Dwight Howard had the power (Hawks didn’t have chance)
The chance of Dwight Howard, Josh Smith being Atlanta teammates was always a longshot. (Curtis Compton)
(This blog will be updated or replaced by a full column later.)
Dwight Howard is about to become a Los Angeles Laker and — if this deal doesn’t fall apart and the principles don’t change — this will be the Lakers’ lineup next season: Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Pau Gasol, Metta World Peace (see: Ron Artest) and Howard.
Wonder what it’s like to be king?
Even if the Lakers weren’t Howard’s first choice (strangely, Brooklyn was), this expected deal just reaffirms how star players have all the power in the NBA. As much as the owners hate it and NBA commissioner David Stern keeps trying to rewrite the rule book to prevent it, elite players will always have the hammer in the NBA because rosters are so small relative to other team sports and one star can make a significant difference.
There was a time when Howard, an Atlanta native and former star at Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy, once had a pristine off-court reputation. But his credibility has taken a beating for the past year. He morphed into the ultimate sports diva. He criticized teammates for a lack of work ethic and dedication while at the same time asking out of Orlando. He got his coach, Stan Van Gundy, fired. He flip-flopped on trade requests.
His defenders claim he was merely struggling to please everybody and he just wanted to be liked. Welcome to spin central.
But in the NBA, none of this matters. Every team still wanted Howard. He is the game’s most dominant center and one of the five best players in the world (assuming his back is healthy). Fans in Atlanta or anywhere else who ripped Howard would quickly embrace him if he wore their team’s uniform. That is why, regardless of the baggage, Howard still had the leverage.
Orlando never realized this.
The only people who handled the Howard saga worse than Howard were those people in the Magic front office. We can never really know in these situations whether to assign more blame to the owner (who counts ticket stubs) or the general manager (who needs to worry about his job). But had Orlando traded Howard a year ago, when he still had two years left on his contract, the team likely would’ve gotten more in return than they’ll get when this deal is done. The reported pieces going to the Magic in the four-team trade (Orlando, L.A., Denver, Philadelphia): Arron Afflalo, Al Harrington, Nikola Vucevic, Moe Harkless and five draft picks (but all three first-rounders are lottery-protected).
If that’s accurate, the Magic would be trading one of the best players in the world and not get Gasol, Andrew Bynum or even a high No. 1 pick in return. That’s embarrassing.
Now, about the Hawks: It was never realistic that Howard was coming here. Even with trading Joe Johnson, Hawks general manager Danny Ferry still had the pieces (Al Horford, Jeff Teague) to entice Orlando. But it didn’t make sense for Ferry to jump in unless Howard gave assurances that he would sign a contract extension here.
Imagine if the Hawks made the trade anyway, and then both Howard and Josh Smith left in free agency after the season? With Horford and Teague gone, now what?
The Lakers can take that risk. They’re closer to a title and there’s a better chance Howard stays in L.A. than Atlanta. They’ve got Kobe and Hollywood.
In the end, Howard will get what he wants. The stars always do.
I’ll have more on this deal if and when it goes down.
By Jeff Schultz
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91 comments Add your comment
fayncdawg
August 10th, 2012
1:26 pm
In my small mind the Lakers REALLY have the leverage! The Lakers will either be in the Finals against the Heat or be in a position to sully Howard’s already damaged reputation if they make another early (and ugly) exit out of the playoffs. And IF there is another early Laker playoff exit (esp if some part of Howard’s game is the blame), they will have NO PROBLEM letting Howard go and either bringing back Bynum or getting K-Love. And Howard will not have the grace period that Lebron had. The pieces are in place for the Lakers to at worse, lose a hard-fought 7 game Finals series to the Heat. For Howard’s sake, that’s the worse thing that better happen to the Lakers!
fayncdawg
August 10th, 2012
1:30 pm
Enter your comments here
Jamaaliver
August 10th, 2012
1:37 pm
Jeff, might want to rethink a major point of your article:
A year ago, Dwight Howard had only one guaranteed year left on his contract as he was expected to use his opt out clause this summer. He ‘opted-in’ during the drama at the trade deadline. Orlando would have had to trade Dwight 2 years ago to have any real leverage, and I believe they still thought they had a realistic chance at keeping him back then.
Stuart
August 10th, 2012
1:52 pm
How is it that the Lakers are always the team that’s getting all the major talent without giving up anything??? They get Gasol for nothing. They would have gotten Chris Paul for nothing (until the league vetoed that trade since it was so lopsided), and now they get the most dominant center in the league for nothing. Yeah, they gave up Bynum, but he’s an injury-prone center who just happened to stay injury-free last year. So still, they didn’t have to shake up their team by any means.
