Lakers Rumors: Dwight Howard Expressed Frustration With D’Antoni

Source: Lakers Nation by Ramneet Singh

The Los Angeles Lakers have another busy summer ahead of them and the franchise’s future will hinder on what the team does this off-season.

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Center Dwight Howard will be an unrestricted free agent come July 1, meaning he will have the choice to join any team his heart desires. The Lakers are hoping to sign him to a

Has Phil Jackson Settled the Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan Debate?

Source: Bleacher Report

Former Los Angeles Lakers and Chicago Bulls coach Phil Jackson didn't exactly come out and say that former Bulls' legend Michael Jordan is a better player than Kobe Bryant in excerpts from his book according to ESPN.com

But it's difficult to draw any other conclusion based on Jackson's pointed, and earnest words.

"One of the biggest differences between the two stars from my perspective was

Kobe Plans To Spend Time With Dwight To Convince Him To Stay

Source: Lakers Nation by Phillip Barnett

With the Lakers season officially in the books, the off season speculation and rumors about Lakers center have been heating up in recent days. There have been reports about both the Clippers planning on going after him and Howard showing some interest in the Houston Rockets.

However, it still remains in the best interest of the Lakers, and most notably Kobe Bryant, to keep Dwight with the team moving forward.

Interesting off season looming.. Will spend time with d12 #stay and talk with the Buss family in hopes that Pau stays as well

Kobe Bryant Tweets: Wants Pau, Dwight to Stay

Source: Lake Show Life by Skyler Gilbert

Jim Buss is the owner and the man in charge of the Los Angeles Lakers. Mitch Kupchek, as general manager, is the one whose job it is to make roster moves and develop the team for the future. But Kobe Bryant may be the most influential man on the Lakers. Already we’ve seen Kobe Bryant sub himself into games and run the offense with more say than head coach Mike D’Antoni at many times. Other times, it doesn’t seem that Bryant has the say in big decisions that it seems like he does. Last fall, it was all-but-decided that Phil Jackson would succeed Mike Brown as the Lakers coach–a move publicly supported and requested by

Elgin Baylor believes it’s equally critical for Dwight Howard, Pau Gasol to return to Lakers

Source: Inside the Lakers by Mark Medina

A long 42 days remain until free agency hits, but that’s not going to stop the drumbeat regarding Dwight Howard’s future.

The Lakers spent plenty of time in their exit interviews three weeks ago stressing the need that Howard returns, ranging from the front office, coaching staff and teammates alike. That sentiment has also extended toward prominent Laker greats.

“It’s important to have a nice center of his talent,” Elgin Baylor said Monday in a wide-ranging interview with this newspaper. “Who knows who’s going to be here and not going to be here. But he’s familiar with his teammates. He seemed like he was getting better later in the season and fitting in with this team. He’s the most gifted center in the

Steve Nash Thinks Dwight Howard Will Keep His Options Open

Source: Lakers Nation by Serena Winters

At the conclusion of the Lakers rough season, Dwight Howard gave no inclination as to whether or not he would re-sign with the Lakers organization. He did make it clear that he would need time to make his decision and wanted to get away from basketball in order to clear his head. Howard has not since hinted at what he plans to do, but his teammate Steve Nash thinks Dwight will continue to keep his options open.

In an interview with

Lakers News and Rumors Recap: Highest Paid, Lowest Grade

Source: Lakers Nation by Arielle Moyal

The Lakers had the highest paid roster this past season, spending $99 million on it’s players. Add the $29.6 million in luxury tax, and L.A. dished out a total of $129.5 million dollars for a team that went 45-37.

Bryant made $27.8 million last year, Howard made $19.5 million, and Gasol made $19.0 million, for a grand total of $66.3 million. Those three salaries combined were more than the total payroll for 14 other NBA teams. Bryant will be paid $30.5 million next season, effectively making him the highest paid athlete in the NBA.

