Update: Howard signs with Jazz

Ballings7 · Post #1 » by **Ballings7** » Sat Dec 10, 2011 6:21 pm

The Spurs remain in the hunt for Washington's Josh Howard, 31, who is still weighing interest from Chicago, New Jersey, Washington, Utah and Denver, according to a member of his camp, but hopes to decide early next week.

“San Antonio is still very much in the discussions with Josh and his agent (Derek Lafayette),” said Howard's publicist, Crystal Howard (no relation). “A decision has not been made yet, but he's certainly considering San Antonio as his new home.”

The Spurs would prefer a resolution sooner rather than later. They have until Dec. 16 to waive Jefferson if they plan to use amnesty on him this season, but are unlikely to do so unless a suitable replacement is found.

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/21 ... z1g9oIKMnJ

I'm going to go out on a limb and say he's a Spur. Though New Jersey and Denver are pretty good competitors.

Post #2 » by **Nolan** » Sun Dec 11, 2011 12:14 am

Ya it sounds like he's going to sign. Hope they just get it over with so he can get into camp.

co_laper · Post #3 » by **co_laper** » Sun Dec 11, 2011 7:32 am

I don't really like this.

First of all, how is Josh Howard better than Richard Jefferson? Josh has played only 22 games the past 2 season. He's smaller than RJ, and guess what? Josh can't shoot the 3. He's 31 years old and not nearly as athletic as he was before his injury.

I don't mind Josh for the mini-MLE (3 Million), but if it took amnestying RJ and then give Josh the full MLE, that would be covering up a bad move with another bad move. I understand RJ hasn't been a good fit, but I can't understand how replacing RJ with Josh is an improvement. Plus, this amnesty doesn't have to be done this year. Even if we are going to amnesty RJ, do it next year if we got our ass kicked in the first round again.

Amnesty RJ to get guys like Butler, Battier, Prince are worth it. For Josh Howard? You gotta be kidding me. If Josh gets mini-mle, that means we might keep Jefferson, have Howard, and also Kawhi. Atleast we'll have some depth at that position. Josh Howard as a starter at this stage of his career? Yuck.

Ballings7 · Post #4 » by **Ballings7** » Sun Dec 11, 2011 5:46 pm

Josh can shoot the three consistently, he improved upon this from his early in his career. From watching both, I feel he's similarily capable as Jefferson is in shooting the three on this team.

I bet that Howard will play much more active on defense and rebounding, than Jefferson ever did with us. He's always had more energy in his game than a recent Jefferson ever did.

The recent injury history, I agree is a definite risk, obviously. But, I don't feel his age is a huge factor, in terms of having a pretty simplistic role on a playoff team, he's going to be revived after being in a bad Washington situation.

I just think the complete change of scenery is really going to benefit Howard, assuming he signs.

Post #5 » by **Nolan** » Mon Dec 12, 2011 5:14 pm

co_laper wrote:I don't really like this.

First of all, how is Josh Howard better than Richard Jefferson? Josh has played only 22 games the past 2 season. He's smaller than RJ, and guess what? Josh can't shoot the 3. He's 31 years old and not nearly as athletic as he was before his injury.

I don't mind Josh for the mini-MLE (3 Million), but if it took amnestying RJ and then give Josh the full MLE, that would be covering up a bad move with another bad move. I understand RJ hasn't been a good fit, but I can't understand how replacing RJ with Josh is an improvement. Plus, this amnesty doesn't have to be done this year. Even if we are going to amnesty RJ, do it next year if we got our ass kicked in the first round again.

Amnesty RJ to get guys like Butler, Battier, Prince are worth it. For Josh Howard? You gotta be kidding me. If Josh gets mini-mle, that means we might keep Jefferson, have Howard, and also Kawhi. Atleast we'll have some depth at that position. Josh Howard as a starter at this stage of his career? Yuck.

