ESPN: Portland among "favorites" for Dwight Howard in Free Agency

[Superbeard]

I and many others don't care about that. We've got two excellent Laker bigs the last two years in Kaman and Ed Davis. Hell I actually think its great; their basically our farm team.

I care about what Dwight is doing last year, this year, and how that projects next year on the court. He has issues clogging the lane on offense, stealing teammates rebounds, slow defensive rotations, lack of skill. Mostly I care about comparable NBA players who also have their contributions based entirely on athleticism. Gerald Wallace went from a borderline all-star to not belonging in the league at the age of 30. I see Dwight on a similar path.

On pure merit you could argue Dwight deserves to be a backup center somewhere in this league. But he's not going to be happy with that roll or that paycheck. There's no way he'd be happy with Mason Plumlee starting in front of him, or Meyers coming in when we need spacing, and thats likely what would happen here next year.

Center and PG are the two deepest positions we have. Now if we could get an elite center sure I'd consider it. Dwight hasn't been one in years and players don't magically recapture those skills after major back surgery on the wrong side of 30. At best Dwight is a marginal upgrade from Plumlee/Ed, at worst he's a clear downgrade, and in either scenario he'll be an unhappy camper. No thanks!

Lol, this is true. Almost once a game there is a turnover because Howard is fighting for a rebound with his own teammate. Last time it happened I think that teammate was Beverly...

Also I know there is some advanced stat on this but his rebounds are not impactful rebound. I mean that they are rebounds he gets because he just jumps higher than most guys. He doesn't seem to either like or understand boxing out. I mean if you watch a guy like say...Ben Wallace in his prime and Dwight Howard how they approach rebounds is very different. You are never really impressed by them I mean, I guess you'd have to see it to know. Like Drummond, he snatches them up and wherever he's at in the paint he impacts who gets the rebound.

 

[BBert]

I guess what I'm trying to say is the Blazers have enough room for internal improvement that we don't have to do anything desperate, or take any chances on someone who isn't right for the team. With our current roster and all our cap space, and with Olshey at the helm, I'm feeling pretty good about the future right now.

 

[Orion Bailey]

I guess what I'm trying to say is the Blazers have enough room for internal improvement that we don't have to do anything desperate, or take any chances on someone who isn't right for the team. With our current roster and all our cap space, and with Olshey at the helm, I'm feeling pretty good about the future right now.

Dude. Drop the fucking mic and close this thread!

 

[Natebishop3]

I guess what I'm trying to say is the Blazers have enough room for internal improvement that we don't have to do anything desperate, or take any chances on someone who isn't right for the team. With our current roster and all our cap space, and with Olshey at the helm, I'm feeling pretty good about the future right now.

Man..... one more scorer, preferably at the power forward position, and this team will be set.

 

[BBert]

Lol, this is true. Almost once a game there is a turnover because Howard is fighting for a rebound with his own teammate. Last time it happened I think that teammate was Beverly...

Also I know there is some advanced stat on this but his rebounds are not impactful rebound. I mean that they are rebounds he gets because he just jumps higher than most guys. He doesn't seem to either like or understand boxing out. I mean if you watch a guy like say...Ben Wallace in his prime and Dwight Howard how they approach rebounds is very different. You are never really impressed by them I mean, I guess you'd have to see it to know. Like Drummond, he snatches them up and wherever he's at in the paint he impacts who gets the rebound.

So you're saying Mr. Howard is not only NOT boxing out so he can get the rebound, he certainly is not boxing out so his teammates can get the rebound?

Even with the number of rebounds Plumlee got last night, he was still sealing off opponents so his teammates could get the board.

Teamwork, FTW.

 

[BBert]

Man..... one more scorer, preferably at the power forward position, and this team will be set.

I am so excited about a team led by Dame and CJ, and next year's version of Mo Harkless, and the majority of our complimentary players. I still believe Vonleh will be better next season and could be impactful by next year's playoffs, on both sides of the ball. Maybe I'm drunk with playoff success, but I'm in a good place right now.

 

[Superbeard]

So you're saying Mr. Howard is not only NOT boxing out so he can get the rebound, he certainly is not boxing out so his teammates can get the rebound? Even with the number of rebounds Plumlee got last night, he was still sealing off opponents so his teammates could get the board. Teamwork, FTW.

I'll just leave this here...



