Dwight Howard still won't promise tomorrow

Hey all,

It would be really easy for Dwight Howard to win over fans – it just takes a little white lie/empty promise:

Dwight Howard still won't promise tomorrow
http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakersnow ... 6057.story

Also, in today’s LA Times (print version)

Lakers' Dwight Howard has 'got to get going,' Jeff Van Gundy says
http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketbal ... 9188.story

On the blog:

Dirk Nowitzki: Kobe Bryant 'number one player' over last 15 years
http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakersnow ... 4550.story

Lakers drop Suns despite Kobe's four-point, eight-turnover night
http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakersnow ... 5432.story

Mike D'Antoni not pushing for roster additions
http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakersnow ... 0529.story

A new player probably wouldn’t play – especially if they’re coming in out of shape (like a Kenyon Martin who hasn’t played in NBA all year).

Mike D'Antoni backs Dwight Howard's decision to play in All-Star game
http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakersnow ... 8813.story

Earl Clark to have MRI on sore right foot
http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakersnow ... 5405.story

Some inflammation – not seriously hurt it seems.

Coach Mike D'Antoni says every Laker knows his role
http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakersnow ... 7129.story

The issue has been acceptance . . .

Thanks

Eric

I thought I read, "Dwight won't promise to play tomorrow"
Scared the crap out of me.

I'm actually fine with what Dwight is saying. I don't need him to say he's going to stay. I need him to do exactly what he says he's going to do, play for now. Give his all now. Not worry about the future. Whether he stays or goes next year doesn't matter to me or most of us fans right now. We want him to commit to this current year - play as hard as he's capable of even though we know he's not 100%. We just want to see the effort that we've been spoiled by with a guy like Kobe all these years. He doesn't have to be as much of a warrior as Kobe who is superhuman, but just to give effort on a consistent basis, not just when he wants to.

Last night he gave great effort all game, even when it wasn't working out great like the third quarter. He was still crashing those boards and trying. We want to see that for the rest of the current season. If he does that we should be able to make the playoffs and make a run. Deal with next year when it comes.

I'm okay with him not fully committing because of his contract negotiations. Because a player coming off a serious surgery wants to squeeze out any cash they are capable of.

He's nowhere in shape like he was in Orlando. so we understand that...maybe he will surprise us all next year, whether it's with the Lakers or some other team.

BUT with all those said...I really of course want him to stay..BUT I won't be like oh my god I'm going to cry if he walked, because he does have flaws in his game, both mentality and physically. Also we would have a huge amount of $$ freed up to go for a big pool of FA's in 2014.

i dont know why people want this guy on our team, this guy has no heart, no effort, a losers mentality, and is cancerous to the team.


get rid of this guy, while we can still get something worth it. i do not want to see the lakers going forward with this guy if he chooses to stay on this laker team.


this isn't a talented young kobe facing off with shaq, this is a over blown athlete that isnt even athletic anymore that can't and never has scored on his own.

trade this guy and let it be. doesnt matter if hes the "best center" in the league, that term is a joke. there are no great centers anymore. period, just a bunch of great power forwards and average centers

I agree that we don't need a verbal agreement to stay next year. We need a physical and mental commitment to the team now. That would allay my fears if I saw a willingness to play to win at all costs. I'd rather see the commitment, not hear it.

I expect to finish my career here, but that's a decision for another day," is all it would take -- not that he's uttered those words.

nailed it. the irony is that by dodging the question, he's inviting the question. say you plan on staying. plans can always change; what's the harm in stating intentions? not saying it should be taken as an inclination towards leaving, imo.

abeer3 wrote:

I expect to finish my career here, but that's a decision for another day," is all it would take -- not that he's uttered those words.

nailed it. the irony is that by dodging the question, he's inviting the question. say you plan on staying. plans can always change; what's the harm in stating intentions? not saying it should be taken as an inclination towards leaving, imo.

The harm is that indicating your intentions or preference will hurt your negotiating power. In fact, if he acts unsure, that's the best way to maximize a contract offer.