Chris Paul and Dwight Howard: Could They Change The NBA’s Landscape?
Chris Paul and Dwight Howard joining forces isn’t very far-fetched in this era of superstars teaming up to give themselves a better chance of winning a championship. The idea that they’d leave Los Angeles and extra money to do it is surprising, but understandable. Could this really happen? Are we looking at another possible super team in the making?
Paul is upset with the Los Angeles Clippers in large part because they dragged his name through the mud in reference to the Vinny Del Negro firing. Being labeled a “coach killer” is something that Deron Williams was saddled with before departing the Utah Jazz for the then-New Jersey Nets.
Having a superstar as an upcoming unrestricted free agent should mean bending over backwards to make him happy. At the very least, teams need to watch what they say so they don’t alienate their meal ticket. Apparently Donald Sterling didn’t get that memo.
Would anyone question that this is how the Clippers’ organization is run? Just when it looks like they’re making strides and have built a solid base with Paul and Blake Griffin, they’re on the verge of falling back into lotteryland (no Paul, no playoffs) again.
The Los Angeles Lakers organization has generally been a sharp contrast to the Clippers. They seem to land all of the top free agents; just when it seems like they’re done, they rise like a phoenix and are back into contention. Well, they’re back to seeming like they’re done.
Remember when playing for the Lakers was something that players would do for less money? The prestige and potential to win was so great that players would give up other aspects.
Mike D’Antoni defended Howard, but not enough it appears. (Photo by Matt Hickey/Flickr.com)
Now, we’ve got Howard potentially giving up upwards of $20 million to go elsewhere. This is what happens when emotional superstars aren’t given the support they need from the team.
Don’t tell me that Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Steve Nash were knocking down the media’s door to defend Howard this year because that would be patently false. You may not like it, you may not agree with it and you may not identify with it, but some people need their egos stroked more often than others.
The Lakers and Clippers are going to lose their superstars because management was too stubborn to tread lightly. They believed they were greater than the star and that the player would “come around” or “get over it.” They’re going to get over it, for sure. They’re just going to do it in a different uniform.
Where could Paul and Howard team up? While Howard has already been linked to the Houston Rockets and it seems like a very good spot for him, there’s no way that Paul would be able to join them without some serious discounts being taken. I’d say that every team would want to add these two statlines but obviously not every team can afford them.
| Player | Season | Age | G | MP | FG% | 3P% | FT% | ORB | DRB | TRB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dwight Howard | 2012-13 | 27 | 76 | 35.8 | .578 | .167 | .492 | 3.3 | 9.1 | 12.4 | 1.4 | 1.1 | 2.4 | 3.0 | 3.8 | 17.1 |
| Chris Paul | 2012-13 | 27 | 70 | 33.4 | .481 | .328 | .885 | 0.8 | 3.0 | 3.7 | 9.7 | 2.4 | 0.1 | 2.3 | 2.0 | 16.9 |
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 6/1/2013.
Here are the two most possible destinations (apologies to Utah, as those two just aren’t going there):
Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks have a very desirable owner to play for, an aging-but-still-effective superstar and have coveted Howard for a while now. They only have $7.8 million in committed salaries in 2014-15 and already have some quality pieces to add in. A combination of Dirk Nowitzki, Paul and Howard would be a formidable combination and would make the Mavs a top team in the Western Conference immediately.
Atlanta Hawks
Another very intriguing spot is with the Hawks. Atlanta has just $18.5 million committed in 2013-14, with Al Horford and Louis Williams the only players under contract after next season. Paul-Williams-Horford-Howard would create an inside-out game that can’t be matched by anyone else in the NBA. The owner and fan support isn’t as great here, but neither is the scrutiny.
Wherever Paul and Howard land, they’re going to make an impact. If they go together, that team instantly becomes a contender to the throne. They’re both 27 years old and in their primes. If a championship is what they desire, they should go at it together. It’s the only way to beat the Miami Heat’s of the world.