McHale did say that Dwight has problems getting low nowadays so that could factor into it now. His back could really be shot, it'll be interesting to see if anyone gives him the Max, my guess is it'll be Dallas or Charlotte.

 

[Orion Bailey]

Shit. I might just be a super fan of super beard.

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

Man..... one more scorer, preferably at the power forward position, and this team will be set.

Ryan anderson is the target i think. And i dont know how i feel about it. Hes definitely a scorer, but his defense is trash

 

[rotary111]

Any trade involving Plumdog should be denied. Too much talent/ Basketball IQ to let go. This is his first year of getting starters minutes. He will develop some kind of shot over the summer, he's to intelligent to not put serious work into his weaknesses. As far as Dwight goes he can go to Orlando, or wherever. I'd rather have ZBO back to add some punch to the PF spot. He's not my first choice but I'd rather have someone like him that really wants to win than Dwight.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[blue9]

Ryan anderson is the target i think. And i dont know how i feel about it. Hes definitely a scorer, but his defense is trash

Based on the past, I can see this being the case - I generally haven't been impressed by Neil's FA targets. Hopefully it works out the same as it has in the past and we don't get him.

 

[blazedanugz]

I think olshey is smarter than all of us combined. If he brings him in I would be very excited. If he doesn't bring him in, I'm going to be happy because that means he didn't think it wasn't a good fit.

 

[oldfisherman]

Concerning the FAs Olshey goes after.

All I can say is, Olshey is going to earn his paycheck this summer. He will have 6 spots to fill, competing against GMs with tons of cap space, in a very weak FA class, with less cap space than most teams.

The issue that is going to hurt the Blazers the most is cap holds, over $36+ million for our 6 FAs, $30 million if you take Kaman out.

With the 5 cap holds, Olshey will only have less than $14 million before he hits the max of $92 million. (per spotrac)

Not sure how accurate the spotrac info is? But it looks about right.
http://www.spotrac.com/nba/portland-trail-blazers/cap/2016/

 

[PDXFonz]

Concerning the FAs Olshey goes after.

All I can say is, Olshey is going to earn his paycheck this summer. He will have 6 spots to fill, competing against GMs with tons of cap space, in a very weak FA class, with less cap space than most teams.

The issue that is going to hurt the Blazers the most is cap holds, over $36+ million for our 6 FAs, $30 million if you take Kaman out.

With the 5 cap holds, Olshey will only have less than $14 million before he hits the max of $92 million. (per spotrac)

Not sure how accurate the spotrac info is? But it looks about right.
http://www.spotrac.com/nba/portland-trail-blazers/cap/2016/

This is why I've thought making the playoffs was so important. The further these guys go the more of Olsheys work they do for him.

Portland is suddenly a much more attractive place to play if other players view it as a winning environment.

Also expect those spots to be filled internally first, only then will Olshey reach out to other FA's

 

[Sinobas]

Concerning the FAs Olshey goes after.

All I can say is, Olshey is going to earn his paycheck this summer. He will have 6 spots to fill, competing against GMs with tons of cap space, in a very weak FA class, with less cap space than most teams.

The issue that is going to hurt the Blazers the most is cap holds, over $36+ million for our 6 FAs, $30 million if you take Kaman out.

With the 5 cap holds, Olshey will only have less than $14 million before he hits the max of $92 million. (per spotrac)

Not sure how accurate the spotrac info is? But it looks about right.
http://www.spotrac.com/nba/portland-trail-blazers/cap/2016/

That's not a big deal, all they have to do is renounce their rights to Henderson, Kaman, and Roberts, and we'll be 26 million under the cap. Which is plenty to sign a max player. Then we'd still have the rights to go over to retain Leonard(whom I don't want), Harkless and Crabbe.

 

[H.C.]

I'll just leave this here...



McHale did say that Dwight has problems getting low nowadays so that could factor into it now. His back could really be shot, it'll be interesting to see if anyone gives him the Max, my guess is it'll be Dallas or Charlotte.

Minimum 2 players in rebounding position for the Rockets... Are you trying to blame Howard for not getting that rebound?
That's a great play by Curry... excellent fundamental boxout... It shows size doesn't matter if you are fundamentally sound.
If there is anyone to blame for that rebound it's Harden... He stands there and watches. That's his rebound 100%. Fuck that's MY rebound 100% and I can't jump anymore.
But this is what rubs people the wrong way about Harden. He only half asses his effort out there and it hurts his team. If I'm Howard in that play and Harden just stood there. After Curry scores I yell at Harden on the court in front of everyone. There is no excuse for that.
But James Harden comes across as a player who just doesn't care about winning. As long as he's getting his numbers.

