Offseason Letters to Each Houston Player

[BwareDWare94]

The Starters:
 
To Dwight Howard:
You are an exceptional player who has made this team significantly better in a very short period of time. You've re-established yourself as clearly the best center in the NBA. All that aside, you still have some areas where you can drastically improve. First of all, I'd like to see you not be such a turnover liability when you have the ball. When you have the ball, your hands need to form a vice, and you need to be more aware of your shooters so you can dish when you get double teamed. Secondly, you MUST keep working with Hakeem Olajuwon, because your post moves became much more fluid throughout the year, and you were a dominant force in the playoff series. What's funny about that is you still looked very mechanical. Keep taking lessons from Hakeem. Work on your footwork and finishing with your right hand, because your strong left hand is just fine. Third, you pick up a lot of dumb fouls because you shove too much, and you set Garnett style screens. These things are easy to fix. I need you to use your head a bit more, and stop putting yourself in situations where they can call easy fouls on you. Finally, I need to see you establish better rebounding position on a more consistent basic. Robin Lopez and LaMarcus Aldridge got too many offensive rebounds in the playoff series and it just killed us. Work on your box out techniques.
I didn't mention free throws because you know you need to work on those.
 
To Terrence Jones: 
I loved the way your overall variety of skills came to light during this season, and I hope you keep working on your post moves (seriously, jump in with Dwight and Hakeem--you already have some serious moves, my friend. Just keep adding to that repertoire). Overall, though, what this team needs from you is consistent outside shooting. You might be able to post up. You might be able to crash the boards, but in order to give Dwight more space to operate, you need to prove to the rest of the NBA that you are a 3 point threat. Your shooting form is fine, you just gotta keep practicing at it. On the defensive side of the ball, you struggle way too much when chasing opposing players and playing through screens, which doesn't make sense because you're built like a freight train. I know the NBA is much tougher than college ball, but spend the offseason working on effective ways to get around screens and stay with the shooting 4s in this league. You also REALLY struggle in P&R defense. That's just moving your feet and studying the player you're defending to understand their tendencies. Overall, Terrence, you just need to think more on your feet on the defensive end.
 
To Chandler Parsons:
I like that you became a better finisher at the hoop during this season, and I like that you're looking for your offensive game more and more, but I have to tell you--your jump shot is terrible, and that's why you go through slumps like you do. Your shooting form up high is just fine, but when you jump, the lower half of your body moves forward and the upper half fades away. For no apparent reason. That causes your shot to have no arch whatsoever and makes it necessary for you to direct the shot perfectly or it's going to miss. You leave yourself no wiggle room. Rarely do you get a bounce in--you get as swish or a brick. That has to change. On the defensive side of the ball, you've gotten significantly worse during your 3 seasons, and that's going to alter your career trajectory if you don't address that side of the ball during this offseason. Work on defensive technique, get your footspeed up, and understand the way great defenders over the years (Battier, Bowen, Tony Allen, etc) have challenged shots even if they couldn't block them.  One way or the other, you must come back next season as a the wing defender this team so drastically needs or you're going to be very expendable. 
 
To James Harden:
What can I say, my man? Every problem you have is self inflicted. You struggle on the defensive side of the ball due a complete lack of effort and then have the audacity to criticize the team's defense in an interview after a loss in the Portland series. Man oh man, you really are that caught up in your own rise to fame, aren't you? Well, here's the fact of the matter--this team might need you to score to be competitive, but it needs you to play defense to contend. What are your real goals, James? Scoring titles, or championship chances? Think about it, and work on your defensive technique and footspeed all damn offseason. That's the next step for you, or you'll just be a volume scorer. Speaking of offense, you do realize that the reason you're a streaky shooter is because of the degree of difficulty with which you take most of your shots? I've never seen a player who forced more contested jump shots. If you were more patient, if you played less iso and just moved without the ball, you'd get more open shots, and you'd probably be more consistent throughout the year. That's all it would take to become a better player, James. Play defense, and move without the ball. As long as you're just a volume scorer, Houston will remain on the outside looking in when it comes to championship contention. 
 
