I just watched a thriller with the San Antonio Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Spurs could have definitely won the game but the obligatory blown calls and a few missed rebounds opened the door. Russell Westbrook took the opportunity and won the game for his team. When Westbrook, Kevin Durant, Steven Adams, and EnesKanter have played together they have dominated the boards and exposed the age of Tim Duncan and inability of David West. I knew this event would play out in the last few minutes of the game. Now we can confirm neither of these players can handle either Kanter or Adams together.
As Chris Webber and Marv Albert wound down the game they pointed out how the Spurs haven’t had an answer for the Thunder’s bigs. It occurred to me they haven’t tried Boban Marjanovic yet. He was DNPed this game but they’re down three games heading into Oklahoma. They ought to try Boban. He’s inexperienced but far more athletic than Duncan or West. I may be going out out on a limb here but I see him as their future starting center. He, Kawhi, Danny Green, and LaMarcus Aldridge seem like the future of the team. Not sure if Patty Mills is their point guard of the future but this line up with Boban feels legit. He gives me the same impression Kawhi did when he was coming up.
After the game, Inside The NBA discussed the game with special guest, and future ex-Rockets center, Dwight Howard. I was a bit surprised he was on the show but intrigued to listen to his take on the game. To my surprise he suggested Boban too. Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith were both impressed since they hadn’t thought of it first. Good call Dwight! Chuck moved quickly into asking Howard how he felted about being hated, if he checked out on the Rockets, and if he was opting out of his deal. He did check out but who wouldn’t when you’re playing with James Harden. The guy plays 90’s isolation ball and doesn’t know what defense is. As Chuck pointed out of course he’ll opt out of his contract. Sure he’s probably over Houston but this comes down to money. Opting out allows him to cash in one last time in his career. This summer’s free agency sees a huge cap increase for teams to play with. If he’s healthy and not cast as one of the main guys he may help a team push for a championship run.
Howard’s response to being hated was quite interesting though. He acknowledged when he was winning in Orlando everyone loved him. I remember when my Lakers beat him in the Finals. He was a faster and more athletic version of Shaq. When he went to LA I was over the moon. He was going to prolong Kobe’s career and help us get another championship. When it didn’t happen we hated him. Howard failed in LA for many reasons. Kobe didn’t exactly help matters and injuries unfortunately hampered his abilities. Now Howard never had the stuff needed to play in LA or deal with guys like Kobe. You don’t have to get along with guys off the court but do your job on it. He acted like a baby. It’s not all been on him in LA or Houston but his attitude doesn’t help his case. I think he floundered in LA but Houston failed him.
Dwight came off genuine and believed what he said for the most part. Like all players he listens to what people say about him and he’s going to opt out of Houston. He can’t say it on record yet but he will. I think he understands people don’t like him. I’ve personally cooled off a bit but Laker nation still hates him. I liked his explanation for not looking engaged, not famously smiling, saying he doesn’t like to lose. He’s “interested in winning” and obviously losing sucks. They had a shitty record this year coming off a Western Conference Finals appearance and getting embarrassed by Golden State, minus some Steph Curry, in the first round. Many like my guy Zack Lowe had predicted a big season for them and they failed miserably. I blame Harden who is fool’s gold much like Allen Iverson (most overrated guard ever), Stephon Marbury, and Steve Francis. He’ll probably opt out and hopefully he’ll go to another team. With a healthy body it could get real interesting for him.
Disaesthetic 