Kobe / Dwight

[rutzan]

did you just hear kobe's interview with michael wilbon on abc re dwight howard...kobe did his best to be politically correct...and...you could see he had to fight for the words...kobe had to bite his tongue and say they are working their way to respecting each other...what did you think kobe was going to say on national tv...i think everyone knows what kobe really thinks...kobe is one of the greatest competitors in nba history...dwight is...well...dwight...or...taking a page from manny ramirez's book...it's dwight being dwight......Orlando tried to babysit and coddle DH and it didn't work...DH needs to be around someone like Kobe or KG but Kobe just announced he is retiring soon...what does LA do then when Kobe is gone and DH is the centerpiece again...Orlando Part II...i would not build a team around DH...DH is a max player if you're talking talent...DH is not a max player if you expect to build a champion around him as the centerpiece...he already proved it in Orlando...

[hpantazo]

Kobe didn't like playing with Shaq or Gasol either but that doesn't mean Shaq was not worth building a team around.

Dwight Howard is playing very well lately, and the lakers are surging into the playoffs.

Out of all the big men free agents this summer, Dwight Howard is by far the most valuable, and the only one worth considering to build a team around.

[hpantazo]

Also, the issue in orlando is Howard had a terrible supporting cast, that was made even worse when they traded for Turkoglu and Arenas.

What were the best players he had with him? Nelson, who is mediocre and always injured? Pietrus? Turkoglu? A post-seattle, overpaid Rashard Lewis? Yea, what a great supporting cast.


Howard single handedly carried a poor magic team to the finals, past Lebron's Cavaliers.

[rutzan]

championship teams are built with alpha dog/champions...DH is not an alpha dog/champion...compared to the cheat...DH is chris bosh..DH is not an alpha dog/champion like Bron and Dwade...never will be...it's not him...he would need someone like Chris Paul...if DH does not win a title with Kobe...he prob never will...

[hpantazo]

If you build a team around Dwight Howard and give him a decent supporting cast, he will contend for a championship for many years. He carried a poor Magic team past Lebron "alpha dog" James' Cavs.

[rutzan]

lebron = arguably the best player all-time, nba champion, olympic champion, mvp, finals mvp

dwight = superman cape

[hpantazo]

lebron = arguably the best player all-time, nba champion, olympic champion, mvp, finals mvp

dwight = superman cape

Then Howard should get some credit for beating Lebron's Cavs in the playoffs, don't you think? The supporting casts were relatively equal, or a slight advantage to Lebron's Cavs.

Not saying Howard is better than Lebron, but he is a legit superstar to build a successful team around.

[Chelm]

lebron = arguably the best player all-time, nba champion, olympic champion, mvp, finals mvp

dwight = superman cape

Then Howard should get some credit for beating Lebron's Cavs in the playoffs, don't you think? The supporting casts were relatively equal, or a slight advantage to Lebron's Cavs.

Not saying Howard is better than Lebron, but he is a legit superstar to build a successful team around.

I don't think so.  Orlando was bad after DH, the Cavs were god-awful post-Lebron.

[CelticG1]

I could go for never seeing or hearing anything about dwight Howard ever again.

He's not even fun to watch unless you are 8 and love high fiving after his amazing unguarded dunks from 1 foot away

[nickagneta]

Regarding the OP, I could care less about what Kobe has to say about Dwight. I know and everyone knows Dwight is a tool but he is the most talented big man tool in the league and when 100% healthy, is one of THE most dominant forces in this league.

Kobe is also a tool. I could care less how competitive he is or how much of a warrior he is. He's a tool and he doesn't win a single ring without playing alongside two of the best big men in the game over the last 20 years in Gasol and Shaq. The guy is a massive chucker who has turned one of the best PGs of this generation into a role playing, occasional, shooter and one of the best big men of this era into a screen setter so Kobe can continue to put up his 30 PPG.

They deserve each other and I hope neither wins a ring anytime soon or ever.

