Howard reportedly wanted Kobe amnestied and coach D'Antoni fired

[MariOnAlmA]

I'm not sure what else to add, but good luck to both houston and the lakers. However, it is ironic that kobe once drove shaq out of town and dwight attempted to do the same to kobe.

[limitedplay]

Dwight Howard is a fool. He could have made millions more just to accept his role on the Lakers. Now, to his credit the role they wanted him in was getting no one anywhere real fast. Kupchak has made nothing but really bad moves since taking over. He sold there future to pick a bum like Artest to guard Pierce for one NBA run and that is all. Has even drafted any players that are still in the league with any team?

[Exquisite Man]

I just hope Dwight knows that he won't be the man in Houston either cause it Hardens team.

[IronMonkey415]

Why am I wasting money PC-ing that guy. He is Such a cancerous individual.

[tristan20]

Howard is the man! Smart decision leaving the lakers and their dying franchise
Let them find another scapegoat to blame. Or are they still going to cry about howard leaving?

[Wings]

Lakers should have listened :devil:

Should have blown that train wreck up and brought in Melo to pair up with Dwight next year :devil:

[coolz]

Houston looking good this year...that's all I will say

[bdoody42]

Dwight did seem to get all the blame for the bad season last year. Of course he was part of the problem but IMO not the main issue.

[murrke03]

The lakers told Howard it would be his team and he would be the franchise. That wasn't happening and it didn't look like it would happen anytime soon really. Makes perfect sense that he left.

[drobfan8]

The lakers told Howard it would be his team and he would be the franchise. That wasn't happening and it didn't look like it would happen anytime soon really. Makes perfect sense that he left.

I thought they said that he would take over after Kobe? Surely he knew Kobe wasn't done?

This is all old news that came out months ago, no idea why Slam online (that's where I read it again) brought it up.

I think it all just goes down to him not wanting to be there. Which it never seemed like a good fit.

I just find it funny that he left L.A for a similar situation in Houston.

That's Harden's team. He's gonna be No. 2 there and they have 0 chance of winning a ring. they'll be a very nice team, maybe 2nd round this year, but that is it.

Still I agree with the move. I'm looking forward to the season.

[ronaldo943]

This was said a long time ago.

[sportscentury]

Dwight was the scapegoat for Jim Buss. All Jim had to do was hire Phil. Jim is no Jerry, that is for sure. What a shame.

[murrke03]

I thought they said that he would take over after Kobe? Surely he knew Kobe wasn't done?

This is all old news that came out months ago, no idea why Slam online (that's where I read it again) brought it up.

I think it all just goes down to him not wanting to be there. Which it never seemed like a good fit.

I just find it funny that he left L.A for a similar situation in Houston.

That's Harden's team. He's gonna be No. 2 there and they have 0 chance of winning a ring. they'll be a very nice team, maybe 2nd round this year, but that is it.

Still I agree with the move. I'm looking forward to the season.

Your right. But that was with idea that Kobe was retiring in a year. Do you see that happening?

I don't and I bet Dwight didn't either.

[Srt42004n]

Cant wait for Zach Randolph to own D12

[AMAballa801]

Yes I heard about this. He also wanted them to trade Gasol and to bring in CP3. As aLakers fan, they should have done that then next year, when everyone else is of the books, bring in another superstar. Melo or LeBron. Look Kobe is my favorite player all time but he's near the end so you go with the younger superstar in my opinion.

What I really would've thought should have happened is first they should've sat Kobe, Gasol and Nash together and said look you can either have one or the other money or championships. Which is it? Have them all take huge pay cuts to bring in free agents like cp3 and iggy. If they refused, which I've read kobe said he would've. Okay amnesty Kobe trade Gasol and I'm sure they could've bought out Steve Nash contract after that. Then the "blame" for kobe leaving wouldn't be on the Lakers it'd be in Kobe, said hey we asked kobe to take a pay cut he refused.

Also I dont think they would fire D'Antoni after they just have him a contract, it'd be Jim admitting he mad a mistake but also they were also paying Mike Brown. But right when Cleveland hired Mike Brown the Lakers are off the hook for the money they owe him. So I thoughtthere could be a Small chance they bring in Phil, but no :( - do I think D'Antoni is a bad coach, I don't I think he's very good. Especially on offense but I heard he goes through stretches without working on defense. And we all know what wins championship.

