The Future Ain't What It Used To Be: How Dwight Howard Just Ruined The Lakers

The biggest stage show of the NBA offseason concluded as many predicted this weekend when the league’s premier big man Dwight Howard eventually announced his intentions to sign with the Houston Rockets. In the space of two years, and thanks to two huge deals (the first being the trade with OKC for James Harden in 2012), those Houston Rockets have gone from a nothing team of nobodies to a contending team of stars. But just as quickly as the Rockets climbed the ladder of expectations, the Los Angeles Lakers came tumbling back down it.

A recurring theme in the NBA at this time seems to be the transition from one era to the next, as a generation of aging stars look for one last shot at glory. The Dallas Mavericks have seen an almost complete player turnover since their championship in a failed attempt to draw in an elite talent for Dirk Nowitski to pass the torch to. The Boston Celtics simply dumped a bunch of franchise legends as they look to make the transition into the future. The Lakers thought they’d found their next superstar in a team with a history of legendary players in Dwight Howard, who was to become the face of the franchise after Kobe Bryant retires in a few years. They even brought in Steve Nash, one of the most selfless players of all time, to help facilitate the two egos. It didn’t work. After just one injury-ravaged, underachieving season, the man known as DH12 has hit the road.

This is a devastating blow to a gloried team. Obviously they can’t sign every superstar on the market, no matter how great their legacy. To let one go, though? Unheard of. Shaquille O’Neill maybe, but when he left LA he was into his 30s and only had two or three more seasons of elite productivity. Plus he’d already won 3 titles and an MVP with LA. Dwight Howard is 27 and at the top of his game (presuming he’s fully fit, which he hasn’t been for a while). The 2012/13 season was a disaster for the Lakers, undeniably. Bryant, Nash and Howard barely...

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The Wildcard’s Winners and Losers from the NBA Draft

Biggest Winners

Anthony Bennett – Who picked this one? Probably just the Cavs. First overall selection despite the odds, quite the day for the Canadian forward out of UNLV.

Steven Adams – Wow. Portland was the highest plausible chance for Adams to be drafted, but they picked highly rated guard Michael Carter-Williams, and once Philadelphia traded for Nerlens Noel Oklahoma City were free to draft the 7 footed kiwi. What a great deal for Adams. I was thinking maybe late teens in terms of picks. No New Zealander has ever been drafted this high before (in fact only Sean Marks had ever been drafted at all from NZ) so to go 12th is an incredible achievement for New Zealand sport in general. Even though it has been acknowledged that Adams is a raw talent, and will therefore probably spend a bit of time in the Development League, this is nothing but a huge victory for Steven. OKC are a title contending team, and hopefully Adams can have an impact late in the season. Special highlights included David Stern trying to get his tongue around the name Rotorua.

Minnesota Timberwolves – I love where these guys are going. A lot of young players, headlined by Ricky Rubio and Kevin Love give Minnesota a strong core, and as good as Trey Burke is, they got great value in trading down for Shabazz Muhammad and Gorgui Dieng. If they land OJ Mayo as they hope too, this is a dangerous team.

Sacramento Kings – With Ben McLemore and Ray McCallum to go with current King Isaiah Thomas, the Kings have got themselves a handy backcourt.

International Players – 12 international born players went in the first round, more than ever before.

David Stern – There is a reason why the NBA is the most globally appealing league out of the big 4 in the US. Stern is a great part of that reason. After 30 years, he is stepping down as commissioner, but he still spoke through a chorus of boos all night. And he loved every minute of it. Bringing Hakeem Olajuwon, the first pick Stern ever announced, out to help present the last one he will ever announce, was a lovely touch too. Hakeem even wore his 1983 suit.

Biggest Losers

Boston Celtics – Ouch. I know it’s not really draft related, but that Garnett/Pierce/Terry trade signals once and for all where this team is headed and it’s not to the finals. Boston is firmly in rebuilding mode with almost nobody left on the team other than Rondo. It was a sad day for Celtics fans. At least Kelly Olynyk is a decent player.

Charlotte Bobcats – They only had the one pick, but it was the fourth one on the board, so they really should have gotten better quality than Cody Zeller, who is a talented guy, but with Nerlens Noel, Alex Len and Ben McLemore still around, this was pretty surprising. Will he be the scorer that Charlotte so desperately need?

Detroit Pistons – For a team who need a guard more than anyone, they passed up potential stars like Trey Burke, Michael Carter-Williams and C.J. McCollum for the safe option in Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. ‘Safe’ won’t get you into the playoffs though.

Other Notables

Nerlens Noel – He was touted as the favourite for the first pick. He looked lost and confused for a while, but once his name was called (6th overall) all was fine. He was drafted by New Orleans, which set up a curious roster situation with Anthony Davis, dubbed “Block Party” by the experts, but it was soon cleared up when Philadelphia traded for Noel. That trade was a massive talking point too, with all-star guard Jrue Holiday on his way to the Pelicans.

