Los Angeles Lakers

Lakers News Sources -- Dwight Howard voiced displeasure with Mike D'Antoni to GM - ESPNLA Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard faces a decision about whether or not to remain with the Lakers or look elsewhere - ESPNLA Player Capsule: Darius Morris | THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS Kobe On Retirement Rumors … Not Yet! « NBA.com | Hang Time Blog Kobe Bryant: Comparison with Michael Jordan is ‘apples to oranges’ | The Point Forward - SI.com Free Agents Dwight Howard, Chris Paul Planning Atlanta Rendezvous? | Lakers Nation A Sales Pitch To Dwight Howard: Why To Re-Sign With The Lakers | Lakers Nation Lakers News: Phil Jackson Says He Was Offered Lakers Coaching Job | Lakers Nation NBA News: Phil Jackson Compares 1999-00 And 2008-09 Lakers Teams | Lakers Nation Kobe Plans To Spend Time With Dwight To Convince Him To Stay | Lakers Nation Steve Nash Thinks Dwight Howard Will Keep His Options Open | Lakers Nation Lakers GM Kupchak denies he, Howard talked about D’Antoni | PBT 2013 NBA Playoffs Fueled by last year's West finals collapse, Spurs hope to make 2-0 lead against Grizzlies stand - Yahoo! Sports Ball Don’t Lie’s 2012-13 Playoff Previews: Miami Heat vs. Indiana Pacers | Ball Don't Lie - Yahoo! Sports Spurs rely on experience to weather poor fourth quarter and beat the Memphis Grizzlies | The Point Forward - SI.com NBA playoffs 2013: Eastern Conference finals predictions - NBA - SI.com NBA playoffs 2013: Miami Heat vs. Indiana Pacers preview - NBA - Ian Thomsen - SI.com NBA playoffs 2013: Western Conference finals predictions - NBA - SI.com Duncan Saves Spurs From Identity Crisis « NBA.com | Hang Time Blog T-Mac Living Dream Beyond First Round « NBA.com | Hang Time Blog PBT Extra: Eastern Conference Finals preview time | PBT Three things about Game 2: Tony Parker is that good but Randolph, Grizzlies figuring it out | PBT Blogs and Other Links Los Angeles Clippers not retaining Vinny Del Negro - Yahoo! Sports Stan Van Gundy tells Orlando radio station he won’t coach in NBA next season | Ball Don't Lie - Yahoo! Sports The Cleveland Cavaliers win the 2013 NBA Draft Lottery, get top pick for second time in three years | Ball Don't Lie - Yahoo! Sports Colangelo out as Raptors GM, still president - Yahoo! Sports Stern believes he is leaving the NBA in good shape - Yahoo! Sports Knicks unsure about Stoudemire's role - Yahoo! Sports Michael Jordan: Bobcats changing name to Hornets - Yahoo! Sports Did Tony Allen fake the Manu Ginobili flagrant foul that put the Grizzlies and Spurs into overtime? | Ball Don't Lie - Yahoo! Sports Cleveland Cavaliers and Washington Wizards poised to make leaps forward after NBA draft lottery | The Point Forward - SI.com Los Angeles Clippers better off without Vinny Del Negro? - ESPN The happy warrior departs - TrueHoop Blog - ESPN Expectations with the Los Angeles Clippers finally caught up to Vinny Del Negro - ESPNLA Cavs win Draft lottery for second time in three years | NBA.com 2013 NBA draft combine: Cody Zeller, Steven Adams among winners - NBA - Chris Mannix - SI.com NBA offseason 2013: Outlook for New York Knicks in free agency, NBA draft | The Point Forward - SI.com Jim Boeheim on Carmelo Anthony's NBA title hopes with New York Knicks: 'Not on this team' | syracuse.com Mark Jackson partial transcript: “I don’t think we’re far at all–but we’ve got to continue to build” | Talking Points Vinny Del Negro's exit is Clippers' final recruiting pitch to Chris Paul - NBA - Lee Jenkins - SI.com No. 1 Pick Could Help Push Cavs Into The Playoffs « NBA.com | Hang Time Blog Kevin Love ready to lobby Mike Krzyzewski to return as Team USA’s coach in 2016 Olympics | PBT Reports: Clippers, Bucks waiting to talk to Lionel Hollins for coaching jobs | PBT Kevin Love and Flip Saunders hitting it off | PBT

After a report surfaced that Dwight Howard voiced frustration regarding Los Angeles Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni, Kevin Ding of the Orange County Register spoke with Kupchak who said there was no discussion regarding D'Antoni during Howard's exit interview: The unlikelihood of a Howard, Paul future With theories of the next super-team abounding, just how difficult would it be to waive Kobe Bryant via the amnesty provision, trade Pau Gasol without taking salary back and convincing the two All-NBA stars to join the Lakers? As difficult as it sounds. Kupchak said he didn't want any D'Antoni talk from Dwight anyway given Mitch's insistence that Lakers won't have any player dictate the coaching situation. "To be honest with you, I wouldn't let it go there anyway," he said. Howard and Kupchak spoke privately, same as some other Lakers did with the GM, after finishing their standard meeting with D'Antoni on April 