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D-Dogg

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ESPN is reporting that Howard has changed his mind and backed out with Houston and is now 50/50 with going back to L.A. On ESPN News right now.

You cannot make this up.

*sigh*

End the dwightmare! Go away D12!
 

Phrazbit

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Unbelievable... I'm watching ESPNews right now and they are all just dumfounded. Outside of guys who have been accused of crimes I cannot think of a player as horrible at managing his own PR as Dwight Howard.

What a damn fool.
 

PDXChris

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reports in LA are that he's flying back here to meet with Kupchak today.

this is hilarious.

I hope he goes back since the main reason according to the report is that he wants that extra $30 million since he does not know how much longer his body can hold up.


Also, I can see it now in Houston, "So Omer, you know we were not serious about signing Howard. You still want to be our Center, right?"
 

PDXChris

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Chris Broussard ‏@Chris_Broussard 14s
Source: D12 has landed in LA & told Lakers it's 50-50 btwn them and the Rockets. He's having 2nd thoughts about leaving $30 mill on table

If the Lakers know he wants that $30 million because he is concerned over his own long term, they deserve what they get if they sign him. They need to walk away right now.
 

D-Dogg

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If the Lakers know he wants that $30 million because he is concerned over his own long term, they deserve what they get if they sign him. They need to walk away right now.

One of many reasons to walk away from him. Others are his horrific post game that he things is amazing, and his complete candyass heart and fake desire.
 

CardsFan88

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Any team that thinks they are getting LeBron is dreaming. He's won 2 championships in Miami now. Perhaps had they not won one, perhaps if they didn't get the 2nd one. But LeBron is doing his thing, and most likely will be in the finals next year.

Teams every year have tons of cap space, rarely are they able to sign multiple superstars. Hell Miami got two and it was basically unheard of for that to happen. (and I don't mean Payton and Malone over the hill type superstars, but in their prime). There's always the demand for marquee players, it's just the supply generally isn't there.

But really this isn't an assessment against the Lakers, as its indicative of what happens league wide every year.

If any team has a shot to draw marquee players, obviously the Lakers would be such a team. It's just imo highly unlikely. ESPN can show any list it wants, most of them will get max offers from their teams.

Soon the Suns will have tons of space, it doesn't mean we'll have the option of picking up marquee players, nor even if we were to, that it all jells together into a good team. Cap space is just opportunity under league rules, nothing more.

Hilarious that D12 might now stay. I wonder if they basically told him, we'll fire D'antoni, and maybe even sold Kobe down the river. Maybe they contacted Phil Jackson and had him call D12? Or it could just be the money...or something else.

But overall it might be best for the Lakers to bottom out. It's a risk, but the alternative seems to be the dreaded just good enough to get bounced from the 1st round of the playoffs situation. Considering the age of their players, the potential use of capspace, and next years stellar draft, now might be a better time to rebuild.

For a 265lb man he sure seems to go wherever the wind blows.
 
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TJ

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Was not convinced he made his decision when the USA Today report came out. Not surprised at all by the waffling. Leaving$30mil and doesn't like to disappoint people, particularly Kobe and the Laker brass.

Long-term, Lakers are not title contenders, regardless of what happens this weekend.
 
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IIRC, the higher home team max is not available for sign and trades. Is that right?
 

Gaddabout

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Any team that thinks they are getting LeBron is dreaming. He's won 2 championships in Miami now. Perhaps had they not won one, perhaps if they didn't get the 2nd one. But LeBron is doing his thing, and most likely will be in the finals next year.

LeBron's a ***** and the Lakers have a great shot at landing him. Don't kid yourself.
 

SirStefan32

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IIRC, the higher home team max is not available for sign and trades. Is that right?

Sure it is. Dwight is probably begging the Lakers to do a sign and trade so that he can get $30M more than if he just outright signs with Huston.
 

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LeBron's a ***** and the Lakers have a great shot at landing him. Don't kid yourself.

ROFL. I understand your point.

At first I thought that way as well. As I recently thought about it when the Pacers were up in the finals.

That if it all failed, it might lead to a situation where he got fed up and left after next year.

But I think this 2nd title changed that. Oh he's still the same person, it's just he's riding high and even if they go that last year without a title, two of them does breed hope and adds another notch to his 'legacy'.

People already see him as a mercenary, and he may want to put that to rest. Without the 2nd or perhaps even a potential 3rd championship, maybe he bails, but with it, he may feel he can repair that image over time by staying in Miami, and the championships surely help. If he bails again, especially with his success in Miami, his reputation will be permanently damaged. Both by fans and other players. They'll say he could only win the 'easy' championship....stuff like that.

Something weird may happen, but the way I see it, my guess is that he stays.

Of course ESPN already speculated about LeBron today, so you know what they are going to be pushing for.... a million times over the next year. It's going to be the story that drives us nuts the next year, that ESPN always seems to need.
 
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D-Dogg

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Official...Mitch K announced it. Dwight is gone to the rockets...ding dong the witch is dead.

What an uneventful year for so much damn drama. Dude is a headcase.

I was worried for a bit.
 

AzStevenCal

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ROFL. I understand your point.

At first I thought that way as well. As I recently thought about it when the Pacers were up in the finals.

That if it all failed, it might lead to a situation where he got fed up and left after next year.

