I think there will be a big backlash if he leaves LA regardless. But if there are no "leaks", then there will be no Dwight Howard press right now. If you think about it from a financial aspect, team Dwight Howard is in the business of keeping Dwight Howard's name in the papers. If everyone just expected he would re-sign with the Lakers, there's no news and nothing to report. So basically, nobody would talk about Dwight Howard until a month before the season when people discuss whether the Lakers can win a title with the old roster they have. Much like celebrity agents letting TMZ know when their clients are doing strange things, sports agents are in the business of making sure their clients are in the news. Fegan wouldn't be doing his job if there wasn't buzz about all the possibilities.
All this talk is fine a dandy...The Rocket know they have a good thing going, and so does the rest of the NBA...The Rockets should be very clear with Howard, that time is of the essence...either youre coming or your not. But they should demand an answer as soon as they offer...Time to make Dwight responsible...Either carry the weight of the Laker nation on your shoulder, or join a dangerous Rockets nation and not have the glaring expectations that is demanded in LA, NY. If you look at this situation in terms of a hot girl trying to make her mind up about a marriage... LA is the "model" looking dude that is $hit broke hoping to marry rich... The Rockets are the decent looking dude that has all the other intangibles...personality, wealth, chemistry, without all the glaring lights... Howard should look at it with the same perspective Lebron had...Do I go know with the chance at winning titles? or do i stick it out, hoping to deliver a franchise...In today's NBA...there arent any of those kinda franchises left...Enough of this soap opera...make a decision, stick by it, and deliver...Just remember, if we dont like him that much if he is not here...imagine what Houstonians will feel if he doesnt deliver when he is here...Im sorry, but a Harden Howard combo better deliver a title in 2-3 years...
Hi I've been a long time lurker and finally decided to join the boards to give my input(for what its worth). And I think its an especially good time for it since free agency will be heating up soon. If anything about this information intrigues me the most is that it definitely looks like the Rockets want to keep Asik to have a large frontcourt tandem with he and Dwight. It is unfortunate for Robinson that its looking likely that we will be traded to another team but I think it would be good for him as he's going to be buried behind all the young PFs we already have. Definitely exciting hearing that Harden and Howard are talking all the time supposedly. This speculation is probably why Houston is fairing so well in ESPN'S future power rankings. Which if anybody here has insider it would be cool if you could post that article here.
Wade had already lead a team to a championship and LeBron was in Cleveland. He gave them years to put a team around him. I don't think that was a difficult decision to make.
Blah blah blah Spoiler <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>I've heard that Dwight Howard will meet with every potential suitor. That means Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, etc. He'll weigh every option.</p>— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlexKennedyNBA/status/340643695143567360">June 1, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>At this point, Houston is definitely the frontrunner for Dwight Howard. He's leaning toward the Rockets, but we'll see what happens in July.</p>— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlexKennedyNBA/status/340644117501591552">June 1, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Dwight Howard has already talked to James Harden, according to multiple sources. I believe he has spoken to Chandler Parsons as well.</p>— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlexKennedyNBA/status/340647670534258688">June 1, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
ESPN LA NOW talking about Dwight Howard and the Houston. http://espn.go.com/espnradio/play?id=9329852
ESPN LA dudes saying Houston would be an instant top 4 seed and would be in better shape to be a contender than LA next year. They said Houston is a good basketball city but not sure if it's a good city (compared to L.A.).
I'm excited at how Daryl Morey has turned this team around in 3 seasons. From irrelevant on the national stage to a hot spot for big time free agents.
From a Laker fan on another forum: "I have yet to speak to a Laker fan that cares if Howard returns or not." I have seen basically the same thing. Laker fans are ambivalent regarding Howard's return. Shouldn't they be upset. Shouldn't they be making pleas for him to stay. Why don't they care? It just confirms what I already believe - he's not worth a max contract. Laker fans know it. I agree.
Not worth it? The guy coming of an injury, and a shortened role averaged 17/12 on 57% and is one of the best defenders in the NBA when healthy isn't worth the max?
I think they are still reeling from the way Kobe went down. When he went down, they probably felt like, in that instant, the Lakers were going into rebuild mode. Plus, the portrayed negative view that Kobe had on Howard probably didn't help Howard's popularity in LA. Or maybe LA people just don't care about basketball in the offseason. They're at the pre-party. Wake them up when it's the regular season or T-shirt time
Plenty of Lakers' fans also think Bron is going to come to them in 2014. Why would you think their opinion on basketball events carries any merit at all? They're just butthurt he may be leaving. I don't even know what they're butthurt over either. He hasn't even left yet. The ones saying he isn't worth a max are the exact same ones exclaiming that he would bring them championships 9 months ago. They (like most fans in sports) are extremists.
They're unconcerned because they are so entitled they think if it isn't Howard it'll be Lebron. There are no more entitled fans in all of the NBA. I think a lot of them are also coming to terms with the fact they will be awful next year with or without Howard. As such, they may as well play for a high draft pick that can be on a rookie contract when they go for Lebron in 2014 or 2015. Whenever that is.