I think that is code for they don't know anything. The most important question is "who?", just who are the lakers going to reload with? You know why they never say who? Because there is nobody! 2013-14 : throw away, not happening, no way no how 2014-15 : Miami trio, Melo, does anyone really think there's more than a 1% chance that any of those 4 end up in LA? So now we're up to 2 years into Dwight's tenure 2015-16 : Kevin Love, Lamarcus Aldridge, both are possibilities, but somewhat longshots because their teams could start being competitive, and if not they'll be traded to someone who is, and for that you need things such as quality young players, something the lakers have nothing of, let's see that happened, the first year is likely to be somewhat of a learning year (heck even Miami didn't win in year 1, need some roster fillout etc, the same thing would happen here, no winning in year 1, maybe WCF at best), let's say ****, it's the lakers so we'll make it 20% (anyone else i'd say 10%). So now we're at 2016-17, he has a 20% chance of competing for a title at the age of 31. Yay storied franchise....If he stays, that's his future in a nutshell.
Exactly. I think there is a shot that Melo leaves...but it's a small shot. I mean the guy is from New York and that seemed to be a large reason why he wanted to go there. Beyond that...if the Lakers are planning for 2015 then lol. You are right. Guys like Love, the young players up for max contracts will be on the trading block before they hit FA. How and who are the Lakers going to rebuild with?
I still think Dallas is more likely to get Howard than we are. I can see Cuban going for Howard and Paul this summer
howard is poison. do not want this primadonna. i don't know how it can happen or if it is even feasible, but is it possible to get lamarcus aldridge? he's cool-headed and a texan. i don't know about contracts and money numbers, but aldridge would be the perfect fit for the 4 or sliding over at center.
So will the Rockets, and we would have a much easier time shedding the salaries needed to make it happen. If Howard and Paul want to team up (and indications are they don't, but let's run with the hypothetical), why would they do so in Dallas with an old Dirk and remnants of a playoff-less roster? It would make a lot more sense to do it in Houston with a 23-year-old James Harden and superior young talent throughout the roster.
Are you serious? Yao was the FLAGBEARER for the Chinese Olympics. He is a Chinese hero, for all the best reasons. Kobe is just a popular player. In addition, Yao has do so much for the community in China.
By the way, new stuff this afternoon from Alex Kennedy. I know -- it's Hoopsworld, he usually rehashes outside information, etc. But one thing I did note about Kennedy last summer was that like Rudolph at RealGM, he essentially whored himself out to Dwight's team. That is, he repeated and spread whatever Dwight's people told him, without questioning, in exchange for access. Kennedy seemed to be No. 2 on the totem pole behind Rudolph, in their eyes. Here's the interesting part of his story today: http://www.hoopsworld.com/nba-pm-top-five-destinations-for-dwight-howard
It is pretty much impossible for Dallas to get both Howard and Paul. Dirk is going to make $22.7 million next year. By himself. And Shawn Marion will be clogging up their cap to the tune of $9.3 million. Sure, they have the ABILITY to get one of those guys. But unless Dallas wants to trade Dirk to L.A., and the L.A. team actually wants Dirk, getting both of those free agent superstars is not going to happen.
I don't think he's speaking on behalf of or for Dwight but... Spoiler <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>@<a href="https://twitter.com/pa_mi_o">pa_mi_o</a> @<a href="https://twitter.com/eyeonbasketball">eyeonbasketball</a>: Nope, been to both, LA is nice, but I'll take Dallas and Houston any day of the week.</p>— Jarrod N Rudolph (@JRudolphSports) <a href="https://twitter.com/JRudolphSports/status/334785776569159681">May 15, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>@<a href="https://twitter.com/pa_mi_o">pa_mi_o</a> @<a href="https://twitter.com/eyeonbasketball">eyeonbasketball</a>: Sponsors will go where the talent is. Commodities aren't based on location.</p>— Jarrod N Rudolph (@JRudolphSports) <a href="https://twitter.com/JRudolphSports/status/334794776513757184">May 15, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>@<a href="https://twitter.com/socalwill80">socalwill80</a>: Yup</p>— Jarrod N Rudolph (@JRudolphSports) <a href="https://twitter.com/JRudolphSports/status/333027698706350080">May 11, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>@<a href="https://twitter.com/wosnel">wosnel</a>: He'll make his decision when he's ready.</p>— Jarrod N Rudolph (@JRudolphSports) <a href="https://twitter.com/JRudolphSports/status/334810680521801728">May 15, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> (Old) <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>@<a href="https://twitter.com/arankin11">arankin11</a>: From what I understand, yes.</p>— Jarrod N Rudolph (@JRudolphSports) <a href="https://twitter.com/JRudolphSports/status/333649317749465088">May 12, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>@<a href="https://twitter.com/arankin11">arankin11</a>: Most people never take the 5th year.</p>— Jarrod N Rudolph (@JRudolphSports) <a href="https://twitter.com/JRudolphSports/status/333662110431186944">May 12, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Dirk has made mention of taking a paycut, since it's the last year of his contract, would that be allowed?
Can't blame you for having that kind of mindset being that we've been down this road before with other FA's and failed. The only difference this time around is having James Harden doing the recruiting with us. Expect the worst but hoping for the best. I just have a strong feeling this will finally be the off-season where we get our target.
Why we need Horward? We don't need another player with strong egoism and selfish mind. We need an excellent player who knows how to play team ball not only try to get his own stats.
Nice find. Rudolf has been Dwight's mouthpiece in the past. Mostly non-controversial but the sponsors and state taxes was a telling sign that money is not an issue! Dwight is seriously thinking about Houston.