30. But Kupchak said there was no talk with Howard about D'Antoni once he left the room -- and certainly no venting. Kupchak's firm, public, stance that the Lakers will not allow a player to dictate their decisions regarding coaching is important. It's a "straight from the horses mouth" report that makes the front office's stance clear. Or, it's just about the only thing Kupchak could say without undermining D'Antoni publicly. Clearly the Lakers would have preferred the "leak" of Howard's frustration never existing, even if false, and they had to shoot it down as cleanly and quickly as possible. Either way, the events leading up to Howard's free agency, which doesn't begin until July 1, are on par with what was to be expected. Reports are surfacing and counter-reports are responding. This will only become murkier once Howard's contract expires and he can visit teams around the league. - Drew - Follow this author on Twitter @DrewGarrisonSBN

It’s hard to say what was most shocking about Tuesday night’s lottery show: the Wizards getting themselves a top three pick or Cleveland not screwing themselves out of the top pick. The Wizards, coming in with the 8th best chance of getting the #1 pick, jumped up to the 3rd spot (we’ll save the Obama conspiracy talk for another night). Cleveland came in with the 3rd best odds at the top selection and, with the help of Cleveland owner Dan Gilbert’s son’s bow tie, secured the number one overall selection. And with a history of solid number one overall picks going to Cleveland (LeBron James and Kyrie Irving being their most recent), the Cavs appear set up for success. But how will the rest of the lottery selections shake out? Let’s take a look. 1. Cleveland Cavaliers select Nerlens Noel, C, Kentucky Feb 5, 2013; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Nerlens Noel (3) shoots the ball against South Carolina Gamecocks forward Michael Carrera (24) in the first half at Rupp Arena. Kentucky defeated South Carolina 77-55. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports I really hope the Cavs don’t over think things here. In a weak draft class, Noel is the closest to a sure thing. In the NBA, size wins titles, and Noel has it. As a 7-footer, he has great instincts defensively, averaging 4.4 blocks a game last season with the Wildcats. The Cavs could use some size and, despite likely not being productive right away, Noel still gives them the size they need. His limited offensive game is slightly concerning, but he’s no Hasheem Thabeet, nor will he bust as hard as Thabeet. 2. Orlando Magic select Trey Burke, G, Michigan I’m one of the few aboard the Burke hype train. I watched him play many times this year and he’s an NBA ready PG. Call me crazy, but he could be this year’s Damion Lillard. He has NBA range (just ask Kansas), as well as explosiveness and a beautiful ability to finish at the rim. He’s a bit undersized as a point guard, but he’s an above average defender and quick enough to beat NBA guards. With the option to take Jameer Nelson off the books next season, I think the Magic find his replacement early on in this draft. 3. Washington Wizards select Anthony Bennett, F, UNLV The Wizards have holes everywhere. Bradley Beal and John Wall are their back court of the future, but are far from set anywhere else. They’ll likely go for the best available player here, with Otto Porter and Victor Oladipo being options also. However, they need some help down low and Bennett has the strength and ability to do that. Bennett shot 37% from three last year, but also pulled down 8.1 rebounds a game. He’ll be an improvement over Emeka Okafor and Nene down low, which isn’t saying a lot. 4. Charlotte Bobcats select Ben McElmore, G, Georgetown Much like the Wizards, the only set positions for the Bobcats are point guard with Kemba Walker and small forward with Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. Everywhere else they’ll be looking for upgrades. I’m not as high on McElmore as others might be, but I think the Bobcats take him here. He’s a proven scorer, which is something the Bobcats desperately need. A back court of Kemba and McElmore could set the Bobcats up for years to come. 5. Phoenix Suns select Victor Oladipo, G, Indiana I’m a big believer in Victor Oladipo, admittedly with a biased opinion. He has a great engine and will bring non-stop energy to any team he goes to. He may not have NBA range yet, but just look at how much he improved from his sophomore to junior season at Indiana University. His defense is what separates him from the rest of the pack. He has elite athleticism and quick hands that leads to many steals. He’ll greatly improve a previously lethargic Suns squad next season. 6. New Orleans Pelicans select Otto Porter, G/F, Georgetown I firmly believe the Pelicans are moving in the right directi

