Dwight Howard demanded Kobe Bryant be amnestied or 'muzzled'

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  1. SlyPokerDog

    SlyPokerDog Woof! Staff Member Administrator

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    CSN Bay Area reports that Dwight Howard's demands of the Lakers in their meeting with the free agent center in early July centered around two controversial issues: firing Mike D'Antoni and amnestying, or "muzzling," franchise icon Kobe Bryant.
    Talks with various people close to the situation make it clear there were two prerequisites for Dwight Howard to remain a Laker: fire Mike D'Antoni and amnesty, or at the very least muzzle, Kobe Bryant. As audacious as that might sound, it doesn't come without precedent in Lakers' history. When Kobe re-upped in 2004, it coincided with Shaq being shipped to Miami and Phil Jackson being let go. Of course, Kobe didn't have to pressure the team braintrust -- Mitch Kupchak and Jerry and Jim Buss -- to make those moves, since Dr. Buss, in particular, was done with both Shaq and Phil at the time.
    The Lakers apparently asked Dwight to be patient on both fronts for at least another season, telling him "hey, you're going to have to gut this out another year," a source said, although it sounds as if VP of basketball ops Jim Buss isn't ready to abandon Kobe anytime soon. "Dwight didn't want to play with Kobe for 2-3 more years," Buss said. "I'm going to stand behind Kobe because of his history with the franchise." It would seem, then, with all that happened, the Lakers had the wherewithal to keep Howard if they had desired; they simply found the price too high.


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    http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on...-demanded-kobe-bryant-be-amnestied-or-muzzled
     
    SlyPokerDog, Aug 24, 2013
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  2. SlyPokerDog

    SlyPokerDog Woof! Staff Member Administrator

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    That would have been hilarious if the Lakers would have kept Howard and dumped Kobe.

    So what would have happened if the Lakers had amnestied Kobe?

    Would bargain shopper Olshey have signed him instead of Mo Williams?

    Would Miami have said no to Oden and picked up Kobe?

    Where would have Kobe ended up?
     
    SlyPokerDog, Aug 24, 2013
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  3. BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94

    BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94 AWOL

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    Good for Dwight. He was actually right imo. The Lakers aren't going anywhere past the 2nd round ever again with Kobe on the team.

    But If Kobe were amnestied my money would've been on the 76ers, Cavs, or the Mavs. (I think amnestied players who still have something left to give go through an auction of the non playoff teams)
     
    BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94, Aug 24, 2013
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  4. handiman

    handiman Well-Known Member

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    a) Brooklyn with everyone else, or b) Houston so we could laugh hysterically at him and James Harden trying to co-exist.

    Seriously, though, I can't imagine the Knicks would let someone of his marketable stature slip away, and Kobe isn't going to settle for anything but the biggest, brightest stage.
     
    handiman, Aug 24, 2013
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  5. Run BJM

    Run BJM Heavy lies the crown. Staff Member Global Moderator

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    I always envisioned him as a Spur if he wasn't a Laker. And I see it as a surprisingly good fit locker room wise. Pop may be able to get him to chuck less and pass more.
     
    Run BJM, Aug 24, 2013
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  6. BigGameDamian

    BigGameDamian Well-Known Member

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    Dwight Howard had no room to demand anything from the Lakers nor does he with the Rockets. He was only with the Lakers for one season. On the other hand Kobe does and the Lakers did the right thing. The only thing Dwight Howard has done is shown he can be a big name.
    5× NBA champion (2000–2002, 2009–2010)
    2× NBA Finals MVP (2009–2010)
    NBA Most Valuable Player (2008)
    15× NBA All-Star (1998, 2000–2013)
    4× NBA All-Star Game MVP (2002, 2007, 2009, 2011)
    2× NBA scoring champion (2006–2007)
    11× All-NBA First Team (2002–2004, 2006–2013)
    2× All-NBA Second Team (2000–2001)
    2× All-NBA Third Team (1999, 2005)
    9× NBA All-Defensive First Team (2000, 2003–2004, 2006–2011)
    3× NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2001–2002, 2012)
    NBA All-Rookie Second Team (1997)
    NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion (1997)
    Los Angeles Lakers all-time leading scorer
    Naismith Prep Player of the Year (1996)
     
    BigGameDamian, Aug 24, 2013
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  7. BlazerWookee

    BlazerWookee UNTILT THE DAMN PINWHEEL!

