Bill Plashke gets it

[Thebesteva]

Plashke is a notorious Laker hater working for the times, but he says it quite well imo.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketball/nba/lakers/la-sp-plaschke-howard-20130706,0,3744757.column



By Bill PlaschkeJuly 5, 2013, 9:24 p.m.


The Lakers (http://www.latimes.com/topic/sports/basketball/los-angeles-lakers-ORSPT000104.topic) didn't lose a center, they dodged a bullet.
Take a hike, Dwight, and don't let your cape hit you on the way out.
Dwight Howard (http://www.latimes.com/topic/sports/basketball/dwight-howard-PESPT008416.topic) has been formally chased out the door of basketball's greatest franchise by its legacy, its pressure, and, apparently, a rousing recruiting challenge from Kobe Bryant (http://www.latimes.com/topic/sports/basketball/kobe-bryant-PESPT000948.topic).

PHOTO GALLERY: Dwight Howard and the Lakers (http://framework.latimes.com/2013/07/05/dwight-howard-and-the-los-angeles-lakers/)
Does a city of starry expectations want its favorite basketball team built around somebody who doesn't have the shoulders for it?

It's a good day for the Houston Rockets (http://www.latimes.com/topic/sports/basketball/houston-rockets-ORSPT000101.topic), but a great day for the Lakers, who will watch Howard walk to the Rockets for less money, lower expectations, and probably four more years of mediocrity.
All together now: Whew!

Gone is perhaps the biggest one-year disappointment in Lakers history, an All-Star center who arrived here last summer bearing a championship promise he quickly broke with a lack of consistent intensity, a shortage of competitive focus and an absence of any sort of measurable refusal to lose.
His first play as a Laker perfectly summed up the dream that was D12. It was a thunderous dunk. His last play as a Laker perfectly summed up the reality that was Dwight Howard. He was ejected from the final loss in a four-game sweep by the San Antonio Spurs (http://www.latimes.com/topic/sports/basketball/san-antonio-spurs-ORSPT000116.topic), abandoning his short-handed teammates and disappearing through the tunnel as an injured Kobe Bryant was hobbling out.

He spent much of the season recovering from back surgery, but even when he was close to 100%, his intensity was still 50-50. He played through pain, except when he didn't. He wanted the Lakers to be his team, except when it was his team. When Bryant suffered an Achilles' tendon tear, Howard also disappeared.
For two years, this column space pushed and prodded and finally begged the Lakers to acquire Howard, then celebrated when it did. The line for suckers starts here.

"The Lakers figured it out, they always do," I wrote after Howard's acquisition last August.
It turns out, I could write the same thing again with Howard's departure. Eleven months after the Lakers figured out how to trade for him, here's guessing they also figured out that he wasn't really worth risking a five-year title abyss to keep him.
Yes, they offered him the maximum contract of $118 million over five seasons, nearly $30 million more guaranteed than the Rockets' four-year offer. Yes, they put up these silly signs all over town and General Manager Mitch Kupchak (http://www.latimes.com/topic/sports/basketball/mitch-kupchak-PESPT000009433.topic) said all these silly things about Howard being the franchise's future.

But in the end, it all seemed like an expensive game of chicken. For the sake of appearances, the Lakers had to make a very public pursuit of a player they really didn't want to catch.
There will be talk nationwide that the Lakers' failure to keep a star in the prime of his career for the first time in franchise history is indicative of the organization's dysfunction and eventual downfall in the wake of the death of Jerry Buss (http://www.latimes.com/topic/sports/jerry-buss-PECLB005334.topic). And, certainly, there are huge front-office problems that sponsors and season-ticket holders will need addressed, such as, who is actually running this thing, anyway?

But don't kid yourself. If the Lakers really wanted to keep Dwight Howard, they would have kept him.
If they really wanted Howard, they would have fired Coach Mike D'Antoni (http://www.latimes.com/topic/sports/basketball/mike-dantoni-PESPT0000018596.topic) instead of allowing him to sit in the room for their final pitch. That's right, the biggest barrier to Howard's re-signing with the Lakers was actually brought in to sell him on the Lakers.
If they really wanted Howard, Phil Jackson (http://www.latimes.com/topic/sports/basketball/phil-jackson-PEHST001003.topic) would have been the coach in that room, instead of escaping to Montana while communicating to Howard through Twitter.