I received my copy of Phil Jackson’s Eleven Rings  on Friday and immediately delved into the 334 page journey through Phil Jackson’s 11 (well actually, 13) championships (two as a player). The book begins, however, with Jackson describing the Lakers’ 2009 championship parade. “Here I was sitting in a limo at the ramp leading into the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, waiting for my team to arrive, while an ecstatic crowd of ninety-five thousand plus fans, dressed in every possible combination of Lakers purple and gold, marched into the stadium. Women in tutus, men in Star Wars storm-trooper costumes, toddlers waving “Kobe Diem” signs. Yet despite all the zaniness, there was something inspiring about this acnient ritual with a decidedly L.A. twist. As Jeff Weiss, a writer for LA Weekly, put it: iIt was the closest any of us will ever know what it was like to watch the Roman Legions returning home after a tour of Gaul.’” That was the second paragraph on the first page of Eleven Rings, and after reading that PJax “never loved being the center of attention” I couldn’t really put the book down this past weekend. Eleven Rings is more than just a relentless foray in to the countless bumps in the road, the countless numbers of characters and egos he had to balance, and foreign techniques used to band groups of men together to win championships, it’s also a tremendous walk down memory lane, whether you’re a Knicks, Bulls or Lakers fan, through some great times. While Jackson spends a large chunk of the book discussing his years and New York and Chicago, the efforts of this post will be focused on his time in Los Angeles. For me, the 2000-2002 run for the Lakers happened during my formative years as a sports fan. I had grown up in a house hold full of Lakers fans while growing up in Los Angeles. My dad was a die-hard who attended several games at the Great Western Forum and watched the Lakers win five championships in the 80s on tape delay. Through my years in elementary school, the Lakers hadn’t found that kind of success. There were fun and likable players (Eddie Jones and Nick Van Exel) and a couple of super stars (Shaq, a full-fledged star in 1996 with Kobe showing hits that he would be), but the ultimate success was never realized through the 1999 lockout season. Jackson was offered the job heading into the 1999-00 season with a new arena for the Lakers to call home, and recounts how he learned about the offer from Dr. Jerry Buss and Jerry West. I was in the middle of nowhere–a small village on the Iliamna Lake in Alaska–when I heard the news. My sons, Ben and Charlie, were with me. We were on a fly-fishing trip in a secluded wilderness area, and the fishing wasn’t going very well. So that afternoon we knocked off early and boated up the Iliamna River to see the falls. When we arrived back at the village, a throng of children surrounded us. “Are you Phil Jackson?” one of the boys asked. “Yes,” I replied. “Why?” “I hear you got the job with the Lakers.” “What? How do you know that?” “We got a dish. It’s on ESPN.” And that’s how Jackson’s journey began with the Lakers. As the story progresses, Jackson tells a story about Kobe asking Jackson to autograph a copy of his book Sacred Hoops upon their first meeting and telling Dr. Buss that he thought the Lakers could win three or four championships before his first practice with the team. He would go on to tell the story about how he and Jeanie got acquainted for the first time (the story involves cake) and a story about Kobe telling Michael Jordan that he’d kick MJ’s a– in a game of one-on-one. More important than the small anecdotes, was Jackson’s ability to rekindle a love with the Lakers that had somehow been taken for granted over the last few seasons. I began cover the team here for FB

Apr 24, 2013; San Antonio, TX, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard (12) drives for a dunk between San Antonio Spurs forward Tiago Splitter (22) and Matt Bonner (15) during game two of the first round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at AT The Dwightmare is upon us once again. Last night, an article by Dave McMenamin. It seems Dwight Howard has finally said something about the Lakers head coach, Mike D’Antoni. Howard said that he felt underutilized and that he had no say when it came to suggestions and leadership — he only listened to Steve Nash and Kobe Bryant. The article later goes on to say that the loss of assistant coach Chuck Person and the potential leaving of Steve Clifford hasn’t helped the relationship between the two. When you mention Dwight Howard, people automatically think of drama and what he did to Stan Van Gundy last year in Orlando. Is he going