Hakeem Olajuwon is like EF Hutton. When he talks, everybody listens. (Oh come on. You haven’t heard of EF Hutton? You don’t remember these commercials? Man, I’m old). Who wouldn’t listen to Dream? He’s awesome.
Dwight Howard must especially think so. After working with Olajuwon last season (as seen in the video above), and getting some noticeable result, Dwight went back to Dream for some more tutelage. This time, he’s also focusing on his notoriously low free throw percentage, trying to get it up over 75%.
But working with a legendary center is one thing. Getting the chance to use them, according to Olajuwon, is also part of Dwight’s problem.
“He just said I want you to do them in the game, and tell your coach you got a lot of skills and he needs to let you use all your skills,” Howard said Tuesday.
I’m sure Stan Van Gundy appreciates that. Now Dwight Howard is going to be walking around asking for more and more touches.
Of course, he SHOULD get more touches. I know Stan just defended the way Orlando plays. But such a heavy reliance on 3-pointers just kills the Magic. A more balanced inside-out attack would actually help the Orlando offense get better looks at the basket. And if Dwight actually DOES get his free throw shooting up, even to around 70%, it can help transform the Magic into an actual title favorite.
Imagine getting Dwight the ball in the post where he can quickly make a move, throw a fake, and then finish with a soft jumper or baby hook. Imagine a turnaround jumper against a double-team or head-and-shoulder fake from 12 feet out that allows him to take a power dribble and finish at the rim.
If Dwight can keep growing his offensive game and add a few little moves, and if he can up he free throw percentage, then he’ll be an unstoppable force. And not only that, he’d probably average at least five assists a game when defenses have no choice but to collapse on him and he kicks it to wide open shooters. A Dwight that dominant can carry Orlando pretty far. Maybe all the way to a title. He just needs to add a little to his repertoire, and the Magic need to give him a chance to show it off.
