<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Howard upset by value Mavs attach to himFourth-year G/F wants team to make fair offer so he can just go play10:11 PM CDT on Friday, October 13, 2006By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning NewsMILWAUKEE ? Through two preseason games, Josh Howard has heaved 22 shots in 40 minutes. Only one player's arm has had a bigger workout, rookie Moe Ager, who has 25 shots but has played 59 minutes.The coaches can forgive Ager for his exuberance. He's young, and it's the staff's job to rein him in, which they will.But Howard's situation is different. The knee-jerk reaction is to think that Howard is already taking a me-first attitude because he's playing for next season's contract. Never too early to start building a case for megabucks, right?Wrong. Howard said Friday that he has to tell himself every day to chill out about his contract situation and that "depressed" is not the word he'd use to describe his mood."Disappointed would be a better word," he said. "The other one I'd use would be a cuss word."Howard is in the final year of his rookie contract. He is one of the lowest-paid Mavericks at slightly less than $1.6 million this season. Yet he is either the team's second- or third-most important player, along with Jason Terry, behind Dirk Nowitzki.Howard and his agent already have talked to the Mavericks about a contract in the same neighborhood as Detroit's Tayshaun Prince, who signed last October for five years, $47.5 million.The two players are similar, although it can be argued that Howard is more valuable to the Mavericks."The first number that came out [from the Mavs] wasn't anywhere near what Tayshaun makes," Howard said. "It was for five years, but it was $20 million less."President of basketball operations Donnie Nelson said the Mavericks have not given up on extending Howard before the Oct. 31 deadline. After that, the team must wait until next summer and run the restricted free-agent gantlet."It's a negotiation," Nelson said. "Sometimes they move quickly and sometimes they move slowly. Everyone's worst-case scenario is not such a terrible thing ? to wait until next summer. Nobody should sign a deal they're not comfortable with."Howard will be a restricted free agent after this season, which means he can do one of four things:? sign an extension with the Mavericks;? sign an offer sheet with another team, which the Mavericks can match and retain Howard;? end up with the team that offers him the contract if the Mavericks don't match it;? or, play one more season with the Mavericks, then become an unrestricted free agent and go wherever he wants.Considering that a team like Charlotte, which has boatloads of money next summer, could be waiting to pounce on a player like Howard, it's a dangerous game the Mavericks are playing.At the very least, the price tag could go up markedly."I'm not even trying to break the bank," Howard said. "I've never been a guy who lets stuff get to me. I understand I'm a restricted free agent and they can wait until next year to sign me. But I was the other guy in that '03 class who made it to the Finals [joining Miami's Dwyane Wade]."Howard understands that management wants a hungry player who is going to have a big season. However, he disagrees with the theory that the team's success this year should be the basis of his future."I want to get back to that spot where we were last year," he said. "We all do. But to be honest, I don't think that should have anything to do with me making money."As for Howard's frame of mind, he said the team and fans shouldn't worry."I don't have to prove nothing," he said. "I'm still playing whether I'm getting $40 million or I'm getting my $1.6 million like this year. I'm going to have a ball out there because that's what I do."</div>This makes me feel a lot better about the Suns inability to get Diaw an extension. And Howard has proven more than Diaw and has been great for the team and they are still only affering about $5-6 million a year...wow. I'll take Howard as a Marion replacement. Edit: ^^^^^^See, you have to give your opinion on something when you post an article...^^^^^^^ :winkglasses:
Not to mention, and oyunger and more athletic Memphis team has 10mill in cap space this offseason. And Memphis isnt that far away from Dallas.
This mistake by Cuban is bigger than the Nash mistake if they lose Howard for nothing. We are too weak at the SF position. Cuban is being stupid by underrating Howard's worth.
Dampier's contract and signing a whole bunch of good players leaves little room for Josh Howard. I love Josh Howard and last year he showed how good he was and he's important to that team. I don't think they'll be able to replace him because they won't have the money to go after one of the better free agents next year. 5 million a year is an insult if you look at how much worse and equally talented players are being payed.
Josh Howard is going to get paid big bucks if he goes to another team. Dallas just really doesn't have the cap to do it. Although, if Cuban wants to get back to the finals, Howard needs to be in a Mavs uniform.
