Lol. Johnson could have been had for peanuts because he sucks. The Hawks won that trade just by getting him off the books. The Nets gave Portland a top 10 first rounder for Wallace how was in the final year of his deal and he sucks. What a steal by Portland. Brook Lopez getting a Max deal isn't a deal. The point is now the Nets are very over the cap. $90 million payroll for a first round appearance.
You make many valid points and most if not all will play a part in Dwight's decision. But the real question is Dwight. You have to ask yourself how much does he really want to leave. Because when all is said and done he will never be Big Hollywood here. And when there was a real chance he would be stuck here he ran the other way. Now in hindsight it very well could be all Fegan who persuaded that decision. Clearly Fegan hated they way we handled Kevin Martin and some of his other clients. He hates that Morey will play chicken with you and win. Morey takes so much leverage away from agents. You can't say trade me or I walk because Morey says walk knowing with the new CBA waling is such a disadvantage. Fegan hates that and hates Morey. SO certainly he doesn't want Howard. So the real question is Dwight. How much does he really want to be here? And how much influence does Fegan have. Houston is a good organization Les is cheap and it's hard to argue that. He does treat players like assets. The Rockets amenities are second rate. Fegan's client Martin said they treat everyone like assets and when you turnover a complete roster in 1 year it's hard to argue that. The minute Howard becomes more valuable as an asset than a player they will trade him. Sure most teams will do the same but we have a rep and Fegan will push that point 24/7. I always thought signing Howard was a longshot at best. But when I heard he stood only to gain 8 mil in extra salary to stay with LA and that was because of the 5th year I suddenly thought it was a real possibility. Now that I hear Fegan telling him their are ways to circumvent those losses by claiming residence in florida I have second thoughts about are possibilities. I do not know Howard personally but as someone else said on here he seems to act like a big kid just trying to play and make people happy. I believe he wants to come to Houston bit I am convinced Fegan will do everything he can to persuade Howard not to. The real bottom line is how strong is Fegan's power of persuasion and influence over Howard.
It's worse than that, if you look at California's laws, he would have to pay tax on 100% of his playing income, as the state considers him a local on assignment (e.g. you work for a california company, you go to new york for a week, you aren't exempted from california tax), where it gets annoying for players is in that situation, they can also have to pay tax in New York as well (it's really quite predatory). In essence for California, if you work for a California based company in California, you're a resident, so you're paying tax on everything you earn. This is literally verbatim the professional sportsman trying to screw California situation from https://www.ftb.ca.gov/forms/2010/10_1031.pdf Determination: Your declaration of residency in another state does not establish residency in that state . Your closest connections are to California and your absence from California is for temporary or transitory purposes . You are, therefore, a resident of California and are taxed on your income from all sources
The biggest thing between Fegan and the Rockets was the Hakeem dealings, not Kevin Martin. That was a different era and a different owner but apparently Hakeem being in Houston must've cost Fegan some endorsement commissions somewhere along the line.
You just made a case for why Howard should not come here. Endorsements commissions for Fegan is money lossed for Hakeem. In this league it's what have you done for me lately. Martin called Morey out when he said, "Treating us like assets gets you nowhere". Fegan heard the whole story behind that and make no mistake about it he is relaying that to Howard. I can hear him now... "D12 I am telling you that is the worst organization in the league. As soon as they think your trade value is worth more than your ability they'll damp you. Don't take my word for it, ask Kevin!" Of course Morey did what most GM's would do if they were smart enough. But Morey is better at it than others. Morey is a shrewd business man who knows less is better than more. And no agent is going to easily get over on him. Fegan doesn't like him. CD on the other hand he has no problem with. CD has a history of keeping players past their prime overpaying players like Cato, Matt Maloney, Moochie etc. What's not to like about that? Morey treats his players like assets and Les loves it. And Fegan hates them for it. Plus it doesn't help everytime Barkley gets a chnce he calls Houston the cheapest organization. Yea I know it's Barkley but it's still a National audience that all the NBA watches.
Can't Lin help Howard get shoe endorsements in China? Aren't there like a billion kids in China playing basketball now? Oops, I forgot we're trading Lin to LA for Howard! Oh well, at least we should get some drama... Lin was way too quiet.
I'm not sure that's a particularly good line of argument for Dwight. Dwight thinks he's awesome and he has a fair case to it, and he'd probably ask, so do you think you should keep Kevin Martin if offered James Harden? Do star players actually want teams that hold onto peripheral players for purposes of loyalty? Given what Howard said about his Orlando team mates, I'm 100% certain that's not what Howard wants. Also somewhat on the topic, the Rockets gave Yao forever and a day to try and recover from his injuries we never did move him. Even Mcgrady has a good relationship with the franchise now.
I guess that's why they call it a business. You could say the same thing in Harden's situation. They didn't want to pay him and didn't expect him to break out like he did. I see no reason to overpay or keep players who are not performing like they should. This is a business and a harsh league. Everybody is aware if ur not playing as well as you should you could be considered an asset it's a way of life. It's just like any other job in the world except ur not an asset you just get fired and get no money at all. People in the NBA should be grateful enough they get payed millions to play a game and considering if they get traded there still gonna be getting paid big bucks where as bob who works at as a stock broker is on his butt broke looking for another job.
OMG LOOK WHAT DWIGHT TWEETED!!! <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Johnnnyyyy rocketssss time to get a good ole milkshake <a href="http://t.co/vijaSAWaws" title="http://instagram.com/p/ZMbJFUKiw_/">instagram.com/p/ZMbJFUKiw_/</a></p>— Dwight Howard (@DwightHoward) <a href="https://twitter.com/DwightHoward/status/333401510375460864">May 12, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> HE'S COMING TO HOUSTON!!! THE ROCKETS ARE GETTING THE MILKSHAKE!!!
Yes of course but that's not the issue. The issue is Fegan don't like Morey and he's got Dwight's ear. You can be naive and think that doesn't mean anything. But Fegan didn't get where he is without some skill in persuasion. Not saying Howard won't sign but the minute I hear Fegan saying you can setup residence in Florida I see our chances diminishing. Disagree if you will. It's just my opinion.
Wow! Great find! Welcome to Houston! Roll out the red carpet! Call up the marching band! Send out the POWER DANCERS!!!
OMG, Johnny Rockets = Houston Rockets Good ole milkshake = Championship Ring It all makes sense!!! :grin:
Ha Ha.. Johnny means Joining and Rockets we all know that means us and the milkshake is in reference to dream teaching him his on version of the dreamshake which he calls the milkshake! YESSS! He is coming!!!! Are could it mean he is going to Johnny Rockets Hamburger Joint just miles from his Bel Aire home and ordering one of their world famous milkshakes?
LOL <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>@<a href="https://twitter.com/imgoinscottie">imgoinscottie</a> let me eat in peace</p>— Dwight Howard (@DwightHoward) <a href="https://twitter.com/DwightHoward/status/333408637802385408">May 12, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
