NBA Playoffs 2017: 5 keys to Wizards vs. Hawks matchup
By John Buhler
2. How many rebounds does Dwight Howard want this April?
Though many ridiculed it, Atlanta’s decision to sign hometown hero in center Dwight Howard and let perennial All-Star Al Horford walk in 2017 free agency has made Atlanta more formidable in the frontcourt. While has his limitations offensively, he gives Atlanta serious bite on the glass and low-post scoring they never really got out of Horford.
Atlanta made it a point to get more physical around the rim. Howard had a solid first year with the Hawks, as he averaged 13.5 points, 12.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. He set a franchise record for field goal percentage in a season at 63.3. Though most of those shots can on lobs from point guard Dennis Schroder, Howard came close to making his ninth trip to the NBA All-Star Game.
That being said, he came back to Atlanta to help his hometown team win and contend for NBA Championships. This isn’t the Hawks year to win it all, as they’d be an underdog in every series they’d play the rest of the way. However, his ability to pummel opponents on the glass gives Atlanta more hope than the Hawks have had in years for a deep playoff run.
If Howard helps Atlanta win on the glass in every game of this series, then Atlanta can upset division rival Washington to play the winner of the No. 1 vs. No. 8 series in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Averaging 20 rebounds per game in round one would be incredible, but Howard needs to average 15 boards a game for Atlanta to have a realistic shot at pulling off the slight No. 4 vs. No. 5 upset.