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[CBS Sports] Howard no lock for Lakers; interested in Rockets

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by J.R., May 19, 2013.

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coachbadlee Member

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RickyNewport said: ↑

Name a pick and roll big man that has one a championship...
Click to expand...

Dwight has much better hands than Asik. So it is possible that he could when wun here.

#521 coachbadlee, May 21, 2013

rocketman94 Member

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Rudolph just favorited my tweet. I responded to his tweet where he said "Who is setting the fire and why" I responded with this, " for some reason I feel that the Laker organization is conducting a scorched earth campaign to push Dwight to stay based off of him not ruining his rep as opposed to making personnel moves to make him stay"

Him favoriting it has me leaning that Dwight really is leaving...

If the Laker organization is doing this, then there is no way that he would actually WANT to stay there.

#522 rocketman94, May 21, 2013
J.R. Member

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So Good said: ↑

Can't find where you said "the Laker forum will steal this" but the Laker forum just stole your recap of the Rudolph interview.

http://forums.lakersground.net/viewtopic.php?t=160719&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=1400
Click to expand...

Shocker.

(Thanks for the heads up)

Dave McMenamin: Right now, I would think it's better than 50/50 he would not be with the Lakers but Dwight goes back and forth. I believe he'll go back and forth with it until July 1 or later.

Broussard: Howard will look. I spoke to Dwight in the playoffs. You have Houston, Atlanta, & Dallas. I don't think he's going to Atlanta. He's going to be a FA and weigh his options. We knew Dwight was frustrated with the system. It's nothing new (what the Lakers heard from him). It's not a Dwight or Mike situation. Doesn't mean he's leaving but he will look elsewhere.

Dwight, the last thing he wants to do is pick the coach. He is viewed as the guy who got SVG fired. He doesn't want any part of that. This system, I don't like and I'm not at my best. If they were to bring Phil back, I think it would be a done deal (Dwight returns). Dwight isn't the only one who would welcome Phil back. No indications they will (bring Phil back).

(Money factor?) It's important. Who knows in 4 years what he'll look like. That could weigh into his thinking.

#523 J.R., May 21, 2013
Fyreball Member

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RickyNewport said: ↑

Name a pick and roll big man that has one a championship...
Click to expand...

Lol you realize that every big man worth his salt runs the pick and roll, right?? Duncan, Garnett, Bosh, Shaq, and a whole slew of others have won championships while running the pick and roll. It's one of the most effective plays in basketball when executed properly.

#524 Fyreball, May 21, 2013
davidio840 Member

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RickyNewport said: ↑

Name a pick and roll big man that has one a championship...
Click to expand...

You have got to be joking. At least I would hope your BB IQ isn't that awful... or maybe it is?

#525 davidio840, May 21, 2013
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Deckard said: ↑

I was going to reply to oakdog that it was far different with Hakeem and OT, but you beat me to it. Howard is nothing like Olajuwon. He has no midrange game, he can't make freethrows, and Hakeem was excellent at the first, and good at the second, having seasons when he hit at a 78% rate. That's why the pair were so damn good together. Hakeem had no weaknesses after he learned to control his temper, and OT provided just what we needed from a 4... power, rebounding, terrific defense, and the best outlet passer in the game at the time, IMO. Heck, that practically describes Asik. He's an excellent outlet passer (not at OT's level, but very good, and getting better), an exceptional rebounder, a terrific defender, runs the floor very, very well for a truly huge 7 footer. Continuing the comparison, Asik's weaknesses that jump out at you compared to OT are his hands around the basket, being terrible at receiving the pass into the post for the easy bucket, which Thorpe was good at, and free throws. An obvious advantage Asik has over vintage OT is his size. He's much bigger. OT was tougher, but Omer is getting pretty darn tough himself. He proved that during the playoffs, IMO, when he stepped up his play and made Brooks look the fool for doing the "Hack Asik" nonsense.

Having said all that, I'd love having both Asik and Howard on the team. It cuts the minutes for both, and I think they'd be more effective because of it. When both were on the floor, our interior defense would be rediculously good. Either player instills fear into any perimeter player driving to the basket, more so with Howard, of course. We have excellent passers on the perimeter, who would have a field day passing to Howard for the easy duece, with Asik a secondary option, one who's offense did improve during the season, although it clearly has a very long way to go. I'd like having the option of Asik being the backup 5 and often sharing the court with Dwight. They'd both last longer in this league playing together. And if something comes up later, deal wise, Asik is very, very valuable as a trade chip. Why not take a chance and see how they work out? As for spacing, I think that can be figured out and don't see it as the problem some do. They'd only share the court part of the time, depending on matchups.
Click to expand...

100% spot on in every way.

#526 rocketsfan4, May 21, 2013

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tested911 Member

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I can't help it.. I'm getting excited with the thought, especially when ESPN talks about it more.. ESPN Link if Video doesn't play.

