Howard’s ‘going to get better,’ says McHale

Dwight Howard Photo by Celest Flores/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Dwight Howard showed flashes of his dominant form in just his second game with his new team Houston Rockets.

Howard worked the post against Pacers big man Roy Hibbert and at one stretch in the first quarter, he was having his way against the taller Hibbert.

The six-foot-11 Howard had nine points, three rebounds and a block in limited minutes but his head coach Kevin McHale was pleased with how his prized center played.

“He got off to a good start and defensively he was really good. I sat him the entire second quarter I was going to play him a little bit more in the second half but then he got really stiff. He, physically, is in a good spot,” McHale said of Howard during the post-game press conference after the Rockets beat the Pacers, 116-96, in the first ever preseason game in Manila held at the Mall of Asia Arena Thursday night.

“I think he’ll get acclimated with how we play and how we run and all that stuff but I think it’s going to take a few more weeks,” added McHale.

Howard missed games with the Los Angeles Lakers last season due to a shoulder injury but slowly and surely, he is getting his game back.

“I really like what I see out of him and he’s the most dominant big man right now in the NBA and Dwight’s as good as it gets at the center position and Dwight’s going to get better.”