Dwight Howard demanded Kobe Bryant be amnestied or 'muzzled'

[SlyPokerDog]

CSN Bay Area reports that Dwight Howard's demands of the Lakers in their meeting with the free agent center in early July centered around two controversial issues: firing Mike D'Antoni and amnestying, or "muzzling," franchise icon Kobe Bryant.

Talks with various people close to the situation make it clear there were two prerequisites for Dwight Howard to remain a Laker: fire Mike D'Antoni and amnesty, or at the very least muzzle, Kobe Bryant. As audacious as that might sound, it doesn't come without precedent in Lakers' history. When Kobe re-upped in 2004, it coincided with Shaq being shipped to Miami and Phil Jackson being let go. Of course, Kobe didn't have to pressure the team braintrust -- Mitch Kupchak and Jerry and Jim Buss -- to make those moves, since Dr. Buss, in particular, was done with both Shaq and Phil at the time.
The Lakers apparently asked Dwight to be patient on both fronts for at least another season, telling him "hey, you're going to have to gut this out another year," a source said, although it sounds as if VP of basketball ops Jim Buss isn't ready to abandon Kobe anytime soon. "Dwight didn't want to play with Kobe for 2-3 more years," Buss said. "I'm going to stand behind Kobe because of his history with the franchise." It would seem, then, with all that happened, the Lakers had the wherewithal to keep Howard if they had desired; they simply found the price too high.


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http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on...-demanded-kobe-bryant-be-amnestied-or-muzzled

 

[SlyPokerDog]

That would have been hilarious if the Lakers would have kept Howard and dumped Kobe.

So what would have happened if the Lakers had amnestied Kobe?

Would bargain shopper Olshey have signed him instead of Mo Williams?

Would Miami have said no to Oden and picked up Kobe?

Where would have Kobe ended up?

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

Good for Dwight. He was actually right imo. The Lakers aren't going anywhere past the 2nd round ever again with Kobe on the team.

But If Kobe were amnestied my money would've been on the 76ers, Cavs, or the Mavs. (I think amnestied players who still have something left to give go through an auction of the non playoff teams)

 

[handiman]

Where would have Kobe ended up?

a) Brooklyn with everyone else, or b) Houston so we could laugh hysterically at him and James Harden trying to co-exist.

Seriously, though, I can't imagine the Knicks would let someone of his marketable stature slip away, and Kobe isn't going to settle for anything but the biggest, brightest stage.

 

[Run BJM]

Where would have Kobe ended up?

I always envisioned him as a Spur if he wasn't a Laker. And I see it as a surprisingly good fit locker room wise. Pop may be able to get him to chuck less and pass more.

 

[BigGameDamian]

Dwight Howard had no room to demand anything from the Lakers nor does he with the Rockets. He was only with the Lakers for one season. On the other hand Kobe does and the Lakers did the right thing. The only thing Dwight Howard has done is shown he can be a big name.
5× NBA champion (2000–2002, 2009–2010)
2× NBA Finals MVP (2009–2010)
NBA Most Valuable Player (2008)
15× NBA All-Star (1998, 2000–2013)
4× NBA All-Star Game MVP (2002, 2007, 2009, 2011)
2× NBA scoring champion (2006–2007)
11× All-NBA First Team (2002–2004, 2006–2013)
2× All-NBA Second Team (2000–2001)
2× All-NBA Third Team (1999, 2005)
9× NBA All-Defensive First Team (2000, 2003–2004, 2006–2011)
3× NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2001–2002, 2012)
NBA All-Rookie Second Team (1997)
NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion (1997)
Los Angeles Lakers all-time leading scorer
Naismith Prep Player of the Year (1996)

 

[BlazerWookee]

Fuck K*be. And fuck Dwight, but not quite as hard...

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Dwight Howard had no room to demand anything from the Lakers nor does he with the Rockets. He was only with the Lakers for one season. On the other hand Kobe does and the Lakers did the right thing. The only thing Dwight Howard has done is shown he can be a big name.
5× NBA champion (2000–2002, 2009–2010)
2× NBA Finals MVP (2009–2010)
NBA Most Valuable Player (2008)
15× NBA All-Star (1998, 2000–2013)
4× NBA All-Star Game MVP (2002, 2007, 2009, 2011)
2× NBA scoring champion (2006–2007)
11× All-NBA First Team (2002–2004, 2006–2013)
2× All-NBA Second Team (2000–2001)
2× All-NBA Third Team (1999, 2005)
9× NBA All-Defensive First Team (2000, 2003–2004, 2006–2011)
3× NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2001–2002, 2012)
NBA All-Rookie Second Team (1997)
NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion (1997)
Los Angeles Lakers all-time leading scorer
Naismith Prep Player of the Year (1996)

Why are you posting Kobe's resume in the Blazer forum?

 

[BigGameDamian]

Why are you posting Kobe's resume in the Blazer forum?

The conversation called for it.

 

[Strenuus]

What does him being a prep player of the year have to do with him having leverage on the lakers?

Fail.

 

[OneLifeToLive]

I think the Lakers did the right thing in this situation. By staying loyal to Kobe. I agree with Jeannie Buss in this situation. Kobe did a lot for that franchise in his 17 years. If he wants to remain a Laker for life, I think you give him that opportunity. He's earned it.

