The Goat Pen

Kobe had a nice block, even back then. The rocks are just bigger now.

D12 isn't man enough to be the Alpha dog, but I hate losing him for nothing.

I don't...which is telling. I could not imagine being agnostic over losing a future HOF'er in his prime for any other player outside of Dwight Howard. Let him get on gone. There are better players to spend the money on.

I do feel bad about LA front office squandering the last years of Kobe's tenure.

There are better players to spend the money on.

such as?

(some aren't "better" in exact terms, but will do more for the directional success of the team, with play and price, than having Dwight underperform at $20M)

Kyrie, TP, John Wall, Damian Lillard, Klay Thompson, Lebron, Harrison Barnes, Paul George, Melo, Kahwi Leonard, Anthony Davis and Boogie Cousins are all available in 2014 (not to mention Bosh and Wade). I doubt LBJ goes anywhere now he won that second ring (damned offensive rebound in Game 6), but I listed him anyway. LA could land a combination of some of these cats for the price of Dwight and lead to victories.

I think LA will land some big play via free agency or trade, because that has been their model from the beginning. Only Magic and Worthy were drafted HOF players during the years LA won those 10 chips. The rest came via other methods. The question is, can Jim Buss keep that model viable considering the most recent moves since Jerry Buss' passing.

"Only Magic and Worthy were drafted HOF players during the years LA won those 10 chips."

Those were two pretty good chips, though...

not sure where you got that list from Brook

Barnes, Lillard, Leonard, Ant Davis & Klay will still be on their rookie deals

Kyrie, Paul George & Boogie will have been extended

John Wall maybe gets cut loose into free agency

I took it from Hoopsworld, typing "2014 NBA Free Agents."

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That's making the rounds this morning. It's the 3rd time it's been sent to me...

Is it better than Shaq's "How my ass taste" to Kobe?

No way. That's the "Hey Jude" of grainy diss videos.

Well put...

Leave Dwight alone!!!

I think Dwight has a lot to prove next year. He looked like a coward in LA which really surprised me. Next year's free agent class is very solid but most of the players bklyn did mention are all still tied to their rookie contracts so they are options (which still technically makes them a free agent but restricted). Val was on that list as well and I can guarantee the Raps are picking that option up.

but... Parker, LeBron, Wade, and Nowitski all have pedigrees that far surpass Dwight. If you are getting a Dwight with a chip on his shoulder, great signing. If you are getting the guy that played for LA... good luck. worth the risk though.

I think that if Dwight were to have a resurgence in Houston, then that's all it would be and Laker fans need to understand they would have never had "that Dwight" in LA, it was a bad fit from the get-go

Parker, Lebron definitely better free agents than Howard. Wade, Nowitski better pedigree, but Nowitski is old and no way if I had to choose between Howard and Nowitski would I not take a 27 year old Howard. Both Wade and Howard were coming back from injuries last year but Howards got better towards the end and I think it's more likely that Wade's injuries will recur. In any event, I doubt Wade leaves Miami for LA, even if Kobe begs him.

I'm starting to doubt if Dwight is worth the salary he makes. I know he's a great player. I agree he is an elite center (if not the best center) in the L today. However, I think you can get a couple of really good guys for his salary that will make you a better team than just havinghim on your squad.

I don't know if I agree with you bklyn but I know I don't disagree. the guy I saw in the last couple seasons in Orlando (except for the last couple months he was sulking) was dominant. I don't think two good players at his salary could bring what THAT Dwight brought. So, I don't know if it's the injuries, or lack of competitive fire.... but I don't see anything resembling the dominant Dwight from Orlando. So yeah, if he plays like he did the last 2 years... absolutely.

His career is starting to remind me of VC's. Great start, seemingly unlimited ceiling, a couple injuries, sulk a bit, re-energize yourself with a trade for a year and a bit... and then disappear. I could see him playing a good season and a half in Houston before disappearing again. same types of personalities too.... enjoy the show more than the result.

Dwight was hurt last year and still made a difference on the court. I expect him to play at an MVP caliber level (unless this back thing turns into one of those degenerative conditions).

Lakers let one get away, but are preternaturally calm about it. I'm not sure if they know something and are keeping quiet, or if they are just clueless.