Defending Dwight Howard.... Never thought it would come to this.


Edit - I just showed this to my girlfriend who didn't grow up doing anything athletic outside of running. But shes learning.
She responded with. "Why is The Beard just standing there?".
If a casual onlooker sees it... Not much more to be said.

 

[jlprk]

The implosion in Houston is crazy. Our teams in the early 2000s didn't have chemistry this bad.

Yet the Houston media isn't calling for Morey's scalp. That's the difference between the shitty Oregonian and the media in other NBA cities.

 

[Superbeard]

Minimum 2 players in rebounding position for the Rockets... Are you trying to blame Howard for not getting that rebound?
That's a great play by Curry... excellent fundamental boxout... It shows size doesn't matter if you are fundamentally sound.
If there is anyone to blame for that rebound it's Harden... He stands there and watches. That's his rebound 100%. Fuck that's MY rebound 100% and I can't jump anymore.
But this is what rubs people the wrong way about Harden. He only half asses his effort out there and it hurts his team. If I'm Howard in that play and Harden just stood there. After Curry scores I yell at Harden on the court in front of everyone. There is no excuse for that.
But James Harden comes across as a player who just doesn't care about winning. As long as he's getting his numbers.

Defending Dwight Howard.... Never thought it would come to this.


Edit - I just showed this to my girlfriend who didn't grow up doing anything athletic outside of running. But shes learning.
She responded with. "Why is The Beard just standing there?".
If a casual onlooker sees it... Not much more to be said.

Well that is an interesting way to see it. Actually, Curry wasn't Harden's man but Terry's. To put the blame on Harden and say it is 100% Harden's board is out there, first time I've heard someone see it that way. I don't even blame Terry for not putting a body on Curry because I think most players in this situation as you can see most of the Rockets guards and forwards are already waiting for the outlet pass so that they can run which is what they are told to do. Lets look at the play in full...



So the NBA labels it as David vs Goliath and all 3 commentators go on about how Howard was boxed out against Curry. Congrats, in all of my time discussing the Rockets you are the first person to blame Harden on this play. Seems like a stretch I think.

Harden is just standing there because he assumes his center can get a rebound one on one against a PG. You know as a Rocket fan I've seen plenty of great big men and that rebound right there is Dwight Howard in a Rocket uniform. I've never seen a a center get punked and schooled like that on a rebound by a PG and then with said PG right under him get scored on so easily.

You want to blame Harden for not playing defense on the layup then that's fine, but to say that was his rebound is a little out there I think. Also the ball is right over Howard and Curry, I guess if you think Harden is going to jump high enough to steal the rebound then that would be his rebound but I'll tell you one thing about Harden is he doesn't jump very high unless he has a really good running start. But I get it I get it. Harden is super lazy and has no fire for the game, I can't imagine then what he'd be capable of if he did. I guess multi-MVPs and finals appearances since he's already accomplished a ton in his short career.

Edit: Also there is a theory that your main guard who handles the ball should not be battling for rebounds with their bigs. Maybe a casual fan doesn't understand this, (but hey, maybe I'm just a casual fan or know less than one) but I've seen Kenny and Charles argue over whether your PG (Which Harden basically is for the Rockets) should be fighting for rebounds or not. Teams that want to run will often have guys leaking out while their big secures the board. It's what you sacrifice if you want to be a full court transition team.

Also again, Dwight would have fought Harden for the rebound even if it meant inadvertently knocking it out of bounds. He does this a lot, it has to have happened more than 10x with Beverly on the court.

 

[santeesioux]

http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/or...f/2016/04/dwight_howards_mentor_says_tra.html

 

[Natebishop3]

http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/or...f/2016/04/dwight_howards_mentor_says_tra.html

Ugh...

 

[santeesioux]

Ugh...

We're going to keep hearing rumors like this until he signs with someone since we have all of this money to spend.

 

[H.C.]

Well that is an interesting way to see it. Actually, Curry wasn't Harden's man but Terry's. To put the blame on Harden and say it is 100% Harden's board is out there, first time I've heard someone see it that way. I don't even blame Terry for not putting a body on Curry because I think most players in this situation as you can see most of the Rockets guards and forwards are already waiting for the outlet pass so that they can run which is what they are told to do. Lets look at the play in full...



