Dwight Howard says he's going to trust Mitch Kupchak about..

Hey all,

Kind of a busy stretch – here’s a backlog of recent articles – plenty of stuff!

Dwight Howard says he's going to trust Mitch Kupchak about future
http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakersnow ... 7566.story

Nine Trade Exceptions to Expire if Unused
http://www.hoopsworld.com/nine-trade-ex ... if-unused/

Kobe Bryant says the Lakers need to 'carry on' Jerry Buss' vision
http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakersnow ... 8288.story

Lakers knock off the Celtics, 113-99
http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakersnow ... 9683.story

Clippers in Position of Strength at Deadline
http://www.hoopsworld.com/clippers-in-p ... -deadline/

NBA Power Rankings Week 16 – Trade Deadline Edition
http://www.hoopsworld.com/nba-power-rankings-week-16-2/

Phil Jackson says Lakers aren't using Dwight Howard properly
http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakersnow ... 6959.story

Lakers' Pau Gasol says he's made good progress with foot injury
http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakersnow ... 2017.story

Mitch Kupchak reiterates that Dwight Howard will not be traded
http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakersnow ... 7666.story

Lakers to wear commemorative patch to honor Jerry Buss
http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakersnow ... 2882.story

Jerry West says he was 'blessed' to work for Jerry Buss
http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakersnow ... 2760.story

Kobe Bryant agrees with Michael Jordan: Titles are the true measure
http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakersnow ... 6367.story

Colleagues speak out on the passing of Jerry Buss
http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakersnow ... 5181.story

Andre Drummond believes he ‘could be great’
http://www.hoopsworld.com/andre-drummon ... -be-great/

Warriors may open path to the playoffs for Lakers
http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakersnow ... 1837.story

Lakers are a sizable longshot to win NBA title, oddsmakers say
http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakersnow ... 0710.story

NBA revamps stats site with a wealth of information
http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakersnow ... 8514.story

Lakers' Week 16 in review
http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakersnow ... 4913.story

Finally, Lakers already ahead of my prediction for the week:
Lakers: Week 17 predictions
http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakersnow ... 9516.story

Thanks,

Eric

Thanks for all the info Eric, much appreciated.

I have a feeling Mitch just told Dwight: 1. We've got a plan for you in the future to put you next to another star and have you guys build your own empire. and 2. We're giving you 118 million dollars as long as you come to work and play hard for us. Even if your shoulder needs surgery, we're going to give you a max contract as long as you show us that you're capable of being the star we think you are.

Add that to the public statement of trust in Howard and I think we've got him buying in FINALLY.

therealdeal wrote:Thanks for all the info Eric, much appreciated.

I have a feeling Mitch just told Dwight: 1. We've got a plan for you in the future to put you next to another star and have you guys build your own empire. and 2. We're giving you 118 million dollars as long as you come to work and play hard for us. Even if your shoulder needs surgery, we're going to give you a max contract as long as you show us that you're capable of being the star we think you are.

Add that to the public statement of trust in Howard and I think we've got him buying in FINALLY.

If that is the case, that is comfort to me. I will live with it.

I know you are guessing, but still....if that is roughly what was pitched to him, then great.

^^Everyone is saying the "right thing" now..... it remains to be seen if things change to reflect what's being said. Howard has a little bit of a history with "saying the right thing" he needs to overcome with some follow through IMO.

I too hope he's getting on board but I'm not ready to gather round the campfire for a chorus of Kum ba yah just yet.....

Agree with Roo.

Seems like everyone's just doing the media dance right now. Hard to put too much faith in any of these statements yet.

I'm not saying he's going to continue doing what he's doing. Not by a long shot. Somewhere else I wrote that last night was far closer to an outlier than a trend.

All I'm saying is my speculation on what went down. In the first game since Dwight started actually saying nice things about LA during the regular season, he played his butt off. In the first game since Mitch came out on live radio and gave Dwight our full support, Dwight played his butt off.

There's going to be plenty more tests this season, but my speculation is that Dwight is STARTING to buy in. He's STARTING to get it... and that's a good position to be in finally.

Well with as bad as things had gotten, no .... check that.....as unbelievably bad as things had gotten, and where Dwight seemed to be and what he seemed to be, and dissing Kobe reportedly again at the All Star game I gave this almost 0% of ending well.

What I didn't see coming was what Mitch and the F.O. have done yet again, which is stay calm and weather the storm. (Like with Kobe) RIP, Jerry. That, but still not "The Wand" stepping up and possibly turning a lot of the negative things going on in Dwight's head around. Saying all the incredibly right things Dwight needs to hear. (and apparently believing them too in spite of most of US at CL )

Mitch Freaking Kupchack I think he's in rareified air now at the top of the profession with all time great GMs such as West & ? else?