If JH goes to the grizz, then EJ may retire soon so this is there line-up if they sign JH:C: Pau GasolPF: StroSF: Rudy/JHSG:Rudy/JHPG: Damon
Wow I think everyone whose posting on here is blowing this out of porportion and has no idea what their talking about. <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>This mistake by Cuban is bigger than the Nash mistake if they lose Howard for nothing. We are too weak at the SF position. Cuban is being stupid by underrating Howard's worth.</div> Please, Steve Nash would still be a bigger mistake then a dime a dozen swingman in this league. You don't come across pgs like Nash every year in a draft. Stop overrating Howard, without Dirk or Terry, Howard would be a overglorified role player. In addition, if we don't extend Howard, were not standing to lose him for nothing yet either. We can trade him, he's not a free agent til next year. Now that's not saying this offer wasn't a lowball because it was but it's part of negotiations. Mavs are going to make their "first" offer low like everyone does with their free agents to be. It's nothing new and the offer will increase until the sides meet. The people saying cap is an issue needs to realize Mavs are already over the cap and have made their decision to win with the team now then later(Terry/Dirk's extension). But the room for Howard along with Terry and Dirk were always in the mind of management. Do you realize Croshere and Stackhouse come off the books next year? Along with Finley's contract. All that doesn't bring Mavs under the cap but it does give them room to fill Howard. So don't bring up cap as a reason for Mavs not looking to extend Howard. Only way that comes into play is if Howard wants way more then Prince type money. And simply then, he'll be gone.As for opposing teams willing to give Howard big bucks, I only see two teams that are in that boat. Charlotte and Orlando. But Charlotte has a player named Gerald Wallace they want to lock up as well. Orlando is really the only team I see as a threat to land Howard. But even then, if the offer is not high, Mavs can simply match.
Dallas will not win a championship without Howard. That's a guarantee. He is the perfect compliment to Dirk. Whatever Dirk struggles with Howard is good at. I also think we haven't seen the best of Howard. This could be a career year for him. I still would rather have Howard over Prince because of the athleticism difference and better slashing moves.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Rok @ Oct 14 2006, 10:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Wow I think everyone whose posting on here is blowing this out of porportion and has no idea what their talking about. Please, Steve Nash would still be a bigger mistake then a dime a dozen swingman in this league. You don't come across pgs like Nash every year in a draft. Stop overrating Howard, without Dirk or Terry, Howard would be a overglorified role player. In addition, if we don't extend Howard, were not standing to lose him for nothing yet either. We can trade him, he's not a free agent til next year. Now that's not saying this offer wasn't a lowball because it was but it's part of negotiations. Mavs are going to make their "first" offer low like everyone does with their free agents to be. It's nothing new and the offer will increase until the sides meet. The people saying cap is an issue needs to realize Mavs are already over the cap and have made their decision to win with the team now then later(Terry/Dirk's extension). But the room for Howard along with Terry and Dirk were always in the mind of management. Do you realize Croshere and Stackhouse come off the books next year? Along with Finley's contract. All that doesn't bring Mavs under the cap but it does give them room to fill Howard. So don't bring up cap as a reason for Mavs not looking to extend Howard. Only way that comes into play is if Howard wants way more then Prince type money. And simply then, he'll be gone.As for opposing teams willing to give Howard big bucks, I only see two teams that are in that boat. Charlotte and Orlando. But Charlotte has a player named Gerald Wallace they want to lock up as well. Orlando is really the only team I see as a threat to land Howard. But even then, if the offer is not high, Mavs can simply match.</div>Why do you only see Orlando and Charlotte on boat....we would love him to be in Memphis.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (austingriz76 @ Oct 14 2006, 09:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Why do you only see Orlando and Charlotte on boat....we would love him to be in Memphis.</div> Well I'm sure that every other team would love for him to play for them, but its really his decision. He'd choose Charlotte because he's from Carolina, went to school at Wake Forest and Orlando because they have money and they have a bright future with Dwight, Nelson, Darko, and Redick. I could easily see him finding a nice role with Orlando. I dont want him to go though. I think Dallas will end up keeping him.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Dallas will not win a championship without Howard. That's a guarantee.</div> Agree but it's not a reason to handcuff yourself to a contract long term like we did Finley, now is it? I hope you realize he's already 27, his style of play is reckless leading to possible injuries and he's not a player you tie up with most of your cap. He's a good role player for the 45-50 mil range but that's where it ends. I already see your biased view from this though, calling him a bigger mistake then say letting go a player who became a 2 time MVP afterwards. I hardly believe if Howard were to be let go, he would ever achieve 2, let alone 1 MVP award. This is really a non issue at this point of time. If Mavs can get Howard extended before the season, great but I believe it's more likely next summer then now. <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Why do you only see Orlando and Charlotte on boat....we would love him to be in Memphis.</div> As far as I know and read, I never realized Memphis would have cap room. Is Eddie Jones expiring enough to get them under?
