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Video Analysis: Dwight Howard’s Block Party
As you may have heard by now, yesterday, Dwight Howard was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year for a second consecutive season. By winning the award in back-to-back years, Howard joined the likes of Sidney Moncrief, Dennis Rodman, Hakeem Olajuwon, Dikembe Mutombo, Alonzo Mourning, and Ben Wallace as players that have accomplished the feat. It’s appropriate, actually, that Howard was honored days after amassing nine blocks against the Charlotte Bobcats in Game 1 because that performance exemplifies the enormous defensive impact he has been able to make for the Orlando Magic the past two seasons.
Take a look.
Video Analysis: A Look at Vince Carter’s Shot Selection in Game 1 Against the Charlotte Bobcats
AP Photo/Reinhold Matay
When Sunday arrived and the Orlando Magic faced off against the Charlotte Bobcats in Game 1, it was generally assumed that Vince Carter was going to do what he’s been doing for the past few months. What’s that?
Play good basketball.
It’s no coincidence that the Magic took off in the second half of the regular season and performed — statistically, at least — like the best team in the NBA, in large part because Carter had settled in comfortably as the No. 2 option alongside Dwight Howard. Carter dominated games for stretches at a time (see his 48-point performance against the New Orleans Hornets), performed efficiently, and played exactly the way everyone envisioned he would play when he was acquired in the off-season by general manager Otis Smith. By contrast, when Carter struggled in January, it was because he settled for jumpers, played passively, and generally looked out of sorts.
So, when Orlando needed offense from someone not named Rashard Lewis or Jameer Nelson, especially in the second half, Carter tried to pick up the slack but the results weren’t pretty. To be frank, they were downright awful.
The question that many people are asking, of course, is why did Carter struggle on offense? What did Carter do wrong?
Video Analysis: Jameer Nelson’s Big Night Against the Charlotte Bobcats
Jameer Nelson was one of the lone bright spots on offense for the Orlando Magic against the Charlotte Bobcats in Game 1, amidst Dwight Howard‘s foul troubles and Vince Carter‘s shooting woes. Nelson was able to put on a show in front of a nationally televised audience, reminding everyone why he was an All-Star in 2009 by scoring 32 points on 10-of-18 shooting and terrorizing the Bobcats’ defense in the process.
I compiled a video to show the types of plays Nelson got his points from. For instance, note how Nelson and Rashard Lewis are able to force the switch on the 1/4 pick and roll with Boris Diaw to create a mismatch in Nelson’s favor on two separate possessions.
Video Highlights: J.J. Redick and Jason Williams
Things started out slow for the Orlando Magic against the Washington Wizards in last night’s game. The Magic were up only six against the Wizards at halftime but the action picked up in the second half, as J.J. Redick, Jason Williams, and the rest of the bench for Orlando put on a show for the hometown fans in one of the last games at Amway Arena.
Video Highlights: Dwight Howard and Mickael Pietrus
Dwight Howard is well on his way to winning the Defensive Player of the Year Award for a second consecutive season and there’s no doubt that he is, arguably, the best defender in the NBA. But more people are starting to take notice of Howard’s improvements on offense and last night against the Dallas Mavericks, he put his new-and-improved post moves on display once again.
As for Mickael Pietrus, it sure didn’t take him too long to get back into rhythm after missing two games with a left ankle injury.
