People forget, Cyberx was the first person to break the news about both the Lin and Asik signings. As a Lakers fan he obviously wants Dwight to stay in LA. Just like any fan, he is biased like the rest of us. The Dwight situation is fluid and it cones down to opinion. Nevertheless, he was the first to tell us about Dwight's interest in Houston in detail, before reports came out. He put his neck on the line to tell us about the golden state rumor being hot air. Cyberx is without a doubt legit and I, as well as some others here can vouch for him. The fact of the matter is, if his info wasn't tweeted the way it was, or he didn't have to face constant ridicule for only trying to give us info, the board would without a doubt know more info than they do now. I guarantee it. So thanks all you bad apples for ruining it for the rest of the board. Much appreciated.
No he wasn't. He had nothing on Lin. On Asik, it was suspected the entire time that Chicago wouldn't match -- AND Lance Zierlein had already broken the "from Morey" bit on the radio. He broke news the same way we can "break" that Aaron Hernandez was charged with murder.
OK, OK. Forget I said anything. It was a mistake for me to bring it up at all. cyberX is Jesus Christ reborn. I have had several reputable posters email me to confirm this. So let's just stick to the actual roster moves.
Wasn't he saying that like a week ago? That is why I don't put too much stock into the things being said so many weeks before the actual signing day. Until July 10th, any team can switch 'momentum', whatever that means. I actually worry about us peaking too early haha.
I can respect your suspicious nature. Coincidently enough, I'm the same way. The fact that I know who Cyberx is and how he gets his info makes it just a little frustrating for me. Having said that, you don't have to believe cyberx or me for that matter.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/JRudolphSports">@JRudolphSports</a> on if Dwight doesn't return to <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Lakers&src=hash">#Lakers</a> (w/o hesitation): He'll end up with <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Rockets&src=hash">#Rockets</a>--"I'll put the house on Houston"</p>— NBC Sports Radio (@NBCSportsRadio) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBCSportsRadio/statuses/331243745762766849">May 6, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>I know for a fact that there are people in Dwight Howard's life trying to sell him on Houston. But like I said, I think he stays in L.A.</p>— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlexKennedyNBA/statuses/328679568531668992">April 29, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Meanwhile, here's cyberx "breaking" the news, several days later (May 9): http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=238488
All this post does is point out just how painstakingly long of a process it's been to get to this point, and we're still not even there yet! I really want it to be July 1, just so we can at least start hearing actual, tangible news on meetings between Dwight and the Rockets/Lakers/Mavs/Hawks/Olympiacos/YMCA rec teams.
Just to clarify, I have nothing against the guy and I'm not saying he's a fraud. And Dwight could definitely still stay with the Lakers. I'm just tired of the hero worship and rewriting of history to make him out to be some insider god. His "scoops" aren't particularly unique -- every one of them that I can think of had already been reported elsewhere and/or was extremely logical and easy to predict based on the facts we knew of the situation. Now, does that mean he's bull****ting? Not necessarily. Lots of people get similar info at the same time, and I have no doubt he has connections. But his information is subject to review, just like we do with anyone else's, and if it seems like his Laker bias is coloring his intepretation (as it was with the "momentum" post)... he deserves to get called out on it here. If that bothers him so much that he won't post, he needs to get some thicker skin. I appreciate his posts and hope he continues to post here, but we don't need to rewrite history, kiss the ground he walks on and assume everything he tells us is 100% gospel. People were jumping off rooftops over his posts last week, even as all indications and trusted/verifiable insiders (Woj) said the complete opposite on that same day. Just keep perspective, consider the biases of the possible source, and move on.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>If you’re walking Hollywood Blvd. looking down at the stars, don’t miss the one above you. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23STAYD12&src=hash">#STAYD12</a> <a href="http://t.co/iI5DIWSb1R">pic.twitter.com/iI5DIWSb1R</a></p>— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lakers/statuses/349981663079563266">June 26, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Coincidentally, Stay was the name of Orlando's grassroots campaign pleading Dwight to remain on the Magic. That obviously didn't work out too well for them.
I like that their new plan is really about making it difficult for him to leave. Put these up everywhere and remind the public in LA that they "begged" him to stay, that way it'll demonize him even more if he leaves.
Dwight to Lakers: "Why should I 'STAY?' So I can see Nash, Kobe retire, Gasol get traded, with a long term plan to rebuild? No thanks... I'm doing what's best for me, not what whiny, flailes-hands-up in air Kobe Bryant wants. Id be the main piece of Lakers true, but I want to be part of an up and coming team with a championship in the near future, not to wait til Kobe retires, Nash retires, Gasol gets traded, etc... Mitch can say anything to me til he's blue in the face but words have little value... Its action that speak the loudest! If LA really wanted me to stay, then they would have young players with future star potential,(ON THE TEAM ALREADY!!) not surround me with players who are past their prime, making plans on where they will go/how the rest of their lives will be lived outside of the NBA! Ima go to Houston, where everything (compared to Lakers) is pretty much in place. I may not win an NBA title this year but I won't have to wait AS LONG if I stayed with the Lakers! See you in the offseason, LA!" Lakers to Dwight: BUT... BUT... Dwight! We will be the suckier team of LA if you leave. The Clippers will be the talk of the town, not us! Dwight to Lakers: And that means what to me? Zippo!! You should have thought about this way way before I became an UFA. Lakers: LOL...
I actually think this could end up making him even more put-off. Put up banners that say stay but what are they DOING to make him stay? Are they hiring a more "Dwight-friendly" coach to install a more "Dwight-friendly" offense? Nope. Are they working to make major trades to put a contender on the court this year? Nope. Are they doing ANYTHING other than just asking him to stay? Nope. In the end I hope Dwight sticks to his guns and makes his decision based on basketball and not billboards.
is it just me, or is the "stay." billboard a bit too imperative? like telling a dog to stay? maybe it's the lack of emphasis or exhortation implied by the use of a period. like the lakers just expect it. maybe free agency just needs to start so i can quit obsessing over minute details.