to do the same thing to Mike D’Antoni this year? I really don’t think Dwight is trying to cause something here; I believe he is just being honest on what happened this past season. It looks like the Lakers may have to pick between D’Antoni and Howard — this might not end well. We all know this is going to take up most of the summer, so we might as well get used to seeing every little that happens to Dwight create chaos. Oh, James Harden is now following Howard on Twitter? Of course he is. I’m sure they’re friends. More than that though, why wouldn’t Harden try to sway the best center in the game to come to his team? Whatever people say right now, I’m not really paying attention to. We will hear a million different things this summer on where DH might go; I’m not believing a thing until I see Dwight Howard’s signature on a contract. What do YOU think will happen between Dwight Howard and Mike D’Antoni? Will one stay, will they both stay, or are they both gone? Sound off in the comments section down below! To fulfill all your Laker fan needs, don’t forget to LIKE our Lake Show Life Facebook page. Also, you can FOLLOW the website  and myself  on Twitter.

Grantland's Bill Simmons has been putting out a plausible theory that could turn inevitably moribund 2013-2014 Los Angeles Lakers season into a renaissance year for the league's most blessed franchise. From the Sports Guy's article a couple weeks ago: Don't rule out Chris Paul becoming a Laker next year. Here's how they could pull it off: If they amnestied Kobe Bryant, then traded Pau Gasol to Houston for a dirt-cheap salary (say, Donatas Motiejunas), they'd suddenly be lopping close to $49 million off next year's cap, leaving them with commitments to Metta World Peace, Steve Nash, Steve Blake, Chris Duhon, Jordan Hill, and Gasol's cheap replacement for less than $30 million. That's more than enough to sign Chris Paul and re-sign Dwight Howard if they took a little less … which they might, since it's the Lakers and all. To clarify, LA is very much over the $58 million dollar salary cap threshold--around $40 million over it. The 2013-2014 roster amounts to roughly $78 million in commitments, which doesn't count a figure for Dwight Howard if he were to re-sign. Pulling off Simmons' theoretical scenario would involve clearing the cap room and then signing Chris Paul to a 4-year, $79 million dollar deal (the most he's eligible for a team that's not the Clippers) and Dwight to a 5-year, $118 million dollar deal. No easy feat. (For the uninitiated, the amnesty clause is a one-time provision every team has in order to waive one player and thus clearing his salary from their salary cap number. The player cut will still receive his payment in full, but the team will not have to pay any luxury tax on the contract, if they are indeed over the cap limit. Also, the team that waives the player cannot re-sign him for the entire duration of the original contract. For this case specifically, if the Lakers were to amnesty Kobe Bryant, they would not be able to re-sign at any point during the 2013-2014 season) As insanely cold-hearted as it may be, the Sports Guy might not be crazy. LA could completely rebuild in just one season, launching themselves back into championship contention after a mere three years in title-purgatory. Make no mistake: a Chris Paul/Dwight Howard core would, health permitting, be more than a match for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Golden State Warriors and perhaps Finals-bound Memphis Grizzlies. If it were to happen, that is. Beyond all the complexities of essentially cutting Kobe Bryant (and don't be naïve: if Kobe Bryant were to get cut via the amnesty provision by the Lakers, do you think for one second that a disgruntled and disrespected Mamba would ever come back to the purple & gold, even after he was allowed to? He's still upset at the Phoenix Suns for beating a Kwame Brown and Smush Parker-led team 8 years ago. He would never get over this), there are too many technical difficulties to get this coup to happen. Let's go to the tape: 1) The clock is against them. The Lakers can ONLY use the amnesty provision between July 10th and July 17th 2013 If the Lakers are going to make such a franchise altering decision, they'll need to do it all in a two-week period. Every NBA team can talk to free agents starting on midnight on July 1st. Though teams cannot officially sign players, they can "agree to terms" before pen is put to paper. This is in no way legally binding, meaning that the player is not compelled under contract law to sign with the team, but 9 times out of 10 will end up inking a contract. On the 10th, teams can officially sign free agents. In regards to the amnesty provision, the Lakers can use it for a one-week window immediately following the 10-day negotiating period (called a moratorium) beginning in June. If not used in that time frame, they won't be able to use it going forward--the only players eligible for the amnesty cut are players that have been on the Lakers roster prior December 2011. In other words, the only players left this summer eligible to be waived by the provi