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    Fuck K*be. And fuck Dwight, but not quite as hard...
     
    BlazerWookee, Aug 24, 2013
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  8. SlyPokerDog

    SlyPokerDog Woof! Staff Member Administrator

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    Why are you posting Kobe's resume in the Blazer forum?
     
    SlyPokerDog, Aug 24, 2013
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  9. BigGameDamian

    BigGameDamian Well-Known Member

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    The conversation called for it.
     
    BigGameDamian, Aug 24, 2013
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  10. Strenuus

    Strenuus Well-Known Member

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    What does him being a prep player of the year have to do with him having leverage on the lakers?

    Fail.
     
    Strenuus, Aug 24, 2013
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  11. OneLifeToLive

    OneLifeToLive Well-Known Member

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    I think the Lakers did the right thing in this situation. By staying loyal to Kobe. I agree with Jeannie Buss in this situation. Kobe did a lot for that franchise in his 17 years. If he wants to remain a Laker for life, I think you give him that opportunity. He's earned it.

    Has it set them a back a few years? Probably and maybe more.
     
    OneLifeToLive, Aug 25, 2013
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  12. OregonHuskerMan

    OregonHuskerMan Well-Known Member

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    Uh - they didn't necessarily have to amnesty Kobe - they could have shut him up.

    To be completely honest, I think they probably should've shut him up and let Dwight stay. Dwight will (for some odd reason) be able to lure some big name free agents in the coming years for them.

    On the other hand, it shows player loyalty what Dirk and Cuban and Buss and Kobe have done, by not amnestying insane contracts.
     
    OregonHuskerMan, Aug 25, 2013
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  13. OneLifeToLive

    OneLifeToLive Well-Known Member

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    Two things I think Dwight needed to get over the top. One is the very player he wanted the Lakers to get rid of or muzzle. And two, Phil Jackson. Jim Buss can own that one. I think if Phil was chosen over D'Antoni, Phil would have muzzled Kobe or atleast would have told him. Hey Kobe, this Dwights team now. And due to Kobe's respect for Phil, I think he would have bought into it. Who knows, due to his aging body, Kobe might have agreed with it.

    In the end, I think things happen for a reason. Dwight was not of Laker Fabric. Don't know if he fit or was what they were looking for. Had he been a young stud in the mold of a Kobe and made those same demands. He might have won it.
     
    OneLifeToLive, Aug 25, 2013
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  14. dviss1

    dviss1 Emcee Referee

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    Is anyone else thinking how HILARIOUS Dwight is for using the word "muzzle"?

    I mean, you muzzle dangerous dogs... :lol:
     
    dviss1, Aug 25, 2013
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  15. Mediocre Man

    Mediocre Man Mr. SportsTwo

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    Man, if I were Kobe and they amnestied me, I would have signed for whatever I could with the Clippers and gave a big "Fuck You" to the Lakers
     
    Mediocre Man, Aug 25, 2013
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    BigGameDamian likes this.
  16. BigGameDamian

    BigGameDamian Well-Known Member

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    I agree and repped!
     
    BigGameDamian, Aug 25, 2013
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  17. handiman

    handiman Well-Known Member

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    I think the Lakers did the right thing. I'd rather build around a barely-alive Kobe than Dwight. Both are egomaniacs to the utmost degree, but Kobe at least craves competition and pressure. Does anyone really view Dwight as a game changer at this point in his career, whether or not his back fully recovers? You can't count on him to produce offensively, so you're always going to have a flawed team in close playoff games.
     
    handiman, Aug 25, 2013
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  18. jlprk

    jlprk The ESPN mod is insane.

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    They should bring back Jerry West.




    Also, he could GM for them.
     
    jlprk, Aug 25, 2013
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  19. BigGameDamian

    BigGameDamian Well-Known Member

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    What else would he do?
     
    BigGameDamian, Aug 25, 2013
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  20. jlprk

    jlprk The ESPN mod is insane.

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    jlprk, Aug 25, 2013
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