Why the C's are legit contenders to land Dwight Howard

[rondohondo]

I started a thread the other day about how if Dwight could play with anyone, he would want to play on a team with Kobe, but after thinking about it for a while now , I think the C's could offer something all the other teams in the Howard sweepstakes can't offer.....

The chance to be the man on a title contender.

Think about it , New Jersey/ Brooklyn have Deron Williams, Howard would definitely be the # 2 option on that team . Williams would be taking all the big shots and most shots on the team and have the ball in his hands most of the time.

With the LAL, they would have to trade Gasol or Bynum and Odom to have any chance to acquire Howard. If they do this it leaves them with Kobe( entering the last few years of his career) Howard and most likely Gasol. Will Howard want to go to a team with an aging superstar who Howard will only be able to play with for a few years and have a shot at a title? Also if Gasol is still there it will definitely take away from the touches Howard gets in the low post .

Chicago and New York would be the same thing, with Rose being the # 1 option in chicago and Melo and Stoudamire already set as the main offensive weapons inb NY.




Why Howard would/should choose Boston

- The C's would give Howard the chance to be the # 1 option on a legit contender for years to come.

- Doc Rivers is in place for the next 5 years, so he would know we have championship leadership already in place

- Rondo would give Howard the perfect complementary piece. Rondo would set up Howard for 3-5 alley oops a game easily and raise his scoring about 5ppg.

- PP would still be here giving the c's another option of a scorer who can create on his own, opening up even more room for Howard inside. Unlike Kobe, Rose , Melo , Deron Williams and Stoudamire, PP doesn't need to be the man and is happy to defer to the open man and be a team player .


Roster

PG: Rondo
SG: Ray ( vet min?)
SF: PP
PF: Green
 C: Howard

That is a starting lineup that would have 2 defensive studs with Rondo and Howard setting up the first line of defense and the last line of defense.

I know Jeff Green is more effective as a SF, but with a stud like Howard protecting the paint I think the C's could easily get away with green at the PF spot for 25 mins a game and get him the rest of his mins spelling PP and Ray.

This would give Howard a chance to be the man, have a shot at a title for the first few years with the C's and also still have a chance to build a contender for years to come with Rondo, Green ,Howard,Bradley and draft picks and MLE's

 I think the C's are going to go hard after Howard and have a legit shot of landing him!

[j804]

I would love it but can't help but feel like were dreaming what would the Magic want that we have?? And how would it make sense for them?

I don't see it

[hpantazo]

There is no way Howard hits free agency, the magic learned their lesson from Shaq. If they can't keep him, they will trade him to the highest bidder, and I'm not sure we have what it takes to bid for him unless we offer Rondo, which would be a lateral move imo.

The only exception is if sign and trades are indeed no longer allowed under the new CBO, in which case Howard would hit free agency and we would be in the best position to sign him. Maybe Ainge is banking on some inside info about the CBO negotiations.

[j804]

There is no way Howard hits free agency, the magic learned their lesson from Shaq. If they can't keep him, they will trade him to the highest bidder, and I'm not sure we have what it takes to bid for him unless we offer Rondo, which would be a lateral move imo.

The only exception is if sign and trades are indeed no longer allowed under the new CBO, in which case Howard would hit free agency and we would be in the best position to sign him. Maybe Ainge is banking on some inside info about the CBO negotiations.

Which is why I think he'll end up in LA for one of there bigs in either Pau or Bynum

[hpantazo]

There is no way Howard hits free agency, the magic learned their lesson from Shaq. If they can't keep him, they will trade him to the highest bidder, and I'm not sure we have what it takes to bid for him unless we offer Rondo, which would be a lateral move imo.

The only exception is if sign and trades are indeed no longer allowed under the new CBO, in which case Howard would hit free agency and we would be in the best position to sign him. Maybe Ainge is banking on some inside info about the CBO negotiations.

