Dwight Howard's Clusterfuck Is Now Houston's Problem

[Jackal]

Most definitely, Shaq is the most annoying member of the TNT crew and I'm a huge fan, he's just too childish sometimes. But still, him saying Dwight should average 24-26 & 12 a game shouldn't be seen as anything other than a challenge. Who cares about the pettiness before all of that, Howard has been in the league long enough to hone some of his offensive game.

It's just a lot of noise from Howard. A lot of noise. "I want this, this isn't good, the system, the players around me, the coach, the management, the fans.." Fix your weaknesses before pointing everywhere else.

Disclaimer: D'Antoni is a shit coach who has no idea how to utilize bigs (unless you're called Bargnani or Channing Frye orso)

[Andrew]

Absolutely, Shaq's spot on with that. We've seen him average around 23 and 14 before, so in the right situation with honed offensive skills and better habits in the post, 24-26 and 12 isn't out of the question.

On the Lakers though, you've also got Kobe putting up 20 shots per game and averaging 27 points while Gasol is also getting around 12 attempts per game, so getting 24-26 ppg isn't necessarily feasible when the ball has to be shared that much. As you noted, there's also D'Antoni's system, which doesn't help matters. On the other hand, if Howard made his free throws, he'd probably at least have been around the 20 ppg mark last season, to go along with his 12 boards.

[NovU]

I thought the back injury he suffered was severe enough to keep him away from entire season. He gradually took his orginal form as the season matured though.

Back to the topic, I think Kobe's approach was unnecessary. He somewhat made it sound like it's Dwight that was entirely wrong and things would have worked just fine if he listened and learnt from him(which he had whole season to do). Doesn't sound like much of a gesture that he really wants him back.

[Andrew]

Yeah it's not necessarily an inviting approach, but there's merit in it being an effective way to see if Howard can handle a) playing at least one more year with Kobe, and b) being The Man for the Lakers once Kobe is out of the picture.

[NovU]

Kobe Bryant said in a recent interview that he wants to play for three more seasons, as he recovers from a ruptured Achilles tendon.Bryant is currently walking without a limp and could be ready for opening night, although that's still up for debate. Jul 3 - 2:08 AM

Timing's just awful. It's as if Kobe wants to drive him out of town. I think it's also possible the Lakers are not showing full support because of their current salary situation which forces them to go way over the cap space with Dwight. And as a bonus, chemistry has been god awful. This team obviously is Kobe's, he fills up the seat. Amnestying Kobe, and signing Dwight would be one of logical moves imo in basketball senses, but there's no way they would even consider it. And tanking doesn't sound like a bad option considering 2014 draft pool. Post-Stern era might start out strong with revived Celtics-Lakers rivalry with Jabari and Wiggins. QMIJ

[benji]

Mark Heisler: One thing I know I didn't yesterday: #Laker source says they would deal w/#Warriors if price is right... BTW, that Mark Jackson is something

Mark Heisler: Things look worse by minute for #Lakers, trailing one more contender: If #Warriors are moving heaven and earth for #D12, he encouraged them.

Mark Heisler: OMG this could happen: #Laker source told me they'd consider Barnes or Klay or Curry+Bogut+No. 1 for #D!2. GS hasn't yet offered HB/KT or SC

[Andrew]

Kobe Bryant said in a recent interview that he wants to play for three more seasons, as he recovers from a ruptured Achilles tendon.Bryant is currently walking without a limp and could be ready for opening night, although that's still up for debate. Jul 3 - 2:08 AM

Timing's just awful. It's as if Kobe wants to drive him out of town. I think it's also possible the Lakers are not showing full support because of their current salary situation which forces them to go way over the cap space with Dwight. And as a bonus, chemistry has been god awful. This team obviously is Kobe's, he fills up the seat. Amnestying Kobe, and signing Dwight would be one of logical moves imo in basketball senses, but there's no way they would even consider it. And tanking doesn't sound like a bad option considering 2014 draft pool. Post-Stern era might start out strong with revived Celtics-Lakers rivalry with Jabari and Wiggins. QMIJ

If it's the same interview I'm thinking of, it was more about him saying he felt like he could play three more years, not that he necessarily would. Of course, we can't rule it out.

