NBA Regular Season 2016-17: Dependence on Dwight Howard have given disadvantage to Atlanta Hawks

By Menahem Zen / Nov 22, 2016 03:26 AM EST
(Photo : Getty Images/Kevin C. Cox) Dwight Howard #8 of the Atlanta Hawks looks to drive against Tobias Harris #34 of the Detroit Pistons at Philips Arena on October 13, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Atlanta Hawks showed their dependence on the center Dwight Howard. After Howard was ejected in the game against Hornets, the Hawks could not maintain their strong play and lost the game 96-100.

Howard was ejected after throwing an elbow at the face of Charlotte Hornets center Cody Zeller when the two players boxed out. He was given a flagrant foul 2 on Friday, Nov. 18 as reported by ESPN. Prior to his ejection, Howard has contributed 10 points and 18 rebounds to make the Hawks lead by three points.

After Howards’s ejection in the remaining 5:38 of the game at the Spectrum Center, Charlotte, the Hawks lost their front court supremacy.Charlotte Hornets rallied past them and break their winning streak.

Afterward, Atlanta Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer talked to him concerning the ejection before the Sunday game against the Knicks. In an interview with Atlanta Journal, Budenholzer said that Howard is a physical player. Therefore he will always play physical game with a strong presence on boards.

“He is going to box out. His physical presence is a big part of us,” Budenholzer said. “Hopefully, he can find ways to be physical, let the other team feel him but still do it within the confines of what is appropriate.”

After losing the game against Charlotte Hornets, New York Knicks defeated them 94-104 at the Madison Square Garden, New York on Sunday. Howard showed a less physical game after being ejected two days earlier. But he still tallied his double digit points and rebounds with 18 points and rebounds.

Howard joined Atlanta Hawks in a $70 million contract for three years in July this year. His arrival has forced Al Horford to leave the team to join the Celtics.

Atlanta Hawks management’s decision to bring in Howard has given the team a benefit in their front court with Howard’s physical game. But their reliance on Howard for their rim protection, will give them a disadvantage when he was not in the court. This can be seen clearly in the game against Charlotte Hornets.

Watch how Howard was ejected during the game against Charlotte Hornets below: