ORLANDO -- There is a good reason that Boston and Cleveland -- two of
the three serious contenders in the Eastern Conference -- added proven
big men to their roster this summer. They already know what's coming.
Magic center Dwight Howard, already the best big man in basketball, is going to be even better this season. Howard has come to training camp with another 10 pounds of muscle on his well-muscled frame, up to 275 pounds. He also believes his 59 percent free throw percentage -- his only serious flaw -- will rise to 70 percent after a summer of sharpening his shot. He expects to be both more powerful -- and more accurate.It's why the Cavs added Shaquille O'Neal and the Celtics signed Rasheed Wallace. Both are players who have given Howard problems in the past with other teams, but both are probably too old to give him serious trouble now.The Magic beat both Boston and Cleveland on their way to the NBA Finals, where they lost to the Lakers. CONTINUE READING...
Magic center Dwight Howard, already the best big man in basketball, is going to be even better this season. Howard has come to training camp with another 10 pounds of muscle on his well-muscled frame, up to 275 pounds. He also believes his 59 percent free throw percentage -- his only serious flaw -- will rise to 70 percent after a summer of sharpening his shot. He expects to be both more powerful -- and more accurate.It's why the Cavs added Shaquille O'Neal and the Celtics signed Rasheed Wallace. Both are players who have given Howard problems in the past with other teams, but both are probably too old to give him serious trouble now.The Magic beat both Boston and Cleveland on their way to the NBA Finals, where they lost to the Lakers. CONTINUE READING...