Howard to Rockets?

[Davwy]

The problem is, who are we proposing to pair up? The prizes of the 2014 FA class are mostly SF's. All of the main PG's like Kyrie, Kemba, Rubio, Wall, and Lillard either have qualifying offers or team options and with them being so young, they are way more than likely to be retained. D-Wade is the only star SG IF he opts out, although he'll probably be broken down by then. As for SF's, Paul George has a qualifying offer, and then there's Granger, Rudy Gay, Melo, and Lebron. As for PF's, Zach Randolph has a player option, Garnett, Dirk, Amare, and Duncan won't exactly be spring chickens, and Anthony Davis has a team option. SO, from that who are we enticing a Lebron with? I don't think there's anybody there that would be an enticing enough and good enough fit for Lebron to bolt from Miami. Dwight Howard is a different story all together. It's enticing and a good enough fit.

Kold, Paul George has a qualifying offer, but it's likely the Pacers won't be able to afford him Hibbert, Granger (who they have to resign in 2014), and they still will have George Hill at 8 million. And are they resigning David West this season. If they decide to go with Paul George, that means they will be letting go of Granger.

If the Lakers or anyone wants Paul George, they can get him with a poison pill in his offer much like Houston put in Lin's contract that would have forced the Knicks way above the salary cap an luxury taxes in later years. Indiana is less equip to handle something like that.

So, let's look at the qualifying offers as just that. The Magic could have matched the Lakers offer when they got Shaq.

 

[geneh_33]

If the Grizzlies got DH they would dominate BB for a long time to come.

 

[Retroram52]

O yea Davwy. I forgot. You also have vcash to bet on games under the vbookie menu at the top of the page. It is right under your avi. It is pretty cool and BRS has really had quite a string of success. It is a lot of fun and if you like to gamble have at it.

 

[Edubb]

I'm completely over Howard AND D'Antoni. I hope the Lakers rebuild... We are spoiled as we have had the best owner in the NBA, coupled with the best Head Coach. Let's just rebuild and let Howard go... I can't see building around this man child (baby).

 

[Edubb]

Bye bye How-weird!

 

[Davwy]

O yea Davwy. I forgot. You also have vcash to bet on games under the vbookie menu at the top of the page. It is right under your avi. It is pretty cool and BRS has really had quite a string of success. It is a lot of fun and if you like to gamble have at it.

Thanks for the heads up. I'm not a big sports better outside of Super Bowl pools. But may give it a try.

 

[trojanfan12]

The problem is, who are we proposing to pair up? The prizes of the 2014 FA class are mostly SF's. All of the main PG's like Kyrie, Kemba, Rubio, Wall, and Lillard either have qualifying offers or team options and with them being so young, they are way more than likely to be retained. D-Wade is the only star SG IF he opts out, although he'll probably be broken down by then. As for SF's, Paul George has a qualifying offer, and then there's Granger, Rudy Gay, Melo, and Lebron. As for PF's, Zach Randolph has a player option, Garnett, Dirk, Amare, and Duncan won't exactly be spring chickens, and Anthony Davis has a team option. SO, from that who are we enticing a Lebron with? I don't think there's anybody there that would be an enticing enough and good enough fit for Lebron to bolt from Miami. Dwight Howard is a different story all together. It's enticing and a good enough fit.

Bring in Lebron and put him at point (bigger, stronger, faster Magic), sign Paul George and fill in around them!!

Response from crazed Heat fan in 5, 4, 3, 2, ..................

















































Btw, just kidding!!

 

[Retroram52]

EDub: Glad to see you made it over!! If you need any assistance navigating around this cool site, let me know. We did finish up the point prognostication competition and Vita lost to Sman by 1 freakin point. So, keep a postin, when you get past 40, a whole bunch of bennies open up to you that you don't have now. Good to see you again!!

 

[Edubb]

Thanks Retro, good to see you too bud. I don't know how much I will be posting as I am disgusted about the direction of our Lakers. Jim Buss, I hope, won't run this franchise into the ground! D'Antoni also discourages me. I really don't like Dwight Howard and we have to wait and see about Kobe.

Sorry to be a Debbie Downer, but this is tough times for us Laker Lovers...

 

[lakersrule]

Edubb in the house! Nice! Tough times no doubt, but this ship will get back on course!

 

[Retroram52]

No apology needed Dubbie. It is great to have most of the gang back. It is indeed a low period and may be for awhile. I don't know what is going to transpire but short Buss just does not get it and I don't know if he ever will.

If you read some of the posts here on Laker pages you'll discover that many of us have come to the same conclusion. What it looks like right now is that Dwight, in all likelihood, is going to bolt because Don'tknowi is not leaving and he does not get along with Don'tknowi. I am not sure Dwight is worth the headache that he has become either.