Not to excited about the Lakers future. If they couldn't convince Dwight to stay what makes them think they can get Melo to leave the Knicks? and he already clashed with D'Antoni in New York.

[kobe824]

See ya! Bye D12! I'm so glad he is out of LA and bravo to the Lakers for not caving to any of his demands. He isn't bigger than the franchise. Yeah Kobe might be on the downside of his career but I appreciate the fact the Lakers stand beside the guy that has been apart of 5 championships and not the new flavor of the month.

[Prospectorsadvantage]

Dwight Howard is a fool. He could have made millions more just to accept his role on the Lakers. Now, to his credit the role they wanted him in was getting no one anywhere real fast. Kupchak has made nothing but really bad moves since taking over. He sold there future to pick a bum like Artest to guard Pierce for one NBA run and that is all. Has even drafted any players that are still in the league with any team?



Lol. Saying Mitch is a bad GM is foolish. Mitch also brought us PAU for almost nothing. Mitch also acquired Chris Paul, before the NBA decided that wasn't going to happen. Mitch is an excellent GM. Mitch took us to three straight NBA championships and has produced a playoff team for Lakers fans.

I also for one think Mitch has done well this offseason without using any future cap space. I for one am glad I didn't have to endure 5 years of Dwight. His attitude, style of play and the way he carries himself is not for everyone and I am in that camp. I am more of a kobe guy though so I may be biased.


Worth noting guys like Charles Barkley, Magic, Kareem, Shaq all said Dwight was basically mentally soft and wouldn't last in LA. Shaq the biggest voice on that front. He was right.

[Exquisite Man]

Also Dwight Howard is a good player but was always overrated horribly. He could rebound and play some D. But he can't hit free-throw, he's a cry baby and he has no post moves and no offensive game. I like Howard but he has to stop wining and start to focus on his game more.

[MikeMamba]

Howard is going to be disappointed when he finds out a couple things on his new team

1) Harden is as ball dominant as Kobe
2) The Rockets run the same offense as the Lakers
3) Although the Rockets are young, they still aren't very good on defense

I thought it was funny when Hakeem said that Howard was still "RAW" on offense, I mean the guy has been in the league for 9-10 seasons and he is still "RAW", tells you how much he cares about his game.

It was his decision, we will see who wins a title first, the Lakers or the Rockets.

[bdoody42]

People act like Howard was garbage. In Orlando he was basically 20 and 12 a year for the past few years. In LA he obviously didnt put up those numbers. He is a top 10 player and probably the best at his position. Seems like the majority of Laker fans focus most the blame on for last season.

[thebrokepoet]

Scottie Pippen wanted out of the shadow too ... hello Portland . Dwight will never be Kobe ... hello Houston . Was not his fault LA sucked it up though . Kobe is bi-polar . Freaks out because Howard wasn't playing hurt ... then Kobe.gets hurt... and doesn't play . Houston is a beast this year . But as seen with most these new "DREAM TEAMS", they take a couple/few years to really click together . Howard claims he was told he would be the man in LA . Perhaps it was only implied, that means after Kobe, and Kobe is getting old ... (we are the same age)

[JasonM32]

Dwight Howard is a moron, a drama queen and a cancer. He will never be on Kobe Bryant's level. Thank god he bailed and saved the Lakers from making this clown the future of the franchise. The Lakers may be down right now but they won't stay down long.

[jr24ai3]

Dwight Howard is a fool. He could have made millions more just to accept his role on the Lakers. Now, to his credit the role they wanted him in was getting no one anywhere real fast. Kupchak has made nothing but really bad moves since taking over. He sold there future to pick a bum like Artest to guard Pierce for one NBA run and that is all. Has even drafted any players that are still in the league with any team?

He could have signed for 118 million instead of 88 million. But he would have lost 12.9% in California taxes and nothing for taxes in Texas. So he really only is getting 15 million less guaranteed money by signing w/ Houston after state taxes. And he didn't "lose" anything yet. He just didn't sign a deal yet for the 2017-18 season (5th year the lakers could have offered). Now if he gets hurt and can't play after the 2016-17 season, then yes he lost out on some guaranteed money.

