I'm only scared because it's Dwight. He doesn't know what he wants and could change his mind in an instance.
Putting together these bits and pieces, it seems clear to me that the Rockets pitch is superior to that of other teams in terms of its preparation, content, seriousness with which it was received, pretty much all aspects. The organization put up a surgically precise attack. The first 20-odd pages of this thread were beautiful to read - well done CF posters! I love this front office and the way the Rockets are run!
The Rockets, with Howard and possibly another serious player (Josh Smith), are closer to being contenders than would the Lakers be with Howard. Houston could get lucky. LA basically has no shot next year because Kobe is coming off the injury. In 2 years, there is no certainty in LA. You're not coming to play for Dr Buss any more. Money could be less (Buss family took inheritance tax hit) and I heard an LA source say that none of the free agents in 2014 want to play with Kobe. In 2014-15, Kobe will probably start the year somewhere around 55,500 total career minutes (playoffs and regular season) and 36 years old. I'm giving him around 1,500 minutes next year, about half his normal minutes. That figure would put him top-5 all time in total career minutes. When Kobe plays next year, he will be the first perimeter player in NBA history to begin an NBA season with more than 54,000 total career minutes. Kobe doesn't have long left in his legs, regardless of age. The team is old. The new owner(s) is unproven. The Lakers are second fiddle in LA right now. Houston is a much, much different situation. A better situation. If a person wants to have the best, most assured shot at contending for a championship based upon what we know today.
No this is incorrect. New CBA only allows original team to get the extra year. It is suppose to be an incentive to sign with the home team.
There were no issues other than pride at stake for the Cavs. It made sense for them to give in. For the Lakers, there are enormous consequences if they take on Dwight's salary (or its equivalent). Offer has to be worth it.
Another big difference is that the Warriors can't sign him outright like Miami could. If he decides on the Warriors the Lakers can just say "no."
This is just getting stupid. First its free chicken fingers for life now a phone call for crazy Jack Nicholson. Dude's a great player and would love him as a rocket but give me a break
Well, folks. It's a The Dwight and Smith will be Rockets by 10th and 15th collectively. We are the new super team.
Easiest rep of the day! * Jump Shooter -- I agree, it's all PR from here on out. If this were anyone besides Howard, I think this would be all but over. Maybe it is, anyways.
I'm not crazy about getting Smith unless it means getting Howard, so we're on the same page there. Hopefully, we won't have to go that route. A 4 year deal starting at $15 million sounds attractive to me (were I Smith!), and might to Smith, considering who he'd be playing with, but you're right about his agent, who would likely be fine with Smith playing for pretty much anyone if it were for a max deal.
You really could have played that out by dropping bits of the script and scenes of you arguing with the producers. SMH.
Ugh. $15 million? For Josh Smith? No. Just no. I'm not sure I'd even want Dwight if it means biting the pillow for that contract.
I hear Rudy T stumbled into last night's meeting totally wasted and passed out at the table halfway through