So far, if the Lakers were

Top 10 Kobe Bryant Biography Title Ideas From Twitter

Source: Lakers Nation by Elizabeth Benson

On the heels of multiple excerpts released from Phil Jackson’s upcoming book, Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success (available Tuesday), Kobe Bryant announced his desire to write his own book. This is not too surprising considering all the debate and talk that followed the leaked content of Phil Jackson’s take on the Kobe

My First Playoff Experience: Pacers vs Knicks Game 6

Source: Lake Show Life by Caleb Cottrell

May 18, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forwards Paul George (24) and David West (21) high five each other as they defeat the New York Knicks in game six of the second round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats New York 106-99. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

It’s been 17 years in the making, but I finally made it to my first playoff game. No, it was not a Lakers game, sadly. If the Lakers had played in Detroit or Indiana, you could have counted on me being at one game, at the least. Maybe if I lived in California, I would have gone to one of their playoff games,

Kobe on retiring: “Not yet”

Source: Yardbarker

Kobe Bryant took to Twitter this morning to clear up any confusion on whether or not he may consider retiring. His response is about all anyone should need moving forward. Kobe seems determined to not end his career on any terms except his own. Really?? Me. Retire?? Soon, but not yet Vino still has work to do #35 #OG #kbvff — Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) May 20, 2013 After injuring his Achilles heel and missing the Lakers’ first round exit at the hands of the San Antonio Spurs, Kobe has been vocal on Twitter, as well as other outlets. This particular Tweet will be the one that fans hold onto as Bryant heads down the long road to rehabilitation. This Summer should prove to be a trying time for the Los Angeles Lakers, as they weather the free agency storm that will be Dwight Howard, and weigh their options with the always talked about, Pau Gasol. Do they trade Gasol? Do they amnesty Gasol? Do they re-sign Dwight Howard? Is Howard planning to remain in LA? These will be the questions hindering the Lakers al

Phil Jackson Admits Sexual Assault Case Changed His Perception of Kobe

Source: Lakers Nation by Daniel Buerge

Phil Jackson’s latest book, Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success, catalogs Jackson’s time in the NBA – from his playing days with the New York Knicks to his legendary coaching career with the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers.

—–Check out the Lakers Nation store to get your LN gear and show off your Lakers pride!——

One aspect of the book that Jackson spends time discussing is the sexual assault case that

Lakers Vs. Celtics Offseason 2013: Who's Got it Worse? (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

COMMENTARY | The Lakers and Celtics have a storied rivalry that spans decades. For both teams, major questions surrounding their immediate futures exist amid uncertainty and doubt about where they go next after a disappointing season.

The 10-man rotation, starring many rappers name-checking Alonzo Mourning (Ball Don't Lie)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

A look around the league and the Web that covers it. It's also important to note that the rotation order and starting nods aren't always listed in order of importance. That's for you, dear reader, to figure out. C : Young Braised's SoundCloud . This appears to be nearly four months old, but it's new to me, via my associate Eric Freeman and our pal Bethlehem Shoals — a rock-solid 2 1/2 minutes of hip-hop references to former Charlotte Hornets and Miami Heat center Alonzo Mourning. There's NSFW language in there, so listener beware, but for those of listening age, this is simply glorious. Bless you, Young Braised. PF : For the Win . Charting the expansion of Manu Ginobili's bald spot. Soon, it will encompass the Earth. SF : Grantland and HoopSpeak . Smart and kind gentlemen Zach Lowe and Brett Koremenos review Matt Bonner's four-3-pointer performance in the San Antonio Spurs' blowout Game 1 win and try to figure out whether the reserve big man's breakout was the result of dynamite San Antonio execution or porous Memphis Grizzlies defense. The answer, it seems, is "Yes."

Kobe Bryant Says He Isn’t Retiring, Thinking About Writing a Book

Source: Yardbarker

Kobe Bryant said he had a big announcement last night and unstable Lakers fans thought he might be announcing his retirement. Instead he announcement that he is going to fight homelessness, which is a great cause by the way. Kobe says he isn’t retiring yet and he is considering writing a book.  This is in response to Phil Jackson talking about Kobe is his book. Really?? Me. Retire?? Soon, but not yet Vino still has work to do #35 #OG #kbvff — Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) May 20, 2013 Think I’ve decided to finally write my OWN book #RNI #iswatitis — Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) May 20, 2013

Kobe Bryant scoffs at retirement talk

Source: Inside the Lakers by Mark Medina

Word over what Kobe Bryant termed a “surprise announcement” coupled with a hoax Twitter account reporting his retirement sent Lakers fans into a frenzy over the weekend.

