From one of the threads last Summer...The Jeremy Lin factor. If the Knicks don’t match Houston’s contract offer and Lin becomes a Rocket, Houston would resume its role as Asia’s NBA team. The Rockets already established business relationships with Chinese companies who bought courtside banner ads while Yao Ming was with the team, so they’re perfectly positioned to market Lin -- and Howard -- in Asia. Howard wants a global brand, and he’s already made efforts to establish his presence in China. Playing with Lin would help that cause. Chinese television scrambled to add Knicks games to the schedule after the Linsanity craze last season. Imagine how many Rockets games they could broadcast knowing his schedule months in advance. Howard should consult Tracy McGrady, whose jersey was among the top four sellers in China from 2006 to 2009 while he played alongside Yao. T-Mac’s No. 1 Rockets jersey outsold LeBron James and even Yao himself. http://bbs.clutchcity.net/showthread.php?t=223461
I don't really remember the timeline, but didn't Howard get traded to the Lakers before Lin didn't get re-signed by the Knicks?
This is from 2010. It says for the last 4 years. Maybe T-Mac was the top selling Rockets jersey from 2006-2009: http://www.nba.com/2010/news/09/23/china-jerseys-top-sellers/index.html
Or he could just consult his current teammate Kobe who is the most popular player in Asia. According to your logic he should stay with the Lakers.
If that were the case Howard would stay with the Lakers. Kobe has been the no.1 selling NBA jersey in China for years even during the height of Yao's career. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/JSVBHFQgjxM?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
This is the worst example of trying to justify howard wanting to come to houston to play with lin. Howard has made it clear, he wants to win. Do you see any reports of howard hanging out and chatting with Lin like harden ahd parsons? clearly the want isn't that much, if it exists. Its VERY unlikely for us to hold on to lin if we do somehow land D12 and CP3, we need that cap space to get bench players.
First, I am just giving my opinion and my take based on everything I have seen and read on this forum and media. I am a bit less optimistic than most here and just offering my thoughts - not trolling. I hope we get Dwight but I got a feeling we are going to get the cold shoulder in the end. I say we got a 25% chance, realistically, if I had to bet. But who really knows besides Dwight himself. 1) Agreed a duo is very unlikely, but it tells me Dwight is still "looking around" for a better gig than the easy/logical move to Houston. We have a better shot at Howard if Paul stays put and Lakers tell Clippers no dice on sign and trade. Otherwise, young impressionable Dwight will be at the mercy of his agent, Kobe, and posse telling him to sign in LA with a few whispers from Harden and Chandler. Kobe will put him in a headlock and make him sign. I just feel he caves and signs cause it is the Lakers and they will undoubtedly attract more stars in the future. Dwight is a pleaser. 2) That is straight from his repeated Brooklyn demands - CyberX confirms again and how he elected to go LA. Remember, Howard at the Dodgers game last summer - all smiles. Wants to team up with Paul in Los Angeles. Odds are the guy wants to live/play on either coast. 3) As a poker player, my gut tells me this continuation of a semi-bluff to force Lakers hand to trade him to Brooklyn (not going to happen) or Clippers. To execute the bluff, you have to send mixed signals and bet the flop and turn. Who know what happens on the river, but he is trying to get his wish - if he strikes out, he still has the Lakers. 4) I repasted CyberXs quote below. The take away is that although lots of recruiting going on, he still wants Brooklyn and his agent doesn't want Houston. Agents have sway, Kobe has sway, etc. In the end, I know he claims that he wants to win but I don't think -again in my opinion- it will win the day. He can rationalize he can win with Lakers and sleep good at night. Just got off a call: Dwight is not happy with how the Lakers have treated him and how the Lakers have constantly backed D'Antoni. The Rockets have been doing a hell of a job to get him here. Harden has been calling/texting. During all star he spent a lot of time with Hakeem and Hakeem did the BEST sales pitch ever. He got him with McHale and they hit it off. Dwight doesn't see a big deal in the extra year with the Lakers and states that everyone opts out of that 5th year anyways, so it wouldn't make that big of a difference. Dwights agent DOES NOT want him to come to Houston and feel the Rockets management can not make a championship team. Dwight mentioned that in LA there is a "millionaire tax" which Houston does not (I have never heard of this or have any idea) Dwight and Fegan STILL want to be in Brooklyn but don't see that happening. Atlantas only way to get Dwight would be to sign Paul as well, they are the team that can sign to max players I was told (didnt check this out). Atlanta also has power because Dwight just recently reconnected with his father and his father is out in Atlanta.
