MMPG: Player of the Week

Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic

MVP voters are like kryptonite. (Photo by Victor Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)

Orlando Magic assistant coach Patrick Ewing used the "big man" card in explaining why Dwight Howard isn't mentioned as a leading most valuable player candidate. You have to wonder what Howard has to do to enter the conversation, since he leads the league in rebounding (14) and blocked shots (2.9) and has Orlando in third place in the Eastern Conference.

Howard averaged 23.3 points and 15.3 rebounds and won head-to-head matchups against leading MVP candidates Dwyane Wade and LeBron James. Orlando went 3-1 last week, with Howard scoring 22 points with 18 rebounds against Miami and getting 21 points and 23 rebounds -- his ninth 20/20 games of the season -- against his hometown Atlanta Hawks.