Too bad it wasn’t true.

Bryant announced at Sports Spectacular he’d host an event in mid August to help eradicate homelessness. Meanwhile, Bryant scoffed at any notion that he’d hang it up following a storied 17-year career.

Really?? Me. Retire?? Soon, but not yet Vino still has work to do #35 #OG #kbvff

— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant)

Phil Jackson Talks About First Lakers Hiring in New Book

Source: Lakers Nation by Ramneet Singh

Phil Jackson’s much anticipated book, ”Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success,” is set to release tomorrow and will give readers a look back at the Zen Master’s basketball life. Lakers Nation had the chance to get a look at the new book and it is filled with a plethora of memorable quotes and stories.

—-Want to show off your Kobe love? Check out this VINO t-shirt!—-

In one section of the book, Jackson talks about him hearing of his new Los Angeles job while with his sons. After leaving

Kobe Bryant to host event to address homelessness

Source: Inside the Lakers by Mark Medina

In an ongoing effort to fight an issue that he holds dear to his own foundation, Kobe Bryant plans to host a charity event Aug. 15 at Nokia Theatre dubbed “Kobe up Close.”

“I’d like to officially announce that I’m partnering with the Sports Spectacular to help eradicate homelessness,” said Bryant in a pre-recorded video that aired Sunday at the Sports Spectacular 2013 gala at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel. “You can learn about my past, present and future. It’s for an incredible cause.”

Comedian Jimmy Kimmel plans to host the event, one of many initiatives Bryant has taken in recent years to reduce homelessness.

Bryant and his wife, Vanessa, launched their

Magic try to follow Howard trade with lottery luck (The Associated Press)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

NEW YORK (AP) -- No team with the best odds has won the NBA's draft lottery since 2004, when the Orlando Magic took Dwight Howard.

TWC SportsNet to Debut Lakers Top 50 Plays Wednesday Night

Source: Lakers Nation by Corey Hansford

Good news, Laker fans.  For those of us suffering from a severe case of Laker withdrawal, a little relief is on the way.

—–Check out the Lakers Nation store to get your LN gear and show off your Lakers pride!——

Time Warner Cable SportsNet will be premiering a special one hour ‘Access SportsNet: Lakers – Plays of the Year’ this Wednesday, May 22 at 8 pm PT highlighting the top 50 Laker plays from the 2012-2013 season.

Chris McGee, Andy Adler, Dave Miller and John Ireland will count down all of the top plays as chosen

Lakers News: Clippers Won’t Pursue Dwight Howard This Summer

Source: Lakers Nation by Ross Gasmer

While it seemed impossible when it was first reported, it sounds like the Los Angeles Clippers won’t be going after free agent Dwight Howard this summer.

A report came out two weeks ago about the Clippers potentially freeing up enough cap space in order to pursue Howard and pair him with Chris Paul. However, Ramona Shelburne from ESPNLA reports that Howard won’t be moving across the hall:

You can cross

What’s the Lakers Plan B for the off-season?

Source: Lake Show Life by jacobrude

Let’s be honest for a few moments: the Lakers were a failure last year. They had immense expectations, and none of them were as putrid as an 7th seed captured on the last day of the regular season, followed quickly by an uninspired sweep in the first round. Blame injuries, blame chemistry problems, blame the coach, but the Lakers failed.

 

If this was any other season, this would, and maybe should, lead to a cleaning out of the house. The Lakers would rebuild and reload for the future. But this season was certainly an anomaly: injuries led to 171 games missed to injury, with 81 of those coming from the starters. To put that into comparison, the Spurs had a total of 86 games missed, with 50 of those from the starters.

