The Ghost

I think the operating word is "predictable". We were becoming extremely predictable. As the disparity in the consecutive Atlanta playoff series showed, a lot of teams began figuring us out and shutting us down. The entire franchise's dependence on Dwight was often our undoing. Given his limitations (free throws, average post play), we relied on him way too much, but we kept going to him anyway because he was our superstar. LeBron James he is not, I think our future looks brighter for having moved on.

Big Baby simply doesn't know his own limitations. He thinks he has the stroke of Kobe with the Athleticism of Jordan, it's extremely frustrating. Too much time around KG I think. Poor shooting night from JJ but he's controlled anything decent we've done offensively tonight, so you can't complain too much.

I appear to be unintentionally lumping myself in the Ish Smith fan club, but honestly I don't really rate him. He is an extremely one dimensional player and it is questionnable whether he is really good enough for the NBA. My seemingly pro Ish sentiments are based on the utter despair that I felt watching Duhon every game last year. Both aren't/weren't good enough, we badly need Jameer back.

From what i've seen Ish has barely had an open shot, other than what he has had to create for himself (something Duhon couldn't do). Ish is a very average player but at least he has some transition skills (well he did last season anyway). Duhon was so untrustworthy as a point guard, that he literally did nothing more than (try to) carry the ball up court, and shoot the occasional wide open three. Two of JJ, Jameer or Turk had to be on the court the same time as him otherwise we had zero creativity.

I don't think anybody really believed Ish was a great player, but he at least offered more than Duhon (whose only role was the carry the ball up the court - although he struggled with that at times). Maybe is it the system or added responsibility, but he has just been a turnover machine so far this year.

Looks like Ish has regressed to fill the Duhon role. He has been terrible.

My main concern with this style of offence is that younger/inexperienced players just get completely lost. Also it appears to give Big Baby a licence to do whatever he wants. Which is obviously dangerous.

A very mediocre effort all around, but to me it just looks like we've run out of ideas. Based on tonight, it seems like any team with a semblance of defensive organisation will be able to completely shut down our offence.

As exciting as some our play has been in the first few games, our offence looks utterly clueless right now.

I'd never really thought about it fully before, but the bit about the other players in the league being liked purely on the fact that they just act like themselves, is so true. Dwight has tried so unashamedly to craft a polished image for himself, that it's impossible to have any respect for him. For example, I seriously dislike Kobe and KG, probably my two least favourite NBA personalities. But even in their most arrogant/b*stardly moments, they don't make me cringe like Dwight does when he is bafooning around looking for attention. It's easy to trash Howard now he has left, but that article sums up how i've felt about the guy for some time now. Obviously he was our superstar so I didn't hate him, but I always smelt a a lot BS in the way he presented himself.

Apologies, that dawned on me right after posting it.

I hate to open up old wounds, but I found this to be extremely righteous and to the point: http://deadspin.com/5958111/deadspin-nba-****-list-dwight-howard-the-superman-of-unfunny?tag=NBA-****-List That is all. GO MAGIC!

My only prediction for the game is this: Baby will ABUSE Boozer.

I think away games may be our undoing (in terms of reaching the playoffs). As long as JJ and/or Jameer don't suffer long bouts of injury then I think we'll be competitve til the end.

^This^ The problem I have with the no.1 draft pick is that we become one of THOSE franchises again that caters itself to and builds around an individual player (a la Dwight). This may be important from a commercial standpoint, but as a fan i'd rather be watching team excellence (like now) than a superstar putting up 40 every night and controlling everything on and off the court. I'd prefer it if we fight hard every night, help our current crop of rookies flourish and just let the situation evolve naturally.