Josh Howard says the Wizards see him as a "natural-born leader"
by Mike Prada on Sep 20, 2010 4:01 PM EDT
in Player Analysis
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PrintI missed this over the weekend, but apparently Josh Howard did an interview with HoopsHype that was published last Saturday. In it, he said the following (emphasis mine).
They see a natural-born leader. They got a guy that loves to win games, loves to play, has a total enjoyment for the game... I appreciate that they gave me the chance and I will take advantage of it.
[...]Oh, talent-wise the sky is the limit for this team. It's a young team. Blatche, McGee, Nick Young, No. 1 pick John Wall and a host of other guys. These guys have tremendous upside. If we stay focused and stay dedicated to the game, the sky is the limit for them. I think that's one other reason they brought me in here - to be a leader. I think I can take those guys on the right path.
This cued the requisite scoffs from many out there on the Interwebs. ESPN Dallas' Jeff Caplan writes the Mavericks "might not be so quick to say yes" to Howard's words. Kelly Dwyer wrote, simply, that Howard was "hilarious, delusional." Meanwhile, Kyle Weidie at Truth About It got all philosophical about the nature of skepticism, deciding to give Howard a chance to follow up on his words.
I'm not going to get skeptical, per se, about Howard's language. We've all heard all sorts of wacky quotes from athletes that sounds pretty bad, but end up being benign or, better yet, coming to fruition. It's not like Howard said the Wizards were the best team in the NBA (like Rodney Stuckey did earlier today about the hapless Pistons). If he wants to believe he's a leader, then let him say he's a leader. He deserves us not mocking him.
This is my question, though: what do Howard's so-called followers think about him proclaiming himself as the guy who can take everyone on the right path? The thing is that Howard was the leader ... of the post-trade Wizards, a rag-tag group of players who drew motivation from playing for their futures. He infused ... something into that group, causing them to play inspired ball even though the team's season was over. That's not to be mocked.
But that's also not the Wizards that will take the floor next year. Next year's Wizards feature a point guard prodigy that needs to lead right away. They feature a high-scoring, talkative shooting guard that often can't help but put himself in the spotlight. They feature a power forward who has and will continue to see himself as the leader of the future Wizards already on the roster. In that setting, does it really help for Howard, who ohbytheway has just a one-year contract that he signed after nobody else was willing to offer him more than the minimum, to go in guns blazing (no pun intended) saying he's the a leader?
It's an honest question we need to ask. Without seeing it play out, my first instinct is to say "no."
UPDATE: As a couple people have pointed out, he said "a" leader, not "the" leader. Apologies for the confusion, but I don't see a big difference. It's still one guy proclaiming himself as someone who should be respected and followed before the mix of players has come together.
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My initial reaction
…was that he was making a reference again to when he first came to the Wizards and he tried to get his new teammates to believe they could be a playoff team. That he was not writing the season off based on their record at the time. How much the others on the team believed that is hard to say.
This is not his team to “lead” in part given his 1 yr contract on the team. His role in “leadership” on this team should be focused on setting a positive influence on the younger players on the team. He could also help teach the younger players by sharing his personal experiences of what obstacles they can/should avoid in their careers. Howard can be a leader on the team, just not the leader of the team.
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I don’t see anything wrong with Howard’s statement. My guess is he sees himself playing A leadership role, not so much THE leadership role.
There are going to be multiple leaders on this team. If there’s one player who establishes him as the alpha male in the locker room – by no means a sure thing – it’s also possible Josh Howard ends up as the guy. Here are the options for next season:
1. John Wall – This would be ideal, but he’s only a rookie.
2. Gilbert Arenas – He’s never wanted this role, nor has he succeeded when forced upon him.
3. Andray Blatche – I’ll believe it when I see it, but I’d love to see it.
4. Josh Howard – 1 year contract and coming off knee surgery, but otherwise perhaps the most willing and able
5. Kirk Hinrich – won’t get enough minutes
All of these players will lead, but there’s no guarantee any of them will establish himself as THE leader. But if one does, I don’t see why Howard is that much less likely than any other player.
Note that Howard isn’t saying per se that he’s a leader. He’s saying that team management think he’s a leader. Because Wiz team management always gets these sort of things right….
Nice how he hesitates to indicate Gil or Wall is the #1 guy. Looks like Howard’s “leadership” will entail making himself the #1 guy.
I didn't mention this in the post
But I’m concerned with his line about how he doesn’t think his game needs to change much. Then again, that’s how he always talks – he’s not big on talking basketball strategy in interviews.
John Wall is the leader of this team- already. He wants that role and acknowledged he demands it. And management is all too happy to support it. If Josh Howard is still smoking dope regularly, he has zero shot at being the leader of this team. You can only take a guy who’s regularly high so seriously. Nor does he have the contract status to command a leadership role. Nor has he been a leader in the past.
