really? But I thought he is about winning. I don't see them winning next year with dwight, nowitzki and a rag tag group. If they somehow lured lebron in 2014 then we're talking, but then Howard is no longer the man, that's a big if, and a year is a while to wait for that possibility. Houston still seems to make the most sense, unless Dwight is concerned about his health moreso than reported in the media and a player option 5th year is really important to him. If that's the case then we may be dodging a bullet.
I'm giving the Lakers a slight edge. Howard has never been a free agent before so he wanted to experience it. LAL knows this guy and I could see them being able to sway him having the last word.
Appreciate all the info, but not knowing that "claiming" some kind of residence in Florida or Texas does nothing as far as tax savings if you play half your home games in Los Angeles is not something someone well connected to an agent should misconstrue.
While I don't know which is right, if he wanted the entertainment stuff first and foremost, why be wined and dined by 4 other teams when you know LA is where your heart is? Makes no sense, unless he wants both, but realizes he has to pick between the two.
True, but I think he didnt pull a CP3 because he generally doesn't know what he wants. But at the end of the day you got LAKER LAND in your ear and your not turning that down. Kevin Love 2014.
In regards to Josh Smith being at the Rockets' table last night-- Pistons, Josh Smith conduct lengthy talks Atlanta Hawks free agent Josh Smith met with the Detroit Pistons for over five hours after the free agency period began on Sunday evening in Los Angeles, a source said. The meeting was deemed productive, but no contract offer was made, the source said. Smith is expected to meet the Hawks and the Houston Rockets on Monday. – Marc J. Spears, 1:37 p.m. ET, July 1
True, what if he knows already he's going to resign with LA but is so up on his high horse, he just wanted to see what teams would go through - beg, kiss his feet or his ass, bow down - to get him. Just for funsies :grin:
I am sure dallas is saying bad things about houston like they always do. But why would he want to play with old ass players like dirk, marion, and carter? That is one year we know he wont be competing. Now, add to the fact that the only good free agents in 2014 are wade, bosh, lebron, and elo. None of them will leave their teams. They are happy where they are. Houston gives him the best chance to compete today and in the future. In dallas, chances are he will end up with guys like cousins, and budingers filling out his roster. The top players in the league are all taken. A guy like danny granger is great, but with an old dirk and dwight howard eating all the cap they simply wont have the offense it takes to win anything.
Actually he's signing for the next 4 years. If he signs a 5 year deal it will almost certainly include an opt out after year 4, which he will take if he is healthy and still playing well. Of course Boston isn't a preferred destination right now, but they can't offer him the biggest deal and they aren't the team he played on last year. I'd love to see him playing for us, but incumbency is a big deal. Comfort is a big deal. There is no question that the Lakers will have more contending teams then Houston over the long term. They may have more contending teams in the short-term too. Try and remember that the Lakers finished with a better record than Houston last year despite SUBSTANTIALLY more injuries. Furthermore, if Kobe retires or resigns for less after next season and/or Nash retires, the Lakers could go in to next summer with a ton of cap space and Howard calling all the shots on how the team is constructed. The Lakers have a lot to sell him on, including the fact that the Rockets are going to be Harden's team for the foreseeable future whereas that Lakers can be "his" team right away...the identity and history of Hall Of Fame centers hanging banners in the rafters of the Staples center is going to be a big piece of the pitch. The celebrity of the franchise is going to be a big pitch. And it DOESN"T ring hollow because they have backed it up - both long and short term -with titles.
Taxes other than income tax? I thought the Forbes Nitti article stated clearly that it is where he'll be working [e.g., where a NBA game is played] as opposed to where the permanent residence is located: http://www.forbes.com/sites/anthony...ause-dwight-howard-to-flee-l-a-for-houston/2/
my source in L.A- " Dwight has not made any decision but is leaning toward houston because of the chance of winning a championship next year" we will see the guy i know is pretty credible so we will see but dwight cant make up his mind he will prob end up signing with the bobcats
I'm a vegetarian, but I will be stopping by Whataburger later for some fries and a soda. They deserve my support for that. :grin:
