According to Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski, the Rockets pitched Howard on just about everything. General manager Daryl Morey, owner Les Alexander, stars James Harden and Chandler Parsons and Houston greats Yao Ming and Hakeem Olajuwon all did their part to ensure Howard left the meeting ready to sign on the dotted line.
No signatures were given, though. They can't be. Howard cannot sign anywhere until July 10, and the Rockets aren't his last meeting. They weren't even his first. Mitch Kupchak got to Howard before anybody else, and he, along with Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash, among others, will get to him last as well.
To put it simply, this isn't over. Or even close to it.
Before Howard can render what is considered a quick decision, he'll be pitched extensively by a foray of suitors. Everyone, including the Lakers, will get up on their soapboxes and pontificate at great length over why their team is the best fit.
Houston has already had its opportunity, and by all accounts, it went well. That is, we have to assume it went well since the Rockets were so emboldened leading into their meet-and-greet with the big man that they put Jeremy Lin and Omer Asik on the trade block, according to Ken Berger of CBS Sports.
Hell yes, that's arrogant. But haughtiness sells this time of year.
Players want to sign with teams who provide assurances, however impulsive they are at a given moment. They want to play for franchises with a plan, a championship blueprint worth investing their time and talents in.
The Rockets have one, a great one. So do the Lakers, and theirs just might be even better.
History/Expectations
Woj writes that the Rockets (Hakeem specifically) attempted to pers...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
