Former Houston Rockets legend makes questionable claims about his tenure with the team

Revisionist history obscures our perception of reality. We would all like to control the narrative. We should not seek to control it at the expense of the truth.

Yet we have probably all been guilty of practicing revisionist history at times. No, that’s not why we broke up: This that’s why we broke up. It had nothing to do with my flaws.

Recently, a former Houston Rockets legend engaged in revisionist history. Dwight Howard has some thoughts on why his partnership with James Harden was (relatively) unsuccessful.

It seems that it has nothing to do with him.

“I think Daryl didn’t really like James and I together for some strange reason because I was always known as a dynamic player in the pick-and-roll with whoever the guard was. So when I came in in Houston, that wasn’t the case, no more pick-and-rolls between me and James.”

– Dwight Howard

It’s interesting. Luckily for Howard, we have a way to verify his claims. It turns out that this may have some validity.

In 2015-16, the Rockets ran the fewest pick-and-rolls per game, resulting in a field goal attempt for the roll man (4.8). We can’t comment on Howard’s other seasons with the team – that’s as far back as the stats go.

Still, there is at least some evidence that the Rockets did not want to use Howard as a regular pick-and-roll partner for Harden. It’s also worth noting that the following season, the Rockets ranked fifth in pick-and-rolls, which led to one basket for the roll (8.5).

But it should also be noted that the Rockets changed coaches between seasons. Mike D’Antoni may be the most pick-and-roll-oriented head coach in NBA history. Was it Morey holding Howard back, or was it Kevin McHale?

Or was it Howard himself?

This is where we question the legitimacy of Howard’s claims.

At the time, all the buzz suggested that Howard wasn’t just operating as a lobman. It was said he wanted more post-up possessions.

Howard actually said it. He said he wanted the ball more in Houston. We can only assume he wasn’t looking to handle the ball in pick-and-roll sets – Howard wanted the ball in the post.

That’s concerning, considering he led the NBA in post-touchdowns in 2015-16. It seems unlikely that Daryl Morey wouldn’t want Howard to finish pick-and-rolls. He then hired a pick-and-roll wizard to coach his team and luckily started a big man who did nothing else on offense for years after Howard in Clint Capela.

Howard is of course entitled to his side of the story.