- Dwight Howard apologized on twitter for the way he exited the final game of the season for the Lakers. More importantly, he hinted at wanting to stay with the team by saying he hopes to make it up to the fans:
Im still upset about tonights game and the way this season ended. Im mad I lost my cool. Im sorry for letting my team and our fans down when
@DwightHoward
Dwight Howard
when they needed me the most. If there’s one thing I’ve learned this year its that I need to be more responsible for my actions and learn to
@DwightHoward
Dwight Howard
to “breathe”! (Maybe I will take up yoga and come back calmer or @charliesheen can help me with my anger management) But despite our tough
@DwightHoward
Dwight Howard
season, it is an honor being a member of a team with this amazing history & the best fans in the league!
@DwightHoward
Dwight Howard
Here is what Howard told the media about the season and how his body felt all season long, from Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports: “It’s like a nightmare,” Howard said after Los Angeles suffered a 103-82 defeat that swept it out of Round 1 of the playoffs. “It’s like a bad dream and we couldn’t wake up out of it. That’s what it felt like. “It seemed like nothing could go right, right from the start, injuries and all that stuff. We get an opportunity to get some rest for guys who are injured. A chance to rehab and think about what we can all do to better ourselves.” When asked if the last part of that statement reflected optimism toward returning, Howard said: “You’re reading too much into it.”… “Coming back super early from a major surgery was tough,” Howard said. “I tried to give everything I had and leave it on the floor. I was in pain for the whole season. I just wanted to try to play through it, fight through it. Even though I’m hurting, I’m still standing and I’m just going to keep fighting.”
- Magic Johnson used twitter to criticize Howard for taking himself out of the game:
Laker Nation: Dwight Howard that was a big No, No. Your teammates and the fans were counting on you.
@MagicJohnson
Earvin Magic Johnson
LN: Dwight, I've been swept before but I never let my team down by getting kicked out of the game.
@MagicJohnson
Earvin Magic Johnson
In this article by Kevin Ding of The OC Register, it is explained that Phil Jackson announced having cancer to his players before getting swept by the Dallas Mavericks back in the 2011 season: “Jackson was diagnosed with prostate cancer in March 2011. After doctors assured him the cancer could be controlled by drugs temporarily, Jackson waited until after the season to undergo surgery. Jackson decided to divulge his situation to his players when he sensed the team was lacking something in the playoffs. “Shocking,” Pau Gasol said Saturday, remembering Jackson’s disclosure to the team. “But then you also could understand certain moments of his demeanor, energy and involvement because of what he was going through health-wise. It explained certain things. It was a shock. A difficult moment for the team.” Gasol said Jackson talked with team captains Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher privately before telling the whole team in a video session – but Jackson was left second-guessing the revelation in which he became teary-eyed as he spoke … the Lakers strangely fading in that series vs. Dallas. Gasol allowed that it was different for the team to see Jackson – “such a big figure, the physical and spiritual leader of the team” – as vulnerable. “As much as I love Phil and I appreciate everything about him,” Gasol said, “it was difficult to know.”
According to Bill Plaschke of Los Angeles Times, Kobe Bryant wasn’t thrilled about Dwight Howard getting ejected in Game 4: “Making his first public appearance since tearing his Achilles’ tendon just over two weeks ago, Bryant hobbled out to the chair behind the bench. The crowd stood and roared for the first time all afternoon. Bryant sat there the rest of the game, cheering and coaching. This franchise may be a mess, but it’s still Hollywood’s mess. There is no evidence that Bryant’s arrival on the bench was anything more than an inspirational coincidence, but insiders say Bryant wasn’t thrilled with Howard’s behavior, and the perceived message was clear. Dwight may quit on Lakers fans, but Kobe never will. When Howard begins negotiations with the Lakers on a contract that could pay him $118 million, the Lakers need to remember that message. They need to remember how, in a game in which they were swept out of the first round of the playoffs for the first time since 1967, the presumed new face of the franchise covered his eyes and bowed his head.”