Which is why I think he'll end up in LA for one of there bigs in either Pau or Bynum

probably, yes

[indeedproceed]

Some things that I think are flawed here:

1) Dwight Howard was already "The Man" on a team that was a legit contender. I don't think that's as primary a motivator for Howard as some might think. I believe he wants to remain 'a leader' for sure, but in that lineup, Howard would be hands down the best player on the team, and he's been that.

2) Rondo isn't really the ideal complementary piece for Howard. KG, Pierce, Allen, they're all ideal complementing pieces for the big fella, because they are all good facilitators and good outside shooters, and Pierce can create his own shot, but Rondo will only allow opposing teams to pack the paint with Howard in there. Chris Paul, Deron Williams, they're the ideal PG's to pair with Howard. Chauncey Billups, Stephen Curry, Kyle Lowry (as long as he keeps shooting north of 37%) they're ideal complements, because they can facilitate AND score from the outside.

3) I'm not sure that Pierce and Allen with two more years of miles on them and a Jeff Green (who knows what he'll be in 2 yrs) are really even close to the best supporting cast Howard is going to find, Rondo notwithstanding. NY won't be able to afford him, but heck even a tough team like Houston, or Portland..they're probably a better option for a guy that is going to have 4-6 prime years left by the time he is a free agent/ready to leave Orlando.

3) Boston is not LA. Guys sign with Boston when they're aging and chasing rings/out of options. Boston doesn't sign top tier free agents for a reason. Now if Boston acquired him via trade..meh. But then ask yourself....why would Orlando trade Howard to an in-conference rival when they're A)not offering the best package (I really don't see how we will, if someone wants to dive into this, go ahead) and B) they're going to see Howard contending in green for the next 6 years, if he does manage to win one with Boston, the fans will never forgive Orlando management.  

[stylo617617]

ive said this alot now lol the only way boston aquires dwight is if
A.
he makes it clear were the only team he'll sign an extention with so making orlando with no options but to take what we have & what they can & trade him to the celtics(which would more than likely have to involve gilbert arenas as a celtic OUCH)

B.free agency & even then we would have to be the number 1 option becuase theres brooklyn who has everything we can offer dwight but i guess it evens out we have a better coach & better legacy even then its basically "play with rondo? or deron williams?" though i think deron has peaked we'll see by that time

[twinbree]

It makes sense basketball-wise if he does make it to free agency but Howard seems to want the glitz and glamor of Hollywood. Why I don't know. There's lots more time to do that extracurricular stuff in the twilight of an NBA career or after retirement. Hate those razor-sharp elbows but the very infinitesimal prospect of him and Rondo teaming up is intriguing.  

[PosImpos]

Yeah, Dwight to LA just makes the most sense considering what they have to offer and their willingness to take on bad contracts cause they have so much money.  Hopefully he demands to go to Brooklyn to play with Deron Williams . . . it's our only hope.  Otherwise the Lakers will dominate the West for years to come.

[LooseCannon]

Dwight Howard (after agreeing to a contract extension) and Gilbert Arenas to LA for Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, and two first round picks.

[SHAQATTACK]

One reason is LA really don't need him, thsy got teir TWO centers or bigs and Odem.

LA needs to trade off that selfish "ALL ABOUT ME" brat Kobe.

Without Phil suck up to him and tell him how good he is everyday bascially keep him in check , Kobe might be such a diva nobody in their right mind would be able to tollerate his erratic moods and behavior.

He gets WORSE as he ages , disagreeable person to be around...DWIGHTS SMILING all the time would have Kobe in a FIT of rage all the time thinking he isn't serious...

I don't think many people want to play with KOBE , they just want to share rings.

[ScoobyDoo]

I think Boston, with:

1. Pierce, Rondo, Jeff Green and KG(in limited minutes)

2. DWest, Ray Allen, Bradley, Krstic - and possibly Big Baby

3. The Clippers 1st round pick

4. Our 1st round picks

5. Our potential ability to sing one more max guy after KG & Ray drop off...

Might be the best possible choice for Howard. Don't forget, if you lose Kobe - what's in LA? Howard would be in a position of rebuilding, big time.