[NovU]

Mark Heisler: One thing I know I didn't yesterday: #Laker source says they would deal w/#Warriors if price is right... BTW, that Mark Jackson is something

Mark Heisler: Things look worse by minute for #Lakers, trailing one more contender: If #Warriors are moving heaven and earth for #D12, he encouraged them.

Mark Heisler: OMG this could happen: #Laker source told me they'd consider Barnes or Klay or Curry+Bogut+No. 1 for #D!2. GS hasn't yet offered HB/KT or SC

Ahha! The Lakers change their stance on not interested in s&t Dwight to show me what you got. Even at this stage, this Dwightmare fun is getting even messier. Like Like

[shadowgrin]

The logical choice would be the Warriors since Dwight can sign and trade so he won't lose 30 million, gets to be in a playoff team, and form his own 'big three' with Curry and Thompson/Barnes.

Dwight gets his money and his roster 'request', the Lakers get something in return for him, and the Warriors get him. It's a win-win for all the parties involved.

Then again Dwight isn't known to be reasonable or logical with his choices.

[Jackal]

Fuck Dwight, go earn less in Texas, they shouldn't facilitate anything for his moping ass.

[Andrew]

At the same time though, they might as well get something in return for his moping ass.

[Jackal]

I'm a spiteful person. I'd rather sit it out till the next off season instead of helping him.

Besides the fuck does he want to do in Golden State? Wasn't he surrounded by shooters in Orlando already? Okay Jameer Nelson is no Steph Curry (well injury wise they might be with those ankles of his) but Orlando was doing whatever they could to surround him with shooters too. They had a good coach and still this jackass made them implode.

[_Steve_]

He lacks what Kobe is willing to teach him: a winning menality.

[hova-]

https://twitter.com/janiscarr

According to janis carr Dwight has made his decision - but wont tell atm. Bitch!

[Jackal]

Updated though:

Hold on....my tweet about Dwight's announcement was premature. No need to sit on Twitter this weekend.

And as I've assumed all along:

According to a person with knowledge of the situation, the Warriors have been given indications within the last day that the Houston Rockets are the strong favorite to land Howard. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the private nature of the talks.

Marc Stein: Multiple teams in Dwightstakes, I'm told, FEAR Houston is winning the race

I've been told Howard wants to sign with Rockets and that they are clearly the favorite for his services.

I just want it to be over so that the rest of the guys get moving, he's holding up the whole damn free agency.

[NovU]

What fools we are to believe he'd make a decision by today.

[Jackal]

Houston wins the fruit basket!

[JaoSming]

*Probably

[Axel The Great]

All we need now is for him to have the second Decision on ESPN. He should just announce his decision now, that way everyone can just move on to chasing other free agents.

[Haxz0rz1337]

http://hangtime.blogs.nba.com/2013/07/0 ... f:nbahpt3a

[benji]

Sounds like Asik doesn't want to play with him, could be Asik and Lin to Atlanta for Josh Smith.

[Haxz0rz1337]

Rumors says Asik can be traded to...Bulls...

[benji]

[Axel The Great]

Well, definitely pleasing to see the Rockets sign Dwight Howard and to see this "clusterfuck" end. The attention Howard commands inside will ease things up for Harden, possibly opening up his driving lanes. Though I wouldn't say the Rockets are contenders yet, I'm definitely optimistic about this upcoming season.

As for Josh Smith, no thank you. While him and Howard would make an intimidating defensive duo, as stated before, Smith shouldn't be allowed near an offense that encourages shooting threes. Though I'd rather not see Asik go, surely the Rockets can get something more desirable than Smith.

[benji]

How about this?

New Orleans has shown strong interest in acquiring Rockets center Omer Asik, w/ an offer likely centered on Ryan Anderson, sources tell Y!