D’Antoni described his relationship with Howard, from Sam Amick of USA Today: “I think it’s good (between him and Howard),” D’Antoni said. “I’m going to coach him and try to coach him the best I can. My job is to coach the Lakers and try to help us win. Whatever happens after that? I can’t control the destiny or the future. I try to be true, and (Howard) wants the same thing I want. He wants to win, for him to be a dominant factor offensively and defensively. And we’ve got to get there. Now if that’s not enough, then they’ll determine that. And I’m cool with that. I can’t change anything about this summer.”
D’Antoni also addressed the main problem with the Lakers’ offense, from Amick: “I don’t know anything (with) the system where the system says, ‘You know what? The system really indicates to take bad shots, or don’t move the ball, or let’s post five guys up in the paint,'” D’Antoni told news reporters at the shoot-around. “I don’t understand that. It’s just playing basketball. “Where I’m having a hard time is, the ball doesn’t move. We need to move the ball. And that’s the biggest thing. … We’re trying to get Pau in the low post, but we can’t get him in the low post (when) we’ve got three other guys in there also. So it’s trying to get everybody on the same page, trying to be comfortable with it, and trying to play hard all the time because you’re comfortable.”\
Howard believes he needs to eat some skittles to see the rainbow, from Dave McMenamin of ESPN Los Angeles: “I’m just talking about negativity in general. That’s like a dark cloud and the more you feed into the negativity, the bigger it gets. So, we have to change that and we have to believe. For all the fans and everybody who support the Lakers, believe. Yes, we’re struggling. Yes, it’s not the best time to be a Laker fan or a Laker player, but we will get out of it. There’s a rainbow on the other end. We just got to make sure we get to it. I don’t know if we got to eat some more Skittles or whatever it may be, but, we got to find a way.”
The Grizzlies may still be interested in moving Rudy Gay, according to Warriors sideline reporter Ric Bucher: “The recent Cavs-Grizzlies deal lessens the urgency for Memphis to move Rudy Gay but doesn’t eliminate its desire to do so, a team executive interested in acquiring Gay said. Dealing Mo Speights, Josh Selby and Wayne Ellington for Jon Leuer clears $6 million off their payroll and puts them on the cusp, according to one GM, of not paying the $1 for $1 luxury tax. The Grizzlies are still interested in moving Gay, the first executive insisted, they simply can be more judicious about what they want in return and how long they’ll wait — possibly until this summer — to strike a deal.
Mark Jackson was quite unhappy about the coaches’ decision to leave Stephen Curry off the All-Star game, from Rusty Simmons of San Francisco Chronicle: “We are a very good basketball team that is … led by two All-Stars,” Jackson said late Wednesday night. “Whether anyone wants to acknowledge it or not, we’re claiming … that.”… “We know who the jurors are,” Jackson said, referring to the Western Conference’s head coaches. “I think you have to question the process. I’m not going to go all Dr. King on us, but you’ve got to stand for what’s right, man. These guys have changed this whole organization. They have led. They have sacrificed. They have defended. They have competed.”
Delonte West is looking to play in the D-League, according to Marc Stein of ESPN: “Former Dallas Mavericks guard Delonte West, out of the NBA since his release in November, has entered the D-League’s player pool, according to sources close to the situation. Sources told ESPN.com on Wednesday that the Memphis Grizzlies are still weighing whether to sign West to a 10-day contract this week. But if the Grizzlies pass, West would be eligible to join the team at the front of the D-League waiver line, which sources say is the Donnie Nelson-owned Texas Legends, Frisco-based affiliate of the Mavericks… Sources say that West hopes to play his way back into the league just like Mike James did earlier this month, earning a call-up from the Mavericks after a brief but successful stint in Frisco.
“I think it’s good (between him and Howard),” D’Antoni said. “I’m going to coach him and try to coach him the best I can. My job is to coach the Lakers and try to help us win. Whatever happens after that? I can’t control the destiny or the future.”
…. Said MDA about Carmelo Anthony for the last two seasons. MDA is gone now, and the Knicks are #2 in the east currently and Melo is at least in the discussion for MVP. This is not a coincidence.
It’s been said here before, but I’ll say it again: MDA needs to go to the college level, where guards just run around forever and then chuck up low percentage shots. That’s his only option. He can’t coach in the NBA.
Regarding Howard being traded: Nothing happens seriously, until Lakers fall to about 10 games under 500. If that happens, then playoffs will be all but eliminated – in which case the season is over. Kevin Love would look awful good at that point, and his injury becomes irrelevant for the future.
Since getting Love would solve D’Antoni’s problems, there would be no need to trade Gasol. Lakers could finish season strong and get fans support back.
However, Howard would never re-sign with Minny or most teams, so there would be limited possible deals that would be satisfactory for Minny. As rumored, Nets might be willing to part with a dominating Brook Lopez (only on an even trade), who is already under contract and Howard would be willing to re-sign with Nets.
The Nets would be unwilling to trade Lopez directly for Kevin Love (even if he was healthy now). A dominant 24 year old Center is the most valuable commodity on the market.
Re: All Star Snub: The worst snub was Brook Lopez, because Nets were 3rd in East and had no representatives, even after DWill took his name out of contention and promoted Brook.
Joe Johnson should have been picked too – had 3 game winners.
Besides being the best offensive center in the NBA, Lopez is averaging 9.4 rebounds per 36 minutes and is one of the best shot blockers in the NBA. His improved defense is evident when he was injured.
Of course we all know the Real reason (besides lack of respect for the Nets) is the firing of Avery Johnson, which the coaches didn’t like. DWill had nothing to do with the firing. It was mainly the Fans and Prokhorov, although Billy King went along.
Best tweet of that night was Billy King – “I am speechless”.
Appreciate you reading and sharing your input, Jerry.