team like any other, and they all need to win games. They put together an amazing team, and they'll win a lot of games, but nobody in the league is a sure winner.''

"You don't build teams to beat a single team (like Miami). You build teams to win championships.''

I assume the team he is speaking about is the Lakers, but I'm pretty sure the whole point of the "big three", as he calls them in the e-mail, was to win an NBA Championship. And last time I checked, in order to do that they have to beat three teams inside their own conference before getting an opportunity to play the Lakers, and that's going on the assumption that the Lakers can get out of their own conference.

As for Orlando, they are certainly the team to beat in our division...but I'm curious to see how competitive any team is going to be against the prospect of what our Heat can do. The ceiling is ridiculously high on the boys from Miami, as it should be.

I keep saying that nothing will be proven until there are some actual games played, but that doesn't mean I doubt the inevitable ass-kicking's that will ensue when teams tip-off against the Heat. While nothing is a certainty, I'd say it's as certain as the Heat leading the NBA in fan attendance (both home and away) in the upcoming season.

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Like everyone else speaking on the topic (Rondo etc) they are just saying what they need to. The Magic aren’t going to make it easy for the Heat but Dwight is hardly going to say we have the Magic beat.
I think Howard needs to concentrate on the flaws in his own game – that will give the Magic the best chance to compete and give us fans some hopefully epic showdowns. I would love for Heat games to be really competitive. A season of blowouts and easy wins is not as much fun as a hard fought battle for the division and championship. I would be fine with us blowing out non-playoff teams but some epic playoff series against the Celts, Magic and Lakers would be awesome and more enjoyable than 4-0 sweeps. The Celts, Lakers and Magic have all improved their team and bench this year, not to mention the Bulls and Knicks becoming competitive – it’s going to be great.

"Great effort springs naturally from great attitude" - Pat Riley
"Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships" - Michael Jordan
"You show me one team, one GM, one person, one organization that wouldn't jump at the opportunity to take a Chris Bosh, a LeBron James, a Dwyane Wade together, and I'll show you a liar." - Dwyane Wade

by PsyKoMunKy on Aug 3, 2010 2:02 AM EDT reply actions

he just mad that this is gonna happen again

LETS GO HEAT!! LETS GO PANTHERS!! GO FISH GO!! GO FINS!

by SNOOP97DAWG on Aug 3, 2010 2:31 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

YES!!!

This is why I love you, J (and why I put up with you for 41 games in that cold ass rink).

Peninsula Is Mightier:Your SB Nation Miami Heat Blog Community

"My parents would always say, `It doesn't matter if it`s a guy picking up the garbage or the President of the United States, treat everybody as you would want to be treated.'"- Dan Marino

by David Dwork on Aug 3, 2010 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Competition

Well you can bet that every team is gonna have Heat games circled on their schedule. We’ll get their best shot every night and the opposing fans will be loud and nasty. Should make for a lot of good, fun, exciting games. We’ll be opening against the Celtics. Can’t wait…..BTW Snoop I love your pics, please keep ’em coming.

by bibbit on Aug 3, 2010 8:11 AM EDT reply actions

Hmm

Howard needs to learn more post moves and not choke come crunch time.
The best so called center in the nba can only dunk or get a alley hoop to score?
Give me a break.

Miami Thrice is incredible....Heat Tri-nasty is inevitable!

by thedeeofdees on Aug 3, 2010 8:13 AM EDT reply actions

So true...

six years in the league, and he is not that much better a low post scorer than he was when he entered the league. Shaq did not have the best post up moves either, but he could use his 300+ lbs, strength, and athleticism to force the issue. The games against The Celtics really shows Horward is at critical point in his career; I remember an analyst—maybe Van Gundy—said he should try to play more to his strengths and focus on rebounding and defense because of his great athletic ability like Russell did. Whatever happens, it will be interesting to see if he has improved some on the block—I just do not see him becoming a viable option on the block like a young Duncan, young Shaq, Bynum, or Gasol. He is just saying what he should say, but I think Rondo went a little to far by saying all he needs to worry about is The Lakers—BB material for sure.

by mjtig on Aug 3, 2010 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions

Again

this is just a player saying what he is so post to. I like that these players are talking out against the Heat. It adds more fuel to the fire and will make for more exciting rivalries.