Thinking About Dwight Howard’s Next Contract

Source: Forum Blue And Gold by Darius Soriano

To be completely honest, I can’t find the strength to get worked up over any report regarding what Dwight Howard will or won’t do when it comes to his impending free agency. I just can’t do it. We’re still only in the middle of May and free agency doesn’t begin until July 1st…there’s simply too much time left in the process to get worked up over this stuff.

That said, the very well regarded Ken Berger of CBS Sports is reporting that Dwight Howard will explore his options in free agency and that teams like the Rockets and Mavericks “intrigue” him. These

NBA rumors: Dwight Howard interested in Rockets

Source: Yardbarker

It’s clear that the Los Angeles Lakers hope to re-sign center Dwight Howard this summer, but it’s not a sure bet that the interest is mutual. It doesn’t seem like the situation will be resolved quickly, as league sources told Ken Berger of CBS Sports that Howard plans to give strong consideration to multiple teams.This makes the Lakers’ re-signing of Howard far from a done deal, according to Berger. He adds that the team that is said to intrigue Howard the most is the Houston Rockets. Players in Houston that would figure to appeal to Howard include James Harden, Chandler Parsons, Omer Asik and Jeremy Lin, and coach Kevin McHale is defensive-minded.The Rockets are in a flexible enough position that they could do what’s needed to create room to sign Howard. Beyond Houston, another Texas team – the Dallas Mavericks – is also said to intrigue Howard.While the big man can receive his most lucrative free agent contract from the Lakers, it doesn’t appear a lock that he returns to Los Angeles. Wh

Long Dwight Howard Summer Starts for Lakers, Rockets and Mavs

Source: Lakers Nation by Mark Heisler

Another one of those summers looms in Lakerdom.

Rather than take the extra $30 million and jumping into the Lakers’ arms as a Hall of Fame wing of great centers had, Dwight Howard will check out other teams. It’s all preliminary. With Howard under contract through July 1, everything–visits, welcoming pageants, talks—is in the planning stage.

—- See Dwight Howard through the years in photos! —-

In other words, this is

With the Sacramento’s sale still being drawn up, GM Geoff Petrie stares down the end of his contract (Ball Don't Lie)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

The Sacramento Kings need a new general manager. They also need a new arena, a new vision, and possibly a trip to a greasy diner while dealing with the hangover resulting from the party that came after Vivek Ranadive’s recent purchase of the team . Even before they decide between sausage and bacon, though, the Kings need a new GM. The problem is that they have a GM, Geoff Petrie, already in place. And though Petrie is a former NBA Executive of the Year, creating the Kings’ golden era by fleecing teams in trades while drafting smartly, Petrie’s approach has been curious at best and disastrous at worst in the years since. Sacramento hasn’t made the playoffs since 2006, the team has been through seven coaches since then, and there is precious little to show for years of lottery appearances and cap-conscious planning. The influence of the outgoing owners has quite a bit to do with that postseason-less streak, but Petrie has done his own damage as well.

Around The World (Wide Web): Kobe, Free Agency, Dwight, Laker History

Source: Forum Blue And Gold by Ryan Cole

From Drew Garrison, Silver Screen: Dwight Howard will finally be a free agent July 1. After a few years of breaking up, then making up, with the Orlando Magic front office he was finally sent out of Florida and into Los Angeles, becoming aLaker. Howard joined a star-studded lineup featuring Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, and Steve Nash. They were going to pick and troll the entire league. We all know how the season played out. Injuries stacked, expectations crumbled, and the Lakers were swept out of the first round of the NBA playoffs by the San Antonio Spurs. Nothing has changed since.

Lakers Rumors: Kobe Bryant Announces on Twitter Desire To Write Book

Source: Lakers Nation by Daniel Buerge

On Twitter this morning Kobe tweeted out to the millions (and millions) that he wants to write his own book. Bryant, who is yet to write a biography of his own, would probably be an instant best-selling author the moment his book was released.

—-Want to show off your Kobe love? Check out this VINO t-shirt!—-

Here’s what Kobe’s tweet had to say;

Think I’ve decided to finally write my OWN book #RNI #iswatitis

— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant)

Kobe Asked Phil Jackson For An Autograph When They First Met

Source: Lakers Nation by Phillip Barnett

In his new book, Eleven Rings, Phil Jackson quips about preparing for his first press conference after deciding to take the job as the head coach for the Lakers.