All information regarding Dwight Howard's free agency packaged together with a bow. Good for Dwight Howard. Dave McMenamin of ESPN has reported that Howard expressed "frustration" with Mike D'Antoni during his exit interview and all I can say is good for Dwight. Howard's free agency is a blessing in disguise Howard's free agency will hold the NBA hostage through the Summer. Despite the chance that he can leave the Lakers without any return, letting Howard decide what he wants to do is the best thing that can happen for both him and L.A. That's what an exit interview is for, right? To express what you think about the team's direction, what you would like to see changed, and the future. Howard is in line to be the leader of the Los Angeles Lakers -- should he accept that mission -- and the front office should, without pause, "pop" the question to him. "Will you marry this coach for the next two seasons?" The problem for the Lakers front office is clear. Through a season filled with injuries and a "mid-season early-season" swap of Mikes, the story is the Lakers played well after the All-Star break. They got back on track and looked better than they did to open the season, which wasn't a huge bar to clear. Howard's health improved dramatically. They finally had both Steves. Pau Gasol eventually crept back into the lineup and helped cap off their strong finish. Things were in working shape But how much better did they play? Take the win-loss increase away, look at the numbers, and there doesn't appear to be much of a difference. In fact, the uptick was not an empowered defense but a slightly-worse defense boosted by a mildly-better offense: By the numbers the largest leap is on offense where the Lakers averaged 2.1 points more every 100 possessions. The defense allowed .6 more points per 100 possessions, but who's counting, right? They played better. The remaining numbers look by and large the same. There are small percentage changes, but nothing that seems to correlate to the drastic shift in their results. So the Lakers won games. Post All-Star break the Lakers finished the season 20-8. Through the first 54 games they were only 25-29. They burst back into the playoffs after looking like they'd miss entirely. You remember those games though, right? The comebacks -- how Kobe Bryant hit an assortment of insane shots in multiple games to keep the Lakers floating, played nearly 48 minutes a game, and also had the help of the infamous New Orleans Hornets' botching of an inbound play along the way. Little things went the Lakers way in that second half. A few wins were considered miraculous finishes. But was there improvement on a team level? Without the overblown crutch that the Lakers played better after the All-Star break it's a fair question, and one that Howard has clearly considered if the report is accurate. The Lakers did this to themselves, though. Signing D'Antoni to a three-year guaranteed deal was giving a big window to a man with very little space to nurture giant expectations. The glass has officially shattered -- the shark outgrowing the small tank the Lakers needed to contain it in. Howard is 27 now, and if he does sign the five-year max with the Lakers he will be 32 by the time his contract expires. Beyond his prime as a big man who's defensive impact is based on his athleticism and quickness, and may or may not have developed a post move repertoire. Not a good spot for Howard to be once he reaches his next free agency period. If the Lakers weren't feeling pressure before, Howard has them by the jugular now. Not only will he consider other teams, but has also made his stance regarding D'Antoni clear. Take Howard out of the situation, though, and the Lakers still had to consider their coaching situation, right? The question becomes what's next for the Lakers. Multiple coaches are already lining up interviews, have already been inked to new deals, or appear to be off the market. Can the Lakers aff