Yep Jones is expiring, so is Atkins(4mill)...if Lowry does well, we will have tons of cap.Link <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Already, the Grizzlies, Sonics and Bucks are positioned with more than $10 million in cap space for next summer. If lottery reality hits home in Memphis, Seattle or Milwaukee, expect all three to point to the hope of impending cap space.</div>
Losing Howard would hurt our defense, rebounding, and our only interior offense. Nash was redundent of our offense with outside shooting and was another weakness on defense. He might be the better talent but Howard means more to this team than Nash did. Howard is also younger so he still has plenty left while Nash was thought of as breaking down with his back problems. the pimp version from gizoogle.com Los'n Howard would hurt our defense, rebound'n, n our only interior offense . Aint no stoppin' this sh*t nigga. Nizzle was redundent of our offense with outside shoot'n n was playa weakness on defense. He might be the betta mad skillz but Howard means more ta this tizzle thizzan Nizzay did. Howard is also younga so he still has plenty left while Nash was thought of as break'n dizzy with his bizzay problems.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>He might be the better talent but Howard means more to this team than Nash did.</div> Your really downplaying what Nash did when he was here and overplaying Howard at the same time. No offense but you can't say Howard means more to this team then Nash because let's face it, Nash never really played for "this" team when Avery took over. When Nash was here, he was a big part of the team. There two different situations. <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Losing Howard would hurt our defense, rebounding, and our only interior offense.</div> Since Howard's defense is so inconsistent and not of stopper level. I don't see much of a dropoff, rebounding wise there would be a dropoff, but nothing drastic(our centers and Dirk are good rebounders). As for interior offense, you should know being a Mavs fan this current team has zero including Howard. Howard is by far not a good low post scorer. Can he hit shots, of course, so can Dirk and others. But he's not someone you post up and run the offense through at all. I stand by a possible loss of Howard not being close at all to when we lost Nash. Losing a two time MVP for nothing is far worse whether you want to admit or not. And you still ignore the price of the contract. You lists reasons but fail to realize money is what matters. If your for overpaying Howard, your a biased fan blinded by homerism. Now by overpaying I mean from what it sounds like your implying, anything means necessary to resign him. Me, I want to resign him of course, but hell no to the anything means necessary part. 45-50 mil or trade him. You probably want to go over 50 mil because you see him as a top 10 swingman.
