Were not the following Q&A already posted almost a week ago? ESPN: You mentioned your season in Houston didn't end the way you wanted. You have also admitted you were "disinterested" during parts of the year. Why was that? Howard: "There were times I was disinterested because of situations that happened behind the scenes that really hurt me. It left me thinking, 'This is not what I signed up for.''' ESPN: What specifically are you referring to? Howard: "I felt like my role was being reduced. I went to [Rockets general manager] Daryl [Morey] and said, 'I want to be more involved.' Daryl said, 'No, we don't want you to be.' My response was, 'Why not? Why am I here?' It was shocking to me that it came from him instead of our coach. So I said to him, 'No disrespect to what you do, but you've never played the game. I've been in this game a long time. I know what it takes to be effective.'''
Not sure what you mean by link me? either way my time is all off. Yeah. My time is all off. I could have swore I read your post on Monday. Not yesterday. LOL I just cant keep up with you guys and get lost. Sorry.
From what I gather, it isn't so much getting shots within an offense, but a similar complaint that Ibaka recently had, of just actually being involved. Everyone is involved in our offense here. Everyone is moving one way or another, setting a pick here or there, and there are many different options on each play. I don't think that Houston had much of that going on. SO he was basically made a spectator on offense, but then asked to anchor and carry their defense. Ibaka had mentioned how your interest or attention starts to wane a little in situations like that, because you're not really involved in half the game. Who knows. Maybe that's a character flaw, and a guy we don't want, because he should just do what is expected. But I think overall, guys want to be a part of things. Still someone I'd happily take a chance on. We'll see what Neil thinks on it.
DHoward may NOT opt out of his contract. Instead he may keep the last year of his $23 million contract. Reason; if he and his agent do not believe his next contract will be for more than $23 million, why take the chance of only being offered less? There is a good chance DHoward is on his last big contract now. He has too many issues, both health and attitude issues, for any GM to take a chance on offering him a big long contract. DHoward has only said that he has talked with other people about opting out. But he also says he has not made that decision yet. I would bet he and his agent are trying to figure out which way will make both of them the most money in the long run. Hope DHoward does not opt out. That would screw up the Rockets off-season.
Some numbers to consider: * Howard made $22,359,364 this past year. * Howard is a 10+ year vet, that qualifies him for a max contract of approximately $30,189,800 (assuming the CAP will be around $92M). -- To get Howard at that price, we would have to let Kaman, Henderson, and Leonard go. * The max contract for a 7-9 year vet will be approximately $25,876,971. -- To get Howard at that price, we would have to let Kaman, Henderson, and Roberts go. We could retain the rights to Leonard. -- Guys like Durrant and Horford will be going for this price. * The max contract for a 0-6 year vet will be approximately $21,564,143. -- To get Howard at that price, we would have to let Kaman and Henderson go. We could retain the rights to Leonard and Roberts. -- Whiteside is a 4 year vet, and will most likely be getting an offer at this range. There's not a lot of quality unrestricted FA Bigs on the market this summer. ~ A Horford (age 29) ~ H Whiteside (age 26) ~ D Howard (age 30) - player option ~ A Drummond (age 22) - restricted (DET) ~ P Gasol (age 35) - player option ~ B Biyombo (age 23) - player option ~ F Ezeli (age 26) - restricted (GSW) ~ J Noah (age 31) ~ I Mahinmi (age 29) ~ D Motiejunas (age 25) - restricted (HOU) ~ Miles Plumee (age 27) - restricted (MIL) ~ M Speights (age 28) ~ A Jefferson (age 32) ~ Z Pachulia (age 32) ~ T Mozgov (age 29) ~ C Kaman (age 34) ~ Nene (age 33) ~ A Stoudamire (age 33) ~ R Hibbert (age 29)
If we were prepared to offer Howard $30M then we'd be sure to get him, because NOBODY IN THEIR RIGHT MIND would give him that money. I really don't understand people quoting Howard in interviews as evidence that he's "turned the corner". Why on earth would you believe what he says? Even if HE believes it? Since when have athletes been reliable indicators of their future abilities? They're not even reliable indicators of their past abilities.
He WILL opt out of his contract. Everyone has lots of capspace and he will want the security, given his age and injury possibilities, of another 3 yrs at least IMO. He won't get the max but 19-24 mil per for a 3 yr contract is probable at least, so one yr at 23 mil or 3 yrs at least at 65mil plus or minus a bit? And besides all that it seems he and HOU are a very bad fit, he's outta there
