If you go back and look, Lowry creeps closer and closer and then looks like he might have reached down and flashed Goran right at the end of the video to see if he could crack him in the middle of a serious interview. I think that's why Kyle snickered, and why Goran seemed to be holding back some laughter.
I'll be bummed out when he leaves, but I won't hold a grudge against him. Somebody will no doubt offer more than us and offer him a starting job. Good for him, I just hope he doesn't sign in Portland now because that's pretty low of them to ask him that while he's still playing here.
You are reading too much into it. The question caught him off guard and he was uncomfortable... Lowry wants to start, I am sure he wonders what is going to happen... he doesn't want to go back to getting under 30 minutes a game.... Dragic wants to get 30 minutes and start...... I think it is all going to come down to money. Portland throwing a lot of money at Dragic is taking a big risk, Dragic has confidence issues in the past and has been playing at an 18/9 level for only about 20 games.... other players in the past have reverted back after a hot streak.... do the Blazers want to hand 5/50 to a guy that may not play this well in the future?... it is a big risk. Last, other than money, would Dragic want to play for a disfunctional organization like Portland?
I dont know...I mean I dont think that was it at all. I dont think kyle would be laughing. Morey said he wants goran, Mcale praises him like crazy...and Sampson said hes his favorite player in the nba. The team loves him. I dont think there would be a inside joke about him staying (like no way)...if that was the case. I think its more...my priority is to stay.
I mean there is no one better on FA that we want to keep...plus portland has to worry about keeping batum. What would our cap situation be if we signed Lee to the full MLE and gave dragic 7-8 mil a year?
He said, "I feel great in Houston, so hopefully I'm gonna stay in Houston." Thought it was funny that Lowry was in the background, clearly listening to Dragic. I really think the two of them can co-exist nicely. Their games are very different, and Dragic can play the 2, just as well as anyone we have on our roster. You really don't want to let either player get away if you can help it. You really can build around these two.
I'm no cap expert, but if we pick up team options on Dalembert, Budinger, and Patterson in addition to signing Lee for the MLE, I think that leaves us with about 12 million to work with. Keep in mind that if Motiejunas comes over, he's got to fit into the equation somewhere too. Maybe, just maybe, Morey would let Dalembert go (his team option is 6.7M, of which a small amount is guaranteed) if DMo were in the fold.
THIS. If Dragic wants to stay, Morey will show him the money. Just keep playing lights out like he has been the past month...
I have to say though, it is beyond annoying that before, during, and even after the game the Portland announcers and journalists kept clearly showing their love for Dragic and talking about the Blazers signing him in the offseason. They even went so far as to say during the game: "Calm down guys, you'll be teammates next year..." WTF?! Did I miss something? Dragic is from Slovenia, what freaking ties does he have to Portland? This isn't Melo to NY, or Deron to Dallas. Jeez that was pissing me off...
As much sympathy as i have for Portland (which is an organization that has had more bad luck than any i can think of), this is really just a symptom of desperation. They are desperate. Plain and simple, they are looking for a reason to be optimistic about the future. Very unprofessional for their commentators to say that though. I pity them
Looking at goran's eyes it didnt look like he glanced at lowry. i guess he could have used his peripheral vision, but would lowry flash him without knowing if he'd be caught on camera? Lowry's facial gestures also seemed to be in response to the questions asked. His last expression also started before he reached down. Seemed like the expression cracked Goran more than his action. I think they probably both know Dragic's going to leave.
Morey was trying to ship him out at the start. I don't know why any players would show loyalty to the rockets since the rockets show zero loyalty to their players.
Well, I'm not going to get into a debate about whether the flash actually happened, especially since it's total conjecture on my part, but I really do think Kyle was just trolling Goran by eavesdropping (while partly naked). I'm personally not reading into it any further than that.
Was Lowry trying not to laugh after Dragic said, "Hopefully I'm gonna stay in Houston"? I love it. More competition is a good thing.
