From a PR standpoint, if we are getting Dwight, it’s good to let the rumors leak out now versus dropping the bomb on the day he signs. Inevitably, there will be a biiiig backlash if he goes anywhere other LA. He will be one of the most loathed NBA player this season if he leave. So, from a Rockets and Dwight point of view, it’s better to desensitize the population and media a little now by hinting he’s leaving. That way, in July when he signs, it wasn’t a surprise to anyone.
We are now the favorites to land Dwight. Hawks+1200 Lakers+120 Mavericks+800 Nets+1000 Rockets+110 Warriors+800 x Field (Any Other Team)+800
Are they yawning or is this a picture of Houstonians trying to really welcome Dwight to the city...if you know what I mean.
Well that would be pretty awesome if we land D-12, but if we don't we still have a couple of FA we can land either way am excited.
Ramona Shelburne: Still think he's coming back to LA because of they money on the table. If California was a blue state and Texas is a red state, Cali is shaded light blue, Texas light red, that's how close it is. Lakers aren't making the right pitch. They're daring him to leave. How can you turn us down, we're the Lakers! Dwight wants to hear how are we going to win a championship? I think he would re-sign if Phil came back. Harden has been on the phone with Dwight already kissing up to him, telling him how great it's going to be.
Sportsbook odds, which I think are based on Vegas odds. There is no way I could come up with some intricate system to put odds on him signing that would hold any merit.
JVG: All the talk and reports about him being on the downside. The only concern I have is where is his head? Will he fully commit to the team and doing exactly what McHale wants him to do in order for them to be what they want to be? Or will he go through these mood swings, that not only impact his play but the team. When you're a great player like Howard, if you're always seemingly unhappy with your role, it filters down. If he brings a great attitude, it's a no brainer. They jump into the top four in the Western Conference. Can Howard and another star work? It can definitely work. Will Howard want it to work under those circumstances? Howard's greatest strengths will always be defense and rebounding. He is a limited offensive player that is a good PnR screener and very effective roller to the basket. That's how Houston plays now. He would fit in very well. If he wants the ball brought to him on the block 20 times a game like McHale used to get back in his days, that would detrimental to the Rockets. It all depends on Howard wants to fit. Does he want to do what he does best to help win it all? Its easy to say "All I care about is winning." After he or any player says that, what do they do to show you? They all know how to play the media game now but very few are truly that locked in to the ultimate prize. Many guys are interested in their own stats. That's where Houston has been truly blessed. When Olajuwon was winning, even though he put up big numbers, he was about the team. Yao Ming, about the team. You gotta want to fit in. I don't know if he does or doesn't.
I remember being on a big job this past summer, working outside in 100 degree heat after summer classes. I had the radio on to 610 and was listening to draft coverage all afternoon/evening. When we still had out 3 first rounders and no trade came to fruition, I (along with a lot of others on CF) were very disappointed. Free agency was looming around the corner, and our picks tied up into actual players, the premise of DH coming to Houston was cut shorter. Even though Houston had the best available( and flexible) packages of any of the teams (even after the draft), LA still managed to wrangle up a 4-team deal that crushed Houston's hope. Until James Harden, that is. I still don't know where we'd be without JH13 right now. I'm forever thankful to Daryl Morey for pulling that one out and staying strong after all the failed deals for the franchise over the years. There's one thing we have working for us this time around though: Dan Fegan and the absence of having to work with rookie GMs like Rob Hennigan. Not sure how optimistic we should be, though.
JVG making good points, glad he mentioned Dream and Yao as being great team players. I know for sure Dwight will never be like that nor will he be the hardest worker and leader, but with the way the NBA is now, you need at least 2 great players to even compete. Might as well be Dwight, it's not like Chris Paul or even Josh Smith are that much better. All self-centred, egotistic and arrogant so doesn't matter.
LOL. http://forums.lakersground.net/viewtopic.php?p=5339724#5339724 James Harden on one side, Darius Morris on the other. That about sums it up.
Great find! I love listening to Van Gundy interviews. It's pretty clear that he thinks Howard would be a great fit in Houston. Whether Howard ends up here? JVG doesn't know more than we do.
