Kobe recruiting Dwight Howard

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jan 20, 2012 8:35 AM CST

The actual Lakers-Magic trade talks seemed to have cooled, but...

Kobe Bryant has had at least one in-depth phone conversation with Howard recently, even discussing how Howard might fit in with the Lakers' scheme.

One person with knowledge of the conversation said Howard came away feeling as if he wouldn't be the Lakers' top option, for obvious reasons. It's Bryant's team.

(via PBT)

A few things:

obviously, it's relevant that Howard seemingly seeks to have it 'his' team, which wouldn't happen in Chicago.
Still, it'd be nice if Rose could use the Adidas phone and talk. Not that he has to, but I never get when it's reported glowingly that Rose doesn't. If I were a big-time columnist I'd be a jerk and insinuate that Rose doesn't want anyone to take his spotlight, we don't know his motives either way.
There's a bit in there about Andrew Bynum not being bothered by it, and I happen to find the suggestion out there (and it is, no link, sorry) that Noah's play is because of trade talks insulting to Noah.

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Comments

Ha - no kidding...

If I were a big-time columnist I’d be a jerk

by bryield on Jan 20, 2012 8:58 AM CST reply actions 4 recs

What if yfbb wasn't a big time columnist

Oh wait.

Rose decides not to go 1-on-2 and I was thinking, "what are you doing?! You've got the numbers!" -Zach Harper, Daily Dime Live

by Prevenge on Jan 20, 2012 6:09 PM CST up reply actions 3 recs

Hahaha

Seriously, though, is there any doubt that YFBB would be ten times the columnist KC Johnson is? #suckingup

Pat Riley is the devil.

by Poloplaya14 on Jan 21, 2012 12:36 AM CST up reply actions

Not if he wanted to keep his job & sources.

yfbb has a freedom to say what he wants that KC Johnson doesn’t.

by Grinder in Training on Jan 21, 2012 10:31 AM CST up reply actions

There’s a big distinction between the role of a columnist and the role of a reporter. KC has to fill both shoes, which I’ll admit, probably limits him to some extent. But I still think KC’s a shitty columnist, even when you account for that. His basketball opinions just aren’t that great, and he’s not an especially talented writer either.

Pat Riley is the devil.

by Poloplaya14 on Jan 21, 2012 12:37 PM CST up reply actions

I love YFBB, for serious

I mean, I’m here.
I don’t read any KC Johnson so I can’t compare the two, though.

Rose decides not to go 1-on-2 and I was thinking, "what are you doing?! You've got the numbers!" -Zach Harper, Daily Dime Live

by Prevenge on Jan 22, 2012 4:43 AM CST up reply actions

so he's officially stupid, then.

by obnoxious american on Jan 20, 2012 8:59 AM CST reply actions

Who Dwight?

If so, then I agree

"Violence is not always the answer."
"Violence is the question, and the answers always YES!"

by T.Moore on Jan 20, 2012 9:39 AM CST up reply actions

or he's a REAL MAN

LeBron took the other way and played with ’Wade’s team’, and he was killed for it.

BaB on Twitter | BaB on Facebook
"Don't nag, flag!"

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jan 20, 2012 9:40 AM CST up reply actions 3 recs

yeah but everyone knew he wasn't going to win with the cavs and just made an irresponsible decision.

if howard wants to be ‘the man’ and win, stay in orlando then.

by obnoxious american on Jan 20, 2012 9:45 AM CST up reply actions

why? Otis Smith has proven to be terrible

he went ‘all-in’ for the Arenas/JRich deal. And lost.

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"Don't nag, flag!"

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jan 20, 2012 11:28 AM CST up reply actions 3 recs

what dils said below.

and i was more highlighting the dumbness of wanting to be ‘the man’ in the first place. the game exists to be won. why do so many guys not seem to understand that?

by obnoxious american on Jan 20, 2012 6:11 PM CST up reply actions

Well then if he's such a "real man"

he should stay on his current 10-4 team and make it work there and quit his bitchin

Hey Rose. I don't see the appeal!

by Dils on Jan 20, 2012 1:34 PM CST up reply actions

Kobe's phone tapped?

One person with knowledge of the conversation

Fukudometer: Created 3/31/08 Wrigley Debut 4/5/08 WGN and Japan TV Debut 4/6/08 Sun Times Debut: 4/20/08 Coffee Table Debut: 7/17/08

by Fukudometer on Jan 20, 2012 9:44 AM CST reply actions

hell hath no wrath like a woman scorned?

By popular demand I am putting a moratorium on the Melo talk until the Knicks win the title in June.

by sin on Jan 20, 2012 1:17 PM CST up reply actions 5 recs

Remember the good ol' days

when Adidas were only for soccer players and Run DMC?

