2014 "teams that were in the Howard FA sweepstakes" watch

it was really just Rockets and Lakers, the other teams never had a chance

 

I have a good feeling the Rockets will get him.

 

Golden State had a legit chance.

 

The difference between the Lakers and all the other teams here is this:

All those other teams had some sort of cap flexibility (in GS's case, they created it by paying Utah to take on some expiring contracts). So, they either signed Howard or used the flexibility to acquire other talent: Millsap, Ellis, Calderon, Iguodala.

The Lakers, on the other hand, had no cap flexibility even after subtracting Howard's salary from the ledger. Couple that with their injury problems and it's easy to see how they have the worst win %.

 

If the Rockets were in the East they'd be above Atlanta

Warriors were always expected to be good.
Dallas was expected to be a fringe playoff team
Lakers were expected to suck.

Rockets have been slightly disappointing but still better than those other teams.

 

Dwight would have been best in Golden State or Dallas.

 

I wonder if he regrets not going to GS or Dallas.

 

I was most scared of Golden State picking up Howard before he signed with the Rockets. Take away Iggy, and add Howard with the shooters Houston doesn't have in Curry and Thompson and the Warriors are probably THE favorites out West, even more so than OKC or the Spurs. It would be interesting if the Warriors would have been able to keep Jarret Jack they wouldn't have a second player maker like they do with Iggy with a Howard addition.

The Mavs signed both Calderon and Ellis as panic signs after failing to nab Howard so who knows how great they could have been with questions marks for the starting back court. I don't think they would be a top 3 team though. Dirk is the perfect 4 for Howard though outside of Bosh.

 

What's next? I propose A thread called, "Teams who have a player with the name James" watch.

 

With adding Howard, Mavs couldn't fit or go over the cap to sign Calderon, Ellis, Blair, Harris or Dalembert, so they would definitely be missing Harris, Calderon and Ellis if they signed Howard. Monta has been their second best player this season hands down especially with him and Dirk running PNR, so his importance to the this Dallas team is very large.

So is a team with Howard and aging players like Dirk, Carter, Marion good enough to compete in the West? Yes, but I wouldn't say that it's a definite contender. Without a legit starting point and reliable bench, that squad is a 4 seed at best. The 2011 championship team had great bench play with Terry, Barea and Stevenson with a hall of fame point guard and players such a Dirk and Marion at the tailed of their primes playing at all star levels especially in the playoffs.

 

Are we counting surnames as well?

 

We're counting brothers, mothers, sisters, fathers and even your sister's sister into the equation.