Dwight Howard, a four-time Defensive Player of the Year renowned for his physicality on both ends of the court, has urged San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama to shift his basketball playstyle. Howard, who made his name primarily with the Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Lakers, believes Wembanyama should abandon shooting a high volume of three-pointers and instead focus on dominating near the basket.
Howard’s perspective stems from his own career approach, which helped him secure a championship with the Lakers in 2020. He envisions Wembanyama’s immense 7-foot-5 frame being a force inside if he prioritized attacking the paint over taking long-distance shots.
Howard’s Criticism of Wembanyama’s Reliance on Three-Point Shots
Victor Wembanyama averaged 8.8 three-point attempts per game last season, a trend that Howard openly disapproves of. He voiced his frustration with the Spurs center’s preference for perimeter shooting instead of using his size and strength to overpower opponents inside. Howard stated,
“After you’ve already beaten them up for two quarters, they’re at your mercy, but don’t come into the game, ‘I’m shooting threes’”
— Dwight Howard.
By emphasizing dominance in the paint, Howard argued Wembanyama could better trouble opposing defenses and draw fouls, opening the opportunity to use his finesse skills more effectively later in games.
Kevin Garnett Questions the Shift Toward Stretch Big Men in the NBA
NBA legend Kevin Garnett also commented on Wembanyama’s approach and the broader trend of big men adopting more perimeter-oriented play. Garnett expressed uncertainty about whether this development benefits the future of the league. He noted,
“Before halftime he had like 6, 7 threes up. Normally that would be in a whole game. I only say that to say ‘where are we going with this?’…defense ain’t locked in ’til we get to the playoffs,”
highlighting concerns about defensive intensity and game style changes.
Wembanyama’s open-court shooting has contributed to a faster-paced game with more spacing, but this transformation raises questions about the traditional role of dominant interior defenders and scorers.
Howard Sees Modern NBA Style as a Compromise, Not Ideal
Dwight Howard described the current NBA environment as a blend that dilutes old-school physicality. He remarked,
“Now, the floor is so spread out people don’t want to leave shooters. It’s like a mix, it’s like a bad brand of basketball but it’s something we’ve never seen cause we got everybody trying to be like Golden State and them, but you don’t have the greatest shooter on your team.”
This expresses his unease with teams stretching the floor without consistent elite shooting, creating a style he finds less compelling.
Wembanyama’s Performance and the Road Ahead
Last season, Victor Wembanyama posted impressive numbers, averaging 24.3 points, 11 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 3.8 blocks, and 1.1 steals. As he gains experience, how he adapts his basketball playstyle will be closely watched. Dwight Howard’s challenge to embrace a more inside-dominant approach could influence the Spurs big man’s development and possibly alter perceptions about the ideal role of towering players in the NBA.
With increasing scrutiny on his shot selection and on-court impact, Wembanyama stands at a crossroads as debates continue over the evolution of big men’s play and the future style of professional basketball.