Bill Fitch, who coached five NBA teams over three decades and is one of the league’s winningest coaches ever, gave a thumbs up to the Timberwolves recent acquisition of 34-year-old Juwan Howard. Fitch, 73, told Sports Headliners on Monday that trading guard Mike James and forward Justin Reed to Houston for the 6-foot-9 Howard adds much needed leadership to the Wolves. Fitch, who lives part of the year about one hour away from Houston near Montgomery, Texas, watched about 75 percent of the Rockets games last season on TV and said Howard is “a missing link in your chemistry and your locker room.”
Howard’s presence will help Kevin Garnett with team leadership. “He’s great in the locker room,” Fitch said about Howard. “He’s a great aide to a coach. His attitude is exemplary. He’s a winner all the way around. … I saw Minnesota play a lot last year and I thought they needed another leader out there, and he’s certainly that.”
Wolves vice president Kevin McHale was quoted about Howard’s value after the trade last week. “Juwan is a veteran low-post player who is a proven scorer and rebounder,” said McHale. “He will add needed depth to our front court, and with this move we are balancing out our roster. Juwan also provides a solid locker room presence. …”
Howard averaged 9.7 points (.465 field goal percentage, .824 free throw percentage), 5.9 rebounds and 26.5 minutes per game in 80 games (38 started) last season with Houston. He increased those averages to 13.6 points per game and 6.5 rebounds per game during the 32 games that Rockets’ center Yao Ming missed due to injury. Howard finished the season with nine double-doubles and recorded 10 or more rebounds in 11 games.
Fitch said Howard didn’t play much early in the season but when Yao was out Howard became a starter and “carried” the team. “I know Howard was worth every penny that Houston gave him last year,” Fitch said. “They wouldn’t have been in the playoffs without him.”
Fitch described Howard as a “scoring machine” when he was a younger player. Drafted fifth overall by Washington in 1994, Howard averaged 22.1 points per game during the 1995-96 season and made third team all-NBA. He has career averages of 16.1 points and 7.1 rebounds per game.
“He can still shoot the basketball and he can go to the foul line with the pressure on and make free throws,” Fitch said. “He can guard big people. He can take the center (spot). If you got somebody in foul trouble he can guard the power forwards and the centers. …He’s a utility player now instead of being the go-to guy. But if you’re bringing him off the bench at Minnesota, he could be like (Robert) Horry was to the Spurs.”
Fitch said Howard is capable of playing minutes at center, power forward and small forward. Howard might be used most effectively off the bench, where needed in game situations, Fitch added.