I’m going to be super straightforward here. All the people bitching about the Lakers, the team I happen to root for in the NBA, getting Dwight Howard are silly. Seriously.
Three reasons:
1. Howard isn’t THAT much better than Andrew Bynum.
a. Last year, Howard played 54 games and averaged 20.6 points, 14.5 rebounds and just over two blocks a game while shooting 57% FGs and 49% free throws. In 2011, he averaged 22.9 points, 14.1 rebounds and 2.4 blocks a game while shooting close to 59% in FGs and FTs. You could argue that 2011-12 was his worst season ever. Plus he got hurt and generally presented himself as an immature star player. He turns 27 years old this year and came straight out of high school.
b. Bynum also turns 27 this year after coming out of high school. This year he played in 60 games, averaged 18.7 points and 11.8 rebounds along with just under 2 blocks a game while shooting nearly 56% from the field and 69% from the line. In the season before, he played 20% fewer minutes per game and averaged 11 points and 9 rebounds for a team that was coming off two-straight NBA titles.
c. What is the big difference, again?
2. This is the same Lakers team that Commissioner David Stern denied from getting Chris Paul despite an outpouring of media and public scrutiny.
a. Seriously, do I need to remind you how ridiculous is was for Stern to reject this trade AFTER it was approved by all parties?!!?
b. If you dispute the ridiculousness of this, then imagine International Olympic Committee sending a message to Usain Bolt telling him he actually didn’t win the 100 meter race in London. Yeah, that bad.
3. The Lakers didn’t even make the NBA Finals this year. a. Just a few months ago people were saying the Lakers were done; the Thunder had surpassed them completely. b. Just a few weeks ago, people were saying Kobe was too old. c. No one seemed to care much when they got Steve Nash AND still had Kobe-Gasol-Bynum-Artest. d. But now it’s a problem because of an extra 2 points and 3 rebounds a game?
Bullshit. Just let these guys play and prove they're as "scary" as you all seem to think they are. I sure hope they are, but who knows. The Heat didn't win until their 2nd year together and Howard isn't even guaranteed for more than one season!
Can't say I didn't predict this though.
Comments