NEWS Houston leads for DH12 decision expected quickly

[Ogaju]

this should be interesting. Lakers should not have a chance except they can pay him an extra 30 million and they have LA weather.

Houston should win this if you think about the China angle. It will also give him a chance to stick it to Kobe who is huge in China.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba--dwight-howard-s-free-agent-courtship-to-begin-with-rockets-as-frontrunners-023015124.html

[rondoallaturca]

Is this really news? Houston offers way more benefits to Dwight than any other team. Both short-term and long-term, Houston blows every other team out of the water. Dwight would be a fool to pass on Houston.

[PhoSita]

I'd love to see Howard join Harden in Houston.

First of all, the three H thing is really nice.

But second of all, I think it's a perfect situation for him.  Harden will get to be the man who takes the big shots and bears the brunt of expectations, while Howard can be the best player on the team who anchors the defense and gets his own off pick and roll feeds from Lin and Harden. 

If the Rockets get Howard, though, they need to upgrade that PF position.

[rondoallaturca]

Also, don't underestimate Parsons. That kid is developing into an absolute stud. He's the do-it-all player every championship team needs.

Anyway, if (more likely when) Howard lands in Houston, I think Boston could benefit greatly. Houston would clearly want to unload Asik, because it'd be pointless paying a backup center $8M. Just our luck, Boston has a plethora of good shooting PFs. Bass and Olynyk for Asik anybody?

[saltlover]

Also, don't underestimate Parsons. That kid is developing into an absolute stud. He's the do-it-all player every championship team needs.

Anyway, if (more likely when) Howard lands in Houston, I think Boston could benefit greatly. Houston would clearly want to unload Asik, because it'd be pointless paying a backup center $8M. Just our luck, Boston has a plethora of good shooting PFs. Bass and Olynyk for Asik anybody?

I'm not sure it's a given they unload Asik.  There was at least one rumor out a few weeks ago that Howard liked Houston in part because Asik was there.  They could try that twin towers thing for at least part of the game.

Houston wants to move Robinson and Royce White.  If we get anyone from Houston, it will be those two, although I don't know that we'll be involved.

[PhoSita]

Also, don't underestimate Parsons. That kid is developing into an absolute stud. He's the do-it-all player every championship team needs.

Anyway, if (more likely when) Howard lands in Houston, I think Boston could benefit greatly. Houston would clearly want to unload Asik, because it'd be pointless paying a backup center $8M. Just our luck, Boston has a plethora of good shooting PFs. Bass and Olynyk for Asik anybody?

I'm not going to trade a young big man prospect we just selected with a lottery pick who is on a rookie contract to get a defensive role player center making 8 mil a year.

Asik only makes sense if we're trying to win right now.  We aren't.

[rondoallaturca]

I'm not sure it's a given they unload Asik.  There was at least one rumor out a few weeks ago that Howard liked Houston in part because Asik was there.  They could try that twin towers thing for at least part of the game.

Houston wants to move Robinson and Royce White.  If we get anyone from Houston, it will be those two, although I don't know that we'll be involved.

Hmm, that's an interesting proposition, and I guess there's no way of knowing what they're thinking. IMO, it'd be a poor idea to try running with a twin towers concept because their offense will ideally be at a high octane pace. With Lin, Harden, and Parsons, they'd ideally get a stretch-4 and run with one of the most athletic centers in the league right now. Furthermore, Asik's offense isn't exactly something that works well a twin towers strategy. Pau Gasol was able to do it with Andrew Bynum because Gasol has finesse, a mid-range game, and great passing ability. Having Asik and Dwight together would be way too much of a liability. Keep in mind that Orlando tried pairing Dwight with Gortat, and it just didn't work.

Also, don't underestimate Parsons. That kid is developing into an absolute stud. He's the do-it-all player every championship team needs.

Anyway, if (more likely when) Howard lands in Houston, I think Boston could benefit greatly. Houston would clearly want to unload Asik, because it'd be pointless paying a backup center $8M. Just our luck, Boston has a plethora of good shooting PFs. Bass and Olynyk for Asik anybody?

I'm not going to trade a young big man prospect we just selected with a lottery pick who is on a rookie contract to get a defensive role player center making 8 mil a year.

Asik only makes sense if we're trying to win right now.  We aren't.

Asik would provide us with the dominating defensive and rebounding force in the paint that makes retooling so much easier.