Fukudometer: Created 3/31/08 Wrigley Debut 4/5/08 WGN and Japan TV Debut 4/6/08 Sun Times Debut: 4/20/08 Coffee Table Debut: 7/17/08

by Fukudometer on Jan 20, 2012 9:45 AM CST reply actions 1 recs

The Lakers were on his list well before this phone call

so I’m not sure why we’re characterizing this as “recruiting” and not planning, or comparing it to a lack of a phone call from Derrick Rose.

by runningman on Jan 20, 2012 11:06 AM CST reply actions 1 recs

To clarify: Once Dwight said he'd sign an extension with the Lakers

There’s nothing that talks with Kobe can do to make it more likely that he goes there. It’s all on the Magic and Lakers front offices to find a mutually agreeable deal.

by runningman on Jan 20, 2012 11:14 AM CST up reply actions

nothing? Maybe he's not completely set on the extension...or they're trying to make it his ONLY choice

it can’t hurt, right? Well, maybe he can if Kobe turns him off by being ‘the man’, but still.

I don’t think I’m ready to call Dwight vulgar names because he may want to talk with the Bulls franchise player before coming to the Bulls.

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"Don't nag, flag!"

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jan 20, 2012 11:30 AM CST up reply actions 2 recs

True, he can take other teams off of his list

Though I think that just makes it more likely that Orlando calls his bluff, as there’s no way he’ll be able to go to the Lakers as a free agent.

If Howard calls Rose, and Rose refuses to answer that’s one thing. I just don’t think it’s necessary for Rose to call him and beg him to come.

by runningman on Jan 20, 2012 11:50 AM CST up reply actions

I really believe its the organization (along with the market) more than Rose that turns off Howard

from the Bulls. He really seems to like to clown around on the court. Have you ever seen a Bulls player doing a fake fight routine prior to a game? I just don’t think that kind of stuff would fly here and he knows it and doesn’t want to come.

by Basketball Smurf on Jan 20, 2012 11:58 AM CST up reply actions

I'm convinced

Pax made Lu shave his mohawk.

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"Don't nag, flag!"

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jan 20, 2012 12:53 PM CST up reply actions 9 recs

Such a tragedy.

by jpx7 on Jan 20, 2012 4:34 PM CST up reply actions

haha

I don’t know if you’re just joking, but I was giving this serious thought the other day. Doesn’t Reinsdorf get real hung up on that type of shit? I could totally see them telling him to cut it

Sadly, my self worth is almost entirely based upon the outcome of the previous night's Bulls game.

by Juiceboxjerry on Jan 20, 2012 4:53 PM CST up reply actions

JR tolerated Rodman

by Trey23 on Jan 21, 2012 3:40 PM CST up reply actions

looked like a vertical headband

by JustAnotherFan on Jan 20, 2012 6:00 PM CST up reply actions 5 recs

Yeah, but you really think Kobe is willing to tolerate Dwight acting like a goofball while

the team is losing? He’s not one for fun and games. It’s all business with Kobe. Plus if he wants to be the man why is he willing to go to LA? Until Kobe is there he’ll never be “the man”. And once Kobe leaves, that team will be worse than the current Magic one he’s on.

On the J.R. Smith bandwagon until otherwise advised.

by BlackStar on Jan 20, 2012 3:47 PM CST up reply actions

like, maybe he is a cool guy that doesn't want to take space from Rose?

by JustAnotherFan on Jan 20, 2012 1:41 PM CST up reply actions

Dear dwight,

WNBA is hiring

by Belize on Jan 20, 2012 11:16 AM CST reply actions

What I don't understand is how Dwight figures to be traded to a team he can win with where he's THE MAN!

None of the really bad teams in the league can realistically trade for Howard; if they’re bad, they clearly don’t have enough good players on the roster to trade for Dwight. The middling teams may have some middling talent that can entice the Magic, but they typically don’t have the draft picks and young assets to make it worth Orlando’s while. And the teams that are ready to win and have the assets to trade for Howard already have that guy on their team, so he won’t be the man if he goes there.

Regarding the Magic’s position, I think they’d prefer to deal with either the Bulls, Magic or Clippers. However, the latter probably won’t include Griffin, which pretty much means no Dwight for them. The Lakers have Bynum and Gasol to deal, but Bynum only has one more year left on his deal and isn’t a sure thing to sign with Orlando, so they’d likely be hesitant to make the deal. With Gasol, while he’s really, really good, he’s not so young anymore, so does Orlando pull the trigger for him?

