[Bluehorseshoe]

Why didn't they spend there money on other positions if Asik is this good?

The Houston Rockets have abruptly ceased trade talks involving Omer Asik and now face the complicated task of trying to re-integrate the unhappy center into their frontcourt rotation, according to sources close to the process.

Sources told ESPN.com that the Rockets moved away from the negotiating table Thursday when it became apparent that they wouldn't find a trade that matches their valuation of Asik before their self-imposed Dec. 19 deadline to move him.

The reality is that the Rockets still have two months until the league's annual trade deadline on Feb. 20 to find a palatable deal, so Asik's name will continue to be at the forefront of league wide trade speculation until the deadline passes. Yet sources said Thursday that there is growing pessimism within the Houston organization that it can construct a workable trade, given the resistance even interested teams have shown regarding the $15 million owed Asik next season.

In reality, Asik is only a $10 million-a-year center, which is more in line with his reputation as an elite defensive anchor who possesses a very limited offensive game. But to steal Asik away from the Chicago Bulls in restricted free agency in 2012, Houston structured its offer sheet to the Turkish big man so that he'd receive a whopping payout of $15 million in 2014-15, even though Asik only counts against the salary cap for roughly $8.4 million.



Winning the Dwight Howard sweepstakes a year later has since made Asik somewhat expendable in Houston, but finding a team prepared to trade for Asik and then pay him All-Star money next season has proven more difficult than the Rockets anticipated.

Sources say that the best offer they've received to date is the Boston Celtics' offer featuring reserves Brandon Bass and Courtney Lee and a future protected first-round pick. But sources say Houston couldn't bring itself Thursday to take that package back for a player it regards as one of the league's best rim protectors, especially after the Rockets -- according to a Boston Herald report -- rejected the same offer last week.

[bubblebuttluv]

They bought into the Howard hype plain and simple.

The NBA sucks anyways.

[DOM-Ganador]

Howard career "ZERO" NBA Titles, unless at like 39 Y.O. some contender picks him up for bench duty.
7 footers can hang an awful long time .

[jjgold]

Rockets major contender for a while

Perfect move

[Menses]

Howard career "ZERO" NBA Titles, unless at like 39 Y.O. some contender picks him up for bench duty.
7 footers can hang an awful long time .

Ewing, Sabonis and Barkley had Zero titles too....they both all time greats....Howard has never been in a position to win....he was playing with scrubs in Orlando for years....and then was shipped off to that joke of a team out in LA....the one with the 35 year old gimp and grand father Nash at point.....

[pavyracer]

Because Asik is not a starter. Better have two players at a position than one.

[easyliving]

Because Asik is not a starter. Better have two players at a position than one.

well he is getting payed like a starter, and a player with his defensive talents shouldn't be coming off the bench

[jjgold]

Howard will win a title
Give him time

[BennyBigNuts]

Ewing, and Barkley had Zero titles too.

Howard isn't even on the same planet as these 2 guys.
It's like comparing Filet Mignon to a flank steak.
Howard is not a superstar, just a good 2nd tier player basically no matter how you look at it.
You don't build a team around HIM, you add him to a team when you are building, like the Rockets did. But they will still never win most likely. He is a cancer, a diva, most likely a closet-flame, and will always be more of a problem than a solution to win a ring.

[LT Profits]

He is a cancer, a diva, most likely a closet-flame, and will always be more of a problem than a solution to win a ring.

Don't hold back Benny, tell us how you really feel.

[Easy-Rider 66]

Howard is overrated no Doubt. But with the lack of quality centers in the NBA he is considered to be a top notch player. Not sure you can win a ring with Howard as your top dog.

[Menses]

Howard isn't even on the same planet as these 2 guys.
It's like comparing Filet Mignon to a flank steak.
Howard is not a superstar, just a good 2nd tier player basically no matter how you look at it.
You don't build a team around HIM, you add him to a team when you are building, like the Rockets did. But they will still never win most likely. He is a cancer, a diva, most likely a closet-flame, and will always be more of a problem than a solution to win a ring.

LOL....you a Laker fan....not to mention a homophobe....I get it.....It is my contention that Dwight will not win a ring in Houston but not because he is not capable...the West right now is too difficult and too competitive for teams who don't play defense to win....3-4 yrs ago...Rockets might have had a chance...but its too hard right now.....HOWEVER....Dwight and Houston will compete and have some runs....and more importantly...be in far better situation to win than the LAKERS WILL BE FOR THE NEXT 7 YRS...you can take that to the bank and get straight cash back homie.....lol

Don't get Mad cuz Dwight had the foresight or the common sense to bail out of a sinking ship when he had the chance....for the first time in his career he is surrounded by real talent...now granted that idiot Harden hasn't played defense a day in his life...and Lin turns the ball over more often than Kobe....but i'll be gotdamn if that team don't score a shit load of points in a hurry....He has gotten back to shooting above 50 percent from the line....he is healthy...and competing at a high level.....only Aldridge is laying better than Dwight at the moment...Howard does not have to be the top dog...as he is now part of a TEAM.....but there are better teams than them.....