To Patrick Beverly:
You're a warrior, my friend. An absolute, all out warrior, but as of right now, you're replaceable and easily relegated to the bench. Why is that? Because your offensive game is lacking, even if you are slowly improving. This team needs you to have a consistent 3 point shot. With your 6'7 wingspan, you should be able to get in the lane more often and get shots above defensive players. Work on a floater. Get a short jump shot going. As long as you come back next season with an improved offensive game, you should have a chance at remaining a starter. As far as defense is concerned, Houston just needs your knee to be healthy. Did you damage it beyond what could heal or be repaired? Please tell me you didn't, because if you did, you've probably shortened your career. If at all possible, Pat, come back healthy, and with that, you must improve your offensive game or Houston needs to look for a different point guard. 
 
The Bench:
 
To Omer Asik:
There's no guarantee that you'll be back next season, even if I really hope that you are. Either way, it's time for you to at least add something to your offensive game. Your shooting form is nice, can you add a short to mid-range jumper, at the very least? Do you think you can develop some moves by working with Dwight, McHale, and Hakeem? If so, do that. Either way, I hope to see you with the Rockets next season or starting for a team and showing the rest of the NBA just how good you really are.
 
To Jordan Hamilton: 
I don't know why McHale not once tried to put you on Lillard or Batum. I just don't get it. In the trade, you were said to be a good defensive player with inconsistent offensive game. You started well after the trade, you were even scoring some points, but as soon as your shot left you Kevin put you on the bench for good. It really is too bad. You know how to avoid that? Figure out why you're an inconsistent shooter, and fix it. Come back next season as a nice 3 point shooter with good defensive skills and you should be in the rotation.
 
To Francisco Garcia: 
I don't know what to say, man, but I think you're nearly done. Your only option is to find your 3 point shot in the offseason or you'll spend the rest of your career as a bench rider. 
 
To Omri Casspi:
I hope they cut your sorry ass.
 
To Jeremy Lin:
I hope they cut or trade your sorry ass.
 
To Isaiah Canaan: 
Just keep developing your overall range of skills. If Jeremy's gone, you might crack the rotation.
 
To Donatas Motiejunas:
Your seeming inability to become a better defender and rebounder pisses me off. Address those two aspects of your game in the offseason or understand that you'll never get serious minutes. On the offensive side of the ball, I've never seen a big player miss more bunnies in my life. Work on finishing around the rim. 
 
To Troy Daniels:
Keep shooting 3s, kid, but work on your defense something fierce. Too many stupid mistakes in the Portland series. You need to be smarter on that side of the ball.
 
To Robert Covington:
Let's just say you need to get better in every aspect of your game.
 
To Josh Powell:
I like your game but I don't see this team keeping you around. 
 
 

 

[jonathanlambert33]

Has Dwight really clearly re-established himself as the top center? I mean I've said it before, but there are other bigs who scare me more. I see a guy who's practically forcing Houston into giving him more post up opportunities than he should receive, and he is really not that good in the post. He's also not returned to the Dwight Howard we saw in Orlando defensively.

 

[BwareDWare94]

Has Dwight really clearly re-established himself as the top center? I mean I've said it before, but there are other bigs who scare me more. I see a guy who's practically forcing Houston into giving him more post up opportunities than he should receive, and he is really not that good in the post. He's also not returned to the Dwight Howard we saw in Orlando defensively.

 
You watched the Portland series. He's the best, and I don't think anyone is very close, with the exception of Marc Gasol.
 
I know Noah is everybody's favorite player right now but the fact of the matter is that his offensive game is not something you can rely on in big moments. Add that on to the fact that an injury made him essentially invisible in the playoff series. Joakim Noah is not in the discussion, imo. He's a top center, but he's not better than Dwight.
 
I would have said Roy Hibbert had a real chance at taking the spot before he fell apart.

 

[jonathanlambert33]

You watched the Portland series. He's the best, and I don't think anyone is very close, with the exception of Marc Gasol.
 
I know Noah is everybody's favorite player right now but the fact of the matter is that his offensive game is not something you can rely on in big moments. Add that on to the fact that an injury made him essentially invisible in the playoff series. Joakim Noah is not in the discussion, imo. He's a top center, but he's not better than Dwight.
 
