Mavs' Howard showing Pippen-like qualities

[vinnieponte]

Mavs' Howard showing Pippen-like qualities

Forward has progressed from mop-up duty to all-around standout


04:14 AM CST on Friday, December 24, 2004


By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning News



Josh Howard swoops into the paint and sticks one of his long arms a foot or so above the rim to pick off an unlikely rebound, and it brings back memories not of a superstar but of an all-around contributor on a very good team.

It reminds Howard of that, too.

"Like a Scottie Pippen," he says. "That's what I try to do – just whatever helps the team win. I just want to be a solid guy."

Pippen was perhaps the best complementary player in NBA history, an able sidekick to Michael Jordan for a decade that produced six championships.

Howard is in his second year with the Mavericks, but his play this season has been like an early Christmas present that keeps on giving.

The 6-6 Howard, whose frame is virtually identical to Pippen's, has been the Mavericks' most consistent player this season and arguably their second-best performer. He is blossoming into a rebounding machine, and his scoring is sneaky-good.

Not bad for a player who entered training camp expecting nothing more than mop-up duty this season.

"I've come a long way compared to last year," Howard said. "In summertime, they said I wasn't going to play. But I'm still playing."

And playing well, averaging 12.6 points and 7.5 rebounds. Recently, he's been even better, averaging 17.2 points and 9 rebounds in the last six games. He's the only Maverick to start all 27 games.

Howard's athletic ability is what makes him so valuable. He's a good defender. And not just when it's convenient. He puts more effort on that end of the floor. And his rebounding has been excellent – double figures in three of the last five games.

"He's always there on defense and with the rebounding, that's the reason we've played him so many minutes," coach Don Nelson says. "Normally the sophomore year is a regressing year, but once in a while, you get a guy who makes the next step in that year, and he's one of them. He's been one of my best players this year."

The only hole in Howard's game is a consistent jump shot. He's not a bad shooter, but it is his weakest link.

Opponents still play him for the drive and dare him to shoot from the perimeter.

Josh Howard's athletic ability and tenacious defense have earned the praise of Mavericks coach Don Nelson. 'He's been one of my best players this year,' Nelson said.
"Once he gets a Michael Finley-level jumper, he's an all-star," owner Mark Cuban said.

Howard said his offensive game is OK. The only problem with it is he doesn't get to unveil it very often.

"I know the coach doesn't need another scorer," he said. "I can wait another year on that. When it happens, people will be saying, "Man, I didn't know he could do that.' "

For now, most of Howard's highlights come with those high-flying, one-armed rebounds that he snatches before bigger bodies can reach them.

"I always knew I could rebound," he said. "That's the exciting part of the game, getting a big second-chance rebound and put-back."

In New York on Tuesday, Howard had a career-high 16 rebounds. It left a strong impression on Knicks' coach Lenny Wilkens.

"He's so athletic and such a good rebounder," Wilkens said. "The first year in the league, you have to find out what it's all about. This year, he knows the league better. He knows who he is going against better."

And Howard knows himself better, too.

"I'm trying to think the game better as well as doing all the physical things I can to help the team," he said. "It's been fun so far."

[dirk2003]

Finaly everyone is seeing what some of us have been raving about the whole summer.

[dirno2000]

This has been made a few times on the broadcast, but I don't see it. Pippen's game was more well rounded and Josh isn't half the passer that he was. Totally different type of player. I'm still amazed that he almost never passes the ball in transition. The fact that he can be a black hole on offense concerns me much more then his shooting.

Still, you have to be please with his development.

[dude1394]

He's a pippen-"like" player. No player is exactly the same. He'll be a better rebounder, will be about the same steals wise but as far as an assist guy I don't know. He might get to about 4 if he runs the point forward. I don't see that to be honest, I think he'll wind up being more of a slasher/scorer.

[dirno2000]

I think he'll wind up being more of a slasher/scorer.

That's not a Pippen like player. They're about the same height and both play good defense, but that's about it. If there's a Pippen like player in the game today, it's Grant Hill...well rounded...doesn't dominate in any one aspect of the game, but can do it all. I was watching Lakers/Blazers game 7 today and you could have played Pippen at the point.

Josh is more Shawn Marion like.

[FilthyFinMavs]

I think Artest is more of a Pippen like player or atleast that's who he reminds me of. Josh is close but like drno said he needs to develop his passing game in order to remind me of Pippen. I think though Howard is sort of a player of his own right now. He can score inside without having to rely on a post up game which is what Artest does.

[FilthyFinMavs]

He's the only Maverick to start all 27 games.

BTW anyone remember how we were saying he wouldn't even get any pt for us this year? THis guy is the only Mav to start all 27 games and he's earned that starting job. It wasn't just given to him.

[dude1394]

Josh is really coming into his own. He's really proving to be a perfect small forward for us. He's one of those players we've always talked to as being a two-way player. Again...as nellie said in some article recently, as soon as his outside shot gets better, he's an all-star for many,many years.

[sike]

if not an all-star, at least a very productive player for "many, many years."

[Fidel]

Originally posted by: dirno2000

That's not a Pippen like player. They're about the same height and both play good defense, but that's about it. If there's a Pippen like player in the game today, it's Grant Hill...well rounded...doesn't dominate in any one aspect of the game, but can do it all. I was watching Lakers/Blazers game 7 today and you could have played Pippen at the point.

Josh is more Shawn Marion like.

I don´t think Howard is "pippen like" either right now. Just wanted to add that in your characterization of Pippen you got one thing wrong IMO. Pippen did dominate in one aspect of the game. He was a one man wrecking crew on defense and certainly one of the best defenders in the 90`s.

I think the closest to Pippen right now is AK47. Not as good on offense but he´s adequate and efficient. And like Pippen he can dominate the floor on D covering alot of positions. Another good comparison would be Artest if he wasn´t insane.

[dirno2000]

He was a one man wrecking crew on defense and certainly one of the best defenders in the 90`s.

I was referring to his offensive game, but he was a tenacious defender who could dominate a game. I wouldn't call him a one man wrecking crew though...Harper and that Jordan guy held their own on that end of the floor too [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

[jibikao]

keep Howard, get rid of Daniel.

Jimmy

[Chefinator]

Originally posted by: jibikao
keep Howard, get rid of Daniel.

Jimmy

Dickau is gone.

[Fidel]

Originally posted by: dirno2000

I was referring to his offensive game, but he was a tenacious defender who could dominate a game. I wouldn't call him a one man wrecking crew though...Harper and that Jordan guy held their own on that end of the floor too [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

Yeah Harper and Jordan were pretty good too. I think I´ve got that wrecking crew reference from one of the later finals series (maybe the one against Utah? but it could also be a ECF series like against Idiana) where the Bulls played Pippen at the top of the key alot using him as kind of a joker on D. Pippen played the passing lanes, provided help/double teams on the perimeter and down low and was basicly everywhere on the floor, while still holding his man in check. If I remember correctly the announcers reffered to him as a "one man wrecking crew". That´s where I got it from I think.

[EricaLubarsky]

I'm in San Fran and the Chronicle gave him "line of the week" and spoke very highly of him. The New York game wasnt as good as his stats reflect but he's that kind of player and I love him for it.

[DCowboysGal]

Josh Howard = Tayshaun Prince - very athletic, great defender, solid rebounder, solid scorer