And Orlando….WHAT WERE THEY THINKING??? This is probably the 23rd-best offer they have received in terms of the return talent they get, and they accept this??? Is this just an inside deal to make the Lakers better? Before, sure, they were talking with the Lakers because they were likely to get Bynum and Gasol plus picks in return, and now they get neither? Not even Lopez, Brooks, and more quality first round picks? Not even Horford, Teague, and picks? Nothing???
As a lifelong NBA fan, it’s becoming unwatchable now as these deals somehow always favor the mega-teams. Such trades never seem fairly balanced to both sides anymore, or, league-forbid(!), in favor of the smaller market team. On top of that, none of the players have any guts or any heart anymore. None of the superstars like to say, “this is my team, and I’m bringing a title here” a-la Jordan, Bird, Barkley, etc. None of the players want to stand their ground and beat the best team/talent to earn a title (maybe Nowitzki is the only case). Now they all just want to run to a team that already has enough talent to win, and join them so they can coast to a title and won’t have to work to earn it. Even if the players stayed on their teams and didn’t run to join up with others, but don’t earn a title, in the end they would be respected for giving it all they’ve got trying to truly earn one (i.e. Barkley, Dan Marino, etc.) and not have it handed to them. Instead of major talent being spread across the league like years before, it’s all stacked into a small handful of teams, and this is somehow good for the league? The idea of “don’t even try to beat ‘em, just join ‘em.” It’s like titles aren’t earned anymore, they’re just picked up by teams that have loaded up the most sellout stars in the offseason. Pathetic.
yeahsure
August 10th, 2012
1:54 pm
I’ve lost all respect for Dwight during this entire Dwightmare. If he wants to take the easy route in LA, then i hope he is prepared to take a backseat to Kobe. I hope he is prepared to receive the Boos from every other team. Dwight is not Shaq no matter how much he tries to be. You will never be Shaq Dwight!!!!!!!!!
rollo lawson
August 10th, 2012
1:55 pm
Glad to see Dwight go out west. Now, let’s go after James Harden, Rudy Gay, or Tyreke Evans to slide into the SG spot.
jfreak13713
August 10th, 2012
2:02 pm
Howard:
Career Numbers: PPG: 18.4 RBNDS:13.0 FT%: 58.8 BLKS: 2.2
Bynum 2012: PPG: 18.7 RBNDS:11.8 FT% 68.7 BLKS: 1.6
Howard is overrated! I’m not saying that he isn’t good but he isn’t great! He has been playing on a team without stars which makes him the first option every game. That won’t be the case with the Lakers. I don’t think this trade makes Lakers any better but sure makes Orlando much worse. I would like Howard on the Hawks but that doesn’t mean I think he is Superman!
Najeh Davenpoop
August 10th, 2012
2:05 pm
“But it didn’t make sense for Ferry to jump in unless Howard gave assurances that he would sign a contract extension here.
Imagine if the Hawks made the trade anyway, and then both Howard and Josh Smith left in free agency after the season? With Horford and Teague gone, now what?”
Now what? Now you tank and get a high draft pick so you can draft a superstar.
It made perfect sense for Ferry to make the Howard trade. If you trade for Howard, you have his Bird rights and you can offer him more money next summer than anyone else. Maybe Howard likes the money and decides to stay. Even if he leaves, it’s not so bad, because you can just suck for one year and get a high pick.
If anything, it is a bigger risk for the Lakers to trade for him without the promise of an extension, since they are trying to put together championship teams around Kobe in the twilight of his career and if Dwight leaves next summer they will be left with a gaping hole in the middle. For the Hawks, a team that was spinning its wheels going nowhere and has an attendance problem? It would have been well worth the gamble.
JSS
August 10th, 2012
2:13 pm
The Lakers still can’t guard OKC on the wings or 2nd unit… It is going to be interesting watching all the teams out West throw stuff against the wall taking advantage of weaknesses! It’s been a long time since it has been so in play… A very long time
jlewis
August 10th, 2012
2:19 pm
Stop crying..the one guy who came here to make this franchise better was ran out of town. The guy played hard, was a model citizen, no chest thumping, etc. Brooklyn has a shot at Miami and the Lakers now, and people are screaming to retain Josh Smith, the media and jealous fans that dont go to games need to suck it up, this is about to be very bad, AGAIN.
Jimmy Crack
August 10th, 2012
2:19 pm
Howard is no Shaq or Kareem, and I would say that he is no Bynum either. At least Bynum shot free throws (70% compared to <50%).
Najeh Davenpoop
August 10th, 2012
2:22 pm
“Until they come up with a hard cap (without all of the exceptions) to level the playing field then I am Seacrest out!!!!!!!!!”