[BennyBigNuts]

Howard isn't even on the same planet as these 2 guys.
It's like comparing Filet Mignon to a flank steak.
Howard is not a superstar, just a good 2nd tier player basically no matter how you look at it.
You don't build a team around HIM, you add him to a team when you are building, like the Rockets did. But they will still never win most likely. He is a cancer, a diva, most likely a closet-flame, and will always be more of a problem than a solution to win a ring.

LOL....you a Laker fan....not to mention a homophobe....I get it....

Don't get Mad

You sound like a fukkin idiot.
Not a Laker fan at all.
Where do you see anger in my post?
All I did was state the facts.
Could care less if he sukks cokk or not, but he is most likely a homosexual and a half of a bitch either way.

The fact he gags on a man's penis does not make me a homophobic, so I don't really understand your reference.

[InTheDrink]

dwight has like 30 kids....not ghey...just acts like a total bitch

he will never win...he'd be great playing for okc if he was making the 8 mil a year he deserves

[BennyBigNuts]

dwight has like 30 kids

So this means he can't like a little man-meat?

[bubblebuttluv]

So this means he can't like a little man-meat?

Are you gay?

[GoBlue77]

Howard will win a title
Give him time

rofl

[darkhat]

Howard isn't even on the same planet as these 2 guys.
It's like comparing Filet Mignon to a flank steak.
Howard is not a superstar, just a good 2nd tier player basically no matter how you look at it.
You don't build a team around HIM, you add him to a team when you are building, like the Rockets did. But they will still never win most likely. He is a cancer, a diva, most likely a closet-flame, and will always be more of a problem than a solution to win a ring.

exactly...that clown menses comparing him to barkley to ewing

howard is a born loser.....he has already accepted defeat....saying his goal this season isn't to win a ring

guy is a joke....I would not want him on my team

[TheAntFather]

So much concern for an athlete that's also a multi millionaire? I'm sure Howard will be fine and he can give 2 fks what anybody on this board thinks of him.

[TheAntFather]

He's one of the best centers in the NBA right now. So, that must mean every NBA center is worthless and gay? It never ceases to amaze me the stupidity of some posters.

[SHADYLANKY]

So much concern for an athlete that's also a multi millionaire? I'm sure Howard will be fine and he can give 2 fks what anybody on this board thinks of him.

He will be broke within 2/3 years of retiring from the NBA. But I don't care about him, his money or how many ever kids he has.

[Menses]

LOL....im a throw Benny in the igbox just for being stupid....acting like you dun kno what the fuc I mean when i say what I say....talking about a penis on a sports board....the boy Dwight is in the playoffs...Kobe in the hospital.....and dun lie to me you b i t c h....you kno damn well you are a Kobe fan / Laker Fan...they be one in the same nowadays....I can smell ya'll a mile a way...lol....Your feelings are hurt over this Dwight fella....that's how I know u a Kobe fan......Anytime Dwight name get mentioned you get sensitive...hahaha....get use to it...your team in the cellar for the next 7 years......and that's the goddamn truth.......you going to come across and accept it one way or another...you suffering from Kobe-Itis...The 1st step is admitting you have a problem...until then.........

[Menses]

He's one of the best centers in the NBA right now. So, that must mean every NBA center is worthless and gay? It never ceases to amaze me the stupidity of some posters.

The boy need a slap....

[Menses]

Hey Benny...ya boy...50 Million Dollar Crutches.......How that make you feel playa?

[Marigold HD]

Nba blows

[lunch]

Most teams can only dream of having Dwight or Asik. Houston has both.

this is Texas basketball country. Dwight is a big ticket, he can dunk and defend. That's all casual NBA fans are looking for.

You couldn't pay me to watch a full Rockets FT circus.. especially in the playoffs

[ThaTopMoron]

They bought into the Howard hype plain and simple.

The NBA sucks anyways.

teams are so dumb its ridiculous

they just want to get someone to fill the seats

[DOM-Ganador]

Howard isn't even on the same planet as these 2 guys.
It's like comparing Filet Mignon to a flank steak.
Howard is not a superstar, just a good 2nd tier player basically no matter how you look at it.
You don't build a team around HIM, you add him to a team when you are building, like the Rockets did. But they will still never win most likely. He is a cancer, a diva, most likely a closet-flame, and will always be more of a problem than a solution to win a ring.

Benny, well said man.Anyone who thinks Howard brings anything more than benching 350 LBs to a team just doean`t have a clue.
I guess it has to do with the Twitter/FB age where style over substance. Ewing, Barkley brought it, Howard is luggage.

[I/O]

Howard isn't even on the same planet as these 2 guys.
It's like comparing Filet Mignon to a flank steak.
Howard is not a superstar, just a good 2nd tier player basically no matter how you look at it.
You don't build a team around HIM, you add him to a team when you are building, like the Rockets did. But they will still never win most likely. He is a cancer, a diva, most likely a closet-flame, and will always be more of a problem than a solution to win a ring.

You may be over reaching here Benner....

You saying Howard finds better quality male tail in Houston than LA?? Tell me something I don't know