I am not going to say “I told you so” yet, but I am not happy. One of my biggest fears with the Howard trade was the issue of the big man’s back, and as it looks right now, he is not going to be stepping onto a court any time soon. On Thursday it was announced that the superstar center won’t be ready for the start of training camp. He also may miss regular season games, but there are conflicting accounts on that assumption.
One thing is for sure, Howard and the Lakers need to get him 100 percent healthy soon. That means, no more dunk shots where you swing from the rim, Dwight. If you want me to eat my words, you are going to have get in tip-top shape.
For those of you excited to see Howard come out on the court in competition, prove it! Lakers Nation has done you a favor and made some awesome wallpaper images, so you can tote your Laker pride on your computer desktop, phone, or iPad.
The battle of Los Angeles will be taking place again this season, with the Clippers picking up Laker scraps for this 2012-2013 line-up. Lamar Odom secured a spot with that other L.A. team a few months ago, but rumor has it that Matt Barnes will soon be joining the list. Both of these players add talent to the Clippers’ line-up, begging the question – are the Clippers going to be the Lakers competition this year?
Last year’s Clippers season was fun to watch; I went to a game with my classmates and had a great time, but as I was sitting there, even with the faulty Lakers 2011-2012 season, I couldn’t help but think how much better I still thought the Lakers were. But something is changing in the Clippers’ front office and they are going to be a force to look out for. Along with Barnes and Odom, the Clippers also acquired Jamal Crawford, Grant Hill, and Ronny Turiaf. Lakers Nation’s Jabari Brown has done a great piece today, breaking down the plus and minuses of this L.A. competition, and who to look out for on the court. It should be interesting to see which L.A. team reigns supreme once the season gets underway.
Do you like talking about the Lakers? Showing people what you know? Discussing the coming season with your friends? Well why not sign up for the Lakers Nation Forum, and not only chat with the Lakers community, but also all of us here at LN. That’s right; you can find me and the other writers typing up a storm to answer your questions and just talk with you everything Lakers. Sign up now!
Lakers Nations News
Battle Los Angeles: Lakers, Clippers Rivalry Heating Up Once Again
Wallpaper: Dwight Howard – Dawn of a New Era
Dwight Howard Will Not Be Ready for Training Camp
Derek Fisher Continues to Weigh Options in Free Agency
Chris Bosh Open to Playing Center Position
10-Foot Steve Nash Guitar on Sale for Nearly $10K
James Worthy Has High Expectations for Mike Brown, Lakers
Lakers News
Open Questions On Potential Pitfalls [Forum Blue and Gold]
Report: Matt Barnes agrees to sign with L.A. Clippers [ProBasketballTalk]
Dwight Howard to Miss Start of Camp [ESPN]
No Setbacks for Dwight, No October 7th Opener [Silver Screen and Roll]
Kobe Bryant and Homelessness in Los Angeles [LA Times]
Dwigh Howard Injury Update [LA Lakers]
Lakers, Celtics, Heat Lead NBA, Among ‘Smartest Spenders’ In Sports [Hang Time Blog]
James Worthy is Not Impressed by Dwight Howard [Ball Don’t Lie]
Leandro Barbosa Recruited by Steve Nash to Play for Lakers, Also Has Interest From Nets and Suns [SI Tracking Blog]
With Plenty Of Rivals To Choose From, Only The Celtics Make The Grade [Silver Screen and Roll]
NBA News
Smartest Spenders in Sports [Bloomberg Business Week]
LeBron James, Kevin Durant Train [ESPN]
James Harden nowhere near new deal with Thunder [ProBasketballTalk]
Who is the Coolest Person in the NBA? [The Basketball Jones]
Pippen: “Superteams are the Way of the Future” [Hang Time Blog]
Andrew Bogut Expected Back for Warriors Season Opener [ProBasketballTalk]
The Man, the Mountain and the Bonner [Hardwood Paroxysm]
Chris Bosh Willing to Play Center [ESPN]
Bulls Guard Rose Says Knee’s Improving [SI.com]
Kenyon Martin Has Suitors but Still Wants More Than Minimum [ProBasketballTalk]
Wolves’ Roy: ‘So Far I Haven’t Had Any Setbacks’ [SI.com]
Barnes Close to Joining Paul in Los Angeles; Other Free Agency Notes [SI.com]
Brooklyn Nets Sign Veteran F Josh Childress [Yahoo Sports]
