Yes bev would change his number lol... no question 12 is part of Howards marketing. There would be no hesitation and morey wouldnt even ask before agreeing to it with Howard lol.
First off- Thanks Cyberx for filling us in on what you are hearing. Its still amazing to me that you can get better insider info on here than you can actually PAYING for supposive "insider" information from the largest sports broadcasting company in the entire world. Secondly- Based on my high-level understanding of the sport agency world, and Im sure Cyberx would admit himself, that there is almost more mis-information coming to them than there is legitimate information as communication goes between agents, professional sports front offices, agency to agency, and sometimes the athletes themselves. You can think of it like a game of poker. You know that the person is doubling their bets, or checking, but you really have no idea if they are bluffing to push someone else out, or they are legitimately all-in. That being said, its no surprise that there are people pulling Dwight in different places, and im sure its quite frustrating for Dwight the person to tell who really has his best interests in mind. I wouldn't be surprised if an agent switch was potentially in play as well... especially if Brooklyn is absolutely out of the question at this point. From the Lakers front office perspective, I can see why they want at least a verbal commitment now. The timing is crucial because if Dwight isn't going to sign in LA, they might be looking to clean house with draft night trades. There could be teams inquiring about taking Pau or Metta off of their hands in a trade, and Dwights decision will definitely impact what direction they take next year. Definitely understandeable that they are pushing for answers, and is a sign that they could potentially clean house a year early this Summer if Dwight leaves. Anyways, good stuff Cyberx, and let us know whatever else you hear.
Ummm....we'd already have Harden, who qualifies as a third "semi-star" at least. If you think we're going to land a fourth "semi-star" (I would say Parsons will be a semi-star in 3 years or so, but we'd lose him in 2 years or so if we got CP3 and Dwight) that is not already on the roster, then you need to put down the crack pipe...
Those questions have all been answered already. The money difference is miniscule. And when you factor in cost of living then he comes out ahead in Texas, no doubt. There are 3 primary differences that should be focused on: 1. Which team with Dwight has the best opportunity over the next 4-9 years to win championships? (This is the single question that Dwight has stated is going to be the basis of his decision. I guess we'll see if he was telling the truth or not. His agent, a man who really doesn't care about winning and losing, is trying to convince him that he's better off not coming to Houston because Morey can't build a winner here. But underneath it all is the true motive. It slipped out in cyberx's post. Fegan is still trying to get Dwight to BROOKLYN! I think his agent is going to attempt to pull off another underhanded deal similar to the Joe Smith/TWolves incident, by getting Jim Buss to agree to trade Dwight to the Nets after next season if Dwight wants to leave LA after the playing out the year and seeing what free agents they bring in after 2014. It's the perfect "have your cake and eat it too" scenario that Fegan wants for his clients. All the money and still have choices which extend beyond the bounds of the CBA. Get Jim Buss to agree to move Dwight to the Nets if Dwight asks for a trade if he is not happy with the moves the Lakers make after next season.) 2. What endorsements/business opportunity differences are there between Los Angeles and wherever else that he is considering playing? (This is the question that I just don't see with these guys. I don't see that the endorsements and business opportunities are so much greater in LA than they are in Houston. Especially with our Asian pipeline through Yao and Lin. Besides guys like Dwight and Lebron are global figures. The business opportunities GLOBALLY fall into their laps. Forget the stupid McDonald's commercials. Those type players are already bigger than that.) Now cyberx is bringing up Dwight wants to be in movies. I have no doubt that came from Dwight. He's being enticed by all the Hollywood types out there. I'd bet Jack Nicholson has him on speed dial. I'm sure they're telling him they'll put him in some movies and I'm sure they'll deliver on their promise. And I'm sure if he signs here or elsewhere they won't. But I question, does playing in a couple silly Airplane movies trump what he could do in Houston in a Global sense with the Asian market specifically? I just don't see it. But I'm open for more facts and data. I don't see that Kareem and Shaq playing in a couple flicks really boosted their popularity or their career earnings very much. I do understand it probably got them in more parties and got them laid a whole lot more by some high-class h..k.rs masquerading under the guise of the word "actress". But economically I don't understand how it increases Dwight's brand more than what he already is globally. The key word here is GLOBAL. GLOBAL is bigger than Hollywood. 3. Will Dwight stay healthy through his third season? (Not the 4th season, but the 3rd season. On a 4-yr contract, he can be extended or renegotiate after the 3rd season. So the risk between a 4-yr contract and that 5th year that everybody keeps talking up so much comes down to Dwight being healthy enough through 3 seasons to be able to renegotiate into a 5th season.)
