Dwight Howard Frustrated With Orlando’s Perimeter Defense

Dwight may be the reigning two-time Defensive Player of the Year, but he can’t guard everyone on the court simultaneously. Hear that, perimeter defenders in Orlando? From the Sentinel: “The Orlando Magic’s locker room had a weird vibe after the game. Half the team had left by the time the media came in, and the players that were there and spoke to the media — Dwight Howard, Jameer Nelson, Quentin Richardson and Gilbert Arenas — were decidedly somber (well, except for Arenas, who doesn’t seem bothered by much), more so than after other recent losses. It appears [last night’s] 103-96 loss to the lowly Detroit Pistons — in which the Magic’s perimeter defense was their primary downfall — really stung. And it showed, especially with Dwight Howard. ‘Either we get it together or we’re just going to be a playoff team that doesn’t win a championship,’ Howard said. ‘Guys got to guard on the perimeter, got to do a better job. It just can’t be one dribble to the basket. So you got to do a better job.’ Howard’s teammates know he’s frustrated and know they must improve on defense. There were no jokes, no impersonations and no friendly banter with Howard in the locker room — he appeared quite bothered by the loss. ‘He was frustrated tonight overall,’ Gilbert Arenas said of Howard. ‘I think easy plays that should’ve been made to him weren’t getting to him, and that kind of frustrates a guy who’s been dominating for the last month.’ The players on the perimeter took responsibility for the loss.”