A hard cap isn’t going to stop star players from wanting to play in big markets. As long as free agency exists, they are going to continue doing what they do. And the nature of basketball, being a 5 on 5 game where players play on both ends (as opposed to football where 11 players play and are only on the field half the time) is such that a star player will have an outsized impact compared to star players in other sports.
steve
August 10th, 2012
2:32 pm
When will the crotchety owners of the Hawks ask (really beg) TI, Lil’ Wayne, or another urban superstar to join in for a minority interest and be the face of the organization? That infusion is sorely needed.
Indydawg
August 10th, 2012
2:37 pm
Dwight COWARD
mike
August 10th, 2012
2:37 pm
I like all these armchair players and coaches on this blog. Interesting claims that Howard is such a bad player both in and out of the locker room. Actually he should do very well out there in Hollywood whether you guys like it or not. Somebody must want his skills to make this type of trade. Stop hating on these athletes like they care if you do. Heck they don’t even know you. One thing about it. Mr Howard is a lot closer to a championship than any sports team here in Loserville Atlanta. Where can I buy Howard’s Laker jersey so I can sit in the Hawks home section when they come here.
Zing
August 10th, 2012
2:38 pm
Okay, spotter, that was pretty funny… http://thespotdotcom.wordpress.com/
LawDawg
August 10th, 2012
3:04 pm
What the hell Orlando? No Bynum, no Iguodala, not even Gasol, just a bunch of picks? Seriously?
SWAT Native
August 10th, 2012
3:06 pm
As fat as that caption (The chance of Dwight Howard, Josh Smith being Atlanta teammates was always a longshot.), don’t be so sure. That may still happen in LA.
LawDawg
August 10th, 2012
3:07 pm
“His defenders claim he was merely struggling to please everybody and he just wanted to be liked”
He has defenders? He’s a narcissistic man child. What is there to defend?
Jay Dubu
August 10th, 2012
3:18 pm
Tired Tired Tired
You hit the nail squarely on the head. Bad ownership can rip an organization to shreds, and has a trickle down effect.
Stuart
August 10th, 2012
3:19 pm
I am glad that Dwight Howard isn’t coming here. The guy forgot his compass and has such a prima donna attitude that he makes JR Rider look like a saint.
JSS
August 10th, 2012
3:22 pm
Orlando is going to try to rebuild through the draft… Why beat up on them?
Jay Dubu
August 10th, 2012
3:24 pm
Rick
The Hawks ownership has held them back…and the fact that they hired bad GMs and bad coaches.
Nunna Yobinnes
August 10th, 2012
3:30 pm
Howard wasn’t going to pass up the $100 million shoe company bonus by not playing in LA or NY.
Jay Dubu
August 10th, 2012
3:31 pm
rollo lawson,
The Hawks have a shooting gaurd already….his name is John Jenkins. Maybe not this year, but in the next couple of years, this kid will become the next Ray Allen / Reggie Miller.
The Hawks need a big man for around the rim action. They could be a playoff team as early as this seaseon,
Nunna Yobinnes
August 10th, 2012
3:32 pm
JSS if the Magic were trying to rebuild through the draft they would not have traded with LA. 3 lottery protected first round picks? Whoop dee doo.
bigclaude
August 10th, 2012
3:33 pm
Until they come up with a hard cap (without all of the exceptions) to level the playing field then I am Seacrest out!!!!!!!!!”
A hard cap isn’t going to stop star players from wanting to play in big markets. As long as free agency exists, they are going to continue doing what they do. And the nature of basketball, being a 5 on 5 game where players play on both ends (as opposed to football where 11 players play and are only on the field half the time) is such that a star player will have an outsized impact compared to star players in other sports.
=======================================================================
A hard cap won’t stop the players from wanting to play in a bigger market but it will stop the bigger market teams from being able to spend more than smaller market teams. That means the bigger market teams won’t be able to stockpile stars, and some of them will have to go to other markets to play.
For example if the Heat would have tried to sign James/Wade/Bosh in a league with a hard cap (and no mid level exceptions and other BS like that) then there is no way they could fill out the rest of their roster without going over the cap. That means…they only keep one or two stars instead of 3. You don’t have to stop free agency to level the playing field some…a hard cap would work.
Steve
August 10th, 2012
3:42 pm
The Hawks and all Hawks fans should be glad they missed out. Yes, Howard is one of the better players in the league, but here is a list of reasons why you don’t want him:
1) It has already been proven that he cannot lead a team to a Championship. Even when his salary was respectable and the Magic put decent pieces around him they went nowhere.
2) He simply does not have any skill on offense and thus cannot carry a team in crucial minutes of big games. He can’t. PERIOD.
3) He is a whiner.
4) He is a cry-baby.
5) He talks down abotu his coach, teammates, organization, and fans.
6) He is vastly overpaid considering all of the above. I would state that having Joe Johnson’s contract might be less of a burden than what Howard will get at the end of next year.