Dallas Mavericks – They predictably traded down, but got good value of it with Shane Larkin and a gamble on Ricky Ledo. You can see where this is going for Dallas though, dumping cap space for a run at Dwight Howard in free agency. If they get him it’ll all be worthwhile. If he goes to Houston instead, which a lot of experts are suggesting he should, there isn’t really a plan B. Boom or bust for the Mavs.

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The Wildcard’s Spontaneous Ruminations on the NBA Finals

Well, the best team won in the end. I don’t think many will argue that. Miami took the opportunities that came to them; while San Antonio will be rueing their owned missed chances. It was a great series, one for the ages, the most competitive since at least Boston and LA went seven games a few years back. But the Heat were the best team all season. They’ve earned this.
When LeBron hit that jump shot to make it a two possession game with 29 seconds left, and effectively sealed the title, he also secured his legacy. With that shot, and the championship and MVP award that came with it, he is surely now untouchable. He was outstanding today, as he so often is in deciding games. Long gone are the choking taunts, and his talent is impenetrable. The jump shot was his closest thing to a weakness on attack once, but no longer. He can actually do it all: Flawless offense, brutal and effective defence (seriously limiting Tony Parker’s production), clutch plays and intelligent decisions. A few years back he would have passed up that jumper, but it was telling that he held it and ensured that the defining moment of the game was his alone. And he nailed it. As Magic Johnson said afterwards, the only question now is not of his deserving a mention with the immortals, but just where he’ll finish up amongst them.
You have to feel for the Spurs though. They competed so bravely, especially today after the heartbreak of game 6...

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The Ones That Got Away: Sport's Biggest Chokes

It is said that for every great comeback victory there is an equal or greater choke. And as great as Miami’s comeback was in Game 6 of the NBA Finals, San Antonio sure blew it. I don’t know that a team has ever been so close to winning an NBA title, only to let it slip away like that. The crowd was being cordoned off; the trophy was being readied for presentation; Commissioner David Stern was probably preparing his speech. But missed free throws, missed rebounds and curious substitutions came back to hurt the Spurs. This was not like any other defeat they will have suffered before. This was crushing. Devastating. You just don’t recover from a loss like that, not ever, least of all not in two days’ time for a Game 7. A game like that can haunts you with a lifetime of regret, of bitterness. In some ways, the narrow losses mean more than the victories. Like a tattoo you wished you never got, it both scars you and it defines you. The San Antonio Spurs are not alone.

Here are five of the biggest chokes of all time:

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The Blueprint

Pro Sports' New Super Agent: Jay Z. Yes, THAT Jay Z

Occasionally, I find myself feeling worried about the encroaching commercialism in sports. Then a story such as this one comes along and suddenly it doesn’t seem so bad. Like when New York Yankees second baseman and perennial all-star Robinson Cano dumped revered uber-agent Scott Boras and signed instead with none other than Mr Shawn Carter: Jay Z himself.

This is a huge deal, with wide ranging effects for both men, and indeed the future of sports agency. Cano is not just some ballplayer. He’s the best hitter on the biggest team: a serious MVP candidate and one of the very best in his position. Signing him is a clear statement of intent for Jay Z and his ever expanding entertainment empire. It’s also great news for Yankees fans, as I’ll come to soon...

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Here's Thinking Of You, Kidd

I’d like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to one of the great basketballers of his generation, Jason Kidd, who announced his retirement from the game last week. After 19 years in the NBA, we have seen the last clever steal, the last sneaky rebound, the last incisive assist from a man who specialised in these small accomplishments like no one else in his era. He’ll be inducted without question into the NBA Hall of Fame at the very first opportunity, which is no less than his contributions to the game deserve.

You see, in an age of individualist expression and superstar egos, Jason Kidd was always a team player before anything else. He has his share of issues off the court, not the least of which a messy divorce and an even messier music career, but on the court he was the most consistent point guard of his generation, Steve Nash notwithstanding. Only John Stockton has more career assists and steals. Kidd is third all time...

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The Wildcard’s Guide to the NBA Playoffs

Conference Finals

Impartial conjecture and estimation as to the outcomes of the National Basketball Association’s initial round of postseason matchups.

Eastern Conference

Miami Heat (66-16) vs Indiana Pacers (49-32)

During the LeBron James era in Miami, every time that the Heat has gone 1-0 down in a playoff series, they have gone on to win in five games. They maintained this outstanding record of resilience in euthanizing a damaged Chicago Bulls unit, despite the best efforts of Nate Robinson, Carlos Boozer and especially Joakim Noah. As this unfolded Indiana were busy grinding Carmelo Anthony and his Knicks into submission. Chicago can be consoled by the knowledge that things will be better next year with a hopefully fit and healthy Derrick Rose. New York will lament missed opportunities.

Undoubtedly this will be a physical battle. Both teams thrive in tight, gritty matches, though there aren’t many who can challenge Miami enough for such a game to transpire. These Pacers can, however. They were the most efficient defensive team in the league this season. Guarding LeBron James will likely be...

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