[Exquisite Man]

No shoot Dwight is a top 10 player I could name 10 better right now:

Kobe
Lebron
Wade
CP3
Kyrie
Durant
Westbrook
Melo
Harden
LA12
Paul George
Kevin Love Exct Hes a top 20 player no way top 10 just named 12 better then him.

[Prospectorsadvantage]

People act like Howard was garbage. In Orlando he was basically 20 and 12 a year for the past few years. In LA he obviously didnt put up those numbers. He is a top 10 player and probably the best at his position. Seems like the majority of Laker fans focus most the blame on for last season.

20-10 is a great player. He isn't a #1 though. Can't think of last #1 that avg only 20-10. Additionally what happens when his athleticism is gone? He has no offensive game other than around the rim and jumping. Again 2-3 good years and then he is done.


Agreed that Harden is ball centric. Maybe even moreso than Kobe right now. Houston is Harden's team and he loves to shoot. Well see how that works out. Harden did play well with Westbrook and Durant so I can see him being able to share.


Also all the Cap room houston had to make left their "bench" depleted. Their bench is just as bad as the lakers if not worse.

[bdoody42]

There is no way I take Love or Aldridge over Howard. They have never taken a team even to the second round of the playoffs. Neither is a good defender as well. George is a good all around player but during the season he was an average shooter and didnt put up great numbers. Pretty inefficient as well. Irving, Wade, and Melo I can see an argument for either way. Ther is no way Howard is better then Lebron,Kobe and the others names listed.

No shoot Dwight is a top 10 player I could name 10 better right now:

Kobe
Lebron
Wade
CP3
Kyrie
Durant
Westbrook
Melo
Harden
LA12
Paul George
Kevin Love Exct Hes a top 20 player no way top 10 just named 12 better then him.

[Prospectorsadvantage]

There is no way I take Love or Aldridge over Howard. They have never taken a team even to the second round of the playoffs. Neither is a good defender as well. George is a good all around player but during the season he was an average shooter and didnt put up great numbers. Pretty inefficient as well. Irving, Wade, and Melo I can see an argument for either way. Ther is no way Howard is better then Lebron,Kobe and the others names listed.



I'd take love over D12. Love's game is more than pure athleticism. 26 and 14 in 11-12 and the year before 20-15.

Hoping Love truly wants to come to LA like he has been saying.

[bdoody42]

Howard still has 4-5 good years I would imagine...after that he probably will go down hill. I would still rather have him on my team then any other center in the league.

20-10 is a great player. He isn't a #1 though. Can't think of last #1 that avg only 20-10. Additionally what happens when his athleticism is gone? He has no offensive game other than around the rim and jumping. Again 2-3 good years and then he is done.


Agreed that Harden is ball centric. Maybe even moreso than Kobe right now. Houston is Harden's team and he loves to shoot. Well see how that works out. Harden did play well with Westbrook and Durant so I can see him being able to share.


Also all the Cap room houston had to make left their "bench" depleted. Their bench is just as bad as the lakers if not worse.

[bdoody42]

Love is a below average defender who struggles against powerful inside players and can't guard people who can stretch the floor. Howard puts up same rebounds a few less points. He doesn't take near as many shoots as Love. Howard is ten times better on defense but most people don't care about that.

I'd take love over D12. Love's game is more than pure athleticism. 26 and 14 in 11-12 and the year before 20-15.

Hoping Love truly wants to come to LA like he has been saying.

[murrke03]

Dwight Howard is a fool. He could have made millions more just to accept his role on the Lakers. Now, to his credit the role they wanted him in was getting no one anywhere real fast. Kupchak has made nothing but really bad moves since taking over. He sold there future to pick a bum like Artest to guard Pierce for one NBA run and that is all. Has even drafted any players that are still in the league with any team?

I'll let Mitch know you don't like his gaming next time I see him.

Haha I bet he will laugh.

[Zach23]

D-howards a great player but hes locker room cancer...wouldn't want him anywhere near my team

[justdagoodstuff]

Dwight is a diva. Dwight's ego and Kobe's ego on the same team just wasn't going to work out. The ego part is not a knock on either guy, as most athletes have one to some degree. Just some more than others

[8lakers24]

I'd take love over D12. Love's game is more than pure athleticism. 26 and 14 in 11-12 and the year before 20-15.

