Lakers vs Spurs series thread

[Big Red Slugs]

Howard statistically gives you the SAME production you got with Bynum. It was at best, a lateral move. It does not/will not pay you any dividends.

Statistics don't show a critical difference between Howard and Bynum, one that coincidentally addresses your concern about perimeter defense: Bynum was a major liability in screen-roll defense, whereas Howard is much more athletic, agile, and quick to show in those situations. Howard was a major upgrade at our most critical weakness on the perimeter, because teams used to screen-roll us to death like no other when Bynum was in there.

 

[Hornsstampede2.0]

I still think he goes to Houston.

The diffrence in taxes makes the salaries not that much further apart.

California has brutal taxes while Texas has no taxes.

The young talent and fresh start with a Big Man's coach will be enough to sway Dwight to be a Rocket.

 

[Big Red Slugs]

I still think he goes to Houston.

The diffrence in taxes makes the salaries not that much further apart.

California has brutal taxes while Texas has no taxes.

The young talent and fresh start with a Big Man's coach will be enough to sway Dwight to be a Rocket.

Jock Tax applies equally no matter where you live, it's where you play the individual games, i.e. they all pay the same tax in about half the states across the country regardless. Also, Howard owned a home in CA before he even played for the Lakers, probably because he understands the jock tax. And he clearly wants a bigger stage than Houston has to offer, and will more than make up the difference on bigger endorsements and other opportunities in Los Angeles as opposed to Houston.

You give McHale too much credit as a coach, I think.

 

[Sman2011]

Howard might've had good stats, but they're about as misleading or empty as I've seen. The good that Howard does bring to the table is greatly offset by his attrocious ft shooting....The guy plays with no heart, has brick-hands, turns the ball over, can't be counted on in the 4th qtr, and has no moves or skills whatsoever...

...And for those that think Howard will return to form, think again. I know 2 people that had the identical back surgery and both say, you're never, the same again. You might feel good for a game, but then you're fucked the next day...

...Since Howards game is built purely on athleticism, his better days are behind him. It's all downhill from here for Howard. I can name 10 guys, maybe 15 I'd rather have then him. Let's not kid ourselves and over state his importance. You can see right now how valuable Howard is. Not very.

 

[Big Red Slugs]

I can name 10 guys, maybe 15 I'd rather have then him.

 

[Sman2011]

Healthy Bynum,
Lebron,
Wade,
Kobe,(if he returns to health)
Durant,
Westbrook,
Paul,
Melo,
Harden
Curry
Love
D. Williams...

All these guys I'd take over Howard, at least these guys can be in the game in the 4th qtr

 

[piss-tons]

Not Dwill, he shoots less than 30% in clutch situations

 

[starbigd]

The question the Buss family has to answer is whether they think Howard is worth a max deal.

Second question is if yes, then do you want to build around Howard. If that answer is yes, then they HAVE to amnesty Kobe.

Without that, it will be impossible to build around Howard until Kobe retires. They don't have cap space, and will be paying close to 100 mill out of pocket in luxury tax.

So a decision has to come down very soon. If I'm LA, I let Howard walk, and spend my money elsewhere on youth. The draft is going to suck this year, so they need to be strategic about FAs they want to pursue.

Of course, it would have been smarter to TRADE Howard when they had the chance, since all this was predictable and known months ago.......you guys keep telling me Kupchak is a great GM......but I can't see any great move he's made as a GM, and certainly not the last two years. Dude is suspect.......

 

[BiffMcFly]

Kupchak got lucky as hell for those 2 titles. Especially with Luke Walton. Even Lakers pundits said getting Luke was a bad move. Lakers fans are very stubborn right now. We may be looking at a new news drama with Phil Jackson going after Mitch Kupchak on ESPN for control of the Lakers and to challenge Mitch's stupidity lately.

 

[BiffMcFly]

A power struggle if Phil Jackson challenges Mitch Kupchak for the Lakers GM job*.

 

[TexasWes]

Jock Tax applies equally no matter where you live, it's where you play the individual games.

Ya. So Howard will pay ALL of his home-game taxes (plus Warrior/Clipper games) on the CA tax rate, No? If traded to Houston (or any other state w/o income tax), the owners don't have to pay tax on (at least) 41 games.

This helps greatly if one was in the same conference as Memphis/Dallas/SA/Houston/Seattle (and maybe an out-of-conference game or two versus Miami/Orlando)

 

[BiffMcFly]

It may not come down to something as simple as a tax in this case. A battle for ideology in swing states.

 

[Hornsstampede2.0]

Jock Tax applies equally no matter where you live, it's where you play the individual games, i.e. they all pay the same tax in about half the states across the country regardless

Houston plays 41 home games at zero tax.

You play more division road games than any other team.
Houston plays in a division with San Antonio, Dallas, and Memphis.
Texas and Tennessee have no state income tax.

Louisiana has one of the lowest brackets in the country. Also, it appears that a measure to eliminate income tax in that state is likely to pass. It is gaining steam in the legislature and pushed hard by Governor Jindal.

