I didn't think I would ever say this, but the barely six foot guard with suspect knees is more important than the athletic center who is a former defensive player of the year. Nevermind the fact that point guard has become one of the mos...
I didn't think I would ever say this, but the barely six foot guard with suspect knees is more important than the athletic center who is a former defensive player of the year. Nevermind the fact that point guard has become one of the most important positions in the NBA, or that Chris Paul is one of the best ever at managing an offense and getting the ball to players in just the right position. Ignore Dwight Howard's less than polished back-to-the-basket post game and terrible free throw shooting.
No, the most important distinction between the two is leadership. Chris Paul has it. Dwight Howard does not.
This isn't to say that Howard can't be a valuable piece on a championship team. He's obviously talented and a game changing player. But given what I've seen from him the last couple of years, I wouldn't want him without Chris Paul around to keep him focused.
This isn't to say Paul is without faults. He'll increasingly become a defensive liability as he ages, and his demeanor can turn off the wrong teammates, not to mention those mystery box knees (Will they hold up? Will they explode when he pivots? Can he get the number to Kobe Bryant's mad scientist orthopedic surgeon?). But Howard seems to be a less-focused Shaquille O'Neal, and without Paul's vocal leadership D12 could derail a talented team simply by not being focused all season long.
I'm hoping the Mavericks understand their priorities. Sign the quarterback first, then go after the superstar diva wide receiver.I didn't think I would ever say this, but the barely six foot guard with suspect knees is more important than the athletic center who is a former defensive player of the year. Nevermind the fact that point guard has become one of the most important positions in the NBA, or that Chris Paul is one of the best ever at managing an offense and getting the ball to players in just the right position. Ignore Dwight Howard's less than polished back-to-the-basket post game and terrible free throw shooting.
No, the most important distinction between the two is leadership. Chris Paul has it. Dwight Howard does not.
This isn't to say that Howard can't be a valuable piece on a championship team. He's obviously talented and a game changing player. But given what I've seen from him the last couple of years, I wouldn't want him without Chris Paul around to keep him focused.
This isn't to say Paul is without faults. He'll increasingly become a defensive liability as he ages, and his demeanor can turn off the wrong teammates, not to mention those mystery box knees (Will they hold up? Will they explode when he pivots? Can he get the number to Kobe Bryant's mad scientist orthopedic surgeon?). But Howard seems to be a less-focused Shaquille O'Neal, and without Paul's vocal leadership D12 could derail a talented team simply by not being focused all season long.
I'm hoping the Mavericks understand their priorities. Sign the quarterback first, then go after the superstar diva wide receiver.
