Atlanta Hawks represent an opportunity for D12 to play in front of his hometown fans and family members. Which is the exact reason why I don't imagine Howard moving back to Peachtree. Howard has been adamant in the "recent" past discussing his none desire to play in the city where he grew up. Maybe its the pressure of performing in front of his hometown fans or simply its because Atlanta provides the most mental distractions. Family members and friends can be bothersome especially when the entire city claims you as a family member or close friend. Minus the emotional distractions and his recent comments, I believe the Hawks provide Howard with an opportunity to be a perennial figure in the playoffs. Hawks would have a great low post tandem teaming Al Horford with D12 both athletes combined for 34.5pts, 22.6 rebs, and 3.5blks. Danny Ferry is a smart GM responsible for surrounding LeBron James with talent in his Cleveland days and one of the few individuals James respected in the Cavaliers front office. Ferry usually makes the best decision possible and can be trusted in Atlanta's rebuilding process. Will D12 buy-in?
If their is one team that NBA fans by storm during the 2013 NBA playoffs Coach Mark Jackson's Golden State Warriors was that team. Warriors are a young hungry and relentless never say die team, full of young talented sharpshooters. The exact formula D12 loves in a team, Coach Jackson commands respect from NBA athletes young and old. Mark is the type of coach you play for because you know he would do the same for you. His a mentor which is exactly what D12 needs from time to time. A Warriors contingent is set to meet with Howard on Tuesday July 2nd the contingent includes NBA Hall of Famer Jerry West. West serves as the Warriors Executive Board Member. Rumors have already started that the Warriors are offering Bogut, Thompson or Barnes in a sign and trade deal for D12. This compromises the integrity of the Warriors offering to trade Klay Thompson. Stephen Curry, Thompson and D12 would provide a close to unstoppable line-up for NBA teams to guard. Trading Thompson would lose some of the appeal D12 would have toward the Bay Area.
Sports media reports are jumping off the charts with rumors that D12 is gone, his already left L.A. for Houston. Unless you live in Howards head which can be a very drama filled and confusing location no one knows who has the upper hand. Nonetheless Howard did meet with the Houston Rockets first thing Monday "after speaking with Lakers GM Mitch Kupchack" morning at 12:01am EST/ 9:01 PST. Rockets launched off with face to face discussions with the coveted center as NBA Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon, Yao Ming (video) and Dikembe Mutombo spoke with Howard in Los Angeles. The Rockets sold their international marketing base to Howard as Yao created a video message in China. It's true with Yao, Mutombo, and Olajuwon the Rockets have been able to thrive on the back of great center pieces. All three athletes were born overseas. The thought of having Hakeem "The Dream" Olajuwon as a mentor and teaching post moves is a dream come true an opportunity to take your game to the net level. Hakeem provided the Rockets with back to back NBA Championships in the league absence of Michael Jordan. Oh yeah almost forgot, James Harden, Chandler Parsons and Jeremy Lin are also good teammates. The possibility of teaming Harden and Howard keeps Kevin McHale up at 3am in the morning designing plays with thought after thought and endless possibilities.
Then there's the Los Angeles Lakers where everything they present can either scare you away running headed to Texas or you can embrace it and fall in love. The pressures of Hollywood along can be a double edge sword do bad and celebrities will talk about you on TMZ do great and the keys to everybody will be placed in your hands you will feel like your walking on liquid water. Movies, T.V. Shows and endorsements can make you the most popular and sought after player in NBA history. Performing under the names in the high Staples Center's rafters could also be a huge emotional kill one can fall under the pressure struggling live up to Wilt Chamberlain, Abdul-Jabbar, and Shaquille O'Neal. D12 woulld be expected to perform at a lager than life level and Howard's record shows that he fades and pouts his way under pressure. Signing with the Lakers would provide the most pressure than any other team but not resigning would show that Howard is a player not born to commit. Lakers franchise has won a NBA Championship or appeared in the NBA Finals every decade since the NBA was born If this game is truly about winning Los Angeles is the place but then again the thought of possibly failing to meet those expectations can be daunting. Los Angeles offers every opportunity D12 could have in the NBA including a 5yr $118 million contract 1yr and $30 million more than any other franchise can offer.
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Clenaure Carter is now the Writer for http://www.football.com covering Georgia Tech Football
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