I seriously don't understand the infatuation with Dwight Howard

Just watch, Dwight will be the next Amare Stoudemire. Huge contract that you can't move with a declining player. Howard's entire game depends on athleticism because he has nothing else. He's already at the age where that athleticism is in decline, and his injuries piling up is evidence of that. Hope the Rockets don't learn this the hard way.

 

Who thinks it is a GUARANTEED win? People just think it is the best option on the table in the near future. Getting Dwight does not mean we HAVE to move Asik, so to say we shouldn't get Dwight because we then MIGHT move Asik to BETTER our team is weird. Asik, if he is moved, will be to better our team. Adding Dwight gives us the FLEXIBILITY to move Asik should we WANT. That is a good thing.

And should he become disgruntled and want to leave, guess what? We just converted an expiring asset into some other form of an asset. If he demands a trade we, wait for it, get value back. It isn't like we give him away for free. Others will send near $20M worth in things back (should we want)...and good, shiny things too because there will be a competitive market for Dwight. If he thinks he is too big a star and wants to leave, we get something in return. Will it be worth as much as retaining Dwight? Probably not, but chances are, it will be on par or better than whatever else the $20M in cap room would have otherwise gotten us.

For example, you say you want JSmith instead (and some of these risks are possible with say, Josh Smith as well btw). Whatever team he signs with, if Dwight wanted out a yr from now, you don't think they'll POUNCE at the idea of trading Dwight for Josh Smith? Could you say the same for the reverse? Smith for Dwight? Exactly. He's value. We're converting an asset (cap space) into another asset that is surprisingly more liquid.

Asik is great, but he will most likely never get to Dwight's level. His lack of skill on the offensive end is just too evident. He's great, but talent-wise, no one would pick Asik over Howard. The intangibles though, maybe. But if we get Dwight, we even have the flexibility to SnT Asik for JSmith. Food for thought.

 

Two different players. Amare actually has some skills. He's just not on Dwight's level.

Dwight is a legit center. In a centerless age of basketball. Just check his averages this past year and he was coming back from a major injury. He will instantly make us a top defensive team.

 

He's had one major injury and a minor shoulder injury. I think 'piling up' is sort of overstating it. The Amare comparison is a scary one. That would be horrible for us, but it is probably a risk worth taking. All signs point to a near full or full recovery from his back injury. Same could not be said for Amare from his knee injury at the time, I believe.

 

How is Howard a cancer? He led a pretty bad Orlando team to the Finals. You can't do that without being a good teammate. His persona and his charisma all give reason to believe that people like him and would enjoy playing with him. If you call him a cancer because of his time with the Lakers, you have it completely wrong. The true cancer of that team was either Kobe himself, or D'Antoni.

 

anytime you have a chance to add the best player at his position you take the chance. Howard may not be dream or shaq but in todays nba he is the best. Like it or not he adds a dimension we dont have with this team.

 

Imagine asik.

Now imagine asik with much better shot blocking and finishing ability. That is just the start.

 

For the Rockets, we are very close to serious championship contention, but we will not get there unless we can get a superstar in the paint. The unfortunate fact in the NBA today is that in order to win you need at least two stars. With Howard, along with harden, not only will we have our two stars but we will have one of the best supporting teams around them both. We will be serious contenders.

Howard has had two terrible coaches to fit him in D'antoni and Stan Van Gundy, and with the right coach he can succeed and be the dominant player he can be. We have the right coach here. McHale is one of, if not the best big man coaches in the league.

Howard needs a young team around him that fits him. He has clearly already been in contact with our guys, and has become pretty good friends with a lot of them. We already have terrific chemistry as a team and that is exactly what a guy like Howard needs, a young team with great chemistry that he can "fit" with. Yes there as risks with him, but the risk is worth the reward. Acquiring Dwight Howard is the only way we will be able to have a chance to contend. So yeah, that is why I am infatuated with him.

 

ppl severely underestimate howard's impact on the game. post all-star break, dwight did 18/13, and anchored a lakers defense that was like top 3 in the league. he's an all time good defender, and a very productive offensive player in the p&r. the element he'd add to our team on both ends of the floor is unmatched by anyone else on the trade block or in FA. ppl saying he's declined don't realize he came back too early from his off-season surgery and needed time to come back to the same form. whe that sort of player is available, you go at him with all you've got. bottom line.

 

Russell, Wilt, Shaq, Olajuwon, Admiral, Jabbar, Yao are all better than him but the era is near gone

 

Dwight + Asik = Western Conference rebounding supremacy. By getting Superman, we can get other superheroes to join him. I don't think Heat gets a championship this past season without Ray Allen, game 6 and Battier, game 7. Getting Dwight, we will have an easier path to the championship, importantly other players who want to join our force. Given space, we should take it immediately and don't look back.

 

Deke didn't tie up $20M in cap space

 

I'd rather spend the money on Aldridge of Love. Even better Aldride. Use the extra money to take back a bad contract from Portland to help them clear up cap space to sweeten the deal and get it done.

 

Anyone else notice how our "risks worth taking" have panned out?

 

You know what, you're right on all your points but dude is the best at his position. After watching Kobe flame out and D wade play like an old man its safe to say that Harden is the best at his position. So why wouldn't you want to unite two of the best players in the league, add Parsons scoring and Lins ability to drive and kick and hit the open jumper and you have a top three favorite for the title. I was against it at first then I saw how vulnerable the Rox are when their shots aren't falling, Howard's offense could pace the team on off shooting nights. Dude if you want this team to ever have another title in then you would see why getting Howard should be the biggest priority

 

If you think the current roster is a few "pieces" away from a championship, you live in a complete fantasy world.

Unless "pieces" is your word for 1st or 2nd team All NBA.

 

The problem is its not just money you would have tied up. You'd have to deplete this team of all its resources except James Harden to acquire them. Even then, Im not sure that's good enough to get the deal done. Minnesota turned down the #1 pick for crying out loud to send Love to Cleveland.

With the moves it would take to acquire someone like Love or LMA, it would take a year of the Rockets making more trades to acquire picks, and shedding more salary.

Im not sure you want to create that kind of culture in the lockeroom yet again when you already have a star player on board. Last thing you want is for him to become unhappy and try and force his way out of Houston.

The Rockets are either going to need one of these players to force their way to Houston via upcoming free agency, or wait for free agency to acquire unfortunately. Unless they find a team that has value and a good fit for Parsons and Asik.

 

damn wheres the new thread of Dwight unlikely to sign with LA ..Clutchfans is slipping right you would think they would be on top of this story

 

Are you serious?

 

yessssss