7) ‘At the end of next year’ means he would likely not be coming to the Hawks. At the very least look at it this way .. we have nearly the same shot as getting him as we already had in signing him as a free agent. The chance is slightly diminished due to exceptions and the fact that LA has all year to work something out with him first.
See ya Dwight. I am glad you refused to play in Atlanta. I am glad our front office failed.
Paul in NH
August 10th, 2012
3:50 pm
I have agree with Najeh about the hard cap not stopping stars from going where they want to play. If the salary top players make is independent of where they play what chance does an unpopular team have of competing with the Lakers?
bigclaude
August 10th, 2012
4:10 pm
If the salary cap is 50 million and Kobe gets 18 per year and Dwight gets 17 per year then that would leave only 15 million dollars for the rest of the 12-15 man roster. How could that possibly not help level the playing field? Use whatever numbers that you want for an example but the point is that the superstars would eat up a huge chunk of the hard cap and there simply would not be room to sign any more stars on that team. No Nash or Gasol would be there unless they are going to play for bare minimum dollars.
ZACK
August 10th, 2012
4:12 pm
Mr. Schultz, can you please dig into this BS? It would make a great story. Break down how LA always gest what they want. It’s becoming too damn obvious so please just go ahead and call them out on it! The Magic should have made his azz play out his contract. They did not get anything in return, especially for the “best center” in the game! And why don’t the other teams say something? Either contract 80% of the league or get things on an even par!
Disgusted
August 10th, 2012
4:13 pm
Steve — You also can add the recent back surgery. Backs are tricky and someties do not totally heal.
Larry Bird was never the same when he started having back trouble.
I honeslty do not wish the best for Dwight and the Lakers. Tired of the Lakers. And I am pretty much tired of the NBA. Face it, we have no chance to do any better than what we have done that is the way the NBA is.
So the Hawks might still be a lower seed playoff team if that. Orlando might be worse off. They got a bunch of junk. Lots of junk. But they really had no control over the way Diva-12 has turned.
The NBA is a rip off if you do not live in one of the glamour towns. I’d rather travel a couple hundred miles and see the NHL once in a while.
Disgusted
August 10th, 2012
4:21 pm
I am one that does not think that ownership has held the Hawks back that much. Not on the basketball side.
You have to separate their indifference toward the Thrashers from the way they have run the Hawks. I do not like defending the Spirit but they have been reasonably interested and engaged in the basketball operation.
Outside of staying with Billy Knight too long how much bad have they done with the Hawks?????? They have spent $$$$$$$ to keep players and though you can legitimally argue the Joe Johnson deal was a big overpay, both times they signed him it was done with the right intentions.
Its not like JJ and Marvin were bad players. Passing on CP3 was the worst decision and that was on BK. Ownership has not been cheap with the Hawks.
Disgusted
August 10th, 2012
4:23 pm
We coulda had a superstar in Chris Paul but our GM at the time mucked up on that one.
outkasted
August 10th, 2012
4:32 pm
Lemme know when Howard gets some post moves!!!!
Brian
August 10th, 2012
4:34 pm
Nobody wants to play for this WORTHLESS franchise.
Oops! Oh, wait…. The oh so talented Lou Williams signed up! Championship here we come!
HawksFanFromWayBack
August 10th, 2012
4:41 pm
I love my Hawks, Always have….I believe in them…If they pull together they can be the best team in the NBA. Notice, I didn’t say win the championship, because the NBA predetermines who will make the NBA finals, and it will be the team that draws the most money. The referees will help determine who makes the playoffs. Not complaining just a fact. I’d rather have the best team that plays good basketball, and is respectected then a team of prima-donnas that are showed favortism..how about a bunch of postive articles on how lucky we are to have this great team! Thanks!
Pope Paul
August 10th, 2012
4:46 pm
MAy want to check NAsh’s turnovers and Kobe’s shooting the last 30 games of the sseason before handing them the title in 2013. Both wore down and will be a year older. And the more someone (Howard) openly professes his Christianity, the more bad things seem to happen.
Done
August 10th, 2012
4:49 pm
Why don’t they just condense the league to the top 5 cities,
1. Los Angeles
2. Miami
3. New York
4. Chicago
5. Boston
And put everyone else in the D- League?
PMc
August 10th, 2012
5:15 pm
How does Orlando not get Bynum in return? Maybe they did not want?
JSS
August 10th, 2012
6:21 pm
What in “lottery protected” don’t you understand? They get 2 seasons to save some cap room when the new CBA gets some teeth and the Luxury Cap really digs in… Never said they would be good, but that is there only real path… Bynum was never going to sign with them, why seek him in a trade? Andre I could only balance the deal going to a third team…