Has it set them a back a few years? Probably and maybe more.

 

[OregonHuskerMan]

Uh - they didn't necessarily have to amnesty Kobe - they could have shut him up.

To be completely honest, I think they probably should've shut him up and let Dwight stay. Dwight will (for some odd reason) be able to lure some big name free agents in the coming years for them.

On the other hand, it shows player loyalty what Dirk and Cuban and Buss and Kobe have done, by not amnestying insane contracts.

 

[OneLifeToLive]

Uh - they didn't necessarily have to amnesty Kobe - they could have shut him up.

To be completely honest, I think they probably should've shut him up and let Dwight stay. Dwight will (for some odd reason) be able to lure some big name free agents in the coming years for them.

On the other hand, it shows player loyalty what Dirk and Cuban and Buss and Kobe have done, by not amnestying insane contracts.

Two things I think Dwight needed to get over the top. One is the very player he wanted the Lakers to get rid of or muzzle. And two, Phil Jackson. Jim Buss can own that one. I think if Phil was chosen over D'Antoni, Phil would have muzzled Kobe or atleast would have told him. Hey Kobe, this Dwights team now. And due to Kobe's respect for Phil, I think he would have bought into it. Who knows, due to his aging body, Kobe might have agreed with it.

In the end, I think things happen for a reason. Dwight was not of Laker Fabric. Don't know if he fit or was what they were looking for. Had he been a young stud in the mold of a Kobe and made those same demands. He might have won it.

 

[dviss1]

Is anyone else thinking how HILARIOUS Dwight is for using the word "muzzle"?

I mean, you muzzle dangerous dogs...

 

[Mediocre Man]

Man, if I were Kobe and they amnestied me, I would have signed for whatever I could with the Clippers and gave a big "Fuck You" to the Lakers

 

[BigGameDamian]

Man, if I were Kobe and they amnestied me, I would have signed for whatever I could with the Clippers and gave a big "Fuck You" to the Lakers

I agree and repped!

 

[handiman]

I think the Lakers did the right thing. I'd rather build around a barely-alive Kobe than Dwight. Both are egomaniacs to the utmost degree, but Kobe at least craves competition and pressure. Does anyone really view Dwight as a game changer at this point in his career, whether or not his back fully recovers? You can't count on him to produce offensively, so you're always going to have a flawed team in close playoff games.

 

[jlprk]

They should bring back Jerry West.




Also, he could GM for them.

 

[BigGameDamian]

They should bring back Jerry West.



Also, he could GM for them.

What else would he do?

 

[jlprk]

You never heard of Mr. Clutch?

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

I think the Lakers did the right thing in this situation. By staying loyal to Kobe. I agree with Jeannie Buss in this situation. Kobe did a lot for that franchise in his 17 years. If he wants to remain a Laker for life, I think you give him that opportunity. He's earned it.

Has it set them a back a few years? Probably and maybe more.

While I agree with this, I agree with Dwight in some respect. Kobe has reached a point in his career that he may start being a detriment to the team rather than a solid asset due to his age and inability to make players around him better.

 

[magnifier661]

While I agree with this, I agree with Dwight in some respect. Kobe has reached a point in his career that he may start being a detriment to the team rather than a solid asset due to his age and inability to make players around him better.

I am glad Lakers are staying loyal to Kobe. That way, they will be lame for another 2 years.

 

[crandc]

I would recommend a muzzle and a chastity belt.

 

[-Ace-]

Kobe has become much like the beef he was named after. He was successful at his rare and medium rare stages, which was most ideal for that team's tastebuds. Now he's getting to the point of being overcooked and sent back to the kitchen. He's lost his flavor and texture.

That team needs a new recipe.....in the meantime, Portland is baking a mighty fine dessert and I intend on enjoying it this year.

 

[Reep]

I may have to circle this game on my calendar. Could be fun watching K*be trying to dunk on Howard and see if Howard tries to stop him.

 

[Draco]

I am glad Lakers are staying loyal to Kobe. That way, they will be lame for another 2 years.

Yeah if Kobe is the best player on a team going forward that team will not have HCA. I think he'll start to turn into even more of a chucker the next few years and average an extremely inefficient 30+ppg. His supporters will claim its evidence of his greatness while the rest of us will laugh as the team struggles more and more. It'll be a great few years to be a Lakers hater.

 

[jlprk]

Yeah if Kobe is the best player on a team going forward that team will not have HCA.

If they barely made the playoffs with Howard, they won't make them without him.

 

[blue9]

Kobe has become much like the beef he was named after. He was successful at his rare and medium rare stages, which was most ideal for that team's tastebuds. Now he's getting to the point of being overcooked and sent back to the kitchen. He's lost his flavor and texture.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Kobe has become much like the beef he was named after. He was successful at his rare and medium rare stages, which was most ideal for that team's tastebuds. Now he's getting to the point of being overcooked and sent back to the kitchen. He's lost his flavor and texture.

That team needs a new recipe.....in the meantime, Portland is baking a mighty fine dessert and I intend on enjoying it this year.

Nice! I hope he stays until he's jerky!