NBA Rumors: Dwight Howard Done In Houston, Where To Next?

Dwight Howard has left no shortage of blazing bridges throughout the NBA along his tempestuous 12-year path. The three-time Defensive Player of the Year and eight-time All-Star’s most recent irreconcilable grievance is aimed at the Houston Rockets franchise, and namely, team General Manager Daryl Morey.

Since bolting from Orlando in 2012 for the Los Angeles Lakers’ failed “super-team experiment,” Superman has floundered in a half-hearted effort to embrace his role as secondary offensive option alongside prolific wing scorers Kobe Bryant and James Harden.

In the midst of his struggles, Howard has been oft-subjected to fervent ridicule for an incessant discord with both Bryant and Harden. While Howard’s usage rate has plummeted from 26.1 percent in 2011-2012 with Orlando to 18.1 percent this past year with Houston, Howard has vociferously expressed public disdain regarding this backslide.

When interviewed by ESPN’s Jackie MacMullan a frustrated Howard vented these grievances and more, especially concerning Rockets GM Daryl Morey.

“I felt like my role was being reduced. I went to [Rockets general manager] Daryl [Morey] and said, ‘I want to be more involved.’ Daryl said, ‘No, we don’t want you to be.’ My response was, ‘Why not? Why am I here?’ It was shocking to me that it came from him instead of our coach. So I said to him, ‘No disrespect to what you do, but you’ve never played the game. I’ve been in this game a long time. I know what it takes to be effective.”

Howard’s references to Morey were a direct shot at his “Moreyball principles” which rely heavily on advanced statistical data, rather than traditional basketball strategies. Morey, who was named Houston’s General Manager in 2007, has embraced a three-point oriented attack while shunning mid-range and post-up shot attempts.

Unfortunately for Dwight, as “Moreyball” has evolved and his injuries mounted, Howards’ overall production has starkly declined.

In 2015-2016, Dwight Howard attempted a non-rookie personal career low 8.4 shots per game. Howard’s points per game plummeted to 13.7, while his block per game total of 1.6 was the third-lowest number of his career. Howard’s 18.9 PER also represented a non-rookie career low.

As Howard starkly declined in the major statistical areas, conversely the 30-year-old set career highs in both traditional field goal (.620) and two-point (.626) field goal percentage. Howard also boasted a healthy dunk total of 176 flushes in 77 games played on the season.

Howard’s major grievance, however, for increased offensive touches stems from his yeoman-like work on the glass. Overall, the five-time NBA rebounding champion corralled 11.8 rebounds per game, good for fourth in the league. It is a general unspoken rule that a big man who works hard on the glass is rewarded on the offensive end. The reward simply did not come last season for Howard.

Though one year remains on Howard’s current Rockets contract, and he has yet to opt-out, the Atlanta, Georgia, native minced no words in further elaborating his disappointment to Jackie MacMullan.

“But, no matter what the situation [is], I have to be true to myself, both on and off the floor. I can’t alienate myself by letting my frustration get the best of me. A lot of the situations I’ve dealt with the past couple of seasons have made me realize some things about myself. These situations I’ve dealt with have made me stronger. You could say I’ve hit the ‘reset’ button.”

Indeed, Howard’s comments leave little to the imagination concerning his desire to leave Houston in hopes of finding a better situation with another franchise.

And if Dwight Howard finds the right circumstance, his numbers clearly indicate he can still effectively contribute at a respectable level. However with his history as an outspoken malcontent, the case of caveat emptor, “let the buyer beware” rings resoundingly true.

[Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images]