I am thrilled about Swift's signing (though he has a lot to prove), but I can't help thinking about J.Howard. I know it's a business, but he must feel like the odd man out. Once the hundred million dollar man, a member of the "FabFive," a major figure in the league, his future seems uncertain. Will he be traded again, will he back up an unproven youngster, will he be able to play at all? Howard is a skilled player, a nice guy, and solid addition to last year's team. I wish him the best.
I doubt he feels lonely. He's a multi-multimillionair who has a family and a contract to play several more years in the NBA. JH has been around the block enough times that I assume it gets easier, not harder, each time his circumstances change. He's still a Rocket and probably will remain one. While I admire him a lot as a pro's pro and feel his contribution last year was underrated by many, he needs no sympathy from us. He's blessed to be above terra firma after his wife nagged him to finally have his chest pain checked out. That was probably a big perspective check for him. I'm guessing he feels very blessed, not lonely.
I think he's more concerned with his own health now and I hope he will be 100% recovered. I dont think Swift is 100% sure starter ahead of Howard. Just like last year I think JVG will make the decision based on the training camp and pre-season games. He surprised a lot of us with starting Taylor last year.
Howard probably understands all of this and will continue to do what is best for the team, either starting or coming off the bench. Swift has to prove himself first, unless Howard can consistently nail wide open 18 footers like he did when the team was playing the best, at all cylinders!!!
"Once the hundred million dollar man..." ___________ He's still a hundred million dollar man ~ I don't think he's feeling too bad. JH will get some nice minutes.
Yeah, I keep forgetting that these guys' enormous incomes makes them more than human. (sarcasm) I agree that he probably feels blessed that he is alive, and he is rich, but, as a player, he must wonder where he is going to fit in. NBA players still garner much of their identity from their playing status, it is still important to them. Their egos are exposed to a public forum where they can face high praise or humiliation. Observe how TMac responded to the way he was "smeared" in Orlando. He is megarich, but he very much cares how he is thought of as a player. I bet Howard does too.
Good thread. I've always liked JHo and I hate it when people blame players for getting someone to pay them way over market value. Unfortunately he carries that "stigma". Aside for my hopes for his personal health and peace of mind I think he's much more valuable to us than many seem to think. As much as I respect (and love) what Sura, Barry, Wesley and James did for us I believe Juwan was the one who most understood the inter-play between T-Mac and Yao as it developed. I want Stro to win the starting job (not earth-shattering if he doesn't) but I want JHo to show him how to space offensively and where the open man will be (based on the defense of course). I also think he was a big part of the chemistry last year. As much as I want another piece in the backcourt I wouldn't trade Howard unless we got someone much better than who's available.
At this point in his career, I believe that J Howard cares more about winning and being a part of a true team than being a sure fire starter next season. Juwon Howard knows what type of expectations come along with a big contract. He will help tutor Swift and bring him along. If you go back and watch highlights from Yao's 27/22/5 game against the Suns last year, you will see what type of game Juwon has. He's a very effective scorer when given the chance. IMO, I believe Juwon will show up in a big time game this upcoming season and make us all glad that he wasn't written off after his inury versus Golden State.
Are you lonesome tonight? Is your kitchen a sight? Is your wardrobe all run down and bare? Is your lipstick all smeared? Are your stockings not shear? Do they make your legs show all of your hair? Do the tears on your pillow, roll down as you turn? Do they short out the blanket, and make the sheets burn? Is your heart filled with pain? Will you come back again? Shop at Macy's and love me tonight!
Juwan has been knocking 18 footers down his whole career. That's what he does best. Swift has to show a lot to the coaches to overtake a veteran like Juwan
Juwan has been around the block long enough and seems humble enough to know that players, age, get injured, benched, traded, get cut, freak accident whatever.... **** happens. It's how players like Michael Finley, Reggie Miller, Grant Hill, Jim Jackson just to name a few have roles change and they deal with it. And I'm sure if Juwan were to be benched he'd be A-okay with that considering he's been around long enough to realize chances of winning a championship are decreasing by the game. He's going to fit in just fine I'd think... what better than a saavy veteran has been really good and still is good coming off the bench? Reminds me of what Dikembe does for us coming off the bench.
I bursted out singing with those lyrics. Wife came in the middle of the song with a puzzled look on her face. I said it's a long story involves Juwan Howard. She rolled her eyes, called me stupid, and headed out the kitchen. Good times.
Lonely? He's swimming in money right now. And laughing. And swimming. And laughing, because he's swimming. The man is robbing us.
You are robbing us out of intelligent conversation. He's not robbing anybody and especially not you. You're not paying him out of your pocket are you? He's a paid professional who has worked in a professional manner his whole career. He is not holding anybody under gunpoint
Unless he gets traded, I'd expect Howard would still have a very significant role on the team. Ideally, he comes off the bench and provides scoring when Yao and/or TMac needs a breather(when Rocket points become scarce). Frontcourt scoring off the bench was scarce last year. James and Howard scoring off the bench would be a nice punch. Yao and Swift subbed by Deke and Howard looks balanced to me. It's all up to Swift to make it work.
Juwan Howard feeling lonely? This guy is still on our team. Unless we pick up another pf, he's still an important player for us. If he's sitting around feeling miserable because his team filled a need, improved our depth and made the team better, then he's the one being selfish. If this guy is concerned about the team and just wants to win then he's probably ecstatic right now. Which is how I'd expect a pro's pro like him to be.
