http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/i...ers_one_of_four_favorites_to_sign_c_dwig.html Houston center Dwight Howard is expected to opt out of his contract and become a free agent. The Blazers are among four teams that are the frontrunners to sign Howard, according to a report. The Portland Trail Blazers are in position to move through to the NBA's Western Conference semifinals if they can defeatthe Los Angeles Clippers Friday night. The Blazers roster has come together much faster than anyone predicted and the future looks very bright. Will the Blazers future include Houston Rocketscenter Dwight Howard? Howard is expected to opt out of his contract and become a free agent this summer. The Blazers are among four teams that are the frontrunners to sign the center during the free agency period, according to a report from ESPN.com. "It's expected that he will become a free agent and seek a new team. Orlando, Milwaukee, Portland and Charlotte are the favorites." -- ESPN.com's Calvin Watkins Would the Blazers want Howard? The 6-foot-11 center is not the same player who was the first overall pick (Orlando) of the 2004 NBA Draft. Howard has played for three teams during his career and will likely be playing for a fourth team next season. More concerning is if Howard does opt out, he'll be playing for his third team in the past four years. Howard, 30, has struggled with injuries during recent seasons. After playing in at least 78 games during his first six seasons, Howard has yet to appear in more than 71 games during the past five seasons, the past three in Houston. What Howard would bring to the Blazers is someone capable of protecting the rim (2.1 blocked shots a game career average) and provide rebounding (12.7 rebounds during career). Howard would also be a low-post option and a player who can get easy buckets (58 percent from the floor). One big potential drawback is Howard's attitude. He reportedly is unhappy about not being THE star on the Rockets and not getting more touches during a game. Howard's relationship with star guard James Harden is chilly at best. How would Howard feel about joining the Blazers, where Damian Lillard is the clear star and CJ McCollum is rising fast? Howard would be the third option - at best - on offense for the Blazers. Would Howard be okay with that status? Remember, he bolted from the Los Angeles Lakers after one season amid reports he didn't get along with Kobe Bryant or handle Bryant's star power. The Blazers possess a young squad that should interest Howard. Time will tell if the Blazers are interested in Howard.
In other news: Abraham Lincoln was assassinated, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon, & Damian Lillard drinks like a fish!
No, no, no... I quite clearly wrote what I meant! Thanks, anyways... but it read correctly the way it was written
Apparently so would Dallas, and they've actually got a meeting with him, which puts them one up on us.
Yeah... I read expected to opt out and was like "how old is this ish?" Do you do this intentionally for the reactions?
