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

It's very hard for a lot of people to understand, the first bolded portion, here.

If the second bolded part is what he's all about we all know where he's ending up. It all just makes too much sense.

 

Now for the first time I truly feel Dwight is coming to the Rockets.

 

Ya. Kinda weird that LeBron guy gets so little exposure . . .

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCFB06D123FF049EC
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheLeBrons

I would find more, but I work for a living.

 

As a Rockets fan, I feel like Charlie Brown trying to kick the ball from Lucy when it comes to Howard. I am hoping, but I'll believe it when he's holding up a Rockets jersey at press conference.

 

We are both also missing Memphis too. They will be in the mix. Clippers lost one home game to Memphis after griffin went out with a high ankle sprain. And don't get me started on the officiating. Memphis hammers the clippers and people call them a physical team. Clippers just touch Memphis players and they call them for like 50 fouls per game. Anyway, west conference is gonna be competitive. I still feel thunder and spurs are first tier. Rockets (is they get Dwight), clippers, grizzlies, warriors, and nuggets will be fighting it out all season. Lakers would be in that mix too if Dwight stays. What do you think about the idea of seeding the entire nba 1-16 for playoffs instead of breaking by east and west?

 

well, it's great that he wants to position himself in a position to win but to dwight, what does that mean to him? what is he envisioning? most importantly, is he willing to put in the work to put this team in a position to win (and it's a lot of work involved to get that FT% to a respectable level, and it's absolutely necessary for him to do in order to win), or does he want to step into a situation where a winning team is already in place and all he has to do is remain status quo?

at this point of his career, giving howard $118 mil is not a slam dunk.

 

I wish I could just fast forward to july. I want to know his decision now!

 

If Howard wants to win, he should just sign with the Miami heat for $2mil per season.

 

Now for the first time I truly feel Dwight has a chance to come to the Rockets.

 

Not sure if serious, Lebron's endorsements are the 2nd highest all time (to the Charlotte owner), Nike, McDonald's, State Farm, Coca Cola, Dunkin Donuts, Sprint, Upper Deck, Samsung, etc etc

 

willingness to spend into luxury tax territory to round the roster out i'd imagine.

 

If its all about winning surely Houston is the place to be?

 

Let's just say, let us just say DHoHo is wanting the best matrix of being paid while in a winning, competitive, June-possible environment, then - - if he signed with Rox, a possibility, no? yes?!!, then if the @$1.5m+ short the Rox would be to the max will not be demanded by Howard but allow the team to retain TRob, for example, for better asset utilization. Right?

And that asset utilization would allow a 2nd near max contract signing/trade with Asik/TRob/TJ creating a superteam, no? yes?!!

I am ready to see this play out and I'm ready to see this guy at TheToyShop 41X + another dozen or more after those 41.

 

Everything we are reading points towards Howard going to a team that has the best chance to win...He will be a Rocket in July.

 

It's possible, you'd need to ask him, but I'd imagine selling Dwight on a paycut to fit in say Josh Smith rather than keep Thomas Robinson would probably perk his interest more.

 

The Daily Dwightmare 2013

On this addition of the Daily Dwightmare 2013 we'll bring you the latest Dwight Howard controversies and opinions.

TWO MAX NO TAX

1) According to Forbes article http://www.forbes.com/sites/anthony...-cause-dwight-howard-to-flee-l-a-for-houston/
Dwight would make $15 million more in Houston than LA (after tax over 4 years.). Combined with lower cost of living, if the decision was based on pure financial considerations, Houston has the advantage.

2) LA can offer an extra 5th year at $30 million (before tax). This extra year guaranteed money is difficult to turn down if the player is unfortunate enough to have a serious injury. However, History tells us that most players opt out before the 5th year to sign a new max contract if healthy. If Dwight signs a 4 year max deal with Houston, he can stipulate an opt out after 3 years. So, in this case a shorter contract can also work to maximize a player's earning potential if he can remain play at a high level and remain healthy after 3 years.

Houston: 3 years (opt out at age 30) 5 years = 8 years max
Lakers: 4 years (opt out at age 31) 5 years = 9 years max

Dwight's goal is to play well enough and stay healthy enough to sign that second max contract. The Houston route is 3 years compared with 4 in LA. That means a lot for a physical type center that is banging bodies down low.

3) Dwight's health. He had back surgery a year a go. He came back 2-3 months early and was clearly out of shape. Lakers assistant coach said Dwight was fully recovered in the last part of the season and we became a top 5 defence. Lakers also went on a run and claimed the 7th seed in the West above the Rockets.

4) Dallas Mavericks are reportedly in full Dwight pursuit. It was reported that Dallas has given up on their dreams of acquiring Chris Paul as he is likely to stay with the Clippers. Dallas has the same tax advantages as Houston (being in Texas). Dallas also has the cap room (after a few moves) to sign dwight out right. Unfortinately, Dallas has an old superstar in Nowitzki and are rebuilding like LA. Houston is far more attractive if Dwight wants to win now like many people have been saying.

5) Dwight's endorsements took a hit when he was traded from Orlando (11m) to LA (2m). This is unlikely to improve in LA as this money is closely linked to player and team performance. Unfortunately, LA fans and media have had a detrimental effect on Dwight's marketability. The endorsement situation is likely to improve when he is playing well on a winning team... take Durant as an example.

6) Dwight's agent Dan Fegan stands to make 3% on pre-tax salary and more on endorsements. Fegan may direct Dwight to LA because he will make more money but the extent of his influence is questionable. Ultimately, Dwight makes the decision and Fegan represents his interests.

7) Rudolf said in a radio interview that Dwight wasn't unhappy living in LA and that the dispute between him and MDA is way overblown, but he also emphasised that most important to Dwight was winning and being in a situation where he could win and be successful. Advantage Houston.


All in all, the latest Dwight news shows clearly the money advantage is in Texas over 4 years. Dwight is also thinking positively about his health and an opt out after three years and signing a new max contract. Above lifestyle, fame, and celebrity, Dwight wants to play on a team that can challenge for a championship now and that he can be successful in.

Houston 45%
Lakers 40%
Other 15%

 

It's a done deal. Dwight is coming to Houston.