Dwight Howard to the Lakers

[the dude]

What a piece of shit. I was hoping Nash would get his first title with LA, but now, completely conflicted.

Anyway, looks like all NBA futures are off the board now.

Lakers now 5-1, 6-1 to win the title? Would you put them ahead of OKC in the West now?

Did the 76ers get better obtaining Bynum for Iguodala?

Lots of questions...who has some answers?

[VincentValour]

I'm looking at value on Miami, maybe even OKC.

Some good tweets and writing from David Locke Utah Jazz announcer and stat guy. @Lockedonsports

"According to 82games the Lakers defensive rating with Bynum on floor in the clutch was 79.6 per 100 possesions - Howard can't improve that"

"Lakers defense last year with Andrew Bynum on the floor allowed 103.8 pts per 100 - when he was on bench 106.6"

"This is a very quick and crude numbers analysis of what Dwight Howard does to the Lakers. Howard is the best defensive big in the NBA. Last year, the Lakers were 13th in the NBA in defense. From 06-07 to 10-11 the Orlando Magic were never worse than 6th worst defensive team in the NBA.

It is fair to assume the Lakers with Howard will move to top 5 in the NBA in defense. That is approximately a 2.5 pts per game improvement and that equals to a 6.75 win increase over the season.

On the offensive end, Bynum used 18 possessions a night and averaged one of the leagues best 1.02 pts per possession (league average is .91). Howard used 21 possessions a night in Orlando last season and 22 the previous season. Howard averaged a 1.03 pts per per possession. The difference is almost nothing. Over 20 possession in a game the .01 difference is worth only .2 pts per game and .54 wins per season.

Therefore, the quick analysis has the Lakers a good deal better than they were a year before exclusively on the defensive end. Last year, the Lakers point differential was only 1.4. If they are 2.7 pts per game better and improve to a 4.1 point differential then they still trail last year’s Thunder (7.2), and Spurs (7.2), but places them clear above the rest of the west.

In addition, the Lakers added Steve Nash. However, from an early breakdown on Nash it was surprising how little the Lakers offense improved despite Nash’s addition.

Conclusion, the Lakers are better but they have not closed what was an enormous gap to the Spurs and Thunder"

[illadelphia]

(08-09-2012 11:16 PM)the dude Wrote:  Did the 76ers get better obtaining Bynum for Iguodala?

Lots of questions...who has some answers?

76ers get Bynum and Jason Richardson.

In order to acquire Bynum and Richardson, the Sixers dealt Andre Iguodala to Denver; Nik Vucevic to Orlando; and this year's 1st rd pick, Maurice Harkless, was also dealt to Orlando.

The Lakers acquired Dwight Howard, and the Magic also acquired Arron Afflalo, Al Harrington and one protected future first-round pick from each of the other three teams.

[VincentValour]

more @lockedonsports analysis

"My first take (all emotion) was Lakers and Nuggets much much better - after #'s analysis no longer think that to be as true"

[Wiseguy]

I agree with you VV. I do think this trade bumps them in the defensive end, but I feel like Bynum has a more diverse offensive game and is certainly a better free throw shooter.

[JayPrimetown]

Still believe Ok City is the best team in the west. Just think their team speed will be superior against LA.

[SkyBlues42]

(08-10-2012 06:45 AM)JayPrimetown Wrote:  Still believe Ok City is the best team in the west. Just think their team speed will be superior against LA.

Agreed. Still think OK City is the team to beat. To be honest, though, I'm just happy the Dwight Howard saga is over.

[mount187]

If you're LA, you had a center who was constantly injured, didn't really excite their fans all that much, and was perceived as an underachiever. You dump that, with a 2017, lottery protected first round pick, and in return you get one of the biggest names in the sport. Even if the stats don't change things that much, the Lakers got a steal here from the non-basketball side. So if the play on the court is a wash, and you get someone that your fan-base has been drooling over, for a pick in the late 20's (?), you win.

[the dude]

(08-10-2012 07:04 AM)SkyBlues42 Wrote:  

(08-10-2012 06:45 AM)JayPrimetown Wrote:  Still believe Ok City is the best team in the west. Just think their team speed will be superior against LA.

Agreed. Still think OK City is the team to beat. To be honest, though, I'm just happy the Dwight Howard saga is over.

At least for one year. Then, he's a free agent in 2013 and the Dwightmare reemerges.

Bovada has put the odds back on the board for the NBA title

MIA 5/2
LAL 3/1
OKC 11/2
CHI 9/1
SAS 14/1

There must be a lot of suckers right now not even caring about how bad the odds are and throwing money down on LA at 3/1 because of this trade.

[LOLstradamus]

As a Lakers fan, I still think this team doesn't get by the Thunder. I still am highly concerned about the lack of depth of this team in a longer season coming up. They still have no SG to come in for Kobe and there's very few players who can score off the bench at all. The only hope is the offense runs through Nash and he creates scorers as opposed to Kobe having to shoot the ball 30 times a night.

[jimmysingh9]

If the Lakers are as low as +160 in Vegas, I would go and bet the field right away.

that means you get the Heat, Thunder, Spurs at -140 ish to just beat the Lakers. some value there.

[SkyBlues42]

If you got the field at -140ish, you'd be guaranteed money. No way the field would be that low if the Lakers are +160.

[louiemdj]

Got rid of one headcase (Bynum) for a another headcase in Howard. If they don't stroke his ego just right, they will be lucky to get him to play hard half of the year.

Just one more reason to root against the geriatric Lakers.

[jimmysingh9]

Wed 9/5 25701 Philadelphia Eagles win NFC East +140
8:30PM 25702 Field wins NFC East -160


it would be the same type of bet almost. you would get probably NBA field at -180. still I would take it.

[illadelphia]

Here is what I like about the this trade as a sixers fan:
- finally have a legit center and not a guy trying to play center.
- it's sort of like a try-out for bynum. if he fits in and plays well they can offer him a 3yr extension.
- if he is unmotivated or hurt a lot (both very real possibilities) they basically added an expiring contract.
- he is from new jersey and might feel more "at home" than out in Cali
- he is a shot blocker and a much needed presence under the rim
- if no extension is in the cards and the sixers are struggling, he can be moved at the trade deadline this coming season
- no longer have to watch Iguodala play great defense and then chuck up the ugliest shot known to man or brick 2 free throws
- howard, who dominated the sixers, goes to the western conference which means they will see less of him during the season

[Beyond the Bets]

Lakers' win total. 58.5 offshore; 57.5 in Vegas.

Will Lakers, Heat or Thunder win NBA title?

YES -360
NO +280