Update: The Magic just lost 74 - 69 to the Sixers. Do you hear an axle dragging on concrete?
The Dwight Howard situation has become a sideshow much like the Melo-drama of a year ago. This isn't exactly news in the traditional sense of the word. But it is interesting the way a slow motion car wreck is interesting. Both Howard and the Magic are between a rock and a hard elbow and try as they might, they can't figure out a way to get through it comfortably.
It's been nine days since Adrian Wojnarowski wrote that the Magic were too good to trade Howard. He was right before he wrote it, and he's right on Jan. 30. The Magic still have a chance with an MVP-level talent playing at the NBA's most important position, and with all that potential surrounding him in the form of Nelson, who is literally playing half as well as he should. Half. Not off slightly. Half as well. Add in the abject lack of trading partners and/or suitable packages in return for Howard, and you have a clear verdict. No trade, please. Not even Otis Smith would pull a deal right now.
I think one of the big reasons for the situation is Dwight's endless need to be loved. All he wants is for people to love him, so he tells the Orlando fans he wants to stay, he tells the Boston reporters that he would listen to offers from Boston, and he tells the Chicago reporters that the Windy City is a neato place as well. All while telling the Magic to pretty please trade him somewhere where he can win.
To wit, Trey Kirby hilariously lists the places that Howard would consider playing.
Methinks he's trying very hard to make everyone love him and in the process may make everyone tired of his act.
Of course all that changes if he actually did decide to pick Boston this summer, but I'm going to pointedly not hold my breath so I can say "I knew it" and not be too upset when he goes elsewhere in the offseason.
0 recs | 31 comments
I'm praying for him to play with us. If bass wants to be a celtic 4ever, then the celtics should pick him up. We ain't getting any younger. D12 go with us please! You will fit in Doc system.
Pinch me if we get him. I’m dying for him!!!
CBleedsGreeN - January 30, 2012 via mobile
This has become a drama
that is quite interesting if not for the fact that im finger crossed hoping hell stay with the magic til end of season then well have a chance landing him.
Nets, Lakers, Mavericks, Celtics, Bulls, Clippers, Knicks, Warriors, whats next?
Karasu - January 30, 2012
I think a Dwight to Boston debate is fine, but, how in God's name do we get enough assets to trade for him?
Danny has Rondo and what?
DH is a top ten superstar…Danny has Rondo and six other guys to balance the salaries.
DH to Celtics = Rondo…then a bunch of longshots…three way trades…expiring contracts…shi%#y first round picks…a bag of balls right? Right.
Pierce + ? to LA for Gasol and then Gasol + Rondo to Magic?
Why would LA go straight up for Pierce? Give them Rondo and PP for Gasol? Gasol straight up for DH? That ain’t gonna happen.
Wait a second…LA wants DH! Why would they help Danny get DH?
Match contracts? How’s that gonna happen?
All I see is a three way deal…the only problem is, I don’t know which one.
tstorey1 - January 30, 2012
Wait a minute!
DH would want to come to Boston because of Rondo…right?
I think it is best to assume Danny pulls a Dr. Frankenstein deal to get him, thus no sens in trying to figure out how.
If I had to bet I’d say Lakers get him…but…when they traded Odom weren’t they giving up on a “big deal”.
tstorey1 - January 30, 2012
I'm not really even considering a DH trade
we don’t have assets that match what is already on the table for the Magic
our only (slim) hope is the free agency route
Jeff Clark - January 30, 2012
Then let's hope the two C's wins didn't drop Orlando's chances enough to make them go the trade route.
clover - January 31, 2012
DA will pull a magic. Not to trade rondo either. Please!!!!!
CBleedsGreeN - January 30, 2012 via mobile
nah-ah..
not gonna happen…dwight is a beast, a " one-dimensional" beast..not at all impressed by this guy…
greenlion - January 30, 2012
Agree 100%
powerlifter610 - January 30, 2012
if he goes to the LA Lakers
I sure hope you are right
Jeff Clark - January 30, 2012
What is this one-dimension?
His post game has improved immensely every year and become one of the better post games in the league even if it doesn’t compare to the other legendary centers of the game; his defense is unparalleled—how is it that year after year the Magic are a top six defensive team (per Defensive Rating, which I get isn’t perfect but I think pretty darn accurate) with that roster; he’s the best rebounder in the game or at worst tied with Love for that title; he’s become a lot more decisive when passing out of the double team and while this hasn’t led to many assists he has consistently given the ball to the right person and gotten many hockey assists.
