In all seriousness, Dwight’s yo-yo performance today ended like we all thought it would. Dwight has chosen to go to the Houston Rockets. The Rockets have a 23-year-old James Harden, who shows tremendous talent and is reaching his prime in the next few years. If Dwight learns how to share the spotlight, he may have a chance for success there.
The Mavericks and Warriors were also in contention for Dwight, but both teams lost the battle to Houston. Dallas pulled out of the race much earlier in the game, but the Warriors were hopeful all the way till the end. Golden State made multiple moves on Friday in order to clear cap space and bring in another talented player in the form of Andre Iguodala but it wasn’t enough.
You may be asking yourself “why” when trying to figure out where L.A. went wrong in keeping Howard. It sounds like Howard knew before his meeting with the Lakers that he was unlikely to re-sign; it is reported that Howard wouldn’t look Lakers executives in the eye during his meeting.
Dwight no longer was going to play for D’Antoni’s system. The big man was also concerned with Nash’s age as a PG. But most importantly, Howard didn’t want to play second in line to Kobe Bryant. Did he think Kobe and Lakers fans were ever going to let him forget he’s #2? It had nothing to do with the man Dwight was or the kind of player he could have been, but he stepped into an arena that carried an enormous legacy, one much in part due to the efforts of Kobe. Until the Mamba retires, Staples Center will always he his house. Unfortunately, coming from Orlando, Howard was not about to accept that. But is anyone surprised? I’m not.
Honestly, I say good. Good for him, good for the Rockets. The only thing I wonder is whether Harden will be okay taking a backseat. James played very much under the Westbrook and Durant shadow in OKC, but has seemed to be enjoying the limelight over in Houston. Hopefully, a year from now, Rockets’ fans don’t see a similar situation to the one in Los Angeles this last season.
In other L.A. news, Matt Barnes signed a three year agreement with the Clippers for around $11 million today. Good to see someone staying loyal to their team.
Lakers Nation News
Lakers News: Dwight Howard Wouldn’t Look Lakers In The Face
NBA News: Dwight Howard Agrees to Terms With Houston Rockets
With Dwight Howard In Houston, What’s Next For Mike D’Antoni?
Lakers Trailing Warriors, Rockets in Dwight Howard Sweepstakes
NBA News: Dallas Mavericks Out Of Dwight Howard Sweepstakes
Lakers Nation Reacts: Where Will Dwight Howard Sign?
Lakers News: Dwight Howard Leaving Lakers For Multiple Reasons
Lakers Rumors: Dwight Howard Not Expected to Return to Los Angeles
Resolution To Dwight’s Free Agency Not Guaranteed To Occur Today
Golden State Warriors Emerging As Major Contender For Dwight Howard
NBA News: Matt Barnes Re-Signs with the Clippers
Lakers News: Dwight Howard to Announce Decision via Twitter
Lakers News
Earl Clark Meeting with Cleveland Cavaliers for Second Time [Silver Screen and Roll]
Dwight Howard Signing With the Houston Rockets [Silver Screen and Roll]
Golden State is the Only Trading Partner for Dwight Howard That Makes Any Sense [Silver Screen and Roll]
Dwight Howard Bolts California to Consider Decision [ProBasketballTalk]
The Kobe Bryant Guide to Being a Champion [Bleacher Report]
Earl Clark agrees to two-year, $9 million deal with Cleveland Cavaliers [Inside the Lakers]
Teams Spurned by Dwight Howard Will Have Work to do, Especially Lakers [LA Times]
Houston Ups Ante as Rapper Slim Thug Takes to Twitter and Food Establishments Kick In [Dallas News]
Lakers Brace for Worst with Howard [ESPN]
‘Big Bang Theory’ Star Makes YouTube Plea to Dwight Howard [For the Win]
Houston Restaurants Offer Dwight Howard Free Food to Sign With Rockets [Eater]
Warriors in Mix. Lakers Pitch Better Than Expected. Dwight Race Wide Open. [ProBasketballTalk]
All is Not Done If Dwight Leaves [Forum Blue and Gold]
Three Teams Lead Dwight Howard Free Agency Sweepstakes [USA Today]
Lakers Interest in Earl Clark Hinges on What Offers He Receive [Inside the Lakers]
Lakers Tell Dwight Howard L.A. is the Place to Increase His Brand [LA Times]
Kobe Bryant Challenges Dwight Howard in Meeting [Yahoo Sports]
Land O’Lakers Podcast: Does Dwight Howard Stay or Go? [Land O’Lakers]
How the Los Angeles Lakers Rebuild Their Front Line If Dwight Howard Goes [Bleacher Report]
Mavericks Out on Dwight Howard [ESPN]
Hakeem Olajuwon Says ’85% Chance’ Dwight Howard Signs With the Houston Rockets [SLAM]
Lakers Remain “Prominent” In Dwight Howard’s Mind [Sports City]
Rockets GM’s Daughter Wants Dwight Howard, too [For the Win]
Rockets Promote Goofy Videos to Pursue Dwight Howard [Inside the Lakers]
Warriors Would Have to Give Up Barnes and Thompson in a Trade for Howard with Lakers [LakersNow]
Phil Jackson Refutes Report That He Declined to Speak to Dwight Howard About Staying with the Lakers [ProBasketballTalk]
NBA News
Summer League Preview: Separating the Chaff [Silver Screen and Roll]
Clippers and Matt Barnes Reach Three-Year Agreement [SB Nation]
Warriors Land Andre Iguodala After Trade with Jazz [USA Today]
Tyreke Evans Headed to Pelicans in Three-Team Deal [Yahoo! Sports]
Derrick Rose Says That His Injury Forced Him to be ‘selfish’ Last Year [CBSSports.com]
Celtics’ Bold Move for Stevens Promises Success Where Others Failed [SI.com]
How NBA ‘Stars’ Can Evolve Into Legit Superstars Next Season [Bleacher Report]
Derrick Rose: ‘I had to be selfish’ After Knee Injury [USA Today]
Kyle Korver Stays with Hawks for 4 years, $24 million, Because Shooters Get Paid [Ball Don’t Lie]
Tyreke Evans Headed to New Orleans Pelicans in Three-Team Trade [ESPN]
Matt Barnes, Los Angeles Clippers Agree to New Contract [USA Today]
Dwyane Wade Hopes to Come Back Stronger [USA Today]
Bobcats to Let Go of Tyrus Thomas Via Amnesty [CBSSports.com]
Howard’s Potential Statistical Fits: Warriors [TrueHoop Blog]
Boston Celtics Introduce Brad Stevens as Coach [USA Today]