PHOENIX SUNS

Johnson: Mike D’Antoni’s biggest challenge will be Dwight Howard

Nov 13, 2012, 2:22 AM | Updated: 2:24 am

Dwight Howard’s reputation proceeds him, there’s no two ways around that.

During his final season with the Magic in 2011-2012, Howard was often publicly at odds with head coach Stan Van Gundy. As Orlando tried to shift towards a more wide-open offensive scheme to accommodate the likes of Glen Davis and Hedo Turkoglu, Howard was rather vocal in opposition.

Ultimately both found a one-way ticket out of town — Van Gundy by way of the pink slip and Howard via a blockbuster trade to the Los Angeles Lakers in August — but with Mike D’Antoni now taking over in Tinseltown the question remains can the six-time All-Star adapt to an offense that favors big men who can spread the floor and consistently hit open jump shots?

Eddie Johnson, the Suns lead TV analyst, isn’t sold on the idea just yet.

“[Howard] isn’t great for Mike D’Antoni,” Johnson told Arizona Sports 620’s Doug & Wolf Monday. “I say that because he can’t knock down that 15-foot jump shot. A lot of that offense is predicated on a pick-and-pop guy that knock down that shot.”

The Lakers certainly have a guy on their roster who can more than adequately step into that role, power forward Pau Gasol. While the four-time All Star might thrive in offense that features he, Steve Nash and Kobe Bryant, Johnson is worried Howard’s game won’t jive with D’Antoni’s “Seven Seconds or Less” offense.

D’Antoni was a proponent of the trade that brought Shaquille O’Neal — a true low-post center — to the Valley midway through the 2007-2008 season, however. Not only did O’Neal have personal success in the system during his one full season in Phoenix — averaged 18 points per game and was selected to his 15th NBA All-Star Game — but the Suns remained the league’s most efficient offensive team for the fifth consecutive year.

According to Johnson, the best predictor as to how Howard might fit into D’Antoni’s up-tempo system is not by evaluating the Big Cactus’ time in the Valley, but rather taking a look at how the former Suns coach worked in center Steven Hunter to Phoenix’s offensive plans during the 2004-2005 season.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Phoenix Suns

Jusuf Nurkic...

Damon Allred

Jusuf Nurkic questionable for Suns’ matchup with Thunder; Bradley Beal no longer listed

The Phoenix Suns are listing center Jusuf Nurkic questionable for a matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday.

8 hours ago

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets is guarded by Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns during th...

Kellan Olson

Suns respond to season’s low point with thorough win over Nuggets

The guessing game of which Suns team shows up on which night persists. The best current version did on Wednesday in a win over the Nuggets.

1 day ago

Bradley Beal #3 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the second half against the Boston Celtics at T...

David Veenstra

Bradley Beal in, Jusuf Nurkic out for Suns’ matchup with Nuggets

Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal is active for Wednesday's matchup with the Denver Nuggets while center Jusuf Nurkic is out.

1 day ago

Tyler Kolek, Marquette...

Damon Allred

Here’s who Phoenix Suns fans should watch in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

The Suns' first round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft sits at No. 19 overall, and they could select a star from the NCAA Tournament.

1 day ago

Phoenix Suns take on San Antonio Spurs...

Arizona Sports

O’Neale: Phoenix Suns took Spurs ‘too lightly’ in glaring loss

The Phoenix Suns' lack of effort was on display Monday night against the San Antonio Spurs, leading to an honest film session.

2 days ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Royce O’Neale: Suns took Spurs “a little too lightly”

Phoenix Suns forward Royce O'Neale joined Burns & Gambo to talk about the team's disappointing loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, and to look ahead at the team's remaining schedule, as they continue to make a push toward the NBA playoffs.

2 days ago

Johnson: Mike D’Antoni’s biggest challenge will be Dwight Howard