<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>The Houston Rockets still don't have quite enough cap space to give Dwight Howard a maximum contract but <a href="http://t.co/z4O6wtLORs">http://t.co/z4O6wtLORs</a></p>— Eric Pincus (@EricPincus) <a href="https://twitter.com/EricPincus/statuses/351886983058042881">July 2, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Meh, you can make the argument that Kobe is an court cancer because of his aggressiveness and shot selection while Gasol flat out sucks. Neither works with D'Antoni and Nash. You just can't build chemistry with certain players after a certain age. Dwite is a big deal because of his defensive presence and teams are fine bs'ing about him being a "franchise guy" to have him. We all know he's just a glorified, mentally soft Ben Wallace who doesn't want as much attention as he thinks he does. Once they have him locked up, it's a different story.
This. We had our eyes on dunleavy and he's gone just like that. No one is going to wait. http://hangtime.blogs.nba.com/2013/07/01/dunleavy-bulls-agree-on-two-year-deal/
What's up with the Florida plates? Did this guy follow Dwight to Florida, or did try Warriors execs rent a car and drive in from Florida? Or just a random plate on a rental car?
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I'm quite sure that if Howard decides to sign in Houston, it will be (mostly) a basketball decision. You can't expect a guy like Dwight to eat sleap basketball. He does have a life outside of it. But if he comes here, it will certainly mean that basketball meant more than the other things in life, since he'll get more of that while playing in LA. So if he choose Houston, even if it means some sort of side deal with Comcast and/or perhaps some China promotions, I'd be fine with it. Because it still means he's willing to leave LA and all the glamours that comes with that city.
Eh, we'll have to disagree on this one. The 5 teams involved almost certainly all have potential deals set up waiting on Dwight's decision - it's not like they have to wait for his word and then start from scratch. Thing is, those 5 teams (LAL, HOU, DAL, ATL, GSW) all have deals set up with other teams, those other teams are waiting on those deals, and they have deals set up with *other* teams... Once he announces his decision things will move rapidly. You mentioned CP, notice how immediately after that was announced a flurry of trade speculation was announced? Teams are talking to players, GMs are talking to each other, all of that is going on RIGHT NOW. They don't have to wait to do that. Obviously the faster all of this happens for the teams the better, but remember - the season doesn't start until November. When did Harden get here? Deals are going to be getting made all summer long. In light of that, I don't think taking 3-10 days to "decide" will be a big deal, or be held against him.
I believe he signed there because they could offer more money than we can with an exception (expecting a Dwight max salary intake, of course). Sometimes you just can't compete with that.
Due to TWC and Lakers being business partners, TWC paying Dwight would be considered circumvention of salary cap. NBA would void contract. NBA would take 1st round pick from lakers.
Man, tomorrow is gonna be a big day. Thank god both meetings will occur before the evening. Need that news!
I don't recall seeing this posted. And yes, I have read every page of the thread (albeit it's been over the last 20+ hours). But I thought this was interesting— Dwight may want the Rockets to offer another max for a "third star". If true, this presents many positive arguments towards Houston landing Howard: 1) This contradicts reports that Howard wants the team to be built around him for the coming future, something that would have given the Mavs and Lakers an advantage due to the aging Dirk and Kobe, respectively. 2) You know Daryl has prepared scenarios for a third max— or max type— player. I think what we're seeing with the Lin/Asik trade speculation, is our attempt at pulling off a big deal. You've got to imagine that there are S&T deals being discussed amongst the Rockets and teams like Portland, Atlanta and— only if Houston gets desperate— Denver. 3) The fact that Howard wants, essentially, a "third star"— and presuming that Houston is trying to facilitate trades to acquire one— indicates the possibility of Howard taking a slight pay-cut (and/or the acquired player doing the same). Houston would likely need to get rid of both Asik and Lin to afford an Aldridge or Smith; but would possibly be able to get rid of only one of them for Iggy. The "win now" mentality seems to be a common theme with Howard and the Rockets, and if moves are made (w/o extensive cap research) our rotation could look like this: PG: Beverley or traded player (Teague/Lou Williams?, separate trade for a pg?) SG: Harden SF: Parsons or Iggy? PF: Aldridge or Smith C: Howard B1: Brewer? B2: Smith B3: Jones B4: Anderson B5: Motiejunas/Canaan/FA
Same. This has absolutely been the least productive day in my life I can remember for a long time. I know I should step away from the computer, but... I can't. Wife is getting pis$ed at me now. :grin:
