HoopsHype.com Rumors

Dwight Howard

Visit the HoopsHype Forums to discuss the latest news and rumors in the NBA.

» Thursday, June 13 2013

 

» Wednesday, June 12 2013

Steve Nash, according to Leandro Barbosa, according to Steve Nash, plays soccer like he plays basketball "Leandro Barbosa, my former teammate [with the Phoenix Suns] . . . says I play soccer exactly how I play basketball," said Nash. "I love to pass and play-make but not afraid to shoot when I get the opportunity." Where would he play prospective teammate Dwight Howard if he made it to the Showdown? "I think Dwight would be best served in goal, but maybe he could surprise me out on the field a little bit," said Nash. Sulia

One day after Chauncey Billups said his Los Angeles Clippers teammate Blake Griffin was "too nice," Shaquille O'Neal said the same thing about Los Angeles Lakers Dwight Howard but was slightly more pointed with his criticism. "He's too nice," O'Neal said while on ESPNLA 710. "I'm a connoisseur of giggling and playing and all that and making you laugh and playing with the fans but when I cross that line I'm ready to tear your face off. I don't care who it is. You could put one of my aunts or uncles out there and I'm going to give him these elbows in their chest and I'm going to throw it down in their face. That's what you have to do. … He's just too nice. If I was him I would get into the same mood I was in." ESPN.com

O'Neal said he relished in the pressure and made it his goal to be the best center in Lakers history. "Kareem was the best big man in Lakers history and I wanted that title," O'Neal said. "That's the attitude he needs to have. All the giggling and smiling (is) too much. The fact that he's the so-called best big man in the league and doesn't get doubled every time, that's telling me something. That's telling me teams respect him but they don't fear him. I would rather be feared than respected." ESPN.com

 

» Monday, June 10 2013

Excluding the Carlos Delfino blurb in the small forward edition of the preview series, the word "Rockets" is not used in the thousands of words Friedman wrote on future free agents. If this was truly some subliminal message from the front office geared to convince free agents to come to Houston, he at the very least could have written how Dwight Howard "rockets" to the rim or something along those lines. The Dream Shake

You always say great things about Hakeem Olajuwon, that he would kill it if he had the chance to play nowadays and be the best center by far. What about Dwight Howard? Robert Horry: Dwight would have no chance [against Olajuwon]. Howard is a good player, but his offensive skills are limited. He only has the Georgetown hook, a couple of spins in the baseline... Dwight is a great player, but there are things certain players can and can't do, and Hakeem could do a lot. HoopsHype

 

» Sunday, June 9 2013

 

» Friday, June 7 2013

Dirk Nowitzki said Thursday that he’s excited for July 1, the day teams can officially start talking with free agents. Nowitzki’s first two targets will be superstars Dwight Howard and Chris Paul. While spending some time on 103.3’s Fitzsimmons & Durrett show [KESN-FM], the Dallas Mavericks forward discussed the importance of landing one of those two players. “If we don’t get the two monsters then we got to find another way,” Nowitzki said, “through sign-and-trades or other free agents that are out there.” Dallas Morning News

 

» Wednesday, June 5 2013

Mitch Kupchak: We would try to do what the other teams will do, which is convince Dwight Howard that this is the spot for him. I think we have an advantage in that he's played here for a year. I'm biased – I think this is the best city to live in with the best fans in the NBA. There are certain things that you remind him of or talk to him about, and you hope that it plays in your favor. NBA.com

MT: You were "hopeful" and "optimistic" during exit interviews on April 30 about Dwight Howard returning in part because of the unique opportunity of playing for the Lakers and everything that encompasses especially for a franchise-type player. What's your feeling more than a month later? Kupchak: No different from what I said at the end of the season (link above). We have a dialogue, and we do talk, but we're not allowed to negotiate until July 1. We talk about when he's getting in the gym and what he's doing, how his back is feeling and things like that. From the conclusion of the season to July 1 is two months, so it's important to work on your body and your game in that time. NBA.com

MT: Once free agency hits, it's been reported that Howard will visit some other teams. How do the Lakers go about that free agency process with him? Kupchak: Dwight has earned the right to become a free agent, and he probably will be recruited and perhaps make a couple of visits. That being the case, I would hope that we'd have a chance also before he makes his decision. MT: And that would be your opportunity to sit down again, go over your plan and make your case as to why he should stay? Kupchak: Absolutely. NBA.com

MT: Generally speaking, Mitch, where things are now in the Lakers' basketball ops office as you prep for the NBA Draft and look ahead at free agency? Kupchak: It's a deadline-oriented business. There are certain dates throughout the year that, as you get closer to them, things pick up and heat up (around the NBA). The day after you lose in the first round, there isn't a lot of activity as a lot of teams are unwinding and meeting internally. The more teams that get beat in the playoffs makes more teams eligible for trades as they are then allowed, but there haven't been any trades thus far. By and large, as you approach the draft, you'll see a lot more activity. It was important that the lottery was set, which lets teams know what they have as the business ramps up. NBA.com

Those decisions hinge on Howard's future. He plans to test free agency beginning July 1 and will consider teams such as the Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Atlanta Hawks and Golden State Warriors. "That's Dwight's choice. It's not really up to me," World Peace said. "I'm a big Dwight supporter so I don't really need to tell him how much I support him anymore considering as much as I did all season. Through the ups and downs, I was there for him. "I like him as a person and I hope he makes the best decision for himself." Los Angeles Daily News

 

Any rumor missing? E-mail us at   hoopshype@hoopshype.com.