Hoping Love truly wants to come to LA like he has been saying.

I hope lakers dont get love...talk about injury waiting to happen every time he steps on the floor.

[byronscott4ever]

Yeah, that's what you want to do, listen to someone who flip flops more than a panfish out of water. The Lakers did what they could and face it, Kobe's retiring a Laker, D'Antoni's probably gone after this season if not during it, and smart teams don't let someone who has hardly been there "call the shots" assuming this is true.

[sportscentury]

No shoot Dwight is a top 10 player I could name 10 better right now:

Kobe
Lebron
Wade
CP3
Kyrie
Durant
Westbrook
Melo
Harden
LA12
Paul George
Kevin Love Exct Hes a top 20 player no way top 10 just named 12 better then him.

This list lost any chance of credibility with the inclusion of LaMarcus Aldridge. DH12 is better than several players on this list (he's still the top center in the league), but to say Aldridge is better than him is downright humorous. If you hate the guy, just be honest and say you hate him.

[Orangejello727]

This list lost any chance of credibility with the inclusion of LaMarcus Aldridge. DH12 is better than several players on this list (he's still the top center in the league), but to say Aldridge is better than him is downright humorous. If you hate the guy, just be honest and say you hate him.

Top center in the league? Brook Lopez supposedly had a better season than DH12 last year. How can DH12 be better when he cant
1. Stay healthy
2. Cry so much
3. Contribute to a team
4. Put up numbers needed to be the best


DH12 sucks!!

DH12 sucks even more when he is hurt and demands things while not performing.

Thats the jist of it.

[bdoody42]

I'm not sure if this post is sarcastic....

I don't see how Brook Lopez had a better season then Howard. Lopez actually missed more games then Howard.

Lopez scored 2ppg more then Howard on 4 more shoots per game. Howard shot the better percentage from the floor. Howard also averaged 5.5 more rpg then Lopez. Howard is a much better defender then Lopez.

Lopez holds an advantage in FT shooting and maybe scoring. Helps when he gets more chances.

I get that Laker fans don't like Howard but people are taking it way to far. Don't act like he is garbage. The Lakers wants him back and he turned them down.

I do agree that Howard needs an attitude adjustment. If he gets his head on right he would be even better.

Top center in the league? Brook Lopez supposedly had a better season than DH12 last year. How can DH12 be better when he cant
1. Stay healthy
2. Cry so much
3. Contribute to a team
4. Put up numbers needed to be the best


DH12 sucks!!

DH12 sucks even more when he is hurt and demands things while not performing.

Thats the jist of it.

[MikeMamba]

The funny thing is, people were saying Dwight wasn't the best Center when he was on the Lakers, but now that he is on the Rockets, he is the best Center in the league lol

[xavieronly1]

Top center in the league? Brook Lopez supposedly had a better season than DH12 last year. How can DH12 be better when he cant
1. Stay healthy
2. Cry so much
3. Contribute to a team
4. Put up numbers needed to be the best


DH12 sucks!!

DH12 sucks even more when he is hurt and demands things while not performing.

Thats the jist of it.

lol at Lopez. He is one of the worst center for rebounder. Even his twin bother does a better job on rebounding.

Did Lopez make to all-nba team? I don't think so

[bdoody42]

Exactly based on the centers we have right now he is the best. People do seem to be changing their minds based on where their loyalties are.

The funny thing is, people were saying Dwight wasn't the best Center when he was on the Lakers, but now that he is on the Rockets, he is the best Center in the league lol

[Orangejello727]

I wonder what excuse you guys are going to make when DH12 doesnt lead Houston anywhere either?

In Orlando - "They didnt give DH12 support therefore he couldnt do it"
In LA - "Blame kobe for everything"
In Houston - "Yea but but but but!!!!"

[bdoody42]

The majority of people are not placing a huge amount of blame on Kobe for last season. There were many reasons such as..

1. Hiring D'Antoni.
2. D'Antoni system
3. Injuries.
4. Player either not wanting to play together or pieces just didn't fit.

