After witnessing the frenzy caused by the 2010 NBA free-agent class that included LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, et al, this year's free-agent crop simply paled in comparison. However, the potential 2012 class -- featuring Chris Paul, Deron Williams and Dwight Howard -- is sizing up to rival 2010's. All week, ESPN Insider's NBA experts will profile these three free agents -- and several others -- better than the FBI. Today we look at Dwight Howard.
Scouting breakdown
David Thorpe: LeBron James, Chris Paul and Dwight Howard. Those are the only "best players at their positions" in my eyes who really don't have much competition for their thrones. Obviously, that makes Howard the undisputed champion for big men. Howard's agility and speed make him a natural for teams that love to push the pace -- the transition game is far more effective when the lead post player can fly to the rim and occupy defenders, better enabling the point guard to create a shot for himself or his teammates lined up behind the 3-point line. Post defense also is weakest in transition, so Howard would be most effective in the post in an early-offense attack.
[+] EnlargeDwight Howard
Kim Klement/US PresswireThe three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year has vastly improved his offensive game. Scary.
Howard's tremendous power and frame make him a difficult guy to push out of the paint when he gets involved as the screener in the pick-and-roll game, or as the duck-in guy when that action is on the other side of the floor. Those plays give him great opportunities to seal his defender(s) near the rim, where he is a terrific finisher. Even without an advanced post game (though there are signs that part of his game is developing) he's the best mismatch weapon in the paint among all NBA big men.
Of course, the combination of his athletic prowess and his ability to get rebounds out of area, while also dominating the paint as a shot-blocker, makes him just as valuable on defense, if not more so. He alone can improve any defense in the league by a huge margin.
Every NBA team would do almost anything in their power to start Howard at center, but the teams that feature strong point guard play (to better take advantage of using Howard as a ball-screener) along with multiple 3-point shooters to keep the floor spread will be the teams that can help Howard get back to the Finals fastest.
Best fit(s): All. Any team would want him.
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