But I think this 2nd title changed that. Oh he's still the same person, it's just he's riding high and even if they go that last year without a title, two of them does breed hope and adds another notch to his 'legacy'.

People already see him as a mercenary, and he may want to put that to rest. Without the 2nd or perhaps even a potential 3rd championship, maybe he bails, but with it, he may feel he can repair that image over time by staying in Miami, and the championships surely help. If he bails again, especially with his success in Miami, his reputation will be permanently damaged. Both by fans and other players. They'll say he could only win the 'easy' championship....stuff like that.

Something weird may happen, but the way I see it, my guess is that he stays.

Of course ESPN already speculated about LeBron today, so you know what they are going to be pushing for.... a million times over the next year. It's going to be the story that drives us nuts the next year, that ESPN always seems to need.

He can go back to Cleveland and actually repair his image, IMO. Also, he'll be surrounded by far more talent there then he'll have in Miami by then. His supporting squad isn't all that supporting. It's just not that good of a team and it looks to be even worse next year. Sure, Lebron is great and will probably even continue to improve but when a few other teams get healthy I'm not sure that will be enough. Even more importantly, I'm not sure Lebron will think it's enough.

Steve
 

D-Dogg

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Statement from Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak
July 05, 2013 7:25 pm PDT
The following statement has been issued by Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak.

"We have been informed of Dwight's decision to not return to the Lakers. Naturally we're disappointed. However, we will now move forward in a different direction with the future of the franchise and, as always, will do our best to build the best team possible, one our great lakers fans will be proud to support. To Dwight, we thank him for his time and consideration, and for his efforts with us last season. We wish him the best of luck on the remainder of his NBA career."

:dwightmareover:
 

Joe Mama

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If I had to guess right now I would say James either re-signs in Miami or goes back to Cleveland, but who knows how things will look next summer?

I can't believe this idiot tells the Lakers that because of his recent injuries he realizes the extra year/$30 million could be crucial. That's got to make them feel great about this. The only reason I might come back here is that I realize I'm falling apart and I'm worried that I won't be worth anywhere near that extra money you'd be stuck paying me. I know I shouldn't believe everything that's being reported here, but this guy is just such a piece of work.

I really hope he re-signs with the Lakers and his concerns about his health come true.

Joe
 

CardsFan88

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He can go back to Cleveland and actually repair his image, IMO. Also, he'll be surrounded by far more talent there then he'll have in Miami by then. His supporting squad isn't all that supporting. It's just not that good of a team and it looks to be even worse next year. Sure, Lebron is great and will probably even continue to improve but when a few other teams get healthy I'm not sure that will be enough. Even more importantly, I'm not sure Lebron will think it's enough.

Steve

Yeah that could be possible. I thought of that too. Stupid of me for forgetting it when I made the 'any team' comment. 'any team except cleveland' I should of wrote.
 

carey

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I don't believe for one second he waffled. I think this is all twitter reporters and ESPN/Yahoo guys trying to one up each other to be the first to report for the almighty page clicks. His image is already so bad that everyone believes it.

I don't.
 

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Sure it is. Dwight is probably begging the Lakers to do a sign and trade so that he can get $30M more than if he just outright signs with Huston.

You should read up on the new S&T rules. He's only eligible for 4 year deal in S&T, not 5. S&T makes no diference on the amount of money he'd be able to make in the new CBA. Only signing with and staying IN L.A. would have given him the extr $30M.
 

TJ

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LeBron's a ***** and the Lakers have a great shot at landing him. Don't kid yourself.

What is L.A. going to look like after next season? Kobe has already indicated he plans to play two or more seasons. Does LeBron really want to share the spotlight with Kobe? He was able to dethrone Wade in Miami, but the Laker franchise orbits around Kobe. LeBron would be forced to play 2nd fiddle regardless of how well he played in L.A. There is no way those two co-exist on a team that is not playing for an Olympic medal. Staples center doesn't have that kind of capacity for those two egos. Shoot, Kobe's ego barely fits.

Perhaps if Kobe retires or signs elsewhere, it's a possibility; but the Lakers are not the only team who'll have cap space in 2014. And even if Kobe is not there and LeBron enters, he'll always be playing in his shadow.

Fans and the media were convinced LeBron was going to the Knicks in 2010, and look how that turned out. All the LeBron to the Lakers minutia is no different than Tim Tebow and what he will or won't do in the NFL; it keeps people watching.

I'll say that Dwight staying in L.A. would've increased the chances of it happening because it puts a superstar in the mix already who is young

Personally, unless a cold front hits Hell and the Suns get him, I'd like to see LeBron stay in Miami and watch Pat Riley continue to build a winner around him.
 
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SirStefan32

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You should read up on the new S&T rules. He's only eligible for 4 year deal in S&T, not 5. S&T makes no diference on the amount of money he'd be able to make in the new CBA. Only signing with and staying IN L.A. would have given him the extr $30M.

I suppose that's how Harden got a five year deal? :)
Unlike you, I am no expert on the new CBA, but I think you are thinking of a restricted free agent situation, which is a four year deal because a different team can only sign RFAs to a four-year offer sheet. In Howard situation (much like the Harden situation) players sign a new contract with their current team (up to five years) and then they are traded.
 
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