After Orlando's choke job in Game 5 against Boston, Dwight Howard ripped on his coach Stan Van Gundy and, to an extent, his team about not getting the ball to the team's dominant player.  It was obviously a reference to himself and a demand for the ball.  While many people agreed, most notably Charles Barkley, the more pertinent issue was ignored.  What we should be asking is whether Dwight Howard really is that dominant or deserves the ball that often?  A closer looks reveals that in no way is he a dominant player nor is he a superstar.  In fact, Dwight Howard is the most overrated player in the NBA.

Howard complained that he only took ten shots in the game and that Orlando couldn't win that way.  While that would be true with a good post player, it just isn't with Dwight Howard.  D-Ho's game revolves around receiving a lob by the hoop and dunking it or getting an offensive rebound and dunking it.  You know else does this? Joakim Noah.  Obviously Howard is more explosive on the defensive end so he is better than Noah, but offensively he is no more developed than the People's Princess. 

Now the real question is whether or not the Magic are better with Dwight Howard taking more shots in a game.  As John Hollinger proved yesterday, they really aren't effected by the amount of Dwight Howard's shots.  For the year, Orlando won 72% of their games.  In games where Dwight Howard shot 10 or less shots (23 times), they won 69.6% of their games, which is almost equally as good.  On the year, Howard only averaged 12.4 shots a game.  Quite frankly, Dwight Howard wasn't a dominant player during the regular season either and Orlando was just fine.  Unless Dwight Howard suddenly shows some post moves, Orlando has no reason to change what has been the recipe for their success.

Dwight Howard is still a good player.  On the defensive end of the court, he is a game changer.  Offenses have to account for him at all times.  However, on offense, Howard is a non-factor.  Is he really any different than Josh Smith?  Both are popular, put on two of the best dunk contests ever, are great shot blockers and rebounders, and have no offensive game at all.  The only difference is that Howard is treated like a superstar, where as Josh Smith is treated like a normal every day player.  Howard is still only 23, so he has time to improve.  However, Orlando and NBA fans would like to see some progress from him by now and he hasn't shown any on the offensive end of the court.  He isn't a franchise player.  He isn't a superstar.  He is, though, the most overrated player in the NBA.