The 2013 All-Star Game, which will be held in Houston, Tex., the home of the Rockets, has changed the format of its ballot to include just three frontcourt positions, instead of two forwards and one center. This has Dwight Howard in an uproar.
After being put in his place earlier in the season by Shaquille O'Neal, who stated that Howard is not a true big man, but an evolving forward who can play both down low and even around the perimeter, Howard is still adamantly against how some see him.
"I don't like it at all, we work just as hard as anybody else," Howard said. "I don't think it's fair to take away a position which has been here for life. You need a center on the court. So I don't think it's right. That's like taking away a guard. That's how I feel. It's been that way since they started All-Star Games, so why change it now? Because centers shoot 3's now?"
The center position is rapidly evolving, like the other positions on the court, with players taking on different roles depending on situations, man coverage, or the entire style of offense. Howard's stance is that because centers are becoming more versatile, all the more reason they should be included.
"The game changes every day," he said. "It changes every year. You look at the game back then and now, centers are bigger, stronger, faster. Guards are bigger, stronger, faster. So the game evolves. That doesn't mean you take out a position because of the game evolving, because the players that play center are evolving also."
Valid point, but its just the All-Star game, Dwight. It doesn't matter, it just looks good on the resume. Play well enough, you're going to make it anyway, who cares if you don't make it as a center and instead as a forward? He's one of the premier big men in the NBA, and should embrace his new role. Instead of spending his time wallowing over this, he should concern himself more with adapting to the new Lakers offense, who are off to a 1-3 start.