I personally think Howard is a waaayyy better fit than RJ. Howard's more aggressive, a better rebounder and he's not a complete pussy unlike RJ.

zordrak · Post #6 » by **zordrak** » Tue Dec 13, 2011 4:49 am

Well let's just sit and watch... Can't argue with abilities on the floor especially near the paint...

Lakeshow2417 · Post #7 » by **Lakeshow2417** » Tue Dec 13, 2011 10:40 pm

Not a big fan of this. he is 31, only got a couple years left, lost athleticism since his DAL days. I know he will fix his attitude if hes a spur. but I would rather start that rookie they got for HIll then get Howard who has aged and lost a step or two.

Ballings7 · Post #8 » by **Ballings7** » Wed Dec 14, 2011 2:45 am

Regardless, Howard will be more active doing the tougher, physical work than Jefferson was. Jefferson lost that edge he once had in the middle part of his career and prior, which he should of had back, playing with us. Don't need Howard to score like he did with Dallas in being the #2 option on the team, they relied on him a lot for offense.

Donald Kaufman · Post #9 » by **Donald Kaufman** » Thu Dec 15, 2011 2:06 am

I'd rather keep RJ over bringing in Howard.

Post #10 » by **Nolan** » Fri Dec 16, 2011 12:03 am

Looks like Howard is headed to Utah. So much for that.

Ballings7 · Post #11 » by **Ballings7** » Fri Dec 16, 2011 12:51 am

This front office has been pretty bad since 2009, and Josh Howard's an idiot.

Post #12 » by **Nolan** » Fri Dec 16, 2011 12:58 am

^
Ya I have no idea why he'd want to play in Utah.

Well there's not much out there now so its looks like RJ's our starting SF once again...

Blame Rasho · Post #13 » by **Blame Rasho** » Fri Dec 16, 2011 1:30 am

Nolan wrote:^
Ya I have no idea why he'd want to play in Utah.

Well there's not much out there now so its looks like RJ's our starting SF once again...

I never liked Howard, doesn't space the floor and is kinda loney.

Donald Kaufman · Post #14 » by **Donald Kaufman** » Fri Dec 16, 2011 1:43 am

Yeah I think people have been overrating Howard. He's been irrelevant for years and I don't think he's an upgrade over RJ.

Donald Kaufman · Post #15 » by **Donald Kaufman** » Fri Dec 16, 2011 1:46 am

Ballings7 wrote:This front office has been pretty bad since 2009, and Josh Howard's an idiot.

Spurs FO faces an uphill climb whenever trying to attract decent FA's. Even when we were winning titles, what's the biggest name we signed? Van Exel? Udoka? It's a problem a heap of small markets are faced with. Which makes Howard's signing with Utah even more of a head scratcher.

mjvile · Post #16 » by **mjvile** » Fri Dec 16, 2011 2:50 am

Donald Kaufman wrote:
Ballings7 wrote:This front office has been pretty bad since 2009, and Josh Howard's an idiot.

Spurs FO faces an uphill climb whenever trying to attract decent FA's. Even when we were winning titles, what's the biggest name we signed? Van Exel? Udoka? It's a problem a heap of small markets are faced with. Which makes Howard's signing with Utah even more of a head scratcher.

The only reason he signed with Utah is because of the relationship with Devin Harris when they played together in Dallas. It will benefit both players by having played together before.

Donald Kaufman · Post #17 » by **Donald Kaufman** » Fri Dec 16, 2011 3:00 am

Oh right. Makes sense I guess.

Ballings7 · Post #18 » by **Ballings7** » Fri Dec 16, 2011 5:48 am

Just kind of frustrated that we've been, allergic, to improving Duncan's help defending the paint since 2008. Almost four off-seasons now, with no respectable improvement. McDyess was solid, and played well for us, but he wasn't going to be enough. Running Matt Bonner for big minutes + Blair wasn't going to get it done. Splitter wasn't ready. Nothing.

SFs... same time period, but less of an issue overall, even though we've missed the boat on players with fitting skill templates (Ariza and D. Wright).