Yao when healthy would dominate Dwight. His post game was far superior and while he is not as great a shotblocker/rebounder, he probably was just as good a defensive player (every team Yao played on was a top 5 defense in the league including the Adelman teams as well as teams which had Mo Taylor, Juwan Howard and Luis Scola starting alongside him).
Wait, Shaq was 33 during his Miami championship season, and he was 17/7, not 20/9. Duncan was 18/10 when he was 33.
Steve has hinted on a lot of stuff in the past, but I can not recall him ever breaking a story, or releasing any inside info. I do recall him talking about the season ticket holder breakfast and how JVG was very approachable, but maybe I missed Stevie breaking a story or two. DD
Here's how close it was. If Dwight hadn't signed the agreement to opt in, he would be a Houston Rocket right now. For those of you that keep saying there is no way, where else do you think he would have been going if he hadn't opted in? Only a fraction of what takes place behind the scenes is ever reported.
According to the NY Post this morning, Orlando told him they'd trade him to the Lakers for Bynum if he didn't opt in. Who know how accurate their info (or Feigen's info) is.
Don't believe that for a second. Only way Lakers would've traded Bynum is if Howard agreed to an extension.
Wow, NY is really stupid. Do you think Howard would take that as a threat? Getting to play in LA with two other stars would have been a dream come true for him regardless of what Kobe may have said. NY is hating like they always do because no one wants their crap. I'm sure many NY fans started wondering why would the Magic trade with Houston when they have two stars to pick from. Our assets have value...well enough value to rent Dwight for 1/3 of a season.
BTW - I do think it benefits the Rockets with their fans if they leak that they were CLOSE to getting Howard. Seems like a bit of PR from them to me. GOSH WE WERE SO CLOSE...keep it on the down low though..... Knowing full well that it will leak out and make them look good because of it. Just my .02. DD
What benefit do they derive from leaking this? Some fan is gonna buy tickets for the next home game after hearing that the Rockets got close to, but did not, acquire Dwight Howard?
If you think the Rockets aren't seriously trying to get on the Howard train like it's the last chopper outta 'Nam, then you're fooling yourself.
Orlando likely would have wanted to talk to Gasol or Bynum in return for granting LA a discussion with Howard. If that's the case LA would hold back because neither of them would say they want to play for the Magic. Orlando doesn't want to go through the same thing with four stars in a row (counting Shaq).
For a guy that has pretty good basketball acumen, your foggy misconstrued assessment of how the front office has performed amazes me.
