Dwight Howard Should Be Considered the No. 1 2012 Free Agent Without Question

Dwight Howard is the most dominant big man in the game. Point, blank, period. 

If you don't think he is, just stop reading now before your stupidity rubs off on other readers. 

Clearly, the 2011 free agent class does not have the same amount of talent as last years that included the likes of Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh, who miraculously all ended up on the same team.

Do not expect any of the marquee free agents this year to sign to the same team.

Likewise, the 2012 free agent class doesn't have the same talent, and we probably can't expect a Big Three Repeat. Therefore, teams have to pick between marquee stars.

I am specifically addressing those who believe Chris Paul should be sought after before Howard.

Don't get me wrong, Chris Paul is one of, if not the best point guard in the game today (that's a different discussion for another article). But despite the common belief, at the end of the day, it is big men that win championships.

Teams are more likely to win with mediocre guard play than they are without a solid inside presence.

Truth be told, that's what hurt the Heat in the NBA Finals as Dirk torched them from every spot on the floor, but especially with his post play.

That's why I do not agree with the notion that teams, especially the Lakers, should go after CP3 before Dwight Howard.

Just look at the champions of the past in the NBA. It has been rare that a team wins without a dominant inside force, yet there have been plenty of teams to win without a great point guard.

If the Lakers do acquire Dwight Howard, I assure you all the guards blowing by Derek Fisher will not be noticed as much when they get their shot thrown into the stands.

Yes, the Lakers already have Bynum, but once again we come back to the fact that Dwight Howard is the MOST DOMINANT BIG MAN in the game today.

Not only that, but he's in the prime of his career.

Like I said before, CP3 is one of the best in the league. But the NBA is definitely shifting away from your typical pure point guard. 

Just look at the likes of John Wall, Derrick Rose and Russell Westbrook. Point guards are being looked to more and more to finish at the rim and score as well as facilitate an offense.

There is nobody in the league who can run an offense like CP3, but often times, that's no longer enough.

You can build a team around Dwight Howard, like the Magic did, and still be able to compete in the playoffs. Howard and company even reached the Finals with a team of shooters surrounding him.

But in New Orleans, Chris Paul and his team were not once considered contenders, and he had a better supporting cast with all star talent like David West and role players like James Posey alongside him.

Because of all these things, it just does not make sense to me when people try and argue in favor of Chris Paul. 

It seems to me the clear No. 1 2012 free agent is Dwight Howard, not that Chris Paul is a bad second option.

You just can't shy away from the talent, size and charisma of the big man inside.