Dwight Howard’s situation in Houston is eerily similar to what drove him out of LA in the summer of 2013. His unwillingness to play with ball-dominant Kobe Bryant and to fall in line and play the way Bryant wanted him too saw him leave the Lakers.
Now he is facing the same in Houston – but it’s James Harden who is doing the driving.
In a lot of ways James Harden plays the same way as Kobe. He wants to be the big dog and run the show. The problem is you don’t win championships that way. Even the great Kobe needed help to win, Shaq O’Neal was with him early and then Pau Gasol, as well as a handy group of players around them.
I was not surprised that the Harden-Howard situation has come to this, with reports suggesting both players wanted the other traded before the deadline.
The Rockets tried to trade Howard at the deadline as they know with his impending unrestricted free agency he will cut and run as he did in LA. There are doubts on his longevity and character, plus expecting a max contract upwards of $30 million they found it impossible to move him.
The Hornets had a passing interest until they realised what Houston wanted. With them not getting a firm answer from Howard’s manager regarding free agency, they decided they didn’t want to pay a high price for what could be a rental.
Since the deadline Howard has been spinning the ‘living in the moment’, ‘trying to help my team into the playoffs’ excuse, while not wanting to talk about free agency. These are the same sort of things he was saying in 2013 when he was being asked if he would stick with the Lakers, and we all know what circus that turned into.
He has since fired his agent Dan Fegan and has been searching for a new one.
“As I continue to embark on my NBA journey, I have to decided to sever my relationship with Dan Fegan and Relativity Sports…I have the utmost respect for Dan, but this is the right decision for me. My sole focus remains working with my teammates to position the Rockets for a pursuit of a championship. I wish Dan and the team at Relativity all the best in the future.” Howard told the Houston Chronicle.
It’s clear his playing days as a Rocket are coming to an end, so what’s next for Dwight Howard? The Charlotte Hornets kicked the tyres on a deal and would be up the front of the cue to sign the former All Star. Most teams will be able to offer a max contract as the salary cap will jump this summer. The Dallas Mavericks look set to chase Al Horford and seem to have him at the top of their shopping list.
Howard hasn’t performed at the level that made him the best centre and top defensive big in the NBA since his back surgery. Some teams feel it’s because he isn’t getting the ball in the areas he needs and that his offensive play has stagnated due to Harden.
Others say it’s because he isn’t as athletic as he once was, it would certainly concern a franchise paying such big money for a long term deal on a 30-year-old centre with question marks. He is averaging 14.6 points and 12 rebounds a game this season in 48 regular season appearances.
Houston hasn’t been a happy place so far this season. Aside from the Harden and Howard friction, the Rockets sacked coach Kevin McHale with rumours circulating that Harden had something to do with it.
Ty Lawson has been unimpressed by what’s going on and is seeking a buyout of his contract.
So as he did when he left the Lakers, Howard will bolt from the Rockets. Maybe Houston can borrow the ‘Stay’ signs from LA. Dwightmare 2 is about on us and it will be interesting to see which team will be willing to take him on and his sizeable contract.
Follow me on Twitter: jased1973
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