I would have said Roy Hibbert had a real chance at taking the spot before he fell apart.

I did watch the Portland series, but we can't be blind to the fact that Robin Lopez was defending Dwight Howard. Whether they're playing in a NBA preseason game, regular season game, the playoffs, the finals, at the local YMCA, etc is virtually irrelevant. Robin Lopez can't defend and has never been able to defend Dwight Howard. That's not to say Robin is a poor defender, it's just saying that Dwight is a poor matchup for him. I'm not of the belief that beating a poor matchup really proves anything that we didn't already know.

You also mention that Noah is not reliable in big (or clutch) moments, but can you rely on Howard in those same situations? Do you even want to rely on him in those situations? Dwight's attempted only 9 field goals during the entire NBA regular season in close games with time winding down, his usage rate dropped 11%. He shot sub 60% from the line within 5 minutes of the end of the game, and sub 50% within 3 minutes. I'm not going to give Joakim Noah the ball in big moments when I need something, but I'm not giving it to Dwight either. This isn't just a blip in the radar either, as he attempted only 7 shots last season with the Lakers.

Then another thing I've wanted to say, and it's slightly off topic, but it's in the discussion of Dwight and James Harden. When Dwight came out and put up that 25 or whatever in the first half of Game 2, there was a sense that James Harden was kind of frustrated. Dwight didn't allow him to get into a rhythm, yada yada. The two have games that could be compatible, but I get the sense that they don't want to be compatible. The PnR is by far the best example, Dwight is amazing as the roll man, James is amazing as the ball handler. But Dwight just doesn't want to play in the PnR. I get it, Dwight doesn't want to have to go into the teeth of the defense and deal with the things that come with it. I mean 785 post attempts to 105 PnR attempts for him this year. The PnR only makes up 7% of Dwights game, which is just highly unfortunate and doing Houston a disservice. Some other bigs in the league: Al Jefferson was at 14%, DeMarcus Cousins was at 19%, Joakim Noah was at 14%, Marc Gasol was at 20%, Chris Bosh was at 19%, Pau Gasol was at 20%. Dwight would rather just get the ball into the post and become iso Dwight, but the problem is it's just one on one basketball and there is no action off the ball, Harden is just standing around, the other three guys are just standing around watching, they're basically saying alright Dwight, you're just average in the post, but go to work. I'm just unsure why Houston lacks actions that involve both Dwight and Harden. I mean when you're isolating your players you're making them easy to guard. Throwing the ball to Dwight 15-20 times a game because he eats up Robin Lopez inside is thought to be the right thing to do, but that's why basketball is such an interesting and great game. I think maybe playing all that iso low post ball takes the energy away from the other four on the court for you, maybe it hurts their transition game and their defense. I mean James Harden doesn't play defense to begin with, why would he be motivated or focused defensively if he doesn't feel involved enough offensively? Lets really think about it, Dwight is eating Robin Lopez alive inside, but what did Portland really do to try and stop it? They basically just let it happen, they weren't bringing help or anything like that, and they did that for a reason.

I also think using the post up to pass is smarter than using the post to score. I think teams like posting up their bigs then start setting flair screens for their shooters, and they draw help and start swinging or reversing the ball to get open threes or driving lanes, etc. There are also other outlets to use the post for. Houston for example started running this set during the regular season where Harden would start at the right elbow and Dwight would be on the right low post, and Harden would set a down screen for Dwight who would come out and replace Harden at the elbow while receiving the pass from the point, they would essentially switch positions, Dwight would then feed Harden in the post and run this kind of opposite low post snug PnR. They killed opponents with that when they ran it during the regular season, but they rarely ran it in the playoffs.

Here's kind of a sequence of shots of that particular set, this particular time it ended in Dwight going to the line.

 

[jonathanlambert33]

tl;dr

i know

 

[CameronCrazy06]

Dwight is the best center in the NBA but I think Noah had a better season, if that makes sense.

 

[BwareDWare94]

Dwight is the best center in the NBA but I think Noah had a better season, if that makes sense.

 
If by that you mean he impacted his team more, I definitely agree. The guy had a fantastic year and it's too bad an injury derailed him for the playoff series.