Jackson tells a story about him trying to decide whether or not he wanted to jump back into coaching. He was in a hotel room during his cross country trip and was watching the Lakers getting swept by the Spurs saying it was, “painful to watch.”

—- Check out this

Historic Box Score: Magic Leads Lakers To Championship In Game 6

Source: Lakers Nation by Suki Thind

For our second edition of historic box scores, we’ll take a look back at Magic Johnson’s legendary performance against the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1980 NBA Finals.

—- Magic and Kobe own Los Angeles! And you can own that wallpaper! Check it out! —-

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar–the Lakers’ leading scorer and rebounder at the time–badly injured his ankle during Game 5 of the Finals. Although he returned to the game to score 14 points in the fourth quarter and lead the Lakers to a close victory, he simply couldn’t go in the potential championship clinching Game 6.

That set the stage

Report: Dwight Howard Favors Rockets or Mavericks, Plans to Take His Time Deciding Whether to Stay With Lakers

Source: Yardbarker

Dwight Howard has said he doesn’t want a big, circus-like atmosphere surrounding his free agency decision this summer. But a small circus may do. While the Lakers reportedly want to figure out quickly whether Howard will return, Howard “has privately indicated he plans to give strong consideration to multiple teams,” Ken Berger of CBSSports.com reports league sources as saying. “Howard re-signing with the Lakers is far from a done deal,” Berger says. The Lakers’ ability to bring Howard back is hampered by the amount of money they have available — not for him as much as for his supporting cast. While Howard can get a larger contract by staying in Los Angeles, which can offer him a max deal, the Lakers may not be able to get other key players due to the large contracts the team has already handed out. A couple of other teams, however, already have good pieces in place if they want to add Howard. Berger says Howard is most interested in the Rockets, who have a good core as well as Kevi...

Dwight Howard: No Lakers lock, Texas bound?

Source: Yardbarker

via CBS Sports The Dwightmare continues. While the Los Angeles Lakers appeared to have everything Dwight Howard wanted, a disastrous season that saw the team barely making the playoffs,  and an eventual disgraceful exit, Dwight Howard is now listening to all comers. The speculation game is bright and about, but we all know how unpredictable and fickle he is. Teams will make aggressive pitches, and based on reports, Howard is intrigued with the Texas teams. per CBS Sports   With the Lakers hoping for a swift decision from Dwight Howard on his free agency this summer, the All-Star center has given no indication he will rush the process and has privately indicated he plans to give strong consideration to multiple teams, league sources told CBSSports.com.   Though Howard is adamant his free agency not be marred by the circus-like environment that surrounded his departure from Orlando last summer, word already has spread to multiple levels of his support staff that Howard re-signing w...

Jeanie Buss Talks Back To Phil Jackson On Twitter

Source: Yardbarker

This is what a healthy relationship looks like, and why Jeanie Buss and Phil Jackson will be just fine, even if he's coaching in Timbuktu.  Phil has been getting a ton of flack in the media and by fans for the comments that were leaked in his book Eleven Rings, where he states that Michael Jordan is better than Kobe Bryant. He event felt the need to respond to it all, tweeting: Listen friends of bball; don’t get hung up on words. I was most fortunate to have the chance to coach two of the greatest gds. EVER MJ/Kobe — Phil Jackson (@PhilJackson11) May 17, 2013 If you've kept up with Phil and his books, he's often highly critical of Kobe. Part of this may be because Phil is the Zen Master and knows that Kobe's detractors are partially what drives him to be the Black Mamba, since he's still active and MJ isn't.  However, Jeanie Buss, Phil's fiance and the woman keeping Lakers' fans hopes alive, publicly disagreed with her man, tweeting...

Dwight Howard's free agency is a blessing in disguise

Source: Silver Screen and Roll by Drew Garrison

Dwight Howard will finally be a free agent July 1. After a few years of breaking up, then making up, with the Orlando Magic front office he was finally sent out of Florida and into Los Angeles, becoming a Laker. Howard joined a star-studded lineup featuring Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, and Steve Nash.