……..that brings you to the Bulls. It’s frustrating hearing about Dwight not wanting to play here because I, as well as a lot of you here, think we can offer the best package. Beyond some of the younger assets we currently possess (Jo, Omer, Taj), there’s also the Charlotte pick and Mirotic coming in from overseas. Booz may still have some value in the league and is at least a name Otis Smith can sell his fan-base on(OK, that’s pushing it.) I know, the Bulls lack that centerpiece, franchise player, in the deal, but with Charlottes pick and Mirotic, Orlando has a chance to get two really valuable young pieces.

by dakoose on Jan 20, 2012 11:39 AM CST reply actions

I would argue that if he goes to the Nets

Howard would easily be “The Man” over Williams. Williams is a very good player, and the duo would easily be real contenders, more so than Howard staying in Orlando.
But Williams is also A: Not a name as big as Bryant or Rose, and B: Relatively new to New Jersey as well, so the fans will be more willing to lionize Howard since he is a bigger star, a better player and they aren’t completely committed to Williams as ‘The Face" of the Nets.
For the Mavs, obv it would be Dirk’s team, but Howard is overwhelmingly more charismatic and outgoing that through media and advertisements he can be seen as an equal part. Also, he will straight up play better than Dirk, showing that he’s The New Man for the Mavs, whereas he will never outplay Rose or Bryant badly enough for fans to like him more.

by Micdiddy on Jan 20, 2012 3:13 PM CST up reply actions

If Carmelo can replace Amare

then Dwight can definitely replace Deron Williams

by runningman on Jan 20, 2012 4:23 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

Howard is beginning to look more and more like a clueless douche

in my opinion. I mean, he was surprised to hear that Kobe Bryant, the man who is taking 25 shots a game with Gasol and Bynum on the block, would still consider himself the first option if Howard came to LA? Really? Has he been paying attention to basketball for the last 12 years.

And what makes Howard believe he should be the first option anyway? With 6 minutes left in a tight game Orlando doesn’t even go to him. Does he think Kobe will?

I’d be surprised if Howard isn’t on the Clips, Mavs or New Jersey next season. He clearly wants to be the man AND wants to have a supporting cast around him.

by Basketball Smurf on Jan 20, 2012 11:55 AM CST reply actions 1 recs

And what makes Howard believe he should be the first option anyway? With 6 minutes left in a tight game Orlando doesn’t even go to him. Does he think Kobe will?

Good point, DH’s offensive post game is still about driving over or around the guy in front of him and trying to dunk and he is good at it, but that does not work in crunch time if you can’t make the close turnarounds, hooks, ect. to keep them honest. He has gotten better over the last year with some post moves, but he just does not have good touch and when he goes for a turnaround I just don’t see a lot of those going in and tonight and other nights, the opposing team played him one on one and he missed on the turnarounds, hooks and some were bricks in the fourth. Kobe will not share being the man. Howard would be option three on offense if Gasol was still there, two if not.

GET TO THE RIM HEAT (and SKY)! ATTACK THE PAINT!

by mjtig on Jan 21, 2012 1:39 AM CST up reply actions

According to Bucher, Howard does indeed want to be the main guy.

Here’s a Q&A from Bucher’s chat today (link), and apparently Howard wasn’t in the cool group:

Stew (Lincoln)

Last week you said that Dwight Howard wouldn’t want to play on the same team as Lebron James; why?

Ric Bucher (1:40 PM)

One, he wants to be the straw that stirs the drink. Two, from what I’ve heard, Dwight wasn’t really in the CP3/Wade/LeBron clique on Team USA and whether he feels disenfranchised or simply likes taking his own path, he’d like to keep it that way.

by bryield on Jan 20, 2012 12:52 PM CST reply actions 3 recs

well, can't say I blame Howard. That seems like a pretty douchey click

by Basketball Smurf on Jan 20, 2012 1:08 PM CST up reply actions 11 recs

*clique

Rose decides not to go 1-on-2 and I was thinking, "what are you doing?! You've got the numbers!" -Zach Harper, Daily Dime Live

by Prevenge on Jan 20, 2012 6:09 PM CST up reply actions

*it happened twice and people shouldn't do it ow my brain.

Rose decides not to go 1-on-2 and I was thinking, "what are you doing?! You've got the numbers!" -Zach Harper, Daily Dime Live

by Prevenge on Jan 20, 2012 6:10 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

Was Boozer a part of a clique, or did he just stay in his hotel room screaming all day?

by Ozzie Montana on Jan 20, 2012 1:08 PM CST up reply actions 7 recs

i think he screamed his way out of the click

Seriously, that guy must be the worst beer bong player in the world

by Belize on Jan 20, 2012 1:26 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

BLOCK DAT BOUNCE

GIMME DAT BEER

GET DAT BALL

AND ONE (off a bounce)

WCG's Resident Nickelback and Boy Band fan

Also rated Worst WCG Blogger by Dr. Steven Schweickert's extensive "Total BR" (Blogger Rating)