Yes I do see him as a top 10 swingman. He is an all around package. Very similar to Marion in that way. He isn't a defensive stopper but he is solid there. Slightly above average. He is one of the best rebounders at the SF position in the league. Also interior scoring doesn't always mean low post scoring. It means he gets baskets around the basket. Such ways include offensive rebounds that lead to layups, dive cuts to the basket for layups, and he does that one spin move to the basket. Nash was not the same player in Dallas as he is in Phoenix. He's improved and I give a lot of credit to D'antoni's system that gives Nash the freedom along with some athletic and great outside shooters with that. Nash is not an Avery type player though because he would always be a defensive liability and Dallas needed to improve drastically on defense. Even if they lost some offense. Bringing in Dampier, Diop, Terry, and Harris was clearly enough to fill the void of losing Nash. Improved defense while not losing too much offense.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Nash is not an Avery type player though because he would always be a defensive liability and Dallas needed to improve drastically on defense.</div> Please, Jason Terry is by far not a great defender and mimics Nash with his matador defense at times. How can you even say he's not a Avery type player. Nash can fit any system he's put in. Especially in Dallas, where we do have athletic players and of course a player who he played perfectly with in Dirk Nowitzki. I'm sorry but one of our weaknesses is our offense revolves around too many isos and not enough plays. We have no bread and butter play we can go to for a instant score. Obviously we can get away with isos but it hurts sometimes when we go on droughts as evident from last year. And no I think Nash's defense would hurt us in stopping as seen by Terry's non existant d at times. The player who replaced Nash. <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Bringing in Dampier, Diop, Terry, and Harris was clearly enough to fill the void of losing Nash. Improved defense while not losing too much offense.</div> This is a joke, your assuming too much, the only person who came in to fill the void of Nash is Jason Terry. Devin Harris was already here, Diop came a year later. With Nash, there would be no Dampier but we already debated on this and you feel Mavs would have sat on their hands and done nothing had we resigned Nash. While I beg to differ and say we would have used our tradeable assets like we did that summer to fill other needs(Walker and Laettner both had expiring contracts and were going to get traded whether Nash resigned or not that year). And as you saw, both were. No question had Nash resigned, they would have still been traded. As for Howard, does the loss hurt, yes but you act like he's not replaceable either. Did you not see how Mavs were able to make up Nash's absent and bring in Jason Terry? The following draft is said to as deep as the 03' draft and we could easily get another Josh Howard steal. The fact he's also a swingman, makes me not worry at all. Since in this league their a dime a dozen. PG and Center are the hardest positions to fill, you easily have to agree with that. We let go a PG who won MVP two times, would he have done it in Dallas. No because of Dirk Nowitzki but that withstanding doesn't take away Nash's ability to make players better around him or the talent he possesses at one of the hardest spots to fill. That makes him a bigger loss then Howard. As for top 10 swing, he's better then K. Bryant, T. McGrady, S. Marion, L. James, D. Wade, R. Hamilton, R. Allen, V. Carter, J. Richardson, M. Ginobli, P. Pierce, R. Artest, R. Jefferson, C. Anthony, A. Kirilenko, even some would say T. Prince or R. Lewis? But that's about 15 swings minus Prince and Lewis I would take over Howard right now. You may see it differently but I trust the MBT will not offer the farm for Howard as much as you want them to.
Terry's defense is easily better than Nash's. Terry isn't a great defender but I wouldn't call him a liability. No one on this team I would consider that except for maybe Stackhouse. Van Horn was by far the biggest liability on defense but he is gone now. If we got Nash that is a bunch of more salary on this roster. Cuban would reluctant to bring Dampier over like I said before and the team would lack a center. You can't get everything and I agree on the move of letting Nash go. I don't agree on letting Howard go because than we are back to being just a jump shooting team without inside offense which you continue to ignore how much it would hurt the chemistry. I consider Howard a top 10 at the SF. He isn't a shooting guard so don't add them to the list.
I don't see it being easily better then Nash at all. Terry gets burned just like Nash. Um like I said we had tradeable assets to bring in a big. So spare me the lack of center on this roster. Your just assuming Mavs would sit there and do nothing about a center. Also, that salary we would have added went to Dampier, so using that salary to occupy Nash is far better. I'm done with this argument in the past because you continue to ignore follow up moves to a Nash resigning. I mean when Nash didn't resign, we had no competent pgs that led to us using our tradeable assets. What the hell makes you think our management wouldn't use those assets for a big had we resigned Nash? Despite what you think is inside offense via putbacks and a spin move by Howard. We still lack a inside scorer/presence. Oh wow, so the year we lost our pg, the person who runs the team, doesn't hurt chemistry either mavsfan? Give me a break. The fact I listed so many swignmen and could list far more that could come in and put up similar numbers means swingmen are a dime a dozen. You can't read then mavsfan, I said top 10 swingman. Swingman are shooting guards and small forward. Read next time. Bottom line, I'm standing by my argument Howard doesn't deserve over 50 million. You believe he does, we will see what Mavs management belives.
Well I don't link shooting guards and small forward into one category. Howard is as pure of a SF as you get. Pure small forwards don't come a dime a dozen as you say. The combo SG/SF do like Stackhouse for example. Lacking some speed at the shooting guard but not a good rebounder at the SF. Howard though is solid in both speed and rebounding. If you think Dallas is better with Nash than why is this team having so much so success without him? The simple answer is defense. Terry might get burned on defense but Nash gets tortured. lol. The only player worse on defense than Nash was Jamison.