If they really wanted Howard, they wouldn't have attempted to dissuade Kobe Bryant from telling him the truth. While the Rockets were undoubtedly convincing Howard of his greatness, Bryant was making a final pitch in which he challenged Howard to follow his lead and strive for that greatness. If Howard was truly fit to be a Laker, he would have grabbed at the shine of those five rings instead of cowering from it.

[DMX7]

I remember when he used to tell everyone that Reggie Bush was going to be the Michael Jordan of football.

[GuerillaBlack]

Wow what a shitty article.

[ElNono]

tl;dr

[Katherine Robinson]

5 years of Dwight would simply extend the current problems of the Lakers. His only use in terms of improving the situation would be as a trading piece. Once rid of Kobe's contract, the healing may begin. Until then, I will take Dale's beatings in stride.

[Thebesteva]

Wow what a shitty article.

LOL all these Rocket fans with a 12 o clock boner. I understand the excitement, I was laughing at Magic fans too when they warned us.

[AaronY]

Lakers are So, so irrelevant

[UZER]

Lakers are like a playa who gets rejected by a fine bitch then says shit like "man, that bitch had fat toes anyway."

[Mel_13]

Summary:

Sour grapes. The Lakers really didn't want to keep Howard. The public begging was to convince the fan base that they tried.

[marinoman]

Tim cowlIshaw is better






actually i dont know, dont care for either

[djohn2oo8]

LOL all these Rocket fans with a 12 o clock boner. I understand the excitement, I was laughing at Magic fans too when they warned us.
http://i43.tinypic.com/2ntdbnc.gif

[spurraider21]

Sounds like a salty laker fan. LA times per par

[Spur-Addict]

And this is how really attractive women react when they are rejected in some form or another.

[djohn2oo8]

And this is how really attractive women react when they are rejected in some form or another.
Yeah, but the Lakers put on 50 pounts at least since Jimmy took over.

[marinoman]

i remember he wrote an article after Suns-Lakers in 2007 i believe Game 1 round 1 where he just kept saying "SHOOT THE BALL KOBE!"

[Spur-Addict]

Yeah, but the Lakers put on 50 pounts at least since Jimmy took over.

LOL This is true. She didn't shed that baby fat. Better cut some El Bees before 2014.

[Samuel Eto'o]

Plashke is a notorious Laker hater working for the times

:lol no hes not. Hes a huge laker homer and that article is just another example of his shitty journalism.

[djohn2oo8]

:lol no hes not. Hes a huge laker homer and that article is just another example of his shitty journalism.
LOL at anybody calling Plashke a Laker hater. Biggest fuckin homer on ESPN.

[Clipper Nation]

Has Simers weighed in yet? That oughtta be good :lol

[LkrFan]

Wow what a shitty article.
Be careful of what you wish for, Rocket Fan. When we got Howard, I thought the NBA would be grabbing their ankles and biting their bottom lips too. :lol

[LkrFan]

http://i43.tinypic.com/2ntdbnc.gif
:lol

[Bill_Brasky]

:lmao Plaschke always has the worst takes, he is a clear Lakers homer.

Dwight made the right decision and he's butthurt as fuck.

[DUNCANownsKOBE]

:lmao calling plashke a laker hater. He's a huge LA homer who slobs Kobe's knob.

[DUNCANownsKOBE]

Looks like every already beat me to calling out the OPs stupidity :lol

:lmao "notorious laker hater"

[SanDiegoSpursFan]

Howard is a bitch, but of course the Lakers wanted him. They had billboards and a banner on the Staples Center. And Dwight already said that Kobe didn't challenge him like that.

[Thebesteva]

I expect a bunch of non Laker fans to call Plashke a homer. Plashke has shitted on Kobe more than TJ Simers, he has never been a pro Laker guy nor has JA Adande.

[Sportcamper]

Lakers are like a playa who gets rejected by a fine btch then says sht like "man, that btch had fat toes anyway."