They were going to pick and troll the entire league.

We all know how the season played out.

Lakers Nation Reacts: Who Will Represent The Western Conference?

Source: Lakers Nation by Ross Gasmer

With the Western Conference Finals underway, we asked Lakers Nation who would represent the west in the Finals, the Memphis Grizzlies or San Antonio Spurs.

Memphis got to the WCF after beating the Clippers and Thunder, while the Spurs defeated the Lakers and Warriors, and they’re both just four wins away from reaching the NBA Finals.

We asked which team will win the series, and it seems like everyone is picking one team:

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

In our poll, 86 percent believe the Grizzlies will advance to the NBA Finals after they took out top seeded Oklahoma City in the

The Credits: "[30] Million Dollar Baby" - Lakers Links

Source: Silver Screen and Roll by SoCalGal

Lakers News

Were the (somewhat healthy) Lakers Elite? " Lakers Blog
Phil Jackson compares Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant in book - ESPN Los Angeles
Kobe Bryant announces August event to help eradicate homelessness - latimes.com

Kobe Bryant gives his big announcement, denies retirement

Source: Lake Show Life by Daniel Nicks

Feb 25, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) reacts during the second half against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 119-108. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Kobe Bryant continues his mastery of social media, trolling Lakers fans everywhere as he posted Saturday evening that he would have a “surprise announcement” on facebook.

You won’t want to miss Sports Spectacular Livestream Sunday #mambavideo #surpsise #announcement

Naturally,

At The Bar - Week of 5/20/13

Source: Silver Screen and Roll by SoCalGal

SB Nation communities are supposed to be like internet sports bars, but even within a "sports bar", you still have options. If you want privacy, one-to-one conversation, and the opportunity to engage in specific debate about a single topic, you grab a booth. If you want to shoot the shit with friends and strangers alike, you take a seat at the bar. "At The Bar" is your one-stop shop for all the daily randomness that makes SSR such a joy. If you want

Dwight Howard rumor: Interested in Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks, according to report

Source: Silver Screen and Roll by Drew Garrison

Will Dwight Howard make his way from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Houston Rockets or Dallas Mavericks? Free agency does not begin until July 1, but a report has surfaced that Howard does have interest in taking his talents to Texas. Ken Berger of CBS Sports reports that Howard is "intrigued" with the Rockets and

Metta World Peace gives the weather on local newscast

Source: Inside the Lakers by Mark Medina

If not for injuries, a swift coaching change and overlapping the agendas, the Lakers could be competing in the Western Conference Finals right now.

Instead, the Lakers are three weeks removed from an early first-round exit to the San Antonio Spurs, leaving them plenty of time on their hands. For Metta World Peace, that gave him an opportunity to play meteorologist recently on a Fox 11 telecast. The segment showed World Peace bouncing around, making goofy poses as he read off the temperatures of various cities that represents his teammates hometown.

This shouldn’t catch anybody by surprise. World Peace appeared in a weather segment on a

NBA replay: Calm down, Kobe Bryant's not retiring

Source: Daily News by By Bobby Bonett, Digital First Media

Kobe Bryant's surprise announcement Sunday had nothing to do with retiring from basketball.

Kobe Bryant Talks Retirement on Twitter, but the Black Mamba Is Not Ready Yet

Source: Bleacher Report

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant is going to retire soon, but not yet.

Still recovering from a ruptured Achilles, the Black Mamba's future has never been more in doubt. Not only are we unsure if he'll be able to return to form, but we're unsure of just how long he'll be able to play.

This latest injury humanized Bryant in ways he never has been before. Is it possible that it has provided him with some perspective, the kind that would give him an exact idea of when he's going to hang 'em up?

