Lakers News & Rumors Recap: I Think It’s Gonna Be A Long, Long Time

NBA: Los Angeles Lakers at Houston RocketsDwight Howard + The Rockets = everything anybody is talking about. But really.

With the Rockets getting some major talent last season acquiring James Harden, the franchise is looking to grow with long-term talent. That is why Houston has been making such a push to grab Dwight Howard away from the Lakers. The Rockets are trying to clear cap space in preparation for a busy summer.

According to Marc Stein of ESPN.com, it looks as if Howard’s impressions are shifting towards a future with the Rockets. This is despite the fact Howard won’t officially become a free agent till July 1st.

“Sources close to the process told ESPN.com that the Rockets have received what has been described as “hopeful signals” that Howard is seriously considering a jump from the Lakers to the Rockets after becoming a free agent July 1.”

James Harden is even getting in on the action. Sources report Harden has been getting in touch with possible future Rockets stars, including Howard. Sort of reminds me of Kobe’s persistence with Nash last summer. Harden signed a max deal last year, and has high hopes for his long-term home. The Rockets front man is hungry for success, and he believes Howard can help get him there.

Sportsbook.com ranked the odds of teams picking Howard this off-season. With the buzz of the Rockets looking to grab the big man, the company changed their odds to favor Houston. The Rockets have a +120 while the Lakers are at +110.

Kobe is getting healthier, and working on his Achilles injury daily. Nike wanted to make rehab easier for the Lakers guard, so they made him a special shoe with extra heel support for his Achilles. Kobe tweeted another photo of himself walking (during physical therapy) in his new “medical mamba” shoes from Nike.  Must be nice.

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Lakers Nation News

James Harden Reportedly Recruiting Dwight Howard to Houston

Sportsbook.com Favors Rockets Over Lakers To Sign Dwight Howard

Kobe Tweets Photo Of Himself Walking In “Medical Mamba” Shoes

Rockets Looking to Trade Thomas Robinson to Clear Cap Space for Howard

NBA News: Chris Paul Upset With Clippers Front Office

Lakers Rumors: Dwight Howard Closer to Choosing Houston Rockets?

NBA News: Stan Van Gundy Believes Howard Is Still NBA’s Best Center

Lakers News

Phil Jackson Offers Insight [Silver Screen and Roll]

Phil Jackson is a Distraction for the Lakers Franchise [Silver Screen and Roll]

Phil Jackson on Lakers, Coaching Prospects [ESPN]

To Help Promote “Eleven Rings,” Phil Jackson Joined Twitter With a Splash [NY Times

Dwight Howard in Hot Demand [ESPN]

Examining Gasol’s Shot Production [Lakers Blog]

Player Capsule: Earl Clark [THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS]

Phil Jackson Says Knicks’ Anthony Should Read His ‘Sacred Hoops’ [Bloomberg]

Phil Jackson Has Advice for Lakers [ESPN]

NBA News

Cavaliers Have Nerlens Noel on Top of Draft Board [ProBasketballTalk]

NBA Playoffs Shootaround: The King’s Speech [Grantland]

Kevin Garnett Likely to Return to Celtics [Eye on Basketball]

Indiana Pacers vs. Miami Heat [ESPN]

Flopping in the NBA | Photo Gallery [Yahoo! Sports]

LeBron, West, Stephenson Fined $5,000 for Game 4 Flops [NBA]

Heat, Pacers Hit With Flopping Fines [Hang Time Blog]

Cleveland Déjà Vu for LeBron? [ESPN Insider]

Andersen “Should Have Been Ejected” for Hansbrough Shove [ProBasketballTalk]

Sale of Kings is Final; Maloofs are Gone, Ranadive Officially Takes Over [CBS Sports]

Watch Your Back Clippers [True Hoop]

Lev: LeBron vs. MJ? It’s Unfair to Compare [OC Register]

Roy Hibbert After Game 5: ‘We Have to Sack Up’ [Eye on Basketball]

Chris Paul Angry With Clippers [ESPN]

Birdman Should Sit For Manhandling Ref [Hang Time Blog]

Chris Paul ‘Angry’ Over Los Angeles Clippers’ Portrayal of Vinny Del Negro’s Firing [The Point Forward]

Bucks Hire Larry Drew as New Coach [ProBasketballTalk]

Future Power Rankings: 1-5 [ESPN Insider]

Mario Chalmers Hits the Ground Before He Hits the Three [Eye on Basketball]

Kings’ Hiring of New Coach Mike Malone Could Help Lure Monta Ellis [Yahoo! Sports]

Duncan Numbers Among Generation’s Best [TrueHoop Blog]

David Lee of Golden State Warriors Undergoes Hip Surgery [ESPN]

Masai Ujiri Leaves Denver to Take Over Toronto Basketball Operations [ProBasketballTalk]

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