<script src="http://player.espn.com/player.js?&playerBrandingId=4ef8000cbaf34c1687a7d9a26fe0e89e&pcode=1kNG061cgaoolOncv54OAO1ceO-I&width=576&height=324&externalId=espn:9297900&thruParam_espn-ui[autoPlay]=false&thruParam_espn-ui[playRelatedExternally]=true"></script>

#527 tested911, May 21, 2013

Williamson JOSH CHRISTOPHER ONLY FAN

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So Good said: ↑

Can't find where you said "the Laker forum will steal this" but the Laker forum just stole your recap of the Rudolph interview.

http://forums.lakersground.net/viewtopic.php?t=160719&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=1400
Click to expand...

I just finished looking at that thread. It is really interesting. We talk about how easy the Lakers have it being in LA with all of the glamour and media attention - so do they. But more interesting, is they talk like any player would kill to play in LA while simultaneously talking like Dwight is already out of the door. They are already talking about how to rebuild and recover. Kind of amazing.

Can we really steal Dwight from the Lakers?

#528 Williamson, May 21, 2013
J.R. Member

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Reasons for staying with the Lakers(according to Broussard in the video)
1. Money
2. Tradition

Basketball standpoint, Houston may be the best spot.

Bayless: Money can't buy happiness in LA.

#529 J.R., May 21, 2013
Mirri3000 Member

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For those saying he wouldn't like a defensive clogging 7 footer next to him, remember during his finals run, Gortat played well on the floor with Howard, and I think he's intrigued by that. In other words, McHale is totally a defensive coach, u guys r morons if u think he isn't. We just suck at defense cuz our players suck at defense....

#530 Mirri3000, May 21, 2013
Krizzle Member

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I was just curious,if we followed a gameplan like Orlando when they went to the finals.

Lin
Harden
Iggy
Parsons
Howard

How would you think they would do?

#531 Krizzle, May 21, 2013
platypus Member

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J.R. said: ↑

Reasons for staying with the Lakers(according to Broussard in the video)
1. Money
2. Tradition

Basketball standpoint, Houston may be the best spot.

Bayless: Money can't buy happiness in LA.
Click to expand...

I'm sorry you had to watch that.

#532 platypus, May 21, 2013
RedDynasty Member

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Krizzle said: ↑

I was just curious,if we followed a gameplan like Orlando when they went to the finals.

Lin
Harden
Iggy
Parsons
Howard

How would you think they would do?
Click to expand...

Championship.

#533 RedDynasty, May 21, 2013

1 person likes this.

Firebomb525 Member

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Krizzle said: ↑

I was just curious,if we followed a gameplan like Orlando when they went to the finals.

Lin
Harden
Iggy
Parsons
Howard

How would you think they would do?
Click to expand...

Please, no to Iggy.

Lin
Harden
Parsons
J. Smith
Howard

is a lineup that can compete with the Heat and the best in the west. Get a back-up center, and some more wing-shooters/defenders and we'd have a solid bench.

#534 Firebomb525, May 21, 2013
DuDDleyDawsonII Member

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Fakersground always steal their info from other forums I used to browse FG a lot of them lurk clutchfans some have accounts

#535 DuDDleyDawsonII, May 21, 2013
Haymitch Custom Title

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I don't know if this has already been posted or not, but it's commentary from Yahoo! based off this CBS report:

Dwight Howard Picking Rockets Over Lakers?

Los Angeles has the massive market, superstar celebrities, engrossing endorsements and wonderful weather, but Houston, honestly, offers a better chance at winning a title for Dwight Howard. If Howard leaves L.A. and joins James Harden in Houston, is that really a downgrade?

No, Harden is not Kobe Bryant, but the Houston Rockets' supporting cast of Jeremy Lin, Chandler Parsons, Aaron Brooks, Carlos Delfino, and Francisco Garcia looks a heck of a lot younger, healthier, and more athletic than the Los Angeles Lakers' aging cast of Pau Gasol, Steve Nash, and Metta World Peace. Also, Omer Asik will likely be worth something as a backup, twin tower, or a movable piece if Howard decides to don Rockets' red.

Add Howard to Harden, and that is two-thirds of the way to a championship-caliber combination. Provide Howard with three-point shooters, and he will provide them with open looks. In Houston, Howard would have better shooters than Los Angeles: fact.

In most scenarios, Howard's Rockets would likely beat Howard's Lakers.

Ignoring possible Gasol trades, World Peace amnesty scenarios, and major roster shakeups, wouldn't Howard have a better chance to win with the Rockets than with the Lakers?

After all, Bryant would enter the season returning from a torn Achilles, and his optimistic hope to return at the start of the 2013-14 season appears to be possible, but his conditioning would be a major concern. He would be unable to perform serious athletic activities for the better part of six months, and that is ignoring the fact that his overall mobility may be significantly diminished permanently due to the injury.