:lol Classic..

[#2!]

I expect a bunch of non Laker fans to call Plashke a homer. Plashke has shitted on Kobe more than TJ Simers, he has never been a pro Laker guy nor has JA Adande.

Now you're just trolling. Those two guys make ESPN unwatchable at times with their LA homerism.

[weebo]

http://i3.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/316/781/33e.jpg

[My Fault]

Laker fan logic "he couldn't handle it!" :lmao

In reality, Dwight simply didn't want to play with a old broken down Kobe when he can play with a 23 yr old Harden, who will easily be the better player next year and for many years beyond. Not to mention the fact the Lakers, under Jim Buss, have turned into a shit franchise and he just so happens to hate the Lakers head coach.

[Bill_Brasky]

I expect a bunch of non Laker fans to call Plashke a homer. Plashke has shitted on Kobe more than TJ Simers, he has never been a pro Laker guy nor has JA Adande.
:lmao yeah fucking right. Just because he has hilarious kneejerk GNSFesque opinions when things go south doesn't make him not a huge fucking homer.

[Mori Chu]

Maybe Dwight just preferred to play for a good team with good teammates and a good coach.

[HarlemHeat37]

:lol OP is cute when he attempts basketball takes, tbh..

[Bulaien999]

"For the sake of appearances, the Lakers had to make a very public pursuit of a player they really didn't want to catch.?"


Stupidest take on what happened

I'm sure " the begging" Was just for appearances :lol

[InRareForm]

Decent article

[callo1]

http://i44.tinypic.com/ycqv5.jpg

[Thebesteva]

:lol OP is cute when he attempts basketball takes, tbh..

It's Sat night nigga..why the fuck were u home? Damn man dont any clubs in your area take in Pakistanis?

[DUNCANownsKOBE]

I expect a bunch of non Laker fans to call Plashke a homer. Plashke has shitted on Kobe more than TJ Simers, he has never been a pro Laker guy nor has JA Adande.

:lmao:lmao:lmao:lmao

[HarlemHeat37]

:lol so in the eyes of Laker fan, criticizing Kobe for anything = a hater, tbh..can't say I'm surprised..

[Michael Jordan.]

:lol so in the eyes of Laker fan, criticizing Kobe for anything = a hater, tbh..can't say I'm surprised..

Truth. Kobe himself can't even take public criticism. He has to go into the coaches office :lol

[DUNCANownsKOBE]

:lol so in the eyes of Laker fan, criticizing Kobe for anything = a hater, tbh..can't say I'm surprised..

:lol basically. Since Adande and Plashke have to maintain at least SOME amount of impartial objectivity as supposedly credible journalists and can't blatantly wash Kobe's balls the way other Laker homers do, that makes them Laker haters :lol

[HarlemHeat37]

Truth. Kobe himself can't even take public criticism. He has to go into the coaches office :lol

:lol did Kobe unfollow Plaschke on Twitter, tbh?..

[Raven]

And this is how really attractive women react when they are rejected in some form or another.

word.

[Koolaid_Man]

:lol basically. Since Adande and Plashke have to maintain at least SOME amount of impartial objectivity as supposedly credible journalists and can't blatantly wash Kobe's balls the way other Laker homers do, that makes them Laker haters :lol

we understand why Bell Boy hates Kobe with so much passion now what's your story...a sex scandal involving one of your family members?

[DUNCANownsKOBE]

Who's bell boy?

[Killakobe81]

Dont see the big issue with the article. Plashke has both praised and trashed Kobe, which he has deserved both at times in his career. Simers sucks. Not fo his Kobe hate but because he is the LA Times or Daily News (I forget) version of Skip Bayless ... Kobe is his Lebron punching bag and Magic is his MJ. He also rips the Dodgers etc. Jim Murray wa sthe last great LA sportswriter tbh. Adande and the rest are just adequate.

[Koolaid_Man]

Who's bell boy?

see Memo To Board Thread I just bumped

[Clipper Nation]

Who's bell boy?