So, the Southwest division could very well be the "tax haven" choice for NBA free agents.

 

[Big Red Slugs]

So, the Southwest division could very well be the "tax haven" choice for NBA free agents.

I'm amazed that you guys think you've somehow stumbled upon something that no tax attorney or CPA has yet to figure out and advise their clients.

And yet, you never hear any professional athlete say they're choosing to play in one of those states because of taxes.

Think there might be something more to it?

 

[Retroram52]

BRS: I am sure your comparison of Howard to Bynum was in the past when Bynum was still healthy. The most recent is Bynum may never play another minute of basketball as his knees are that bad and degenerating. He may have trouble just walking.

Philadelphia is deciding whether or not to re-sign the guy as he did not play one minute of basketball for them this year. What I have read is that Philadelphia is seriously considering letting him go and cutting their losses and moving onward.

 

[Kold]

Bynum beter than Howard overall?

FTR, I always appreciated what Bynum gave us, and when he was playing last year I said that he had a better polished post game than Dwight, but that is ALL. Every single other category goes to Dwight. Bynum was also TEN times the headache that Dwight ever was, WITH arthritic knees. Atleast Dwight sort've still rounded into form this year with the back and labrum. Bynum was a defensive liability as well, he couldn't move laterally well at all....and most importantly, I would MUCH rather have Dwight as the future with whomever comes along in 2014 or 2015, than Andrew Bynum. Man, who knows if Bynum will ever PLAY AGAIN. Oh and I forgot to give the free throw advantage to Bynum as well, but you can take Bynum, I'll take Howard anyday, twice on Sundays. As for this summer, Dwight WILL come back, guaranteed. The extra 25 million, the 80 million from addidas only if he stays in LA or NY, and the future of the franchise with the ability to team with one of the many star free agents of the class of 2014 or 2015 coming up. Also, just like any other star FA, he's going to make the call on who the coach is. It's not likely, but we can also afford to pay the luxury tax next year...but if someone goes, it's gonna be Pau.

 

[TexasWes]

I'm amazed that you guys think you've somehow stumbled upon something that no tax attorney or CPA has yet to figure out and advise their clients.

And yet, you never hear any professional athlete say they're choosing to play in one of those states because of taxes.

Think there might be something more to it?

Mama always said, "Never argue with a window-licker."

Just read this for yourself and hopefully you'll see how a team from a non-income tax state can pay a player less, AND pay a player more.

Taxman makes Tony Romo NFL's highest paid player

 

[Kold]

and while I'm on a roll, the state income tax thing will never overcome the culture of teaming up with other stars to create the super team

 

[Big Red Slugs]

Mama always said, "Never argue with a window-licker."

Just read this for yourself and hopefully you'll see how a team from a non-income tax state can pay a player less, AND pay a player more.

Taxman makes Tony Romo NFL's highest paid player

Let me get this straight: You read one article written by a sports writer about income tax, and now you think that gives you some sort of authority to call me a "window-licker" on the subject. Wow.

More importantly, my point was that there's a lot more that goes into the decision for professional athlete FAs than just tax considerations. For instance, nowhere in that article did the author once even suggest that the reason Romo signed with Dallas had anything at all to do with income tax.

Regarding where a player can "make more," do you really want to get into a debate about whether Dwight Howard's net worth will be greater playing in Los Angeles or Houston?

 

[TexasWes]

Let me get this straight: You read one article written by a sports writer about income tax, and now you think that gives you some sort of authority to call me a "window-licker" on the subject. Wow.

More importantly, my point was that there's a lot more that goes into the decision for professional athlete FAs than just tax considerations. For instance, nowhere in that article did the author once even suggest that the reason Romo signed with Dallas had anything at all to do with income tax.

Regarding where a player can "make more," do you really want to get into a debate about whether Dwight Howard's net worth will be greater playing in Los Angeles or Houston?

BRS...ease up big guy. This ain't CBS. There will be an occasional return volley of snide remarks (aka: "I'm amazed that you guys think you've somehow stumbled upon something..."). I took it in stride. Follow suit.

I am not suggesting that the absolute reason someone will play for one team or another is the tax breaks. Most of these players have accountants that can help them shelter their income even further. What I am sayings is that 1) the more money a player is offered, the more incentive that player has to sign; and 2) teams that operate in non-taxing states can offer these players more "in-pocket" cash while remaining under the CAP.

Not an absolute show-stopper for some (as some players have taken lower pay just to have a chance at a ring), but this (in-pocket cash) is a very real element of today's NBA.

As far as the "net worth" of Howard in LA versus Houston...I'm not sure anyone could make a point either way on that one. I guess they (LA) could sell-off all their players and pay Howard 98% of the CAP, but they'd have a worse record than the Hornets. Howard's net worth will determined by what the market will pay...regardless of the venue.

The other point worth mentioning is what is NEVER mentioned: athletes saying they signed ONLY for the money. Have never seen this stated by any athlete, anywhere. So...(although they may do it all the time), you will likely never hear an athlete stating such inappropriate comments if they wish to be embraced by their team/fans/society/etc.