[j804]

I'm not sure it's a given they unload Asik.  There was at least one rumor out a few weeks ago that Howard liked Houston in part because Asik was there.  They could try that twin towers thing for at least part of the game.

Houston wants to move Robinson and Royce White.  If we get anyone from Houston, it will be those two, although I don't know that we'll be involved.

Hmm, that's an interesting proposition, and I guess there's no way of knowing what they're thinking. IMO, it'd be a poor idea to try running with a twin towers concept because their offense will ideally be at a high octane pace. With Lin, Harden, and Parsons, they'd ideally get a stretch-4 and run with one of the most athletic centers in the league right now. Furthermore, Asik's offense isn't exactly something that works well a twin towers strategy. Pau Gasol was able to do it with Andrew Bynum because Gasol has finesse, a mid-range game, and great passing ability. Having Asik and Dwight together would be way too much of a liability. Keep in mind that Orlando tried pairing Dwight with Gortat, and it just didn't work.

Also, don't underestimate Parsons. That kid is developing into an absolute stud. He's the do-it-all player every championship team needs.

Anyway, if (more likely when) Howard lands in Houston, I think Boston could benefit greatly. Houston would clearly want to unload Asik, because it'd be pointless paying a backup center $8M. Just our luck, Boston has a plethora of good shooting PFs. Bass and Olynyk for Asik anybody?

I'm not going to trade a young big man prospect we just selected with a lottery pick who is on a rookie contract to get a defensive role player center making 8 mil a year.

Asik only makes sense if we're trying to win right now.  We aren't.

Asik would provide us with the dominating defensive and rebounding force in the paint that makes retooling so much easier.

If Paul and KG were here I'd love Asik without them he isnt needed were blowing this thing up

[PhoSita]

Asik would provide us with the dominating defensive and rebounding force in the paint that makes retooling so much easier.

Translation: Asik will help us win 5 more games than we would have otherwise.

TRADE ASSETS FOR HIM DANNY

[Neurotic Guy]

Is this really news? Houston offers way more benefits to Dwight than any other team. Both short-term and long-term, Houston blows every other team out of the water. Dwight would be a fool to pass on Houston.

You seem confident -- getting me excited about this.  I am hesitant to believe that the Lakers could ever lose on something like this.  Seems they ALWAYS get their guy and this would be a huge blow.  It would be terrific.

Recalling 15 years ago when the Lakers were bidding for Shaq -- knew they would get him. 

[rondoallaturca]

@PhoSita- You're absolutely correct, actually. Centers are getting smaller and smaller. How many other legitimate SKILLED 7 footers are realistically hitting the market soon? Not counting mega-risks Andrew Bynum and Greg Oden, I can't think of any. Asik would be a great coup at the center position if we retool.

@Neurotic Guy- I am confident. If you'd like specifics of why, I can give you a list. Houston is head and shoulder above their competition when it comes to what they can offer Dwight.

[Lucky17]

Houston has reportedly released both Carlos Delfino and Aaron Brooks, both of whom were on non-guaranteed contracts.

They still apparently want to clear Thomas Robinson off the books, too.

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/228488/Rockets-Waive-Brooks-Delfino;-Looking-For-Trade-Of-Robinson-For-Additional-Space

Really hope Ainge can step in and make some hay here somehow.

[SHAQATTACK]

No matter how stack it, Howard is a center in his prime .... and regardless of the fans comments not missing him ,   

Howard leaving the Lakrers is a HUGE HUGE setback , even for the Lakers , who can normally reboot their team ASAP most years.

Not even the Lakers can come up with an instant big man replacement for Howard.

Them loosing Howard is a huge win/boost of confidence for the other NBA teams in recruiting , showing that NOT every great player is bound by history to be a laker

Maybe if he departs ...so will some of the mystique of signing with LA

[Smutzy#9]

an Asik Howard front court would end in terrible floor spacing. You need a 4 that can go out and consistently hit that 15-17 footer so defences have to make sure they cover him and that leaves dwight one on one. SVG had the formula correct with dwight about just surrounding him with shooters they just didnt have the extra talent. Howard and Harden are actually a really scary combo to me. Add in Parsons you are getting closer. Plus anyone else think Howard getting coached by McHale could be a scary thought

[Birdman]

Lakers can get back Andrew Bynum