From Dave McMenamin, ESPN LA: The Los Angeles Lakers do not yet know Dwight Howard’s decision for next season, but the All-Star center made his feelings about Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni known before starting his offseason. Nearly three weeks have passed since Howard had his exit interview with the Lakers and there’s been barely a peep out of Howard since. While he hasn’t had anything to say to the press, Howard had a lot to say to Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak back before the relative silence, however. Howard was one of several Lakers – Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol being the most noteworthy — to have an extended separate meeting with the GM after his exit interview with both Kupchak and D’Antoni, multiple sources confirmed to ESPNLosAngeles.com. From Mark Heisler, Lakers Nation: Another one of those summers looms in Lakerdom.Rather than take the extra $30 million and jumping into the Lakers’ arms as a Hall of Fame wing of great centers had, Dwight Howard will check out other teams. It’s all preliminary. With Howard under contract through July 1, everything–visits, welcoming pageants, talks—is in the planning stage. In other words, this is the off-season’s preseason. Laker fans with enough brain cells left may remember that their last preseason didn’t go so well, what with all the injuries and the 0-8 record. Nor does the off-season’s preseason look like it will be much fun with Howard intent on touring the NBA. The likeliest outcome is still that he stays, after drawing it out as long as possible, raising hopes in as many cities as he can, and ultimately disappointing the maximum number of teams and fans possible. From Drew Garrison, Silver Screen & Roll: Good for Dwight Howard. Dave McMenamin of ESPN has reported that Howard expressed “frustration” with Mike D’Antoni during his exit interview and all I can say is good for Dwight. That’s what an exit interview is for, right? To express what you think about the team’s direction, what you would like to see changed, and the future. Howard is in line to be the leader of the Los Angeles Lakers – should he accept that mission — and the front office should, without pause, “pop” the question to him.”Will you marry this coach for the next two seasons?” The problem for the Lakers front office is clear. Through a season filled with injuries and a “mid-season early-season” swap of Mikes, the story is the Lakers played well after the All-Star break. They got back on track and looked better than they did to open the season, which wasn’t a huge bar to clear. Howard’s health improved dramatically. They finally had both Steves. Pau Gasol eventually crept back into the lineup and helped cap off their strong finish. Things were in working shape From Kurt Helin, Pro Basketball Talk: Kobe Bryant thinks this Lakers roster can work. Well, he at least thinks his chance at a much-coveted sixth ring is more likely if the Lakers bring back two of the top big men in the game, as opposed to having just one and restructuring the lineup to be closer to what Mike D’Antoni prefers. So Kobe took to twitter to say what he thinks the Lakers should do as they consider the future ofDwight Howard (a free agent, the Lakers will offer him a five-year max deal) and Pau Gasol. From Ramona Shelburne, ESPN: The clip runs frequently on Time Warner Cable SportsNet, the Lakers channel in Los Angeles — the day after the Lakers pulled off the megatrade that brought Dwight Howard to Los Angeles, Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak walks Howard through the team’s training facility and points at all the retired jerseys on the wall. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, Magic Johnson … the list goes on. In the foreground, you see some of the Lakers’ 16 championship trophies. Howard grins from ear to ear. Kupchak senses his excitement and turns to deli

Good for Dwight Howard. Dave McMenamin of ESPN has reported that Howard expressed "frustration" with Mike D'Antoni during his exit interview and all I can say is good for Dwight. Howard's free agency is a blessing in disguise Howard's free agency will hold the NBA hostage through the Summer. Despite the chance that he can leave the Lakers without any return, letting Howard decide what he wants to do is the best thing that can happen for both him and L.A. That's what an exit interview is for, right? To express what you think about the team's direction, what you would like to see changed, and the future. Howard is in line to be the leader of the Los Angeles Lakers -- should he accept that mission -- and the front office should, without pause, "pop" the question to him. "Will you marry this coach for the next two seasons?" The problem for the Lakers front office is clear. Through a season filled with injuries and a "mid-season early-season" swap of Mikes, the story is the Lakers played well after the All-Star break. They got back on track and looked better than they did to open the season, which wasn't a huge bar to clear. Howard's health improved dramatically. They finally had both Steves. Pau Gasol eventually crept back into the lineup and helped cap off their strong finish. Things