It's the latest lame nickname Lakerfan has come up with for me since they can't handle the truthbombs about Kirby :lol

[baseline bum]

This is stupid, hearing people say Howard left because he couldn't handle the pressure of LA. He left because he didn't want to play for a retarded coach in D'Antoni, a past his prime chucker in Kobe who still thinks he's a top 5 player and that the world revolves around him, and a shitty owner who is wrecking daddy's team. LOL Plashcke calling the Lakers the league's greatest franchise. They were that from the time Jerry bought them until he died, but have been pretty far from that in their Los Angeles time before and after Jerry. No reason Howard should go down with that sinking ship that was such a bad situation he left $30 million on the table. This is the same dumbass who wanted that $30 million so bad he didn't opt out in 2012 when he could have gone straight to Brooklyn. :lol

[UZER]

This is stupid, hearing people say Howard left because he couldn't handle the pressure of LA. He left because he didn't want to play for a retarded coach in D'Antoni, a past his prime chucker in Kobe who still thinks he's a top 5 player and that the world revolves around him, and a shitty owner who is wrecking daddy's team. LOL Plashcke calling the Lakers the league's greatest franchise. They were that from the time Jerry bought them until he died, but have been pretty far from that in their Los Angeles time before and after Jerry. No reason Howard should go down with that sinking ship that was such a bad situation he left $30 million on the table. This is the same dumbass who wanted that $30 million so bad he didn't opt out in 2012 when he could have gone straight to Brooklyn. :lol

But thats the only way they can explain it away because *gasp* nobody would EVER leave the Lakers unless they cant handle the pressure.

Attitude reflects leadership, cap'in. Kobe is Lakerfans captain, and they are all his minions.

[DUNCANownsKOBE]

The $30 million figure is misleading when you look at California income tax vs. no state income tax in Texas. IIRC it's closer to a $9-$10 million difference so with the additional extra year Dwight really isn't losing that much money going to Houston.

[baseline bum]

The $30 million figure is misleading when you look at California income tax vs. no state income tax in Texas. IIRC it's closer to a $9-$10 million difference so with the additional extra year Dwight really isn't losing that much money going to Houston.

Is it really that small when you factor in that only half his contract would be earned in LA though, since players pay taxes on where the individual games are played?

[UZER]

The $30 million figure is misleading when you look at California income tax vs. no state income tax in Texas. IIRC it's closer to a $9-$10 million difference so with the additional extra year Dwight really isn't losing that much money going to Houston.

Nice try. But he throw 30 mil away so he could run from the bright lights. - Kobe fan

[The Batman]

Is it really that small when you factor in that only half his contract would be earned in LA though, since players pay taxes on where the individual games are played?
15 million in Taxes over 5 years in L.A. vs. 600,000 in 4 years in Texas.

[DUNCANownsKOBE]

15 million in Taxes over 5 years in L.A. vs. 600,000 in 4 years in Texas.
That sounds more accurate than the other figure I heard. He didn't really give up that much money all things considered.

[DUNCANownsKOBE]

Is it really that small when you factor in that only half his contract would be earned in LA though, since players pay taxes on where the individual games are played?
Are you sure that's true? It doesn't sound right at all.

[baseline bum]

Are you sure that's true? It doesn't sound right at all.

Nah, I'm not sure. Don't remember where I saw that taxes are collected where each game is played.

[The Batman]

Nah, I'm not sure. Don't remember where I saw that taxes are collected where each game is played.
As you may have learned from Phil Mickelson (http://www.forbes.com/sites/anthonynitti/2013/01/21/golfer-phil-mickelson-may-call-it-quits-due-to-climbing-tax-rates/), California currently offers the most oppressive state tax regime in the country, with a maximum rate of 13.3%. Texas, to the contrary, has no state income tax, meaning the $30 million difference in potential earnings suddenly becomes a bit smaller.

If Howard re-signs with the Lakers and relocates to California, as a resident of the state he will be subject to a 13.3% on all of his income. Any income allocated outside the state and taxed in another jurisdiction– for example, when the Lakers play the Phoenix Suns – will generate a credit Howard can use against his California income tax. But because California’s rate will always be higher than the other state, Howard will still pay an effective rate of 13.3% on his income.

