Regarding Berger's article, the general theme is true. Winning a title in LA is harder, but it will be done on a grander stage. It's like in Jerry McGuire -- the "quaaaan." So Dwight has the clear cut easier and higher percentage choice in Houston, or the "harder" path to greater glory in LA. People say it would take guts to leave LA. I think it would take more guts to stay. However, one statement in Berger's article rings false. If LA keeps Dwight and Kobe, how in the hell are they supposed to land two more max FA's. I guess the idea would be that the Lakers have Dwight in the fold, sign 2 max FA's with remaining cap room, and then go over the cap to bring Kobe back. I don't recall whether that's even possible with cap holds and what not. Can someone comment on this? Of the 2014 FA's, how is LA supposed to get help? Melo: I can see him leaving NY b/c they're not winning crap, but doesn't his wife like NYC? Lebron: Miami will probably have won the Eastern conference four years running, and its a much easier path to the finals. Why would he want to share the stage with Dwight and Kobe, especially Kobe, who he is trying to distance himself from in the GOAT conversation. Wade: He is a Maimi icon and stays as long as Lebron does. Bosh: I can see him leaving for LA as a mutual decision between him and Miami. So Dwight is supposed to suffer through a losing 2013 for an end game in 2014 that consists of him, Melo/Bosh and an grumpy/aging Kobe that still insists it's his team? I'd take OKC over that squad. And the favorites would still be a reloaded Miami squad that has Bosh's salary to play with.
It only took my an hour and a half this morning to catch up on this thread. Probably 30 minutes of that was just watching gifs.
Nah it just means Dwight is taking his talents to the Rocky Mountains to play for the Denver Nuggets.
WAIT. Dwight is Superman Superman can fly Eagles also fly Singular of Eagles is EAGLE Eagle, Colorado is a famous destination for KOBE, BRYANT DWIGHT IS STAYING WITH THE LAKERS!
The city of Houston is not a typical sports town, primarily because we have so may transplants. We are typically bandwagoners, but who doesn't think a Howard/Rockets team won't win 55 games and go deep in the playoffs. But what Houston as a city and sport's fans doesn't do is dwell on negativity. Yes can be pushed into it (old Hakeem, David Car, Lastros) but it's not the nature of the town to to get their jollies bashing our own. I think because people move here to make money and most of us do, it's a positive "Can Do" town with an upbeat strive for success mentality. Other towns that are depressed or ahem, entitled, tend to blame their sports figures (schadenfreude) to make themselves feel better.
It's impossible to bring a third max player without Kobe taking a serious pay cut. Lebron, Wade, and Bosh were able to do it because they weren't supermax players at the time and they all took a pay cut. Howard and Kobe make over 50 milliion by themselves. Kobe would have to take less than 10 million to afford Lebron or Melo.
Hmmm, I've got family in Aspen. Stalk mode activated! I'm guessing he'll be at the St. Regis or possibly Little Nell.
OK I see what you mean and I agree. Often to the detriment of the sports in the city, the fanbase rarely gets negative. Like I said, the passions don't run very hot here. If you are on the verge of a championship all of a sudden everyone is super excited. Otherwise it's pretty even keel.
they would have to renounce Kobe and his cap hold making him a complete UFA - sign the max FAs and then have kobe sign back under the MLE or mini-MLE depending on what they have available. Now doing all this would seem really fishy and have the appearance that Kobe and the Lakers had already negotiated such a deal prior which would be illegal i believe only way is if the lakers amnesty kobe and he sits out the entire year (even if picked up by a different team) rehabbing and then signs with LA after they sign the other max FAs
Why is there no mention about the warriors as a posibility? They have the best out of any team that's pursuing dwight. IMO I think they are still better than the Rockets even if they trade Klay Thompson and Andrew Bougt for D12. For se reason I have some feeling he will take a team that nobody has talked about the mavs or warriors.
