Is Superman Getting a Raw Deal?

If you polled casual NBA and sports fans as to who they thought would have the most technical fouls this season, most would probably say someone like Ron Artest or Amare Stoudemire or (depending on how casual) Rasheed Wallace. I don't think anyone would guess that big, goofy cornball Dwight Howard but somehow Superman became the first player this season to have to serve the mandatory suspension that comes with 16 techs (not surprisingly, the Magic lost without him in the middle).

Now, I get that Howard gets knocked around just like Shaq used to, and he does seem to complain a little bit more than he should, but could a guy that supposedly doesn't even swear really warrant that many T's? I've seen quite a few Magic games this season and Dwight seems to be far less animated than most star players in the league. Hell, Kobe curses out officials after almost every play that doesn't go his way. I know the NBA was cracking down on player reactions this season (thankfully not as strictly as they were early on when guys were getting tossed for sneezing too loud) but the leading vote getter in the All Star game, and possibly an MVP candidate should get a little bit of superstar treatment. It seems to me that Howard is developing a reputation amongst the refs that he bitches and moans too much and this is leading to the quick trigger on technicals, something that has happened to a long list of players from Sheed (who one year had 40)to Vernon Maxwell to Rodman. Only difference is those other guys were all huge assholes on (and in some cases off) the court. I'm not saying Dwight should be left alone but maybe the premier center in NBA basketball deserves a break.