To illustrate, if Howard had $10,000 of income allocated to a state with a 5% tax rate, California – as Howard’s state of domicile — will tax the income at 13.3%, or $1,330. The other state will tax the income at 5%, or $500. Finally, on his California return, Howard will get a $500 credit for the tax he paid to the other state, reducing his California tax to $830, but his total tax will still remain $1,330 ($500 to other state + $830 to California).

Thus, if Howard earns $118 million over the five-year life of a new deal with the Lakers, he will pay approximately $15,700,000 in state income tax over that span. And while those taxes are deductible on Howard’s federal return, the revival of the PEASE limitation (http://www.forbes.com/sites/anthonynitti/2013/01/29/if-the-new-limitation-on-itemized-deductions-has-left-you-planning-to-reduce-your-charitable-contributions-youre-making-a-mistake/)on a wealthy taxpayer’s overall itemized deductions renders the tax benefit negligible for someone at Howard’s annual income level.

But what happens if Howard takes his talents to Texas? As a resident of a state with no income tax, Howard’s earnings would only be taxed to the extent he has duty days allocated outside of Texas. Sweetening the deal further, as a member of the Southwest Division, the Rockets play two road games apiece against the San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Mavericks. And if you’re one of the 6% of public school graduates who understand basic geography, you’ll recognize that those teams are also located in Texas, and so that income also escapes tax. In addition, the Rockets will play one road game each year against the Miami Heat and Orlando Magic, who are located in Florida, which also does not have an income tax. And lastly, they will play two road games each year against the Memphis Grizzlies, where a $2,500 per game “privilege tax” on athletes maxes out at $7,500 annually. Thus, in total, the salary earned from 49 of Howard’s 82 game days would largely go untaxed at the state level


For the sake of argument, let’s assume that the NBA season comprises 270 duty days, from the beginning of training camp until the playoffs mercifully conclude in late June. Let’s further assume that the average state income tax rate in those states the Rockets compete in outside of Texas is 5%.

We’ve already determined that Howard will play 49 games in states with no income tax, meaning he will play 33 games in states with a tax. If we assume another 33 of travel days allocated to taxable states –purely a shot-in-the-dark estimate — and 5 playoff games located in taxable jurisdictions, we get a total allocation of duty days of 71/270, meaning 26.2% of Howard’s total earnings of $87.6 million over the life of his contract – or $23.0 million — will be subject to state income tax. At an average rate of 5%, Howard will pay approximately $1,400,000 of state income tax over the four year period.
This means that by signing with the Houston Rockets, Howard could save approximately $14.3 million ($15,700,000 less $1,400,000) in state income taxes on his next contract. While that doesn’t make up the full $30,000,000 gross difference, it certainly eases the pain, and may be enough to convince Howard to flee for what he perceives to be a better basketball situation.
The Lakers, by virtue of being able to give annual raises in excess of what Houston can offer, would still offer a larger gross payday: $91 million versus $87.6 million for Houston. But with the difference now reduced to $3 million, the state tax impact becomes magnified. Howard would pay nearly $12 million in California tax over the four years if he signs with the Lakers, but only $1,400,000 in state tax should he sign with Houston. This means that a four-year deal with Houston would actually yield an additional $7 million in after-tax income.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/anthonynitti/2013/05/23/could-state-taxes-cause-dwight-howard-to-flee-l-a-for-houston/2/

[Bill_Brasky]

As you may have learned from Phil Mickelson (http://www.forbes.com/sites/anthonynitti/2013/01/21/golfer-phil-mickelson-may-call-it-quits-due-to-climbing-tax-rates/), California currently offers the most oppressive state tax regime in the country, with a maximum rate of 13.3%. Texas, to the contrary, has no state income tax, meaning the $30 million difference in potential earnings suddenly becomes a bit smaller.

If Howard re-signs with the Lakers and relocates to California, as a resident of the state he will be subject to a 13.3% on all of his income. Any income allocated outside the state and taxed in another jurisdiction– for example, when the Lakers play the Phoenix Suns – will generate a credit Howard can use against his California income tax. But because California’s rate will always be higher than the other state, Howard will still pay an effective rate of 13.3% on his income.

