Peak Alonzo Mourning or Peak Dwight Howard

[ShaqAttack3234]

I mean Howard's peak thus far vs Mourning's peak, not a prediction of how good Howard could be.

2000 Alonzo Mourning
Regular Season- 21.7 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 1.6 apg, 3.7 bpg, 0.5 spg, 2.7 TO, 55.1 FG%, 71.1 FT%, 3.9 PF, 34.8 mpg, 79 games
Playoffs- 21.6 ppg, 10 rpg, 1.4 spg, 3.3 bpg, 0.2 spg, 2.4 TO, 48.4 FG%, 66.7 FT%, 4 PF, 37.6 mpg, 10 games

Notable games
43 points, 16 rebounds, 5 blocks, 13/14 FG, 17/24 FT in a win vs New Jersey
37 points, 11 rebounds, 8 blocks, 15/23 FG, 7/10 FT in a win vs Sacramento

Playoffs
20 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists and 9 blocks on 9/16 shooting to open up the first round with a win over Detroit
29 points, 13 rebounds and 5 blocks on 12/20 shooting in a game 7 loss during the Eastern Division Semi-Finals vs the Knicks.

1st in blocks, 3rd in FG%, 11th in rebounding and 15th in scoring

Defensive Player Of The Year, All-NBA Second Team, 3rd in MVP voting

52-30 record, 2nd in the Eastern Conference, lost in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals.

The Team's defensive rating was 101(7th in the league), they allowed 91.3 ppg(4th in the league) and opponents shot 42.2%(2nd in the league)

2009 Dwight Howard
Regular Season- 20.6 ppg, 13.8 rpg, 1.4 apg, 2.9 bpg, 1 spg, 3 TO, 57.2 FG%, 59.4 FT%, 3.4 PF, 35.7 mpg, 79 games
Playoffs- 20.3 ppg, 15.3 rpg, 1.9 apg, 2.6 bpg, 0.9 spg, 2.9 TO, 60.1 FG%, 63.6 FT%, 4.4 PF, 39.3 mpg, 23 games

Notable games
45 points, 19 rebounds, 8 blocks, 16/23 FG, 13/18 FT in a win vs Charlotte
32 points, 21 rebounds, 3 assists, 11/15 FG, 10/18 FT in a win vs Indiana
30 points, 19 rebounds, 3 assists, 10 blocks, 12/21 FG, 6/13 FT in a win vs OKC

Playoffs
Opened up the playoffs with 31 points and 16 rebounds on 11/13 shooting and 9/12 from the line in a game 1 loss to Philadelphia
36 points, 11 rebounds and 3 blocks on 12/16 shooting and 12/14 from the line in a game 3 loss to Philadelphia
24 points and 24 rebounds on 8/14 shooting and 8/12 from the line in a game 5 victory vs Philadelphia
23 points, 22 rebounds and 3 blocks on 9/16 shooting and 5/12 from the line in a game 6 victory over Boston in the Eastern Division Semi-Finals
30 points and 14 rebounds on 14/20 shooting in a game 1 win over Cleveland in the Eastern Conference Finals
27 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assist and 3 blocks on 10/16 shooting and 7/9 from the line in a game 4 victory over Cleveland. Howard scored 10 points in overtime
40 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists on 14/21 shooting and 12/16 from the line in the clinching game 6 vs Cleveland.
16 points, 21 rebounds and a finals record 9 blocks on 5/12 shooting and 6/14 from the line in a game 4 loss vs the Lakers

1st in rebounding, 1st in blocks, 4th in FG% and 18th in scoring

Defensive Player Of The Year, All-NBA First Team, 4th in MVP voting

59-23 record, 3rd in the Eastern Conference, Lost in the Finals

The team had a defensive rating of 101.9(best in the league), they allowed 94.4 ppg(6th in the league) and opponents shot 43.3% against them(3rd in the league)

My analysis

Offense- both players produced at similar levels, however Mourning was more skilled with better moves including a fadeaway in the post, a face up jumper and a jump hook that was more consistent than Howard's. He was also one of the quicker centers when he faced up and I'd say a better passer(though Mourning wasn't a standout passer). On the other side, Howard was a much better rebounder which created scoring opportunities, and his superior athleticism made him available for more alley oops. Like Mourning, Howard could also face up and drive to the basket or hit a running hook with either hand and occasionally a nice spin move. However, Mourning's footwork was better. But Howard did get teams into foul trouble more frequently.