[LarBrd33]

careful... Lakers are still a contender to win the title this year, in my opinion.  They are tied for the 8th seed and can beat anyone in the west.

... and the reason why they are a contender is due to the fact that even at 80%, Dwight is ... well... Dwight.   Dude is averaging 16 points, 12 rebounds, 2.4 blocks 1 steal on 57% shooting in 35 minutes.  Kobe is averaging 28 and shooting his highest FG% ever (in part due to Dwight)... Nash is still a deadly 50%/40%/90% ... and Pau Gasol hasn't been a part of the team much at all this year.   Once everything gels (and it will), they will be the team to beat in the West.

[Chelm]

Regarding the OP, I could care less about what Kobe has to say about Dwight. I know and everyone knows Dwight is a tool but he is the most talented big man tool in the league and when 100% healthy, is one of THE most dominant forces in this league.

Kobe is also a tool. I could care less how competitive he is or how much of a warrior he is. He's a tool and he doesn't win a single ring without playing alongside two of the best big men in the game over the last 20 years in Gasol and Shaq. The guy is a massive chucker who has turned one of the best PGs of this generation into a role playing, occasional, shooter and one of the best big men of this era into a screen setter so Kobe can continue to put up his 30 PPG.

They deserve each other and I hope neither wins a ring anytime soon or ever.

Shaq yes, but Gasol is not one of the best big men of the last 20 years.

[nickagneta]

Regarding the OP, I could care less about what Kobe has to say about Dwight. I know and everyone knows Dwight is a tool but he is the most talented big man tool in the league and when 100% healthy, is one of THE most dominant forces in this league.

Kobe is also a tool. I could care less how competitive he is or how much of a warrior he is. He's a tool and he doesn't win a single ring without playing alongside two of the best big men in the game over the last 20 years in Gasol and Shaq. The guy is a massive chucker who has turned one of the best PGs of this generation into a role playing, occasional, shooter and one of the best big men of this era into a screen setter so Kobe can continue to put up his 30 PPG.

They deserve each other and I hope neither wins a ring anytime soon or ever.

Shaq yes, but Gasol is not one of the best big men of the last 20 years.

Sure he is. There's Shaq, TD, KG, Dwight and Gasol.

I think Hakeem, Robinson, Barkley, and Malone were too much in decline and/or didn't play well enough, long enough in the era to consider them.

[CelticG1]

Regarding the OP, I could care less about what Kobe has to say about Dwight. I know and everyone knows Dwight is a tool but he is the most talented big man tool in the league and when 100% healthy, is one of THE most dominant forces in this league.

Kobe is also a tool. I could care less how competitive he is or how much of a warrior he is. He's a tool and he doesn't win a single ring without playing alongside two of the best big men in the game over the last 20 years in Gasol and Shaq. The guy is a massive chucker who has turned one of the best PGs of this generation into a role playing, occasional, shooter and one of the best big men of this era into a screen setter so Kobe can continue to put up his 30 PPG.

They deserve each other and I hope neither wins a ring anytime soon or ever.

Shaq yes, but Gasol is not one of the best big men of the last 20 years.

Sure he is. There's Shaq, TD, KG, Dwight and Gasol.

I think Hakeem, Robinson, Barkley, and Malone were too much in decline and/or didn't play well enough, long enough in the era to consider them.

ha really gasol top big man of last 20 years?

I think i'd push Bosh over him but neither for me would be a top 5 center or Pf over the last 20 years.

he had a good 3 year stretch where he was one of the top big men in the game but it's not like gasol is heading to Springfield or anything

[LarBrd33]

And just like that, The Lakers are now in sole possession of the 8th seed.   Dwight (who has seemingly been getting healthier as teh season has progressed) with 16 points, 21 boards, 4 blocks.  Kobe having his most efficient season.  Nash as solid as always.   Pau looming in the weeds...

Lakers are one of probably 3 serious title contenders this year.  Miami, OKC and LA.