"Oh Dilfer, give me the strength...
to be as bad a WCG Contributor as you are an announcer/authority on anything. Peace be with you. " (JoetheBoss)

by ThorCo on Jan 20, 2012 1:29 PM CST up reply actions 3 recs

via "sources"

by Belize on Jan 20, 2012 3:47 PM CST up reply actions 8 recs

always knew Boozer was a bud guy

WCG's Resident Nickelback and Boy Band fan

Also rated Worst WCG Blogger by Dr. Steven Schweickert's extensive "Total BR" (Blogger Rating)

"Oh Dilfer, give me the strength...
to be as bad a WCG Contributor as you are an announcer/authority on anything. Peace be with you. " (JoetheBoss)

by ThorCo on Jan 20, 2012 3:48 PM CST up reply actions

This is one of my favorites.

by jpx7 on Jan 20, 2012 4:37 PM CST up reply actions

"Likes taking his own path" involves playing with Kobe Bryant.

Good luck with that, Dwight.

by Ozzie Montana on Jan 20, 2012 1:11 PM CST up reply actions

well, Kobe won't last much

I think…

by JustAnotherFan on Jan 20, 2012 1:42 PM CST up reply actions

didnt bosh say he wanted to be "the man" at one point in 2010?

"We would look at each other with a glint of recognition and one of us would say, 'So you worry about ASIK, too,' as if admitting a secret vice. Then we would share our crazy ideas-- because all ideas about ASIK that are not immediately wrong turn out to be crazy."

by TheMoon on Jan 20, 2012 1:15 PM CST up reply actions

i think he meant "the man... in Lebron James' entrourage"

“the man… on Dwayne Wade’s nursing team”
“the man… in the Norris Cole fan club.”

by Basketball Smurf on Jan 20, 2012 1:19 PM CST up reply actions 9 recs

the man...falling down

by obnoxious american on Jan 20, 2012 6:14 PM CST up reply actions 4 recs

No no

there he’s being shot down by “the man”

WCG's Resident Nickelback and Boy Band fan

Also rated Worst WCG Blogger by Dr. Steven Schweickert's extensive "Total BR" (Blogger Rating)

"Oh Dilfer, give me the strength...
to be as bad a WCG Contributor as you are an announcer/authority on anything. Peace be with you. " (JoetheBoss)

by ThorCo on Jan 21, 2012 2:49 PM CST up reply actions

well if this is all true its either brooklyn or Dallas

Dallas scares me if they get both dwight and deron

By popular demand I am putting a moratorium on the Melo talk until the Knicks win the title in June.

by sin on Jan 20, 2012 1:19 PM CST reply actions

they wil lget both of them next year for sure

Im convinced Cuban will try one more time with this squad and next yr hell reload the team with two superstars. Damn, only if we had Cuban with the bulls!

by Geo4MVP on Jan 20, 2012 1:22 PM CST up reply actions

Dallas makes the most sense for both players.

If Howard ends up on the Nets I’m immediately placing him below Aaron Gray in the list of great centers because he clearly is missing parts of his brain.

by Ozzie Montana on Jan 20, 2012 1:22 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs

and i think dirk is the perfect player to pair with howard in the front court

my god would they be scary.

dwill/dirk pick n roll with dwight in the middle gobbling up all rebounds? holy shit

By popular demand I am putting a moratorium on the Melo talk until the Knicks win the title in June.

by sin on Jan 20, 2012 3:25 PM CST up reply actions

itd be like their title team on crack

By popular demand I am putting a moratorium on the Melo talk until the Knicks win the title in June.

by sin on Jan 20, 2012 3:25 PM CST up reply actions

Deron isn't going to take a pay cut to go to Dallas

by runningman on Jan 20, 2012 4:26 PM CST up reply actions

home town + cap space + dirk + Cuban $$$

Why not?

By popular demand I am putting a moratorium on the Melo talk until the Knicks win the title in June.

by sin on Jan 20, 2012 5:47 PM CST up reply actions

He is just misleading you guys

He is a Bull already. Just waiting for the deadline. And Noah knows and that’s why he is sad. And that’s also why Lu cut the mohawk and why strange things are happening with the weather.

by JustAnotherFan on Jan 20, 2012 1:44 PM CST reply actions 5 recs

It was just a suggestion, not an accusation

Jeez

8tracks/Tumblr

by Option27 on Jan 20, 2012 4:19 PM CST reply actions

Kobe, recruiting?

He must not know how to wee-un. Oh wait…

"There are two ways to argue with a woman, and neither of them work."
- Carlos Boozer after cancelling an interview with a Sports Illustrated reporter because his wife was expecting him home.

by Brigade17 on Jan 23, 2012 12:14 AM CST reply actions