Lakers no longer require extension from Dwight Howard

[ShowTimeERA]

Jarrod N Rudolph ‏@JRudolphSports
@jerry25a: Lakers have a chance to get him, sure. I just think, and have been told, Brooklyn has a better chance.

[PurpleRooster]

People see that potential of the 6th title and it scares them.

Here's what I don't understand, if championships don't matter and it won't change how you feel about a player why do people root against said player ? Or when people see that said player is in position to win a title root against them. That doesn't make sense to me

Bryant hasn't done anything significant in the playoffs in 2 years, but we're all quivering in our boots at the idea of him suddenly imposing his GOAT will on the league?

A lot of people still think Kobe is great, but have moved on for players like James and Durant. Just how it is. That is what happens when you haven't been at the party in some time.

[ShowTimeERA]

People see that potential of the 6th title and it scares them.

Here's what I don't understand, if championships don't matter and it won't change how you feel about a player why do people root against said player ? Or when people see that said player is in position to win a title root against them. That doesn't make sense to me

Bryant hasn't done anything significant in the playoffs in 2 years, but we're all quivering in our boots at the idea of him suddenly imposing his GOAT will on the league?

A lot of people still think Kobe is great, but have moved on for players like James and Durant. Just how it is. That is what happens when you haven't been at the party in some time.

So what is all the fuss about Kobe needing more help? Its obvious, he's ancient...

[ShowTimeERA]

Daniel Artest ‏@TheRealDMArtest
Ron has a feeling he's outta LA. Doesn't wanna leave but what can he do.

[Tim_Hardawayy]

So what is all the fuss about Kobe needing more help? Its obvious, he's ancient...

For some I can see that. I think a lot just don't want to see the Lakers (the rich) get richer.

Being a Heat fan I don't care either way, I just want the Howard trade to be completed, wherever he goes, so we know what we'll have to contend with when the time comes. Both teams will be obstacles, but at least if he goes to LA they're older and we wouldn't run into him til the Finals, whereas Brooklyn means probably having to go through that team every year, and being younger, they'd have room to improve.

[MannyRam99]

If you're a basketball fan you would want Howard in LA.

It gives the league the best possible chance of a Kobe vs LeBron matchup in the finals. We NEED that.

it'll be the closest thing to Bird vs Magic. Although Kobe is completely past his prime.

[ShowTimeERA]

Jarrod N Rudolph ‏@JRudolphSports
@_Avish: Nope. It's not news that the Lakers will move Bynum and Artest; I reported it, remember. It's about that being the agreed upon deal

[vincecarter4pres]

Daniel Artest ‏@TheRealDMArtest
Ron has a feeling he's outta LA. Doesn't wanna leave but what can he do.

Same stuff he was saying at the deadline.

Paraphrased the following that I remember:

"Bye LA been fun with bright lights and city."

"Beas, that trade for him bout to go down, my bro for Beas..."

"Headed to Minnesota. #15 in Minny jersey? Argggghhhhh!"

[AmerigoCorleone]

If Howard goes to the Lakers I'll squirt all over myself.

[GreenHat]

People see that potential of the 6th title and it scares them.

Here's what I don't understand, if championships don't matter and it won't change how you feel about a player why do people root against said player ? Or when people see that said player is in position to win a title root against them. That doesn't make sense to me

The reality is that a 6th title and 3rd FMVP would leap frog Kobe over Duncan, Bird, Hakeem, Shaq and it won't even be debatable anymore.

This board would hate that, Kobe is killing all time greats with longevity.

It's like when Peyton manning fans would root against Tom Brady in the last 2 superbowls.

And then be the same ones and comeback and say, "well I don't care about Championships that's a team accomplishment".

Well if you don't care and it doesn't matter to you, why root against him?

What that tells me is, you KNOW they matter. You just don't want the guy you hate to win them. And that's ok, but don't sugarcoat it. People are still mad from the last 2 rings and finals MVP's

Or it that those people who think a championship is a team accomplishment realize that there are a lot of people out there who inexplicably think the opposite (when it happens to favor their favorite player). Since we frequently get into arguments with these people we would prefer that they have as little bs ammo as possible.

[TheXFactor]

Well if you are the Nets, Getting Howard over Brooks would be a HUGE upgrade for them.

If you are the Lakers it would be a slight upgrade over Bynum

[Boneman2]

Does anyone else find it ironic that this is the second time during Kobe's tenure that LAL has looked to Orlando for the league's most dominant big-man.

Atleast they won't be able to steal Dwight like they did Shaq.

Not to hate on Kobe, but this is the reason he will never be like Mike. Seriously, all fans do nowadays is complain about 'super teams, of which Kobe has relied on throughout his career.

Shaq was signed in the summer of 1996 and Kobe was still being drafted. What are you talking about?....

Nothing I said is incorrect. Due to Shaq, Kobe appeared to be great.

If Kobe is not surrounded by elite players he can't lead the Lakers out of a wet paper sack.

You could actually put a number of players in the same situation as Kobe (ie. Penny/Wade/ Iverson/ TMac/ Vince etc....) and the results wouldn't change.

Nobody outside of LA recognizes Kobe as one of the greatest leaders the game has seen.

