Link The joke making the rounds within the Lakers' organization after Dwight Howard's departure is that he didn't just head to Houston for promises to play more in the post, escape Kobe Bryant's demands, avoid state income tax and savor a smaller town again. There were two wholly unreported elements working in critical tandem during the process: Dwight's baby mamas. And California's sky-high child-support rates. Howard was never going to make more money by staying, even with that fifth guaranteed year the Lakers were offering! The fact that the Lakers can laugh – even if the humor is rude – about Howard's departure is a reflection of the relief that many inside the club feel...
LOL, good for them. After NOT working so hard to NOT keep Howard now they feel so much relief that there NOT so hard work DIDN'T pay off. Great job Lakes, you really pulled one over on all of us.
Relieved? Then why were you begging for him to stay? LA is full of people who consider themselves high and mighty.
Per Bovada: Dwight Howard – Average Points Per Game in 2013 – 2014 Regular Season? Over/Under 19½ Dwight Howard – Average Rebounds Per Game in 2013 – 2014 Regular Season? Over/Under 13 Dwight Howard – Average Free Throw % in 2013 – 2014 Regular Season? Over/Under 53%
Denial - Laker's fans holding on to rumors that Dwight was still undecided after it leaked that he had selected Rockets. Anger - All the fans who post stupid, hateful comments underneath Dwight's Instagram photos. Bargaining - "Maybe it'll be a sign and trade", some said. Let's pick up Kaman instead. Depression - Lakers fans realizing that the next season will be utterly terrible. Acceptance - There's no relief. They're just rationalizing this any way they can. Houston won, fair and square.
Ima go bold and go OVER on all three! Yup that's right even FT%! My predictions for Dwight Howard this season: 22.5 PPG, 14 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.1 SPG, 2.7 BPG, 2.7 TPG 58% FG 56% FT 0.0 3PT%
I'd take the over on 13 rebounds. We shoot a million times, have no 4, CD will work with him, and man, that guy can rebound him some basketballs.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>When it comes to team chemistry, Dwight Howard leaving will be a massive addition by subtraction for the Lakers.</p>— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) <a href="https://twitter.com/ArashMarkazi/statuses/355032712052084739">July 10, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Arash has been slamming Dwight ever since he left. I guess he's still trying to convince himself and Lakers fans that they'll be better off. Comical.
Edit: Rockets25 beat me to it. Now he's a team chemistry killer. Spoiler <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>When it comes to team chemistry, Dwight Howard leaving will be a massive addition by subtraction for the Lakers.</p>— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) <a href="https://twitter.com/ArashMarkazi/statuses/355032712052084739">July 10, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Frankly, I'm surprised they wanted this guy back. Terrible person, terrible player, terrible teammate. Why did they want him back?
I'm wondering how many shots Dwight will block this season. It's been so long since we've had an elite shot blocker that I can't hardly wait to experience it again.