So the NBA labels it as David vs Goliath and all 3 commentators go on about how Howard was boxed out against Curry. Congrats, in all of my time discussing the Rockets you are the first person to blame Harden on this play. Seems like a stretch I think.

Harden is just standing there because he assumes his center can get a rebound one on one against a PG. You know as a Rocket fan I've seen plenty of great big men and that rebound right there is Dwight Howard in a Rocket uniform. I've never seen a a center get punked and schooled like that on a rebound by a PG and then with said PG right under him get scored on so easily.

You want to blame Harden for not playing defense on the layup then that's fine, but to say that was his rebound is a little out there I think. Also the ball is right over Howard and Curry, I guess if you think Harden is going to jump high enough to steal the rebound then that would be his rebound but I'll tell you one thing about Harden is he doesn't jump very high unless he has a really good running start. But I get it I get it. Harden is super lazy and has no fire for the game, I can't imagine then what he'd be capable of if he did. I guess multi-MVPs and finals appearances since he's already accomplished a ton in his short career.

Edit: Also there is a theory that your main guard who handles the ball should not be battling for rebounds with their bigs. Maybe a casual fan doesn't understand this, (but hey, maybe I'm just a casual fan or know less than one) but I've seen Kenny and Charles argue over whether your PG (Which Harden basically is for the Rockets) should be fighting for rebounds or not. Teams that want to run will often have guys leaking out while their big secures the board. It's what you sacrifice if you want to be a full court transition team.

Also again, Dwight would have fought Harden for the rebound even if it meant inadvertently knocking it out of bounds. He does this a lot, it has to have happened more than 10x with Beverly on the court.

Your edit is a joke right?
There is also a Theory that if your guard gets the rebound. The transition offense is then started right away because it means you don't need an outlet pass.
How many HoF guards should I name that did this? Or how many HoF players that do this in todays NBA? An outlet pass from a big is ONE WAY to start a fastbreak, it's far from the only way.
Harden gets the rebound. Curry is left in a trail position behind Howard and it's effectively minimum 5 on 4 fastbreak. Simple basketball.

I guess you think giving up a layup is better than at the very least Harden knocking the ball out of bounds right. alright......
It's not defense... It's a rebound.
A rebound where the Rockets have two players in good position. One is getting a solid fundamental box out. The other isn't being boxed out at all.... He's watching.... He could make the same play from the stands.
There are many things I could say to address your post. I'm going to choose to ignore most of it because it offers nothing to the discussion.
I see the things Howard does. He is a baby, but this specific play is far from Howard's fault. Most of the Rockets team are babies. It starts at the top.
To claim otherwise means you're wearing blinders due to being a fan of the team. Which is fine it's your team you're allowed. I'm sorry but it just is the way it is.

 

[BlazerWookee]

Leonard has been in the league four years. The improvement has been minimal in that time.

That's one of the sillier things I've seen you post. Minimal improvement? Seriously?

 

[blue9]

That's one of the sillier things I've seen you post. Minimal improvement? Seriously?

Also, being in the league is not the same as PLAYING in the league. CJ's been in the league three years, but this is basically his first year playing in the league. I consider both Meyers and CJ to have 1.5 years of experience.

 

[magnifier661]

Ewww no thanks

 

[Natebishop3]

That's one of the sillier things I've seen you post. Minimal improvement? Seriously?

You're right, he went from completely worthless to only somewhat worthless. He no longer has to have his butt glued to the bench. He can come into the game and play 5-10 minutes. Woohoo!

Look at what CJ has accomplished in the past three seasons. Look at what Allen Crabbe has accomplished in the past three seasons. Meyers just hasn't improved as steadily as the others.

 

[blue9]

You're right, he went from completely worthless to only somewhat worthless. He no longer has to have his butt glued to the bench. He can come into the game and play 5-10 minutes. Woohoo!

Look at what CJ has accomplished in the past three seasons. Look at what Allen Crabbe has accomplished in the past three seasons. Meyers just hasn't improved as steadily as the others.

Question: did you like Przybilla?
Question: how long did it take Przybilla to become a semi-decent player? (I honestly don't know.)

I think Meyers already has a bigger positive impact on the game than Joel ever did. And I liked Joel.

