Thanks a Lot Bruce Bowen! Says Dwight Howard "Lacks Mental Capacity"

While driving in to work today I tuned in to the local ESPN station for their widely-popular morning show. While there I stumbled on a conversation about the NBA, which is rare for this show, one of the hosts said something to the effect that the Orlanda Magic's Dwight Howard was 'getting by on his athletic ability'. This was in reference to the weaker points in Howard's all around game. Like most young players Howard still has room for inprovement. Regardless of how you slice it though, that is an offensive statement to make about any professional athlete let alone a guy who just became the only player in league history to lead the league in blocks and rebounds in successive years. Howard has also won the 2010 defensive player of the year award (DPOY), his second in as many years.

Reducing a player's accomplishments to athletic ability is an insult to that player. Increasingly though, the term is being used only to describe African American athletes and not in a flattering way. We hear about the great work ethic of Tyler Hansbrough, or how Drew Brees represents the spirit and hopes of the City of New Orleans. Conversely we hear that Dwight Howard and Brandon Marshall are beasts. We heard all during the draft how players like Tim Tebow and Colt McCoy were great locker room guys who will work hard and set an example for everyone else. Conversely, there was an issue with seemingly every African American player drafted and rarely, if ever, did we hear about their intelligence and/or passion for the game (though Dez Bryant was said to be a "Bad Man" but in a good way, by one of the commentators).

This colorful use of language in sports commentary is pervasive on the airwaves and is the reason I have abandoned  listening to any sports programming, anywhere, because there exists a devaluation of the hard work,  dedication, intelligence and commitment of African American athletes.

And oh, about Bruce Bowen. As I mentioned I was listening to this ESPN radio program and decided to send an email to share my thoughts on the statement that Dwight Howard was getting by on his athletic ability. I wanted to share my thoughts on how big of a dis that was and why I thought it was wrong. No one can be as successful as Dwight Howard is simply because they are athletic. You would expect the host of a national radio program to recognize this fact. Especially, a former athlete who worked hard and fused his athletic ability with hard work and a commitment to fine tuning the skills necessary to succeed at his position.

The hit against Howard is that his offensive game is limited and because of his immense athletic gifts, he should be able to do as well as Hakeem Olajuwon or Patrick Ewing. I am no sports authority, but I do not believe every seven-footer has the potential to be as sound offensively as those two first ballot hall of fame players. Howard dunks the ball a lot I know, however, is there a more high percentage shot than the dunk? If a layup counted two points and the dunk only one, I am sure Howard would shoot more layups. He has also incorporated a running one-hand shot across the lane to his repertoire. His offensive skills are irrelevant, since when does averaging 18 points, 13 rebounds and 3 blocks per game merit such scrutiny?

To be sure Howard has been in foul trouble during the playoffs but he is a physical player and perhaps the refs want to send a message about the physical play. Perhaps he was able to get away with these kinds of plays or maneuvers in the regular season and now has to start back at square one.

I highly doubt that its because of his "mental capacity" as Bruce Bowen stated during his visit to the same radio morning show. Bowen was a terrific on the ball defender in the NBA, however that hardly makes him an expert on guys like Howard who patrol the lanes and erase shots from underneath the basket. Bowen said a lot of unflattering things about Howard to include questioning his work ethic and commitment to improvement. Remarkable, considering he lead a team to the finals last year and is a member of the only team to sweep its first round opponent in the playoffs.

I enjoy every major American sport and follow each championship team or individual champion annually. I enjoyed the Winter Olympics and women's gymnastics is one of my favorite sporting events. What I believe all of these athletes have in common is a commitment to excellence and hard work. I refuse to believe any of them reached the championship level on athletic ability alone.