Everyone is making sure that they get their opinion in on Dwight Howard’s free agency decision, including Hall of Fame players.
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On Yahoo! Sports “The Post Game”, Houston Rockets great Hakeem Olajuwon stated that there is an “85 percent” chance that Dwight Howard signs with the Houston Rockets.
“It’s an 85 percent chance he ends up in Houston,” Olajuwon told ThePostGame on Wednesday. “You never know, but after that meeting we had, I feel very comfortable that we have the best chance to get him.”
The Rockets had the first official meeting with Dwight Howard as NBA free agency began on July 1. The team flew their owner, general manager, Hakeem, Clyde Drexler, James Harden, Chandler Parsons, and Kevin Mchale to the represent the Rockets at the meeting. It was also reported that Yao Ming was present at the meeting via Skype.
Hakeem did not stop there as he expressed more reasons as to why Dwight will leave Los Angeles:
“We’re going to come to you,” Olajuwon said. “You have James Harden there. You have the backcourt. You’re going to get the ball. The coach is there knowing we need your presence in the middle. So we were speaking his language. It’s what he wanted. So he was so excited.”
“If you truly want to win a championship, this is the right team,” Olajuwon said. “And I think he feels the sincerity that this is a true opportunity to make something special.”
While I may disagree with Hakeem about Houston being the place for Howard, it is hard to argue with the positives that the Rockets have to offer, including a young team, money to bring in his friends, and promises of improvement. Additionally, being seen as the centerpiece of their franchise from day one might be the biggest selling point for Dwight.
“He needs to be comfortable,” Olajuwon said. “There’s a lot of expectations because his position is the primary position for any team. It’s the foundation of any team. So he needs to accept that responsibility. When you play with a team that looks for you to establish yourself, before they can establish a team, that makes him more comfortable, knowing his role is so valuable.”
With Howard wanting to be the center of attention, Houston seems like a perfect fit. However, if he wants to be remembered as one of the greatest to ever play, the Lakers franchise is where he should stay. Yes, Houston may have everything on the outside looking in, but the Lakers are an organization that has made it work time and time again. If Dwight wants to learn how to be a champion, he knows what he must decide.
Do you agree or disagree with Hakeem’s statements? Sound off below!
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