Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Howard or Ming

I was listening to Alfred Williams and Scott Hastings yesterday on the radio and they were looking for their all-NBA team. I thought it was an interesting debate, and you’d think it wouldn’t be that hard. Especially when they were picking G-G-F-F-C, and not #1, #2, etc.

Without Magic, Jordan, Shaq declining, how hard can it be. Is there that much talent in the NBA? I’ve been casually following this year, too busy to watch too many games, but I have been thinking about going to a Nuggets game before things end. Especially when I saw tickets for $10 or less for some upper seats. Maybe I’ll take the kids.

In any case, it seemed that the first few were easy:

and then it hung up slightly. They argued if Duncan was a F or C. I can see the argument, but he’s played as a F his career, so he goes in. Or does he? He’s listed as a C on ESPN, and has he had a great year? Nowitski might get some votes here, so it’s close.

However they argued a lot about Howard v Ming. Alfred says Ming, Scott Howard. What’s the measure? Are we splitting hairs? Ming is less of a basketball player, but his height compensates. He’s #3 in scoring, Howard #1. Howard plays more minutes, and has more rebounds by 4pg. A better blocker, more athletic. I think it’s easily Howard except that he shoots 60% from the line. Ming over 80. That’s a big deal for winning games.

Orlando’s won more games, and arguably has less talent around Howard than Ming. However the East is weaker.

I think I’d go with Howard. Not sure if I’m being US biased there, but Ming has never impressed me as a superstar. Not that coordinated, slow, just not an exciting player as a fan. You can’t interchange them because they have different styles, so the whole team would change around them.

In any case, it’s likely splitting hairs. The NBA has a lot of talent now, through all positions. It’s hard to think how you’d rank people at each position. So many good ones that it’s a great time to watch games. The regular season is still too long, and too often people don’t show up to play, but the playoffs will be exciting.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Put Garnett at forward and slot Duncan at center. I'm not sold on Howard, yet. Duncan, however, is a complete player and can play center. For that matter, so can Garnett. Their impact on the defensive side alone is enough to consider them. And as one commentator pointed out about Howard, he may block shots, but he sends 'em all into the crowd, meaning the ball goes back to the other team.