Van Gundy:Critics are hard on Howard then LeBron

[Stuck like Stuckey]

Magic coach Stan Van Gundy believes that center Dwight Howard is blamed too harshly for the team's struggles.

"I don't dispute that he has room to grow, but I do wonder why he gets harsher criticism than guys like LeBron James," Van Gundy said.

"Dwight's gotten his team as far as LeBron has."

Both the Cavaliers and Magic have advanced to the NBA Finals and lost in recent years.

Ultimately, Van Gundy believes that Howard isn't treated the same as the league's other elite players because his impact is largely on the defensive end.

"Players in this league are judged by their offense, and their offense only."

Read more: RealGM: Basketball Wiretap Archives: Van Gundy: Critics Are Harder On Howard Than LeBron

Howard still needs to work on his post game, no matter what Van Gundy says, I think everyone can agree that he is a two time defensive player of the year. But he obviously needs improvement on offense to get his team through the post season unless he has Carlos Boozer or Pau Gasol next to him.

[Dynasty]

The Celtics are just a very tough defensive team.