Everyone knows you almost never without at least two stars. Dallas was the last team that did it with one star. Howard didnt have another star next to him in Orlando. He did have a bunch of shooters and played in a system that was built for that team to succeed. Unlike the Lakers system.
I don't see Houston winning a title this year even with Harden and Howard.


I wonder what excuse you guys are going to make when DH12 doesnt lead Houston anywhere either?

In Orlando - "They didnt give DH12 support therefore he couldnt do it"
In LA - "Blame kobe for everything"
In Houston - "Yea but but but but!!!!"

[xavieronly1]

I wonder what excuse you guys are going to make when DH12 doesnt lead Houston anywhere either?

In Orlando - "They didnt give DH12 support therefore he couldnt do it"
In LA - "Blame kobe for everything"
In Houston - "Yea but but but but!!!!"

Your BEST center Brook Lopez has Dwill, JJ and Genald Wallace in the team, and still couldn't get to NBA Final. I wonder how good Brook Lopez really is.

[sportscentury]

.................................

[Orangejello727]

Your BEST center Brook Lopez has Dwill, JJ and Genald Wallace in the team, and still couldn't get to NBA Final. I wonder how good Brook Lopez really is.

LOL @ considering any of those as the top tier of the game today!!


I love how DH12 in LA is a flop. But DH12 on Houston is the best in the game. WHat changed over night?

[xavieronly1]

LOL @ considering any of those as the top tier of the game today!!


I love how DH12 in LA is a flop. But DH12 on Houston is the best in the game. WHat changed over night?

Not really, Dwill + JJ + Crash is way better than the 2009 Orlando. Your white boy is the best center... I wonder...

The same logic can apply to KD. OKC did not make into Finals, and KD sucks. However, KD is still #2 player in the league. So... DH12 failed in LA because the team sucks overall, but Howard would still be one of the best centers in the league.

[murrke03]

Dwight was a huge baby and did not play to his skills last year. Thats true but he wasn't healthy at all and even so had numbers and games where he was arguably the best center in the league.

The Lakers needed a scapegoat for last season and it became Dwight. Of course he was part of the problem but for lakers fans and others to chalk up the lakers struggles to only dwight is 100% wrong.

I personally think the Lakers screwed up big time in not being able to create a super team with the pieces they put together. Nash, Gasol, Dwight and elder Kobe should have been a team that made multiple runs in the playoffs.

I dislike Howard but he is the best center in the NBA. The Lakers didn't get better because Dwight left. Anyone that thinks that has little knowledge about the game in my opinion. A team doesn't lose a dominate star (no matter how injured, how big a baby he is, etc etc) and become better.

[bdoody42]

I completely agree with what you said in paragraph 1,2 and 4. I would also completely agree about the multiple playoff runs but Nash and Gasol just seemed to be so injury prone last year. Both guys are on the downside of their careers. If they would be able to stay healthy I think 2-3 years of deep playoffs runs would have been possible if Dwight stayed.


Good post.

Dwight was a huge baby and did not play to his skills last year. Thats true but he wasn't healthy at all and even so had numbers and games where he was arguably the best center in the league.

The Lakers needed a scapegoat for last season and it became Dwight. Of course he was part of the problem but for lakers fans and others to chalk up the lakers struggles to only dwight is 100% wrong.

I personally think the Lakers screwed up big time in not being able to create a super team with the pieces they put together. Nash, Gasol, Dwight and elder Kobe should have been a team that made multiple runs in the playoffs.

I dislike Howard but he is the best center in the NBA. The Lakers didn't get better because Dwight left. Anyone that thinks that has little knowledge about the game in my opinion. A team doesn't lose a dominate star (no matter how injured, how big a baby he is, etc etc) and become better.

[Exquisite Man]

I don't see Dwight as that good fine he might be better then LA12 but Kevin love is way better he averages 25 and 11 come on and actually has skills. Dwight has no offensive game what so ever.There were so many times last year where I watch games and saw him chuck up brick after brick after brick. Dwight is a good player but not top 10.How did I forget also tony Parker is better than Dwight, and Tim Duncan is still better than Dwight. He embarrassed him in the playoffs.

[Exquisite Man]

Also if the Lakers last year had LA12 instead of Howard I guarantee you they would have been 10 times better cause he actually has an offensive game and could rebound to.