With the Celts, with Rondo, Green and Howard already in place - you are 1-2 steps away from immediately contending and you have studs at the two most important positions - point and center.

You add some guys with shooting range at PF and off guard?

Look out...

I like the post and as GM you must put yourself in position to land the best players out there.

Ainge's moves moving forward will tell you what he's up to. With the Jeff Green acquisition he is building speed around Rondo.

If he wants Howard to seriously consider us he needs to put as many nice pieces in place as possible between now and "Howard".

Then Howard has to go to free agency, even if traded...unless he forces that hand I don't see us having much of a shot at him through trades.

New York isn't the place for him either - he'll never see the ball.

Boston would be a great choice for Howard.

I wonder if Doc ever checks in with him while in Orlando?

Wouldn't it be great to know that Doc decided to stay because Howard gave a wink wink he's going to free agency and then Boston. Nice conspiracy...  

One question, would this team get out of the east, year after next?

Howard / Krstic
KG / Young PF
Jeff Green / draft
Pierce / Ray
Rondo / Bradley



    

[KungPoweChicken]

The problem is that hypothesized starting lineup is not a championship contender. Any team with Rondo and Howard on it would need an absolute dominant one on one offensive player, which Paul Pierce would not be at 35 years old.

[celticsclay]

One question, would this team get out of the east, year after next?

Howard / Krstic
KG / Young PF
Jeff Green / draft
Pierce / Ray
Rondo / Bradley



    

Yes that team obviously wins the championship in my eyes. I don't see how anyone would say otherwise. It is this years team with just adding Howard. We were beat up as heck and still played Miami very tight 3 of the games and probably should have had the series go 6 or 7. With a healthy team we may have even beat them. Now we add the most dominant player to our team and ask if we are contenders to get out of the east lol... Yes KG, Pierce and Ray will be older but Rondo, Green, Howard and maybe even Bradley will be better. I should note that KG will be retired at that point in my opinion and Ray would probably come off the bench.

[Cman]

Some things that I think are flawed here:

1) Dwight Howard was already "The Man" on a team that was a legit contender. I don't think that's as primary a motivator for Howard as some might think. I believe he wants to remain 'a leader' for sure, but in that lineup, Howard would be hands down the best player on the team, and he's been that.

2) Rondo isn't really the ideal complementary piece for Howard. KG, Pierce, Allen, they're all ideal complementing pieces for the big fella, because they are all good facilitators and good outside shooters, and Pierce can create his own shot, but Rondo will only allow opposing teams to pack the paint with Howard in there. Chris Paul, Deron Williams, they're the ideal PG's to pair with Howard. Chauncey Billups, Stephen Curry, Kyle Lowry (as long as he keeps shooting north of 37%) they're ideal complements, because they can facilitate AND score from the outside.

3) I'm not sure that Pierce and Allen with two more years of miles on them and a Jeff Green (who knows what he'll be in 2 yrs) are really even close to the best supporting cast Howard is going to find, Rondo notwithstanding. NY won't be able to afford him, but heck even a tough team like Houston, or Portland..they're probably a better option for a guy that is going to have 4-6 prime years left by the time he is a free agent/ready to leave Orlando.

3) Boston is not LA. Guys sign with Boston when they're aging and chasing rings/out of options. Boston doesn't sign top tier free agents for a reason. Now if Boston acquired him via trade..meh. But then ask yourself....why would Orlando trade Howard to an in-conference rival when they're A)not offering the best package (I really don't see how we will, if someone wants to dive into this, go ahead) and B) they're going to see Howard contending in green for the next 6 years, if he does manage to win one with Boston, the fans will never forgive Orlando management.  

TP.
This is all well thought out and well stated.
Also, is there any indication that Howard even wants to move on from Orlando?