Light Rain On Your Parade

First and foremost, I would like to personally thank Mitch Kupchak, and everyone else involved in bringing the "Dwightmare" to an end. This has gone on entirely too long. From his season of flip-flopping, to all the unfruitful off-season trade rumors during the summer, this has been like a bad reality show. So, thank you for getting Orlando to pimp out the next decade of their organization to get rid of the NBA's new public enemy #1. Now, onto my thoughts on the trade. 

Most Laker fans making plans for June and an anticipated Finals match-up with LeBron James and the Miami Heat. On paper and 2K13, it definitely seems like a foregone conclusion. The Lakers have not only added Dwight Howard, they also acquired Steve Nash, Antwan Jamison, and Jodie Meeks. All of this, and they didn't get rid of Pau Gasol. Those moves give them their strongest roster in years. However, the actual NBA season isn't played on paper or 2K13. Here are a few reasons why I think we should slow down on making our parade floats. 

1. Dwight's Back- Dwight Howard suffered a herniated disk that required surgery. He is optimistically saying that he will be ready for the start of the regular season, but that may not be the case. How do we know that coming back from such a serious injury, he will be the Dwight Howard that we remember on the court? Will the explosion and quickness still be there? That is how he has made his bacon in the league. He is far from a skillful player, which means he depends on his athleticism. Modern medicine has been able to fix a lot, but until Howard returns, assuming he will return the same as he did before his surgery is dangerous. 

2. Chemistry Project- It has been proven in the past that Kobe doesn't play well with other "alpha dogs". See the Shaquille O'Neal years if you need a reminder. Dwight Howard has said himself he doesn't want to play with another superstar. That he wants to be a go-to guy, and the one a team leans on offensively. You're telling me after the season of immaturity he has shown that his mind has changed on that? That line of thinking is naive and irrational. Kobe told him that if he came to L.A., he'll be the third option. Kobe doesn't play games, or deal well with goofy behavior. Those things describe Dwight Howard. Those are just the off the court chemistry problems. On the court, it will be interesting to see how the team's chemistry works. Everyone keeps screaming, pick and roll between Nash and Howard, but where does that leave Pau Gasol? What are they going to do when Metta World Peace decides he's not getting enough shots and starts jacking? We know Kobe is going to get his shots, but trying to figure out how to keep all the other dogs happy is going to be a tough task for Steve Nash. He plays point guard like a chemist, but there may be too many combustible elements for even him to deal with on this project. 

3. OKC's Not Going Away- To make it to the NBA Finals, the Lakers will have to knock off the Oklahoma City Thunder. I'm sorry, but this isn't going to be an automatic win for the Lake Show. Dwight Howard has said himself, the center that gives him the most trouble is Kendrick Perkins. The last time I checked, Perkins is still on the Thunder's roster. Steve Nash couldn't guard Russell Westbrook in his prime. Why do we think he'll be able to even contain him when he's in the twilight of his career? James Harden is still a threat coming off the bench, despite the fact that he played like a buster in the Finals against Miami. Serge Ibaka is great on the defensive end, and serviceable on offense. This is without mentioning arguably the best scorer in the world, Kevin Durant. This is the same team that put the Lakers out last season. They will be just as hungry as the Lakers are after their loss in the Finals. So, before we pencil the Lakers into the Finals, let's remember they will have a classic battle on their hands with OKC. 

I'm sure that this will be seen as "hate", as any dissenting opinion about what the masses think to be true is. The Lakers have made significant upgrades to their roster, and are a definite title contender. However, it is not wise to think a Championship is a guarantee. There is plenty of basketball to be played before a championship parade in the end of June. Consider this blog the voice of reason in case the Lakers do not perform how you expect next season.  For that my friends, you're welcome. 

NBA's New Public Enemy # 1

On July 8, 2010 at approximately 9:30 p.m., LeBron James uttered the words "I'll be taking my talents to South Beach" on his ESPN special called "The Decision". Those eight words took LeBron from media darling, and fan favorite into NBA Public Enemy # 1. People treated him like they did Hulk Hogan when he leg dropped Macho Man, and joined the NWO . They burned his jersey in the street, cursed his name, and even the Cavs owner dropped an open letter to LeBron where he sounded like a jilted sophomore in high school who's boyfriend left her.This was all for a man who simply played out his contract, and decided to leave in free agency for another team. Granted, the TV special was over the top, but other than that, he did nothing wrong. My question is, if "The Decision" merited that, what does Dwight Howard's indecision earn him?

Dwight Howard has had the world at his fingertips since entering the NBA in 2004. He has been on multiple All-Star, All-NBA First, and All-NBA Defensive teams. He won the dunk contest in 2008, and NBA Defensive Player of the year in 2009-2011. He is widely regarded at the best center and one of the top 10 players in the world. While he still has improvements to his game to make, there isn't much disputing that fact. The problem now is his behavior off the court, and in the locker room. That has been beyond questionable.

During this last season, he has went back and forth about whether or not he wanted to stay in Orlando. He spent the first portion of the season letting it be known that didn't want to re-sign with the Magic, and would go join the (then)New Jersey Nets as a free agent. That wouldn't have been bad at all, except on the day of the trading deadline, he waived his right to opt out of his contract and signed to stay with Orlando for one more season. This move was baffling because of all the dust he kicked up about leaving earlier in the season. Still, Orlando's organization seemed to be willing to do whatever it took to keep him. Part of that was firing Stan Van Gundy.

Howard and Van Gundy always had a contentious relationship. It was more obvious than ever last season. Between rumors of Howard going to Magic mangagement with an ultimatium of Van Gundy or him. To the absolutely awkward interview where Van Gundy informed the media that he was told Howard wanted him gone, and Howard came over like everything was cool, it was a cluster of immaturity and weak power moves by both guys. Finally, the Magic in an effort to appease Dwight Howard fired both Van Gundy, and general manager Otis Smith. That should have been good enough to keep Dwight Howard happy right?


Well it was not, because not long after the Free Agency period started, Howard let the Magic know that he wanted to be traded to the now Brooklyn Nets. He accused the Magic of "blackmailing" him into opting into his contract for one more year. He has since denied that statement, but with his history of flip flopping statements, I tend to believe he made it. He wants out of Orlando, but teams are afraid to pull the trigger on a trade because he has made it known that he will only sign with the Brooklyn Nets. Personally, I say the teams who are hesitant, are better off for it. 


As great as Dwight Howard has been on the court, he is a huge headache off of it now. On top of that, he is coming off of a back surgery that may keep him out of action for a portion of the season. There is no telling what the injury will do to his athleticism, and how he plays the game. So, is he really worth the potiential headache that could come if things go wrong? I'm not sure of that at all. 


As I take my seat, Dwight Howard's behavior has been far worse that LeBron's. He has held an organization hostage with his childish behavior. Orlando pulled the trigger on moves that they shouldn't if they were going to lose Howard anyway. They have pacified, and babied him for far too long. He has proven to be a waffler, flip-flopper, and done it all while the season was going on. As bad as LeBron's show was for his look, it wasn't anything that took away from, or distracted his team in season. 


With LeBron winning a Championship, and the tide turning back to people beginning to like him again, it's time for Dwight Howard to take his seat on the throne as NBA Public Enemy #1. He can recover, but it will take a lot of work, and some serious winning for him to do so. For now though, he's Hulk Hogan leg dropping an entire organization, and keeping many teams and players in limbo. Good luck making things right big fella. We'll be watching. 


I'm Jimmy L. Wilson, Jr. and I approve this message.