Apparently not, and he took to Twitter to

Kobe Bryant denies retirement rumors

Source: Yardbarker

Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant said he was planning a major announcement on his Facebook page this weekend, but it was not about retirement as many thought it might be. Bryant wrote Saturday on his Facebook page that, “You won’t want to miss the 

Report: Dwight Howard interested in joining Rockets

Source: Yardbarker

Daryl Morey's master plan may be coming together after all. According to a CBS report, free agent center Dwight Howard is no lock to re-sign with the Los Angeles Lakers and is most intrigued by playing in Houston, where All-Star guard James Harden led the league's youngest team to the playoffs, where it was eliminated in six games by the Oklahoma City Thunder. "With six weeks to go before Howard becomes an unrestricted free agent, the team that is said to intrigue him the most is theHouston Rockets, according to multiple people briefed on internal conversations surrounding Howard's free-agent decision," CBS reported. "The Rockets have a young star,James Harden, who has proved himself worthy of playing the leading role for the franchise; a budding 3-point shooting threat inChandler Parsons; a defensive-minded coach in Kevin McHale; andOmer Asik, the kind of 7-footer Howard is believed to want next to him in the frontcourt." If this is true, it gets the Rockets' roster a

Kobe Tweets Response to Retirement Questions After Announcement

Source: Lakers Nation by Daniel Buerge

There was a lot of hype heading into the Sports Spectacular event on Sunday night. While it wasn’t expected to be much of a splash, rumors started circulating (none of which had much credence) that Bryant was announcing his retirement.

—-Want to show off your Kobe love? Check out this VINO t-shirt!—-

While nobody realistically thought Bryant was going to announce his retirement via closed circuit television at a charitable event, Kobe still addressed the retirement rumors on Twitter after the

Kobe Announces Sports Spectacular Partnership To Fight Homelessness

Source: Lakers Nation by Daniel Buerge

During the Sports Spectacular event on Sunday night, Kobe announced (via remote video) that he was teaming up with Sports Spectacular to help eradicate homelessness. Kobe, who’s been fighting homelessness in Los Angeles along with his wife and the Kobe & Vanessa Bryant Foundation, wasn’t able to be at the event (something about a torn Achilles), but was still excited to share the news.

“I’d like to officially announce that we’re

Phil Jackson Once Dreamt About Spanking Kobe Bryant

Source: Bleacher Report

The new book by Phil Jackson, Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success, answers a ton of questions about the past 30 years of professional basketball and gives us a bit of insight into Phil Jackson's coaching career, including the fact that he once dreamt about spanking Kobe Bryant.

It's not in a masochistic way or anything creepy; it's just Jackson reminiscing about the early days of coaching Shaquille O'Neal and Bryant before the Los Angeles Lakers picked up the first of three championships

Will Dwight Howard Spurn Logic, Lakers for Houston or Dallas?

Source: Bleacher Report

The money, power and attention Dwight Howard so desperately wants are all there for the taking if he re-signs with the Los Angeles Lakers. So why isn't he shouting from the rooftops that L.A., and not Houston or Dallas, is where he longs to be?

According to Ken Berger of CBSSports.com, Howard is in no rush to commit to a Lakers return, and in fact, he's apparently giving some serious thought to a few other teams, particularly the

Report: Dwight Howard Has Interest In Houston Rockets

Source: Yardbarker

Although, many expected Free Agent Dwight Howard to return to the Los Angeles Lakers at the start of the 2012-2013 season, the same can not be said after a season filled with struggles, injuries and a sweep in the first round. A report by Ken Berger suggests Dwight Howard has interest in the Houston Rockets. [...]The post Report: Dwight Howard Has Interest In Houston Rockets appeared first on The NBA Mistress.

Under-the-Radar 2013 NBA Free Agent Bargains LA Lakers Must Consider

Source: Bleacher Report

The Los Angeles Lakers have virtually no cap room heading into the summer of 2013. Although they possess a number of expiring contracts, the only one significant enough to create cap flexibility is Dwight Howard's.

However, there are financial considerations that make returning to the City of Angels (via ESPN.com) for the long term in Howard's best interests.

Should Howard re-sign, the Lakers will find themselves with decisions to make

Report: Lakers' Howard considering other teams (The SportsXchange)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard, who soon will become a free agent, plans to consider several teams and does not seem likely to rush the process, CBSSports.com reported Sunday.