It's been a while since I posted. A lot has taken place. I've felt like writing a couple times but that's not when I want to write--when I kinda felt like it. I wanted my next post and any post from here on to be inspired. I wanted to "want" to write. I'm a self professed sports junky who isn't trying to get cured.
With that said I just read an article by Scoop Jackson on ESPN. Pretty decent article. Scoop, like most writers/fans/ex-players was/is calling out Dwight Howard for his play. Scoop contends that D12 needs to "prove all of us wrong (fans/writers/players)." That's the part I don't agree with. He doesn't HAVE TO prove anything to the fans to make his money. Writers neither. Players--kinda. He has to prove his worth to the GM and Owner of the team. Right now, the public message they're sending is he is. He's got an open invite to a max contract at the end of the season. if he chooses to go elsewhere there are other teams waiting to offer him the max they can offer (which is 1 year and some millions less than the Lakers could). All that adds up to he doesn't have anything to prove to them to make THAT money. Howeva' if he wants jersey sales, shoe contracts, endorsements, acting roles all that other stuff that comes with being a superstar in a major sport--he has to convince us!
The most common comparison is Shaq and Howard to each other. You already know the background and similarities (position, size, former team, etc...) Both are physically gifted and love to have fun--big kids. Difference is Shaq LOVED to Dominate on the court! You come at him and he's putting in 40 pt and 20+ boards THEN give you a sound byte in the interview to let you know WHY you brought this on yourself! D12...no so much. You go at him and he sulks. He doesn't get mad and he doesn't take ANYTHING out on the court. THIS is what EVERYONE--GM/Owner included are waiting to see from him.
Scoop talks about D12 not smiling so much on the court. I get that, but I can take that if he DOMINATING you with a smile. Let's be honest, he can still dominate. You see glimpses of it. If he's planning on staying with the Lakers, that means living with Kobe another year or two (maybe more). He can't wait until Kobe is gone before he decides he wants to assert himself. Do it now! Demand your spot as an equal--even if you're not. Kobe is hard to play with--no question. BUT, you'll get his respect if you earn it--demand it! Kobe AND Shaq will freely admit (now) that both needed each other. If they were able to figure out a way to co-exist, the potential was limitless. When Phil retired in 2005 after the finals, Jerry Buss/Mitch had dinner with Pat Riley about coming back to coach the Lakers. Riley said yes on one condition--he could talk to Shaq and Kobe about staying together. He was denied. At that point Shaq was going to be traded. What could've been...
To quote Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, Dwight needs to take hold of "the fierce urgency of now." Now is the time to dominate!
Now is the time to demand your respect!
Now is the time to prove to yourself that you belong in the conversation as a dominant player!
If I could tell Dwight something directly it would be this:
D12 you have all the game in the world but you're not showing it. Kobe wants to win above everything and everyone. You have to deal with that. It's the price a champion pays. If you're not paying that price, you're not winning championships or at least you're not a factor in it. Basketball gives you the vehicle for everything else you want to do--movies, endorsement,etc...Most are saying the NBA center is going away. First proof is the all star game eliminating voting for positions but front/back court. Show the world (because that's your stage) the dominating center is STILL in the NBA. he's rare and he's the catalyst for a championship.
Well said, cousin.
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