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

SecondCitySaint, at least start crediting the posters here before shamelessly and blatantly copying and pasting on the Lakers forum.

 

Yes, I meant are you more positive he's coming here.

Glad to know you're leaning that way and not so negative now.

Anyways thanks for your research in finding and posting the latest news and thanks for the rep points from before.

Stay positive.
Worst that can happen is we end up with the same fun team!

Jalen's rose comment of Dwight 55% leaning toward Houston was encouraging, even though it doesn't really mean anything. meh.

 

This is the 2nd time I've pointed out that douche, second city saint, on Lakerground for stealing posts from here. Hopefully the mods tell him to give credit to where he's stealing from.

 

I'm thinking about havingy Dr. comatose me till July 1st! Every day seems to take longer... Lol

 

Only thing that should keep Dwight as a Laker is if he makes the move for others, rather than his own future.

Dwight surely understands that Houston is the better situation by a very wide margin in terms of if he wants to win, but you have to worry that he'll try to cater to people questioning his "loyalty" for LA. I think Houston has the edge, but I don't think it's by a lot for that reason.

Does he have the stones to turn down the Lakers? We'll see...

 

Don't mean nothing till July everytime I see something positive about him coming to Houston Im going to type that "Don't mean nothing till July"

 

Does anyone get the feeling that Atlanta is gonna come in and screw everything up in the last minute? I just want Paul to re-sign in LA already. I think the chances of him coming to Houston are extremely low.

 

Haha. I like that. Zoplicone guarantee. No hate

 

Hopefully not many people try to act "baller" on a forum here

 

I've been following rockets fr a pretty long time. But I do agree, my guarantee should be taken with a grain of salt. Don't be mad, I'm just a rockets fan with my own opinion. And if I'm right, I'll claim insiders told me

 

I think convincing yourself based on your own post might have destroyed any last bit of credibility you had. And stop trolling people, some of these guys are insiders, show some respect every once in a while

 

All for differences of opinion.

But, forming an opinion based on what SEEMS unlikely (someone having access to information and actually sharing it on a message board) as opposed to actually researching the individual's past as well as failing to give any credit to posters who've been around for many years and actually vouch for the guy simply isn't smart.

Your opinion wasn't formed or based on facts - it was based on what you felt was common sense - that no one who actually had access to inside info would post it on a message board.

I've followed the Rockets for almost 40 years - that has nothing to do with it.

No one's mad. Just somewhat blown away at how strong you came out without having a clue what you were talking about and simply ignoring long time well respected posters.

But, to each his own I guess. The guy has proven himself to me based on HISTORY, not how likely or unlikely it is.

Who knows, chances are your "guarantee" could very well come true too, with Dwight's history. (by the way, the guy never said he WAS signing here - he said there was real interest and shared some things that hadn't been "reported" yet... that's all - but, he sure was adamant Dwight was NOT getting traded here at the deadline this past year - no matter how hard many here tried to convince him otherwise)

But, it's obvious you feel it's impossible he knows or hears anything. It's all good.

 

Lakers are on media silence. Nothing has come out of their FO for a while now, and it worries me.

It's a lots easier to anticipate and plan moves if enemy (Lakers, our biggest enemy in FA's warfare) is talking and leaking info. Whether true or not, we can decipher later.

Does anyone else feel something is brewing?

I guess my biggest question is: Do Lakers desperately want to retain Dwight? Do they really see Dwight as the center piece to the forseeable future?

If the answers are yes, then chances are, Dwight will re-sign with LA. Unpopular as they might be, it may take some moves to satisfy Dwight, but nothing that can't be done.

1. They amnesty Kobe, and hand the rein to Dwight. MDA will have no choice but run his offense throught Dwight. Everyone is happy...except winning, at least not until 2014 when most of contracts are off the book. This will seal the fate for Houston.
2. They promise Dwight to fire MDA and re-hire Jax. If anyone can reel in Kobe and put him on a short leash, it's Jax. This is more likely. Jim Buss can have Mitch practically BEGS PJax to coach again, if he wants to avoid the embarrassment of a personally meet.

Maybe Mitch has something else up his sleeve, but they way I see it; anything less will tip the scale back to Houston.

 

Sigh. If Dwight wanted this, he'd have stayed in Orlando.

Dwight does not care about being "the man". He wants to win. Not sure how he can make it any more clear. If that seals the fate of anyone, it's LA, because the team would suck.

 

To your points about the Laker FO silence.

1) No. I don't think they'll amnesty Kobe, not after everything he's done for them. In fact, in a recent interview he said he would be aiming to be back for the start of the season (a little optimistic by all accounts).

2) Phil Jackson is never coaching again. He made no qualms about that in his recent press tour for his book. He repeatedly said, "That ship has sailed. I recommend Brian Shaw." He may still want a front office job in some capacity. D'Antoni is Jim's man and he'll have to relinquish power if MDA is to be fired.

The last I heard was SAS on first take saying the Laker's FO were in a power struggle between the owner Jim Buss and Jeanie Buss / Phil Jackson camp. I can't imagine the owner firing himself. Jim felt he was integrally involved in the Laker's last two championships and therefore has proven success.

Also the Laker's may just realize that the arguments of LA is a great place, extra 5th year money, endorsements are not holding up. They have to show Dwight how they will achieve "on court success" how they can chase the ring. To do that the Lakers will need to trade to make the team more attractive. They could be devising some trades now and keeping silent because making their plans public could jeopardise the trades.

All in all, I think the Lakers have got their backs against the wall and its not a matter of if they desperately want Dwight, they'll get him. Dwight is an unrestricted free agent that is intent on hearing the proposals from ALL teams. Lakers are no different, they have to make a convincing pitch to Dwight just like everybody else. I still think Houston are very much in the driver's seat.

Houston 60/40

 

I agree with your 5 year time frame. If you look at the contracts and when you will have cash, 5-6 years is what I'd calculate to start gelling with the new team to make some noise.

I do have some questions though from your perspective.
1) Do you think the Lakers will amnesty Pau or even Kobe given their projected 85 million luxury tax bill? I personally think if Howard does stay, then they keep the team intact for 1 more run. But if they lose Howard, someone's getting cut and the rebuilding starts then. But that is just how I'd play it if I were GM.

2) Do you think Mitch (assuming Jimmy is letting him do his job) will let MDA go and do you think they could talk Phil into coming back? Personally I think Phil picks ripe teams to go to and I'm not sure the current roster is ripe. I will say if Phil did get the coaching job, Howard would be more intrigued on staying and I would change my Phil rides on coattails attitude.

 

Looks like your requests are falling on deaf ears. They're just laughing about it.

 

Can anyone post the ESPN insider front page Dwight article please??