<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>More Yao Ming on Skype w/Dwight Howard: "We can't miss this one. As soon as Tad Brown&Daryl called me I said of course I would love to help"</p>— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkBermanFox26/statuses/351627514508087296">July 1, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>What did Yao Ming tell Dwight Howard on Skype from China during meeting with Rockets: "You have a big steak there?"</p>— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkBermanFox26/statuses/351627888350609409">July 1, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Yao Ming on Skype from China during meeting w/ Rockets & Dwight Howard: "I tell him Houston Rockets are a team w/tradition of great centers"</p>— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkBermanFox26/statuses/351628836082946048">July 1, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>More Yao Ming to Dwight Howard on Skype :"We have a young team, a talented team that has ability to reach championship level with you."</p>— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkBermanFox26/statuses/351630155736825856">July 1, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Keith Jones? I don't know that there are a lot of people who have been around since the RudyT days who would be in position to hear all this type stuff. Jones would be one.
It doesn't matter what Mitch says, he started the process by hiring the wrong coach then sticking with him. No one with money wants to move from LA to Houston, but Kobe alienated Dwite a long time ago and the team has too many aging vets for his liking. Dwite's psychology is eXtremely transparent. Dallas, despite a great owner, has a similar issue with age and no guarantee's from big name players. Dwite needs a plug and play scenario and the only real options are Houston and GSW. Houston gets the edge because of Harden's physicality, their history of catering to big men and Morey's rep amongst journalists. Howard would fit better alongside a Curry/Thompson backcourt, but psychologically he feels they're too one dimensional.
Rockets going after players to surround Dwight with so my guess is they will talk to as many guys as possible and take whoever is willing to accept the low contract to be part of a championship team. Hopefully Garcia & Tony Allen are among them!
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Rockets GM Daryl Morey on meeting w/free agent center Dwight Howard: "Dwight is focused on winning championships & so r we. It's a good fit"</p>— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkBermanFox26/statuses/351636885795385347">July 1, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
When it comes down to it, Dwight is going to look at LA and see that they have an aging superstar SG who doesn't have any chemistry with him and may never play at a superstar level again due to his injury. They have a has-been power forward who will never play at an all star level again. They have a former all star point guard who is age 39 and has proven incapable of remaining healthy at this late point in his career. And they have nothing else. He can't contend for a championship in LA, certainly not in the next couple seasons, not unless he truly believes he can somehow convince LeBron to join him there. On the flip side, he can look at Houston and see a team filled with young talent and the flexibility to add even more talent. He can see a team which can contend for a championship with him starting right now and lasting as long as Dwight plays basketball, if he so wishes, because all of the players on the team are younger than him, not older. From a basketball perspective, it's a no brainer.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>More Daryl Morey: "We're the best destination for winning next year & over time. (Dwight) had questions. I think we addressed them well."</p>— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkBermanFox26/statuses/351638681863471104">July 1, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
