I'm quite sure at this point, Dwight's people's ONLY answer to the public is that he likes several teams. Even if he doesn't. I trust info before FA regarding Harden/Parsons' talks with Howard more than I do what's leaked these days. In the end, if it's a basketball decision, it has to be the Rockets. We are basically similar to GSW except better. The Mavs and the Lakers are similar in that they can only sell Howard on the future. But in this case, surely Howard would prefer future and opportunities in LA vs. in Dallas. In the end, just as everyone has suggested, it logically should come down to Houston and LA.
I fear what will happen with Love. He will demand a max contract and a lot of teams will pay it. But, the thing about the max contract, you should be able to carry your team to the promise land. Love can't even carry his team to the playoffs. Have him take a pay cut and play next to a max guy, and he will be one of the scariest dudes on the court. His talent level is amazing. I just think that his future contract will limit his next team's ability to build a contender. Much like Joe Johnson. I will say that now. Kevin Love will be the next Joe Johnson.
What else is frustrating is people can't seem to tell the difference between when he shares INFORMATION and when he shares his OPINION. Huge difference. When he shares his OPINION, he tends to get jumped on. So many fail to actually READ the posts and comprehend them before reacting. Also, when he shares INFORMATION that may not be what we as Rocket fans want to hear, some are challenging him... as thought it is his OPINION...lol. Just unreal. Is it that difficult to tell the difference? Really?
Well, let's see. First the earth cooled. And then the dinosaurs came, but they got too big and fat, so they all died and they turned into oil. And then the Arabs came and they bought Mercedes Benzes. And Prince Charles started wearing all of Lady Di's clothes. I couldn't believe it. Then Dwight Howard decided to sign with the RGV.
Harden could actually double his assists with Howard. There were a lot of passes thrown to Asik last season that were fumbled away. Just imagine if that were Howard waiting on those passes.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>In Atlanta and Golden State presentations today, Dwight Howard camp considered both coaches, Mike Budenholzer and Mark Jackson, impressive.</p>— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/statuses/351927524424564737">July 2, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Is McHale holding us back?
Bad rebuttal. Kobe averaged more assits than Harden last year. But I don't think Harden needs or demands the ball as much as Kobe does.
Is there any chance that this thread could get 1000 pages? We basically just passed day 1 of free agency and are already at 115 or so. Looong time until July 10... :0
Edit: Nevermind, but in case you missed it... http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba--n...zzlies--pacers--bucks--knicks-234954522.html; The Houston Rockets told Atlanta Hawks free-agent forward Josh Smith during their meeting Monday in Los Angeles that they will make him a contract offer if they don’t sign Los Angeles Lakers free-agent center Dwight Howard, a league source told Yahoo! Sports. Smith understood the Rockets' position and wasn't offended. Smith hasn't met with the Atlanta Hawks, who could pursue a sign-and-trade deal to get something in return for him. Smith also met with the Detroit Pistons for about five hours after the free-agent market open. He could speak to other teams. – Marc Spears, 12:40 a.m. ET, July 2
James Harden is worth max. He had quite a support group to allow the Rockets to get 8th and final seed in the playoffs. I can make the argument that last year's Love did not have the same supporting cast as Harden did this season. A star should be able to carry a team to the playoffs without a 2nd star. But he still needs good role players. David Lee is like Rudy Gay level.
I dont know if you can say 'just fine' Gasol was fine with being a 'beta' male in that relationship and Kobe ran Shaq out of town otherwise he would have had at least 7-8 rings by now Yes you lose him for nothing - meaning ZERO as in ZERO dollars to be paid - would the team rather pay Bogut and Klay/Barnes upwards of 40 million (after the Luxury tax again) while its great that Bogut is a free agent next season all that means is that the Lakers would have received ONE young player who can be a really good complimentary player and have their cap space further reduced in 2014. You would take Barnes of course - it would be stupid to take Klay when you still have Kobe on that squad. Is Barnes worth Howard? Of course not. Even if first round picks came along they would be high first round picks - which would be not as good for the Lakers unless they had them be first round picks in 10 years with it being guaranteed lotto picks (like Toronto's) -- again all this for the privelege to pay Bogut and Barnes around 40 million (30 of that going to Bogut) for one season. On top of that a season where the Lakers would prefer to rebuild and add in a lotto pick from the deep 2014 rookie class. Let Dwight go - save 40 million dollars, save even more money by amnestying Gasol - let Kobe fully rehab, hell have Nash "retire" for a reason or trade him for future picks and space -- tank like crazy - get a top 5-6 pick, sign 1-2 big FAs first - resign kobe on the cheap - get vets to sign for the minimum. The Lakers will be able to sign someone big in 2014 - it is LA thats for sure. If they get Bogut and Barnes they remain competitive - get a lower draft pick and pay a lot of money since they would keep Gasol (maybe) Either way in this situation its far better for the Lakers to let Dwight walk over a sign and trade - at least with Golden State where they need to take a large contract back to make salaries match. If Houston or GS offered multiple draft picks and a TPE then the lakers would accept that but GS cannot offer that
Methinks Dwight was impressed by Mark Jackson's Christian attitude, and for Coach Bud it was the XO's he learned from Pop.