Defense- Both were the best shot blockers in their respective seasons, but Mourning was even better. Both were intimidating presences who changed games even without blocking a shot because they contested everything combined with long wingspans. However, that also made both of them foul prone. Mourning was a superior post defender as well, IMO, but Howard's rebounding can't be ignored. It also has to be mentioned that Mourning played with better defenders including a legit power forward who was a good defensive player and rebounder. But rebounding is part of defense and Howard easily wins there.

Conclusion- Howard may have had a more successful season, but I think Mourning was a little better due to his more polished game, that's really the difference here because it's close.

[lukekarts]

Mourning was slightly better... more effective in his prime... however Dwight is only 24 and I don't think we've seen his best season yet.

[Bladers]

Conclusion- Howard may have had a more successful season, but I think Mourning was a little better due to his more polished game, that's really the difference here because it's close.

How foolish...

Anyways, what is their season FG attempt?

[Rose]

Good post and question. I thought Mourning hands down, but then read this. and was like hmm...interesting. I'm going to Mourning, by just a little bit.

[Bladers]

Good post and question. I thought Mourning hands down, but then read this. and was like hmm...interesting. I'm going to Mourning, by just a little bit.

Are you also deceived?

[ronnymac]

Alonzo would break you're nose if you went up against him while Dwight will probaly just smile at you. Zo was a tough SOB who took no nonsense from anyone.Plus Zo atleast had a pretty realiable jumper on him along with some good low post scoring ability with a few moves and had a nice hook shot.

[2LeTTeRS]

Their impact on the court was pretty much equal, but Zo was a much more skilled offensive player while being slightly worse on the boards and equal on D. If I'm buiding a team I take Zo.

[MasterDurant24]

Mourning was a better defensive and offensive player, while Howard was the better rebounder.

[Sarcastic]

Dwight Howard has not hit his peak, so you can't say yet. If you just go by what he has done so far, then Mourning is slightly better, but that is unfair since you can look at Alonzo's entire career, and we only have the first few years for Dwight.

Dwight Howard is only 24 years old. He has not even gotten his man body yet. When he hits 27-28, then you can start making the comparison.

[Bladers]

All you fools need to take your sunglasses off and look closely at their stats!!!

[ShaqAttack3234]

Alonzo would break you're nose if you went up against him while Dwight will probaly just smile at you. Zo was a tough SOB who took no nonsense from anyone.Plus Zo atleast had a pretty realiable jumper on him along with some good low post scoring ability with a few moves and had a nice hook shot.

I agree that Zo is more intense which is the other thing that gives him the edge, but Dwight hands out plenty of hard fouls and has been called a dirty player by some.

Dwight Howard is only 24 years old. He has not even gotten his man body yet. When he hits 27-28, then you can start making the comparison.

Hopefully, he can still get better. Working with Olajuwon couldn't have hurt, but he did take a step backwards last season after improving in each of his first 5 years.

[Bladers]

Alonzo would break you're nose if you went up against him while Dwight will probaly just smile at you. Zo was a tough SOB who took no nonsense from anyone.Plus Zo atleast had a pretty realiable jumper on him along with some good low post scoring ability with a few moves and had a nice hook shot.

Dwight is a christian, so no. He is not a cocky arrogant SOB..
and yes he will smile and still dunk on your ass.

[MasterDurant24]

All you fools need to take your sunglasses off and look closely at their stats!!!

We don't need stats to know who's better.

[BFRESH44]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLPpvSkbRjc

Big Zo all day.

[Alonzo Magic]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLPpvSkbRjc

Big Zo all day.