LeBron showed more leadership during his one title run, than Kobe showed during any of his.

[GreenHat]

If you're a basketball fan you would want Howard in LA.

It gives the league the best possible chance of a Kobe vs LeBron matchup in the finals. We NEED that.

it'll be the closest thing to Bird vs Magic. Although Kobe is completely past his prime.

You said it yourself Kobe is past his prime (the excuses are starting already)

So wouldn't Lebron-Durant be a much better matchup?

[ShowTimeERA]

Jarrod N Rudolph ‏@JRudolphSports
@Real_Ajay_Virk: Lakers have better offer, Nets are desired destination and are working to get Magic another good player.

[vincecarter4pres]

If you're a basketball fan you would want Howard in LA.

It gives the league the best possible chance of a Kobe vs LeBron matchup in the finals. We NEED that.

it'll be the closest thing to Bird vs Magic. Although Kobe is completely past his prime.

Lol OK buddy, you try and convince people of that.

Dwight goes to LAL and is healthy there's only 3 teams a season that can win the title the next 4 years, LAL, MIA and OKC.

At least if he goes to BK, the Lakers are still right there as is matched up with everyone, Chicago still is legit if Rose comes back strong and they make one small move, Boston is still in the mix, NYK as a dark horse and other teams like LAC, Portland and an up and comer like Washington or Cleveland or Sacto o Utah can grow into that over the next couple years.

D12 goes to Brooklyn there's still real parity.

He goes to Los Angeles is a 3 team league again.

[VCRJKidd15]

If you're a basketball fan you would want Howard in LA.

It gives the league the best possible chance of a Kobe vs LeBron matchup in the finals. We NEED that.

it'll be the closest thing to Bird vs Magic. Although Kobe is completely past his prime.

[World Peace]

@Real_Ajay_Virk: Lakers have better offer, Nets are desired destination and are working to get Magic another good player.

Source: Jarrod Rudolph

[MannyRam99]

Does anyone else find it ironic that this is the second time during Kobe's tenure that LAL has looked to Orlando for the league's most dominant big-man.

Atleast they won't be able to steal Dwight like they did Shaq.

Not to hate on Kobe, but this is the reason he will never be like Mike. Seriously, all fans do nowadays is complain about 'super teams, of which Kobe has relied on throughout his career.

Shaq was signed in the summer of 1996 and Kobe was still being drafted. What are you talking about?....

Nothing I said is incorrect. Due to Shaq, Kobe appeared to be great.

If Kobe is not surrounded by elite players he can't lead the Lakers out of a wet paper sack.

You could actually put a number of players in the same situation as Kobe (ie. Penny/Wade/ Iverson/ TMac/ Vince etc....) and the results wouldn't change.

Nobody outside of LA recognizes Kobe as one of the greatest leaders the game has seen.

LeBron showed more leadership during his one title run, than Kobe showed during any of his.

let me guess,your favorite player is one of the aforementioned in your post and you're pretending his career is being avenged vicariously through LeBron ?

I've heard it all before.

[vincecarter4pres]

Jarrod N Rudolph ‏@JRudolphSports
@Real_Ajay_Virk: Lakers have better offer, Nets are desired destination and are working to get Magic another good player.

It doesn't matter who has the better package, it's where Dwight will extend.

LAL won't trade for him without an extension and they shouldn't, they are already legit contenders as is, 2nd or 3rd best team in the league and they are the Lakers.

They don't need to chase or beg players to come there no matter who they are and how good they are.

They also don't need to ruin their locker room for a deal that may or may not happen and then could fail miserably because they had the arrogance and ignorance to trade for a guy who has said, "Do not trade for me, I will not extend, I do not want to be there."

And the Lakers know that and are doing just that, because although they are arrogant, they are not ignorant.

They have said if Dwight flip flops and changes his mind, which is a possibility given it's Dwight, our offer stands, because then it means he wants to be here.

If not, there's no reason for them to take this big a gamble.

It isn't even necessarily about Bynum the player either, because he has injury and character concerns himself.

What it is about is if they gambled and the worst case happens, they are now left not only without Bynum the player, but without Bynum the trade chip and Bynum the contract while they are over the cap, old and devoid of other assets, so nothing but a gaping hole with literally no way to fill it, no ways to dance around the CBA and salary cap like they usually do.

LAL needs an extension or the trade doesn't happen, so it matters little what your, my, Rudolph or even Hennigan's opinion is of Bynum versus the Brooklyn offer.

[Day in the Life]

Lol OK buddy, you try and convince people of that.

Dwight goes to LAL and is healthy there's only 3 teams a season that can win the title the next 4 years, LAL, MIA and OKC.

At least if he goes to BK, the Lakers are still right there as is matched up with everyone, Chicago still is legit if Rose comes back strong and they make one small move, Boston is still in the mix, NYK as a dark horse and other teams like LAC, Portland and an up and comer like Washington or Cleveland or Sacto o Utah can grow into that over the next couple years.

D12 goes to Brooklyn there's still real parity.

He goes to Los Angeles is a 3 team league again.

Boston and Chicago are still in the mix regardless if Howard goes to LA...different conference different matchups Not saying I agree with the original quote, but your logic doesn't matchup.