09-07-2023, 06:13 PM
(This post was last modified: 09-07-2023, 06:20 PM by Ghost of Podkolzin.)
(09-07-2023, 04:45 PM)dirkfansince1998 Wrote: At some point you expected him to make more than the MLE. Now he is playing for the minimum. Don't be suprised if his Lakers stint ends just like his season in Dallas. AD is going to close games. Wood won´t be happy.
Your post also ignores the locker room issues. Rockets were happy to get rid of him.
Remember this story...
When the Rockets signed him they were excited to get a talented big on a good contract. Pistons didn´t want him back. When the Mavs traded for Wood the majority of fans viewed it as a good trade. 18/10 for a late first and expiring end of the bench guys. What could possibly go wrong. One year later the Mavs are the Rockets/Pistons. This time the Lakers are talking themself into him. He has all the tools and put up big numbers. This time things will be different. I don´t buy it. But who knows maybe the last three years humbled him and he is finally willing to accept a lesser role. Finally willing to work within a defensive scheme.
Yes, I'm surprised he signed a vet min deal. Yes, I was admittedly wrong about his market. The article does mention what I've been saying, tho. With the movement of Dame and Harden, there would have been a lot churning, a lot for teams like MIA to stand put on. His second year in LAL is a PO. He'll not be exercising that. My prediction is that he's going to ball with defensive studs surrounding him in LAL. They'll use him like we should have: 6th man.
Detroit chose Jerami Grant. In NO way does that mean they didn't want him back; they just chose Grant over Wood.
He had one incident in HOU, taking the side of a young teammate against a coach; it was the teammate, not Wood who threw the jersey and left practice.
I'll say it again. Kidd has FAR more of a history in not getting along with teammates, coaches, owners, and players than Wood does. He started his career as a coach killer, both at Cal and DAL. Cuban didn't want Kidd's name mentioned before reconciling with him. Problems with teammates? Ask Jimmy Jackson. Problems with players? Ask Larry Sanders. Ask KG and Paul Pierce, both of whom had to be talked out of kicking his ass. What happened in DAL with Wood is Kidd's pattern, not Wood's.
Time will tell. If his DAL stint (the only negative stint of his career) repeats itself in LAL under the toutorage of AD, Lebron, and Ham, I am obviously very wrong and admit so.