Phil spills beans on the 'meeting' Lakers had with Kobe and Howard

[Thebesteva]

Not that its anything new, but its funny that Kobe conned this nigga and said he was only staying 1 or 2 seasons.


The Lakers invited Kobe and Steve to the final pitch meeting to help persuade Dwight to come on board. It sounded like a good idea. Steve sent out an amusing tweet before the meeting: “Dwight Howard we’re coming for you. You’re going to love the statue we build for you outside Staples in 20yrs!” And Kobe made a moving speech during the pitch, promising to teach Dwight the secret of winning championships that he’d learned from the best in the game.
If the meeting had ended there, it might have worked. But after the presentation, Dwight asked Kobe what he was planning to do after he recovered from his Achilles injury. Was this going to be his last year? “No,” replied Kobe. “I’m planning to be around for three or four more years.”


At that point, according to others in the room, Dwight’s eyes went blank and he drifted away. In his mind, the game was over.

A few days later he announced that he was signing with the Rockets.

[BlackSwordsMan]

So two superstars were trying to push each other out. Got it

[SupremeGuy]

Lakerfan isn't over Dwight leaving them yet? Shit man, I'd be more pissed that our team sucks because our supposed team leader refuses to play for a contract worth his current value.

[Clipper Nation]

In other words, Kirby ran him offPERIOD

[HI-FI]

i always hoped Kobe would retire soon, but seeing Lakerfans slowly realize what everyone else knew from the beginning, that he is a GOAT sociopath but overrated player, is worth him sticking around for a few more years.

[StrengthAndHonor]

I've always felt it was Kobe's dead serious personality, not the lack of touches that turned Howard away. Dwight knows he'll get the same type of player in Harden but with no championship pedigree, yet he chose to play with him. Why?


IMO, Dwight simply cannot handle players that puts immense pressure on him, and in L.A. Nash, Gasol along with Kobe were too much of a presence for a guy who simply wants to have fun.

[Clipper Nation]

I've always felt it was Kobe's dead serious personality, not the lack of touches that turned Howard away. Dwight knows he'll get the same type of player in Harden but with no championship pedigree, yet he chose to play with him. Why?


IMO, Dwight simply cannot handle players that puts immense pressure on him, and in L.A. Nash, Gasol along with Kobe were too much of a presence for a guy who simply wants to have fun.
Nice spin, but it's pretty obvious that Kirby goes way beyond merely "pressuring" his teammates into being a flat-out cancer....

There's a reason why the Lakers have been getting turned down by every star they've begged for lately, and it's because absolutely no one who can afford to be choosy wants to put up with the shitbag and his delusional fanbase....

[StrengthAndHonor]

Nice spin, but it's pretty obvious that Kirby goes way beyond merely "pressuring" his teammates into being a flat-out cancer....

There's a reason why the Lakers have been getting turned down by every star they've begged for lately, and it's because absolutely no one who can afford to be choosy wants to put up with the shitbag and his delusional fanbase....

I don't have to spin anything in this story. It's abundantly clear and well documented that Dwight doesn't like expectations, and he cares way too much about what other people or the media think of him.


I've been on record saying Kobe's a difficult player to play with, but it doesnt change the fact Howard is a guy who wants all the perks of being a superstar but not the burden of pressure that comes with it. He's ostensibly accepted the challenge as a Magic then quit. With the Lakers? Same thing. And in 2 years, no one should be surprise if history repeats itself for the third time.

[Dex]

Shaq 2.0

Well...without the dominance and what not.