by #1Heatfan on Aug 3, 2010 10:03 AM EDT reply actions

I am so stoked for this season

and I love Howard as a player and a person
but boy its gonna feel good to beat him

BIG 3: SF GIANTS, NY JETS, MIAMI HEAT
HATED 3: LA Dodgers, NE Patriots, MIAMI DOLPHINS
BIG 3 Players: Dwyane Wade, Brian Wilson, and Shaun Ellis

by Newcomb29(EDGE) on Aug 3, 2010 10:25 AM EDT reply actions

Dwight Howard is the modern version of a young Shaq in Orlando, only Dwight is more agile, and maybe as strong, but DEFINITELY VERY ATTENTION HUNGRY. But just like the young Shaq, Dwight relies on his power to shove people and dunk. He sucks at free throws. He has no jumpshot. He can’t even make a shot under the basket! And he’s not even clutch! He blew his chance to beat the Fakers in 2009!

Man would it be great to stuff Dwight’s shoe into his mouth and beat Orlando 4x every season! Orlando… built to win titles…

Shut your mouth Dwight! Magic sucks!

by Rasetsu on Aug 3, 2010 10:29 AM EDT reply actions

Agreed

The magic were built to win 50+ games just like the mavs.
But the playoffs are a different story.
They don’t beat Boston or Miami come time to make it to the ECF.
And they know it.
Replacing Barnes with Q?
Really?
Bonehead move.
Q is the better offensive player but Barnes is the better defender and can make threes.
Without that Posey type player the magic will be close yet oh so far from grace again.

Miami Thrice is incredible....Heat Tri-nasty is inevitable!

by thedeeofdees on Aug 3, 2010 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions

Would you rather everyone give in and give up?

Or would you rather people embrace the competition of the new power house you guys developed? Personally, it makes games better when people aren’t scared. I’m glad guys like Dwight Howard and Rajon Rondo say they aren’t scared (of course not in those words). I understand a lot of people are bashing your team right now, but it’s not because of the Heat organization as a whole. It’s mainly because LeBron has officially taken the most hated player in the NBA from Kobe Bryant.

So there will be hate. Expect it. We deal with it all the time. Welcome.

Well let me welcome everybody to the wild wild west. A state that's untouchable like Elliot Ness.

by pharoah on Aug 3, 2010 11:56 AM EDT reply actions

The Magic are overrated they live and die by the 3

And Howard will never be anywhere as good as shaq.

by Dolphins21MZ on Aug 3, 2010 12:30 PM EDT reply actions

Dwight was asked about the Heat by the media, and he answered their question.

He didn’t just volunteer to call your team out. I think what he meant when he said you don’t build a team to beat a single team, he was talking about the Magic. They’re not built just to beat the Heat, they’re built to try to win a title. He, and everyone else, knows you guys got a good team, he even acknowledged as much, but he knows you’re not invincible. I’ve been a fan of both teams for years, and I’m excited about the future battles we will have.

by pjlawrence81 on Aug 3, 2010 1:40 PM EDT reply actions

by calling dwights comment "downplaying"

youre implying that everyone SHOULD consider the heat a “sure winner”. That is absolutely ridiculous.

by spinz on Aug 3, 2010 1:51 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah I really didn't see much...

…out of Dwights comments. He stated the obvious. As much as I love the HEAT, not games a
guaranteed. We have three of the best, it will be a great year for us.

by acme20000 on Aug 3, 2010 5:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Built to beat one team?

Really difficult to call that what the Heat did. I call it putting together the best team possible. If they just happen to be good enough to beat the Champs in a 7-game series, so be it.

"It's what you learn after you know it all that counts." -John Wooden
"Only perfect practice makes perfect." -Vince Lombardi
"A Champion needs a motivation above and beyond winning." -Pat Riley
"Fall seven times. Stand up eight." -from D-Wade's Converse Ad Campaign

by sherman r on Aug 4, 2010 11:45 PM EDT reply actions

Misunderstood

Yeah, you pretty well misunderstood what he was saying. He wasn’t saying that the Heat were built to beat one team, he was saying that the Magic weren’t going to start making personnel moves for the purpose of beating one team.

by Geefunk on Aug 5, 2010 6:46 AM EDT reply actions