When I read it, I did not feel like laughing or rolling my eyes as I felt some did (eg, Kelly Dwyer), I felt he meant be a professional. He is here to be professional. Act professionally. Lead by example…that sort of thing. And I agree that the true professionals on a team are junior leaders. They are just not THE leader! That is John Wall! He will be running the show, and the whole team will live, die, and learn from his mistakes as he grows =)
by les boulez bomber on Sep 20, 2010 5:20 PM EDT reply actions
No real problem
Howard is working towards a future contract and his health this season is in doubt. At this stage in his career people want him to show leadership as he is getting older and can’t be relied upon to stay healthy. I feel the same way about as anyone that talks about their leadership, etc….It’s all talk till you see it in action. He’s just trying to make himself a more valuable commodity for whoever signs him next year. Nothing wrong with that.
Roles and responsibilities
There is only one leader of the team – and that needs to be established quickly. (BTW, this issue will be a recurring problem in Miami).
However, there can be leaders of certains functions such as getting all of the big men to box out., etc. For example, maybe Thorton or Boozer can get McGee and Blatche to get focused and coordinated on this issue.
Bult Wall is the leader of the team. Let’s see if Arenas and crew can give the keys to a 20 year old rookie. Based on the past treatment of rookies in Wizland, it goes against their natural inclinations.
multiple leaders
The idea that every team has one guy who carries the team on his shoulders is exaggerated. If you have a championship team you’re likely to have one player that’s transcendent in his ability on the court and in leadership qualities, so such a leader is likely to exist in those cases. But not every team has that. Wall could be that guy some day but he won’t be this season. The Wizards tried to get Arenas to be that guy but he never could be.
On many if not most teams, leadership responsibilities are going to be shared. One player may end up the most dominant, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t other players who heavily influence team culture.
by Johnnie Futbol on Sep 21, 2010 8:05 AM EDT up reply actions
Agreed
Sometimes I scratch my head at some of the “leader” talk around here. It’s far more complicated, subtle, and fluid than many posts seem to indicate.
Howard will display some valuable leadership qualities if he works hard and displays maturity. I think several of our young players need to mature, and having a team mate playing next to you and displaying maturity is a great plus. Whether Howard will be that great example is far from settled in my mind, however.
Whether Howard will be that great example is far from settled in my mind, however.
Yes, he proved over the 4 games last season he at least has the capacity, but to be that guy for an entire season is another question.
by Johnnie Futbol on Sep 21, 2010 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Better question, who will be the team captain/s this year.
I think its JHow and Hinrich
by forthepeople on Sep 21, 2010 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions
I doubt a guy who will be in street clothes at the beginning of the year will be the Captain
by BayAreaBullet on Sep 21, 2010 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions
John Wall
Seriously, he’s only 20 but a natural leader. Playing well wil help that ofcourse. If you dont pay attention, expect a ball in your face, if you score an ill advised tough shot, expect him to tell you about it. They will look at him for conformation after every play they make.
its a veterans league but he just has ‘it’
"If you don't shoot, you can't score"
Johan Cruijff
by Dutch Hoopfan on Sep 21, 2010 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Wow. Great question.
It never occurred to me who would be captain.
I really don’t think it can be rookie Wall, isn’t that a little silly to have a rookie in that position? Might be weird to have a new guy on the team who isn’t a starter be captain (Hinrich). Could it be Arenas? Blatche? That would be a joke. Howard? I’m sure the fans in Dallas would laugh at that.
It hadn’t really sunk in before how leaderless this team might be.
by MR on Sep 21, 2010 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Ok maybe JW isnt going to be captain
I might be going overboard on that one. Hes supposed to be carying the bags around for crying out loud lol. thing is tough that ‘team captain’ is a formal roll while team leadership is a natural process as noted by others. JW is natural leader and as he builds his stature the informal role of leadership will grow to be his quickly i think.
"If you don't shoot, you can't score"
Johan Cruijff
by Dutch Hoopfan on Sep 21, 2010 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Pick two
Hinrich and Blatche. The established, smart, hard-nosed, mature professional, and the longest-tenured guy who wasn’t in prison last year (he’s also the guy who lead the team in the most statistical categories last year). When Hinrich goes his merry way in 2012, Wall becomes captain.
I have a hard time imagining Blatche as a captain.
by MR on Sep 21, 2010 5:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe giving him responsebility does wonders for him
he was ‘the guy’ after the trades last season after all. Steadyhand might be right here
"If you don't shoot, you can't score"
Johan Cruijff
by Dutch Hoopfan on Sep 21, 2010 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Pardon me for a second
But i have to take time out to laugh my ass off at Rodney Stuckey. Were Wiz fans that naive last year? As for Howard, i would agree with his thoughts of himself as leader. He is a solid veteran who was a key part to a great team for a long time. He also plays hard nightly (when health permits). He doesn’t have to be a role model, just get the young guys to play hard
I for one have never thought my team couldn't win at the start of a game
Okay, maybe as a 30-something guy at the park, but not when I was actually playing competitively. It’s part of competitive pride and self-confidence. I’d bet 95% of pros think their team might win the championship at the beginning of the year. If our guys don’t think that, it’s a shame. I’m sure Josh believes that, and I love him for it. It’s that attitude that caused him to be the emotional leader of the team for 4 games last year. He has the fire, and that’s contagious.
Is anybody else incredibly amused by this question from the interviewer?
Why do you think the Wizards took a gamble on you? It’s not very common that a team makes an investment on a player that’s injured. Why do they have this confidence in you?
Howard’s one year investment is nothing compared to Gil’s 6 year.
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