Dwight Howard Versus Andrew Bogut in Golden State

By Justin Taylor

At some point in recent months there is no doubt the Warriors brain trust has had the conversation about Dwight Howard. For all we know there is still a debate going on behind closed doors the same way we are doing it in forums, on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and every other tool the internet ahs given us to argue about shit and call each other stupid. That is why I’ve been posting about it for a week trying to get DubNation’s thoughts on the subject. I wish I were a fly on the wall behind those closed doors cause I know it’s not going like the hate fest raging on my pages.

I need to get my thoughts on out there so I can begin moving on from the discussion before I take any more heat for takes other than my own. In over a year of having this blog I’ve never gotten more negative comments and emails than I have through my series of Dwight Howard posts on Facebook. Now that my opinions are public please rip away.

 Jerry West, Bob Myers and Joe Lacob are probably discussing this picture right now

There is more to than Dwight Howard is a douchebag and I don’t want him on my team. It’s more of a competition between him and Andrew Bogut from the perspectives of health, chemistry and what’s better for the team five years from now. I’ll try to break it down from those angles to explain my position.

Personality:

Dwight Howard was hurt this year. He took time before and after every single #LOLakers game to tell us that. Andrew Bogut was also hurt this year. He waited till after game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals to come out and tell us all what we already knew. While one guy exudes the heart of a Warrior the other just wants attention. (If you want a taste of how other fans around the league feel about Dwight scroll to the bottom of this article)

Advantage: Bogut

Offense:

Dwight has no offensive game unless he is dunking the ball off a rebound or catching it close to the hoop. That alone allows him to average more points than Bogut. What strikes me as ridiculous is that Howard has never averaged 2 assists a game even though he’s seen more double and triple teams than anyone outside of LeBron throughout his career. Every team wants a guy that demands a double team on offense but what if that guy never does anything with it? Bogut’s numbers may not knock anyone down but once the Warriors chemistry is allowed to mature he will make the other four guys on the floor better. Dwight doesn’t look like his selfish ass is ever going to figure that out.

Advantage: Bogut

Defense:

There is no debate here. Dwight Howard is the premier defensive center in the league if his back heals. If there was a debate it would be between him, Joakim Noah and Marc Gasol. Andrew Bogut would never enter the conversation even if he might be a better within a team concept. I love Dwight’s blocks that land in the 4^th row because they give me an opportunity to point out his lack of basketball IQ, his ridiculous ego and how overall, he just doesn’t get it.

If you’re looking at why we need him in Oakland this is where the argument starts and finishes. The Warriors are trying to build a team that revolves around defense, rebounding and the shooting of the Splash Brothers among others. He may not have been the safety net LA thought they were getting but I’m not blaming him for the terrible defense every other piece of that team played.

Advantage: Howard

Chemistry:

Howard can kill your team’s chemistry while Bogut can double it. Advantage: Bogut

Money:

Dwight will require a five year contract for over $20 million a year and history shows his play will continue to decline the entire time. Andrew Bogut will cost closer to $15 million for the next two when you can renegotiate to account for his improvement or his demise.

Advantage: Bogut

Health:

Nobody wants a 7 footer with back problems or foot problems so pick your poison. The difference really comes to be who is more effective when they are less than 100%? It’s Bogut on offense and Howard on defense but who will last longer? I say it’s the guy who doesn’t rely on athleticism over the guy who decided he was so overpowering that he didn’t need to learn the game. The risk with Bogut isn’t as long term with Bogut also, that’s why he gets the nod here.

Advantage: Bogut

Coach’s Preference:

I would bet that Mark Jackson would love a chance to coach Dwight Howard even though he’ll never say it.

Advantage: Howard

Conclusion:

In terms Mark Jackson can appreciate: At the end of the day this would be a move that would be all about the short term because Howard will be more trouble than he’s worth in the long term whether Bogut is in the fold or not.

Would Howard be an immediate upgrade to this season’s team? No question in my mind. Would he be an upgrade if we had to give up Klay or Barnes to get him? Probably. Would he help us lure another star when the cap situation clears up in 2014? Maybe. Will he be worth the price you’d have to pay him in five years? Absolutely not.

My final verdict is against Dwight Howard because he costs too much for too long and I will continue to have more fun bashing him than I will have rooting for him.

ENJOY...