were in working shape But how much better did they play? Take the win-loss increase away, look at the numbers, and there doesn't appear to be much of a difference. In fact, the uptick was not an empowered defense but a slightly-worse defense boosted by a mildly-better offense: By the numbers the largest leap is on offense where the Lakers averaged 2.1 points more every 100 possessions. The defense allowed .6 more points per 100 possessions, but who's counting, right? They played better. The remaining numbers look by and large the same. There are small percentage changes, but nothing that seems to correlate to the drastic shift in their results. So the Lakers won games. Post All-Star break the Lakers finished the season 20-8. Through the first 54 games they were only 25-29. They burst back into the playoffs after looking like they'd miss entirely. You remember those games though, right? The comebacks -- how Kobe Bryant hit an assortment of insane shots in multiple games to keep the Lakers floating, played nearly 48 minutes a game, and also had the help of the infamous New Orleans Hornets' botching of an inbound play along the way. Little things went the Lakers way in that second half. A few wins were considered miraculous finishes. But was there improvement on a team level? Without the overblown crutch that the Lakers played better after the All-Star break it's a fair question, and one that Howard has clearly considered if the report is accurate. The Lakers did this to themselves, though. Signing D'Antoni to a three-year guaranteed deal was giving a big window to a man with very little space to nurture giant expectations. The glass has officially shattered, the shark outgrowing the tank. Howard is 27 now, and if he does sign the five-year max with the Lakers he will be 32 by the time his contract expires. Beyond his prime as a big man who's defensive impact is based on his athleticism and quickness, and may or may not have developed a post move repertoire. Not a good spot for Howard to be once he reaches his next free agency period. If the Lakers weren't feeling pressure before, Howard has them by the jugular now. Not only will he consider other teams, but has also made his stance regarding D'Antoni clear. Take Howard out of the situation, though, and the Lakers had to seriously consider their coaching situation, right? The question becomes what's next for the Lakers. Multiple coaches are already lining up interviews, have already been inked to new deals, or appear to be off the market. Can the Lakers afford to wait much longer as the candidate pool shrinks? More importantly, can the Lakers afford to make their five-year pitch

Is Dwight Howard frustrated playing with the Los Angeles Lakers because Mike D'Antoni is the head coach? Dave McMenamin of ESPN reports that Howard discussed his "frustration with D'Antoni" during his exit interview with Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak: Howard's free agency is a blessing in disguise Howard's free agency will hold the NBA hostage through the Summer. Despite the chance that he can leave the Lakers without any return, letting Howard decide what he wants to do is the best thing that can happen for both him and L.A. According to sources with knowledge of the situation, part of the discussion between Howard and Kupchak centered around Howard's frustration with D'Antoni -- particularly how the center felt marginalized as the coach looked to Bryant and Steve Nash for leadership and suggestions and discounted Howard's voice. D'Antoni is signed with the Lakers for two more years for $8 miilion. The Lakers have not added any coaches to their staff despite losing a handful of assistants since they were eliminated in the playoffs. If the report is accurate, you can see the leverage Howard has applied to the organization from the middle of the Pacific ocean. While he did not give the front office an ultimatum, he made it clear where he specifically wants change. In the Lakers favor is that his free agency does not begin until July 1, giving them time to sort through the situation. Teams across the league have already begun interviewing, and signing, coaches while the Lakers have not indicated they will be firing D'Antoni, however. The Lakers did financially benefit from the Cleveland Cavaliers signing Mike Brown, who was still being paid by L.A. after being fired. Will they consider cutting D'Antoni loose as they prepare to make their pitch to Howard this Summer? With news that Howard is "intrigued" by both the Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks, and expectations that the Atlanta Hawks will make a run at the big man, the Lakers will have competition for Howard during free agency. - Drew - Follow this author on Twitter @DrewGarrisonSBN