Call it a mancrush if you will, but I like to keep tabs on Dwight Howard's life . Its a wholesome, informative and enternaining past time that I have indefinitely incorporated into my daily work tasks. Not to mention the amount of ammo it provides for a good party conversation starter because, well, everyone loves Dwight's shoulders... and they think he's kinda ok too.
So as I was completing today's routine stalking session I noticed a tweet of his that got my comparative juices flowing...
"Hhmmm what do you guys think about havin an old school vs new school magic game/weekend here in orlando. Hosted by me. Need some ideas"This immediately got me thinking about two things; 1) the possibility of this actually happening would be smaller than Jeremy's win/loss ratio to me in one-on-one and more importantly 2) I wonder who would win out of a game between today's Magic and my favourite and most influential squad of all time, the 94/95 Orlando Magic team? I mean if it was a question of style, it would be an obvious no brainer. Horace Grant made rocking goggles stylish, Penny donned a pair of Lil Penny's to go with his elegant fadeaway J and Shaq wasn't as fat and was droppin platinum rap albums. It was stylish to rock fitted kits and kicks became timeless. NBA in the 90's at its best.
But if you actually took today's team and back to the future their asses to 1995, who would win in a 48 minute game of hoops. On one hand, you had the formidable combo of Penny and Shaq. Skill trumped athleticsm and teams scored big in the posts. In terms of big names and all around skill, I think the 94/95 Orlando Magic probably had a better team on paper. On the other hand, basketball has evolved alot over the past 16 or 17 years. Guys are more athletic nowdays with shoulders the size of boulders and a pre game meal for most centers consists of a small child. As a result, players are quicker and stronger so teams utilize isolation plays alot more to exploit their skills. So whilst today's Orlando team has alot more 'filler' type players on their roster, the overall skill level and intensity of the NBA has increased so therefore they should be of a higher calibre athlete.
Anyways, as this game will probably never take place anytime soon, I thought I'd provide you with a player v player analysis to put your curious minds to rest.
Guards: Nick Anderson vs Jameer NelsonShould be a really interesting battle. They are pretty evenly matched points - wise, although Nelson drops a coupla more dimes per game. Nelson could struggle with the fact that Anderson is a good 6 inches taller than him, so he'd have to use his speed to beat him off the dribble and in transition. I think overall, Nelson would just win this duel, especially if it came down to free throws. Anderson's ability to shoot from the line in pressure situations was about as good as Bogut's ability to get through a successful media interview without being all awkward and saying some wack shit.
Guards: Anfernee Hardaway vs Jason RichardsonWell it would depend on whether Penny would be fit and healthy or not... actually fuck that Penny with a broken leg and half a dick would still dominate. I got love for J Rich and all but since he joined the Magic his game's been patchier than a 3 year old's colouring book. Good guy though. Penny's just a don. I still to this day think that minus the injuries, Penny could've matched Jordan. Jus saying.
Ewing would be so livid.
Forwards: Dennis Scott vs Hedo TurkogluAnother good shoot out.
Dennis Scott was a solid role player for the Magic and could drain a tre like it was nobody's business, however both players are pretty evenly matched in terms of points and shooting % from beyond the arc. It would depend on if we were talknig about 2008 finals Turkoglu, or the recently acquired 2/12 shooting Turkoglu thats managed to turn the whole of Toronto against him. I honestly got nothing but mad love for Turkey, so I think if he can find that player that he previsouly was with the Magic before he got traded to the Raptors, he'd have the ability to pull something special out of the hat and just out do Scott in this battle. Not by much though.
Forwards : Horace Grant vs Brandon BassBass was finding some golden form in the latter half of last year and became a reliable player for Van Gundy to turn to when Turkey or J Rich weren't producing the good stuff. But Horace wore goggles. He wins by default.
Centers: Shaquille O'Neal vs Dwight HowardThe showdown. The main event. What everyone came to see. The two beasts fighting for one prized catch. Superman vs Superman II. 29 & 11 vs 23 & 14. The blatantly arrogant vs ever so charming. The clash of the titans.
So who would win the matchup? Fuck, I dunno to be honest. I mean Shaq was only in his 3rd season of NBA at this point, so his game would probably have alot more of a rawness to it. Where as Dwight is heading into his 8th season and would probably have alot more of a refined and well-rounded game in terms of contributing on both ends of the court. But then again you look at Shaq's numbers, even at 3 years in and he's leading the NBA in scoring playing at the centre position which is pretty damn impressive. Not to mention that the legacy he left as one of the NBA's greatest centers is yet to be fucked with: 4 rings, NBA MVP, 3 finals MVP, 15 NBA all stars, 2 scoring championships... the list goes on. so as much as it pains me to say this, Dwight isn't quite there yet and I think even at this point in his career, the 94/95 Shaq would have him beat on game day.
Winner: Orlando Magic 94/95 teamSo there you have it, 3/5 key matchups won and the Orlando Magic 94/95 team runaway with it in the dying minutes, 101-96. Penny scores 31 and drops 15 dimes, Whilst Shaq contributes 26 and 12 and Horace chimes in with a sweet 17 points. Dwight knocks up 20 & 15 and Mr Richardson had one of his better outings with 23 points.
Its all good though, Dwight's a funny cunch and does mad good impersonations. Look who's got the last laugh now.