That's not my question. My question is whether or not it's against the rules to change your number on such short notice. LeBron and T-Mac had to apply the season prior before they were allowed to change their number.
well said my friend...notice the idiots on here that keep bashing these guys are new. It means they havent learned how fluid these things can be. If morey himself was leaking inside info he could be wrong about a prediction. He could have an offer lined up for josh smith and work up a contract about to have it sent to him....then post a cryptic message on here. Only to have his cell ring with Dwight Howard on the line saying he changed his mind he wants to be a rocket. I am pretty sure morey wouldnt go ....no sorry Dwight I already started working on a contract for josh smith, and plus I posted a message on clutchfans...there is no going back now
Will the Lakers prefer the cap space his departure will create or work with Fegan to get him to Brooklyn, wanting Lopez and...whatever? The lure of NY + Fegan's chasing the money/disdain of the Rockets = I won't hold my breath on chances of Dwight, but I'll be checking in here very faithfully.
From SB*Nation: It's All-Star weekend, and you know what that means: the massive coming together of media, players, and league sources all in one place means that everyone and their mother has a new rumor to report. Yesterday, it was the resurrection of an old rumor, Kevin Garnett to the Los Angeles Clippers, that made the news, but there was another story that managed to sneak its way under the radar. During media availability, when Dwight Howard was asked about joining the Houston Rockets, he had a surprising answer. "I like their team to be honest with you," Howard said when discussing the Rockets. "They're a great team. They're young. They play hard. They're scrappy. They play together. Everything they do has been great. It's fun to watch them." After hearing nothing but negativity all summer about the Rockets' prospects of keeping Howard if they acquired him, this story is certainly a breath of fresh air. Obviously, a lot changed when the Rockets got Harden in a red jersey, and that's worth noting with respect to all free agents, not just Howard. But what also appears to have changed is Howard's opinion of the Lakers. When he was asked about free agency, Howard had very little to say. "There's no need to talk about (free agency). I want to have fun. I want to enjoy myself and not talk about free agency or what I'm going to do at the end of the season." In his discussion of not talking about free agency, Howard actually said a lot. He continued, talking about free agency, "I've got to do what makes me happy. That's it." When pressed on what makes him happy, he responded, "Having fun on the court, that makes me happy." And then, the kicker. When asked if he was having fun with the Lakers, Howard said "Not at the present time, no. Hopefully it gets better."
Yah I bet you anything Howard Sees himself in Asiks spot in the playoffs playing hard and competing with the thunder. You just swap those two and we win...period. So many points lost from asik missing easy passes on cuts to rim, missing put backs...and not having any post options. Gosh the POST REPOST like we did with yao ming last year would be SICK with Howard. So think of this as a half court set: Harden calls to spread court. Passes in post to howard...double team sets in Howard passes back. This opens up so much. With hardens elite driving ability he could drive and score at this point, drive and dish to howard... if the defenders scramble to close out our shooters Hit howard for alley oop, work the break down of the defense with an extra pass or two for an open 3. Our team would be deadly. And we no longer would be BOUND by the 3. We could also have that Post option when our 3s werent falling. Instead of Harden ISO... man id love life lol
Hiya, thought you might be interested to know, a Chinese news source quoted this post in an article LOL http://sports.sohu.com/20130510/n375493297.shtml
DieHard, dobro, etc.: My calculations already factor in waiving Delfino and Brooks. The Rockets cannot create more cap room by keeping them then trading them. The Rockets will likely need to dump around $2-3 million in contracts (other than Delfino, Brooks and other team option/non-guaranteed guys) to sign Howard, based on an estimated $60 million salary cap. If the cap ends up higher, then that figure goes down. Regardless, it shouldn't be too hard. Also, to those thinking I said that the Rockets could create cap space for a second max contract by moving Asik, Robinson and White, that's NOT what I said. I said that those three contracts combined--as a hypothetical only, given their respective salary figures--would be enough to TRADE for another max contract for someone like Josh Smith in a sign-and-trade. (Btw, I never actually endorsed that particular deal. Just said it fit the cap math.) Just wanted to clear that up.
Remember as to why Fegan would have an incentive for him to stay in LA. An agent makes 3%-6% on player contracts (sometimes even not taking any commission at all) On endorsements etc it's 20%-25%... We are talking a BIG difference. Adidas loves him in LA.
I always wondered how he could do that... I thought players weren't allowed to change their number in-season unless they were traded?
I don't see CP3 coming here Clippers will give him Any coach he wants A say at which Free agents go to LA More money but i can see J.Smith going to houston with Howard (both have been friends since High school)
Thanks for the info Cyber! I have a question (as always). Does management think they can get Paul AND Howard? Or are they staying realistic?