Also, Gasol undertook a procedure involving stem cells to help repair tissue in his worn out knees. This non-surgical procedure was meant to alleviate an issue Gasol struggled with all of last season. The procedure also required the Spaniard to take a couple months off, so Howard would not exactly look at the Lakers' roster over the summer and confidently believe the injury nightmare was over.

Added to that, the Lakers provide Howard with two more years of Nash. No doubt, the Canadian will go down as one of the greatest point guards in the history of the game and possibly the greatest shooter ever. However, Nash will be 41-years-old when his contract expires, and he looked every bit of his 39-years by season's end. Further, nerve damage is never a positive sign for an aging athlete, and Nash's nerve issues were a bit, well, unnerving.

World Peace may be a casualty of the amnesty clause if he does not decide to opt out of his contract. Unfortunately, even the leaner and healthier World Peace was unable to avoid a torn meniscus and knee issues at the end of his 14th year in the NBA.

A generation away, the Houston Rockets had an average age of 23.7 and were the youngest team in the NBA during the 2012-13 season. In contrast, the Lakers were the fourth oldest team last season, and the argument for the value of experience found itself on the trainer's table when the playoffs finally came around.

Off the court, Howard would be crucified in Los Angeles if he bailed on the city. However, the local and national criticism would be ephemeral and would likely subside if the Rockets raised a banner with Howard as the centerpiece.

Alternatively, if Howard played five years without winning a title in Los Angeles, which is plausible considering the Lakers were a far cry from championship caliber the last couple seasons, he would earn every cent of his $117.9 million max contract in the press. If Howard stays and fails to win a title, he will continue to be verbally beaten, battered and bruised for all five years of his max contract.

With the Rockets, Howard would be able to coast through four years at $87.8 million with a better team on the floor and less pressure off it. However, he would lose about $30.4 million in guaranteed money for the extra year by rejecting the offer to stay in Los Angeles, or would he?

Given Texas has no state income tax, Howard would actually net an extra $1.1 million over the first four years of a max contract in Houston. Ultimately, he would earn an extra $26.7 million in his fifth year in California but also pay another $1.4 million in state income tax.

Essentially, the decision to go to Houston would hurt D12 for about $25.3 million for one season. However, Howard would be 31-years-old after four years in Houston and eligible to sign another long-term contract for max money at that point. So, in reality, Howard would earn salary in that fifth year, and he would likely not lose out nearly as much--if any--money as the Lakers would have everyone believe.

Houston would still need to create some cap space to sign Howard, but if he wants to go, the Rockets will probably find a way to make it work. If he moves to Texas, Howard would probably take a financial hit with endorsements and instantly become one of the most vilified figures in the history of Los Angeles sports. However, in strictly basketball terms, Howard's reported interest in leaving the Lakers for the Rockets should not shock anyone.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/dwight-howard-picking-rockets-over-lakers-153000126.html
Click to expand...

#536 Haymitch, May 21, 2013
roflmcwaffles Member

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RickyNewport said: ↑

Name a pick and roll big man that has one a championship...
Click to expand...

Really obvious one: Tyson Chandler

Not as obvious: Every other big man runs either pick and roll or inside out, Duncan is an example of doing both, but that is because of his team around him, he is able to.

#537 roflmcwaffles, May 21, 2013
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Ignore the headline, the ATL stuff is just his speculation when you read it. But buried in the report from former LA Times writer Mark Heisler is this interesting nugget...

Worse, a league source told me that despite the apparent thaw between Howard and Bryant, Dwight complained privately about Kobe late in the season.
Click to expand...

http://www.lakersnation.com/free-ag...-paul-planning-atlanta-rendezvous/2013/05/21/

#538 The Cat, May 21, 2013

davidio840 Member

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jmwilliamson said: ↑

I just finished looking at that thread. It is really interesting. We talk about how easy the Lakers have it being in LA with all of the glamour and media attention - so do they. But more interesting, is they talk like any player would kill to play in LA while simultaneously talking like Dwight is already out of the door. They are already talking about how to rebuild and recover. Kind of amazing.

Can we really steal Dwight from the Lakers?
Click to expand...

Lol! That is a pretty good synopsis of that entire threat. I also liked how they were talking about doing a Sign and Trade for Howard and how they wouldn't want any "Houston Garbage" ---> see this page. http://forums.lakersground.net/viewtopic.php?t=160719&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=1325

Dwight Howard is a free agent lol! A Sign and Trade would be pointless.. A lot of the posters over there are not very bright.

#539 davidio840, May 21, 2013
RickyNewport Member

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MrButtocks said: ↑

The PnR was a staple play of the Spurs during their championship years and still is.
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Yeap, and you notice the offensive skill set that Duncan has that Howard does not... Same with KG...

#540 RickyNewport, May 21, 2013

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