I say, if he wants to go, let him go and let Don'tknowi develop some of our young players like Clark, Hill, and Sacre and set ourselves up for next year when Pau will be done and perhaps even Kobe. Goudelock, Morris, Meeks and Blake should be played because Nash is done and so is Metta.

I saw this back in 1975 when we had a roster of aging and overpaid vets and Dr. Buss made an historical trade for one Lewis Alcindor. I don't know that Short Buss has that kind of moxy or smarts. The other problem is that we are hamstrung by the salaries we have and so we are probably going to have to wait a couple of years to see the beginnings of new round of building and a better team.

 

[Retroram52]

And you are right Lakersrule. We will be back, but it may take a few years.

 

[lasgop8]

We have had so many years of greatness since the 80's im spoiled so i expect us to be great ecvery year .

 

[bluepigpen]

Well it always comes back to Howard or not, doesn't it? A center that plays good defense and can run the floor is still valuable to have but it is for how much money to have this one. After next season as was stated a lot of money comes off the books. As a fan for a long time, I never want a lost season but if the Lakers are ever going to have one, let next year be it. Tell Kobe we will amnesty you so we can build for "HIS" last few shots at a championship. Take his cap money, Pau's cap money, let Howard go and his money, play who you have and add some young talent that can be taught a system. Go through the losing season get draft picks again, have the money off the books and go after players that will stand the Staples Center on its ear again. Just my opinion but if we are going to be down next year anyway, let it be way down and (WE)as fans know that we are building for a championship run in 2015 and beyond. My only question is, who runs the team from the bench DA or someone else?

 

[Edubb]

Listen, I love Pau Gasol and I think he is still a huge asset to the Lakers. However, it may be time to shop him on the open market for some draft picks. Get a top 5 pick this year and maybe some future picks in return.

As far as Howard goes, I've stated it many times in the past. I want him to find employment elsewhere. I don't think he will ever win a Championship and frankly he's not the kind of guy anyone in their right mind would want as the face of the Lakers. He is actually best suited for a place like Orlando where he can be the BMOC.

Kobe will not be the same due to the extent of this injury and father time.

Time to rebuild.

 

[bluepigpen]

I think Kobe knows the window is closing. If management was truthful about a 10 year plan with Kobe and tell him that the best way to get him a couple of more rings is to get younger, faster and more athletic and he is best suited for the next 5 to 6 years as a Ray Allen type of player, do you think his ego gets in the way? You could probably tell during the conversation and if he is or not on board, just figure you if he is not you just saved another bunch of money in a rebuilding mode. You need a real coach to run the plan, is DA it or not?

 

[jayviabay]

DA is not the coach that can win a championship and history has already proven that. Like Phil said to his fiance, the coaches that were apart of his staff are highly capable of winning it all and jimmy should be open to the advise.

The thing that pisses me off about Kobe is, he should already be making plans to take advantage of the amnesty and allow management to dump his salary for the greater cause of winning. Elite players in the NFL restructure all the time for the chance to win. If, this is already in the works then I will stand corrected.

David Stern really messed things up with the Gasol trade and I know that was probably exhausted between you guys on the CBS board so i wont go there. I think the only team thats interested now would be the wolves because rubio's desire to play with his fellowmen.

 

[Kold]

I feel certain that we don't get Paul George fellas. Imo, they will be more than happy to let Granger walk if it means keeping George

 

[Retroram52]

Edubbie and Jayviabay. I am with you guys on this one. I think Howard will never get along with Dont'knowi and he is just going to be miserable so let him go play with Kevin McHale or Mark Cuban's stooges.

But dubbie I believe you are right. I don't think Howard will ever win a championship because his tendency is to default to "me first" rather than say a team approach like Popovich has at SA. And there in SA Pop has just as old of players as we have and they are realistically vying for their fifth title in 7 or 8 years.

Duncan is playing great D when he is in there and shooting great at his age. PArker and Ginobilli no their place and tehy all are playing pretty good basketball in a viable system. They have a great mix of young and old players and Pop's team approach is light years ahead of our disjointed drama-based basketball that got Kobe injured. The comparison is laughable. Whether they actually get past Memphis remains to be seen but they are further into the playoffs than we are.

So yea, let them all go amnesty Kobe for rehab purposes and let's rebuild this season.

 

[Edubb]

I heard this morning that Dwight is taking a look at the Golden State Warriors. That is interesting because that would require a sign and trade with the Lakers. The Lakers could conceivably receive Thompson and some draft picks in return. Personally, I would be all for that!

Then, we could keep Pau Gasol as our big man and work towards getting younger.

The only think that Mitch may balk at is trading away Dwight to a team in our division/conference.

Food for thought!?!?!?!????