 

[Superbeard]

Your edit is a joke right?
There is also a Theory that if your guard gets the rebound. The transition offense is then started right away because it means you don't need an outlet pass.
How many HoF guards should I name that did this? Or how many HoF players that do this in todays NBA? An outlet pass from a big is ONE WAY to start a fastbreak, it's far from the only way.
Harden gets the rebound. Curry is left in a trail position behind Howard and it's effectively minimum 5 on 4 fastbreak. Simple basketball.

I guess you think giving up a layup is better than at the very least Harden knocking the ball out of bounds right. alright......
It's not defense... It's a rebound.
A rebound where the Rockets have two players in good position. One is getting a solid fundamental box out. The other isn't being boxed out at all.... He's watching.... He could make the same play from the stands.
There are many things I could say to address your post. I'm going to choose to ignore most of it because it offers nothing to the discussion.
I see the things Howard does. He is a baby, but this specific play is far from Howard's fault. Most of the Rockets team are babies. It starts at the top.
To claim otherwise means you're wearing blinders due to being a fan of the team. Which is fine it's your team you're allowed. I'm sorry but it just is the way it is.

Man I don't know what else to say. Harden wasn't in good position to get that rebound. End of story. He was in position to play defense on the layup attempt, but not to get the rebound. Terry was in position to prevent Curry from getting it, in fact look at the play again and look at who Dwight blames for it, he looks immediately at Terry. I'm not sure how you think that was good position for Harden unless you think that he's allowed to crash into two players or just jump over them and meet the ball at it's height. Everyone else, JVG, Jackson, Breen all saw what pretty much everyone else saw of this play at the time. Howard got punked by a PG for a rebound. Period.

What instead happens is that Howard...1v1 against Curry...lost a rebound. Your post makes excuses for Howard losing 1v1 against Curry to instead blame Harden 100% (your words) for that rebound. You can call me bias for the Rockets and I'll call you bias against them and Harden and we can call it even. I'm going to ignore the rest of the post about the Rockets being "Babies" because it too offers nothing to the discussion except to prove that maybe you aren't as unbiased as you may think.

Also no my Edit isn't a joke. Maybe you should talk to Charles about it, maybe you know more about playing basketball than him but he made the case that a PG should not be fighting your big for a rebound. Your example is not the example here, for Harden to have got that rebound he would had to have fought Dwight for the Rebound since the Rebound was coming right his way.

 

[Minstrel]

As ridiculous as it was for Howard to get boxed out by Curry, it was about equally ridiculous that Curry was surrounded by three Rockets and he was the one to come away with the board. Acting like it was Harden's job to stand there and stare is a little silly. He wasn't leaking out to run the break off Howard's outlet--he was doing what he generally does when he doesn't have the ball in his hands: nothing.

Also, credit Barkley all you want for his 0n-court play, but he's pretty much the last guy I want advice from on basketball strategy.

 

[Superbeard]

As ridiculous as it was for Howard to get boxed out by Curry, it was about equally ridiculous that Curry was surrounded by three Rockets and he was the one to come away with the board. Acting like it was Harden's job to stand there and stare is a little silly. He wasn't leaking out to run the break off Howard's outlet--he was doing what he generally does when he doesn't have the ball in his hands: nothing.

Also, credit Barkley all you want for his 0n-court play, but he's pretty much the last guy I want advice from on basketball strategy.

I'm going to task both of you then with watching what guards do when a big is battling for the boards, it usually is either leaking out or standing right there where Harden is to get the ball handed off to him. Howard's job is to get rebounds, it's not their job to secure rebounds unless that is to put a body on another guard sneaking in like that to cause havoc. It is Howard's job and despite the numbers he puts up he does a poor job of controlling the boards.

We all can agree to disagree but I know all three of our commentators would have said "What is he doing down there fighting Dwight for that rebound, let him have it!" because it's what they usually say when it happens once or twice a game. In fact Clyde would often say that Hakeem would berate you if you fought him for a rebound. The reason they are standing around is because it is Dwight vs Curry for a rebound and that should have been a sure thing. The rebound with where it was at was going to one person, Dwight or Curry.

For Harden or Terry to come in would mean that they would have to meet the ball at it's height and take it from them because they are both right under the ball. Terry or Harden don't have the reach or hops to do such a thing. Why don't you also blame the Warriors? The Warriors were all getting back on defense because I bet they all thought in that moment to concede the rebound and get back on defense against a team that likes to run.