To illustrate, if Howard had $10,000 of income allocated to a state with a 5% tax rate, California – as Howard’s state of domicile — will tax the income at 13.3%, or $1,330. The other state will tax the income at 5%, or $500. Finally, on his California return, Howard will get a $500 credit for the tax he paid to the other state, reducing his California tax to $830, but his total tax will still remain $1,330 ($500 to other state + $830 to California).

Thus, if Howard earns $118 million over the five-year life of a new deal with the Lakers, he will pay approximately $15,700,000 in state income tax over that span. And while those taxes are deductible on Howard’s federal return, the revival of the PEASE limitation (http://www.forbes.com/sites/anthonynitti/2013/01/29/if-the-new-limitation-on-itemized-deductions-has-left-you-planning-to-reduce-your-charitable-contributions-youre-making-a-mistake/)on a wealthy taxpayer’s overall itemized deductions renders the tax benefit negligible for someone at Howard’s annual income level.

But what happens if Howard takes his talents to Texas? As a resident of a state with no income tax, Howard’s earnings would only be taxed to the extent he has duty days allocated outside of Texas. Sweetening the deal further, as a member of the Southwest Division, the Rockets play two road games apiece against the San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Mavericks. And if you’re one of the 6% of public school graduates who understand basic geography, you’ll recognize that those teams are also located in Texas, and so that income also escapes tax. In addition, the Rockets will play one road game each year against the Miami Heat and Orlando Magic, who are located in Florida, which also does not have an income tax. And lastly, they will play two road games each year against the Memphis Grizzlies, where a $2,500 per game “privilege tax” on athletes maxes out at $7,500 annually. Thus, in total, the salary earned from 49 of Howard’s 82 game days would largely go untaxed at the state level


For the sake of argument, let’s assume that the NBA season comprises 270 duty days, from the beginning of training camp until the playoffs mercifully conclude in late June. Let’s further assume that the average state income tax rate in those states the Rockets compete in outside of Texas is 5%.

We’ve already determined that Howard will play 49 games in states with no income tax, meaning he will play 33 games in states with a tax. If we assume another 33 of travel days allocated to taxable states –purely a shot-in-the-dark estimate — and 5 playoff games located in taxable jurisdictions, we get a total allocation of duty days of 71/270, meaning 26.2% of Howard’s total earnings of $87.6 million over the life of his contract – or $23.0 million — will be subject to state income tax. At an average rate of 5%, Howard will pay approximately $1,400,000 of state income tax over the four year period.
This means that by signing with the Houston Rockets, Howard could save approximately $14.3 million ($15,700,000 less $1,400,000) in state income taxes on his next contract. While that doesn’t make up the full $30,000,000 gross difference, it certainly eases the pain, and may be enough to convince Howard to flee for what he perceives to be a better basketball situation.
The Lakers, by virtue of being able to give annual raises in excess of what Houston can offer, would still offer a larger gross payday: $91 million versus $87.6 million for Houston. But with the difference now reduced to $3 million, the state tax impact becomes magnified. Howard would pay nearly $12 million in California tax over the four years if he signs with the Lakers, but only $1,400,000 in state tax should he sign with Houston. This means that a four-year deal with Houston would actually yield an additional $7 million in after-tax income.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/anthonynitti/2013/05/23/could-state-taxes-cause-dwight-howard-to-flee-l-a-for-houston/2/



:cry poor Phil

[DUNCANownsKOBE]

:cry poor Phil
:crySo happy for him that he lost the US open and gets to avoid taxes:cry

[Calispursfan11]

Plashke is a notorious Laker hater working for the times, but he says it quite well imo.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketball/nba/lakers/la-sp-plaschke-howard-20130706,0,3744757.column
Good article tbh

[Bill_Brasky]

:crySo happy for him that he lost the US open and gets to avoid taxes:cry

Ugh. Makes me sick. If he still lived in Cali, he would have had to travel to Philadelphia, back to SoCal, then back to Philly before the US Open on a Gulf Stream 3 instead of a Gulf Stream 4. Could you imagine????