So, which dimension are you talking about exactly? Because you can’t possibly be that upset that he’s terrible at FTs or that bank shot isn’t Timmy-like.
muckduck - January 31, 2012
there are plenty of point guards
theres only one dwight hes the best center and the only one that seems to be able to stay healthy
since its too late to sign and trade until the offseason (which isnt even allowed under the new cba i dont think) i dont think he will be traded no team is going to give up anything worthwhile for a rental and they cant ask if hes willing to sign an extension with them in the offseason because thats tampering. so i think he will make it to free agency
JuJuan some moore - January 30, 2012
Is acquiring Varejao possible and/or worth it?
A) jermaine and bradley for varejao
B) jermaine and a first rounder for varejao
C) jermaine, bradley and a second round pick for varejao
D) jermaine, bradley and two second round picks for varejao
I wonder if Cleveland would trade Varejao for any of these. I also wonder if acquiring Varejao would hurt our ability to sign a guy like Dwight.
Celticsdude - January 30, 2012
Not worth it
Varejao is good and all, but giving up Bradley and then bringing in AVs contract is dumb. So yeah it hurts our chances of getting DH
RotB_MattR - January 30, 2012 via mobile
yeah, I'd consider adding him in the offseason though
depending on the asking price and obviously depending on how things shake out
Jeff Clark - January 30, 2012
I still think Semih Erden is a more possible, easier to get with lower risk, in terms of what we need to give for him...
…and is good to ride out for this season.
japsuki - January 30, 2012
Caption on the picture is classic...LOL
Love he wants? Shoulda played out your contract Howie with your big mouth shut…then…maybe somebody would have given some love….
Master Po - January 30, 2012
humbly thank you
Jeff Clark - January 30, 2012
+1
‘tell me more about this one you call thetruth’
vgarcia890 - January 30, 2012
Man
Orlando losing their magic!
I’m here all week! : )
Tai - January 30, 2012
...and I hope we capitalize on this situation to climb up the eastern standings
japsuki - January 30, 2012
Why do the Lakers want DH
Other than health, is DH that much better than Bynum?
getthat18now - January 30, 2012
yup
I think so
Jeff Clark - January 30, 2012 via iPhone app
I think so too...
…and not to mention the bonus factor of “marketability”
japsuki - January 30, 2012
skills
But somehow I feel Bynum has better basketball skills than DH. Perkins used to play DH very well, but not so successful against Bynum.
getthat18now - January 30, 2012
Bynum gets fantastic post position and I don’t think I can stress this enough. On certain nights he will look like the best center in the league…but Dwight is better.
The gap isn’t gigantic, but is pretty apparent and pretty large. Bynum’s a very, very good defender especially since last year’s ASG, but Dwight is the best defensive player this league has seen since KG (I get that they aren’t the same type of defender, but their impacts are/were the same). Just do me a favor and go on basketball-reference.com and marvel at Dwight’s rebounding rates and use Bynum, KG, Duncan, and Shaq as references. Neither one of them handle double teams the way Dirk or KG does (did for KG), but they’ve made some nice improvements.
muckduck - January 31, 2012
Well
There’s Hollywood and Kobe Bryant. I doubt he’ll get any chances of scoring if his star teammate is named Kobe Bryant.
SparzWizard - January 30, 2012
Also the health is a HUGE concern.
Karasu - January 31, 2012
If he wants to be beloved
Then play in Boston. It’s the undisputed best sports city in the world and there’s a reason. Our teams are like family members. We take our jobs as fans very seriously, when we’re at a game we have a job to do, and that’s cheer like crazy and help the team win.
If you win here you’re royalty and cherished forever with a key to the city. Especially if you can put together an era. That’s how it is here. Try to find that on the nets.
p-peazy - January 30, 2012
Next years line up
PG Rondo
SG Moore
C Howard
PF Beasley
SF Pierce
Second unitl
PG Bradly
SG Allen
C KG
PF Bass
SF Daniels
KG and Allen sign for 5 Mil a year for 2 years too come in off the bench we give up a first round draft pick to get beasley
leaves us with Johnson, Pietrus, and Stiemsma plus the 2 rookies we draft too fill out the roster what does everyone think of that?
usmco4 - January 31, 2012
I think given the same team
I’d start:
Rondo, Allen, Pierce, KG, Howard
have
Moore and Bradley sub in for Rondo/Allen
Pietrus, Daniels sub in for Allen/Pierce
Bass, Johnson to sub in for KG
Bass, Stiemsma to sub in for Howard
Save money in not signing Beasley, and win more games. And either keep the first rounder or trade it for someone else that would be worth more relative wins to the team than Beasley. Not saying it’s a bad idea, just saying that I think resources would be better spent on other players. But you’re probably higher on Beasley than I am.
Kungfuguy - January 31, 2012
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of CelticsBlog to post a comment.