Despite a painful end to the season, Mike D’Antoni explained why he was proud of his team, from Eric Pincus of Los Angeles Times: “I’m proud of them because they fought,” D’Antoni said. “Just to recap, we were 17-25 and had real, serious problems and were going the wrong way.” “They aired out their differences and then they went 28-12, one of the best records in the league,” he continued. “They got us in the playoffs. They went 7-1 in April. They fought as hard as they could fight and, as a coach, I appreciated it.” The Lakers had injuries all year long but the late ones were devastating, especially Kobe Bryant(Achilles) and Steve Nash (hip/hamstring). “I hated that injuries started mounting up and stuff happens. It was kind of a year that was all upside down, but I appreciate the effort they gave to get us in the playoffs but then they just didn’t have it,” said D’Antoni. “Steve was playing on half a leg and then Steve Blake goes out, Kobe was already out, so it was doomed.” What steps will the team take to recover? “I’m sure we’ll sit in the days coming and try to figure it out. [General Manager] Mitch [Kupchak] will put the best team possible on the floor and [we’ll] go back at it,” he said. “We’ll just keep working as hard as we can work.”
- Antawn Jamison will have surgery on his troublesome wrist, from Mark Medina of Daily News:
Antawn Jamison didn't have an exit interview. Looks like he won't have one. He's scheduled to have surgery at 7 a.m. tomorrow on right wrist
@MarkG_Medina
Mark Medina
Can the Golden State Warriors retain the Jarrett Jack for next season? Thompson of Mercury News explains why it may be tough: “Jack is playing out the final year of his contract, which pays him $5 million this season. He has been an integral part of the Warriors’ success, averaging 12.9 points and 5.6 assists in 29.7 minutes during the regular season, mostly off the bench. He is a respected voice in the locker room and a capable option when starter Stephen Curry is out of the lineup. Jack figures to get considerable interest as a free agent, especially after this postseason. He had 21 points on 8-of-9 shooting with nine assists in the Warriors’ 115-101 Game 4 victory over Denver on Sunday. Many teams are looking for point guards — including Utah, Charlotte, Toronto and possibly Milwaukee. Many playoff teams, such as the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio, could use a capable player off their bench. But so could the Warriors. Jack he said isn’t looking for the most money. But money isn’t the only obstacle. The Warriors will have to decide if they want to commit so many minutes to Jack, who is playing in the fourth quarter at the expense of rookie forward Harrison Barnes. A bigger role for Barnes probably would mean a smaller role for Jack.
Broussard shouldn’t be “attacked”? That’s ridiculous. He’s given his opinion on television, publicly, on twitter, on purpose – and it’s what he’s paid to do. He’s on the soapbox – who’s opinion am I supposed to argue about, attack, if it’s not his? He brought this upon himself, and I’m glad he did. People that are going to say the disagree with a “lifestyle” and hide behind their religion should all come forward. I see people even calling Broussard brave? When people have used his faith as justification for beating, murdering, and intimidating homosexuals for centuries? It’s not brave to hide behind The Bible – it’s cowardice.
John Steppling is a prime example of an ignorant intolerant individual, who claims the tolerance means agreement and silencE
oh ouch. Whats the problem joe? Calling someone a sinner is bigoted. Thats obvious. He’s entitled to say whatever he wants. As am I and as are you. But you might work on your logic.
broussard’s opinions however are bigoted. Calling someone a sinner is hardly neutral. I do agree that this wasnt exactly earth shaking news. It was however long over due. So good for jason collins. Its time for the broussard reactionaries (Christians it seems, mostly) to keep THEIR bias private.
If by Christian beliefs wat Collins is doing is sinning, then how is Broussards opinions bigoted? Wats bias about Christian beliefs? And why should WE keep our thoughts private while the ones who are PRO gay can say watever they want? Wat happen to freedom of speech? Chris didn’t bash Collins whatsoever
To be fair to Broussard, I don’t think he would have made those remarks without first getting clearance from ESPN management. Chris is usually very careful with his words. He was being interviewed all morning and afternoon on the subject, and was very Politically Correct with his wording up until that point. It was obvious to me though, that he wasn’t expressing his true feelings, because I’d seen him express those thoughts on Twitter before.
Broussard shouldn’t be attacked however. He should be allowed to have his opinion just like everyone else. I blame ESPN for taking advantage of this ratings opportunity, especially if they Okayed Broussard “coming out”. The more controversy the better for ESPN. This was no Jackie Robinson moment today. Not even 1/10 of 1% as significant.
Instead, its likely that as an unintended consequence of Collins “coming out” that some GM or Owner will put him on a Roster next season.
Also, I find it odd that ESPN didn’t make a big deal about the Brittney Griner admission of being a Lesbian, last week. I have theories as to why.
After all that has been said, I have to believe that these incidences will have the exact opposite effect, for those expecting the Supreme Court to rule on the side of Gay Marriage in June.