Until you are able to hear from the principals themselves, believe nothing, especially if it is coming from rumours likely initiated by teams who are at risk of losing a superstar, namely the Clippers and the Lakers. We are still in great position to tremendously improve our team. Be patient.
Do you see how that says Dwight's AGENT, and NOT Dwight himself?? And do you see how everything linked to Dwight himself says that he's intrigued by Houston, Harden, Parsons, and the how they are recruiting him like crazy?? Ok then.
i'm sorry but this whole china angle is so overrated. people in china watch basketball because they like the game. yeah lin is popular in china but unless he becomes an all star year after year his star quality will fade real fast. on top of that, he's NOT chinese! his parents are taiwanese, and he is as american to them as they come. he hardly even speaks the language so that affinity they had for him early on was more of a curiosity than anything else. kobe is the most popular player in china followed by lebron. you can be a "chinese" star on any team, especially a big market team. if they like your game they'll wear your jersey no matter which team you play on. people all over the planet want to be kobe, want to be lebron. even if howard is on the rox he still wouldn't sell any jerseys.
The only problem with this is the "sign" part. As unrestricted free agents, why the hell would either of them agree to go play for the Kings or Jazz or Magic? Hell, Dallas either for that matter. Of course they'd both beg us for a sign and trade if they thought they'd let their respective super stars just walk.
Hmmmm... I think I already said that when I mentioned "The take away is that although lots of recruiting going on, he still wants Brooklyn and his agent doesn't want Houston." Perhaps you want to take another look where wrote "Dwight's agent." Again you are missing the point, I am offering an opinion, not fact. I know there has been several positive Dwight to Houston articles but I am starting to believe they are smokescreens unless you believe every media report is 100% fact.
The comment on basketball fans all over the world wanting to be Kobe or LeBron is correct. TMac sold a lot of jerseys back in the day was largely because people want to be TMac as well, he was one of the top cool basketball players. On Chinese perception on Lin, you just don't know and guessing here. I would say it depends, if Lin improves a lot in the next few years he might get very popular in China.
As if we all didn't see these curveballs coming. Do none of you remember last summer? Every day it was a new rumor. One day it was looking like Dwight was ours. The next day Brooklyn, the next day Orlando was keeping him. OKC is jumping the next day. Just strap in and get ready for July.
Huh? THIS IS COMING FROM PAUL'S SIDE! What is Dwight supposed to do, turn off his phone for 3 weeks and block all contact with the outside world? Dwight isn't looking around for anything. This is Chris Paul's doing.
Another route we could go is too facilitate Howard to LAC by using our capspace to absorb Griffin. Worst case scenario is us getting left high and dry. Certainly try and snatch the benefit away from the Lakers if Paul demands the Clippers get Howard by any means necessary.
Knowing Morey, I don't think we're going to end up with Paul and Howard. Have we ever predicted a Morey trade before it actually happened? Watch when we facilitate a deal that will get rid of Lin and us getting back Lillard and LMA and Paul and Howard end up in Portland or something... In my wildest dreams, but the point is that its something extremely left field. Will any of Cleveland, Orlando, Charlotte, or Washington entertain the idea of giving up the first round pick for Asik and future protected picks? Lin, I would assume not, but Asik is a very tempting piece to add to any team.
