The Lesser of Two Evils

It's almost official: Dwight Howard is a Flaker.

We were all praying for the Dwight Howard saga to end, and it's about to (once the NBA approves the trade). It's a 4-team trade which sends Dwight Howard to the Lakers along with Chris Duhon and Earl Clark, the Nuggets will receive Andre Iguodala, the Sixers will receive Andrew Bynum and Jason Richardson, and Orlando will get Arron Afflalo, Al Harrington, Nikola Vucevic, Moe Harkless, and a first round pick from each of the 3 teams. Best part for the Lakers isn't necessarily that they got Howard...it's that they got rid of Bynum.

So who came out ahead? Everyone but Orlando. The Lakers got the best deal with Howard and a backup point guard in Chris Duhon. He's not the best backup, but if he's not the main focus point like he was in New York coming off the bench, he should give the Lakers some good minutes while Nash rests.

Basically this puts L.A in the drivers seat out west. It makes them slightly better than the Thunder. The upgrades at point and center make this team extremely dangerous...and I hate the Lakers. But, this is the team I want going to the finals because it's the team with the best chance at beating the Heat when they inevitably make it there. The lesser of two evils is who I want to win.

Offensively, everything will run through Nash and give Kobe a much needed break. Whether it's a pick and roll with Gasol or Howard, or penetrating and dishing to Artest or Kobe for a 3, Nash gives the Lakers an immediate and necessary upgrade on offense. Kobe is still the primary option, but now I think Howard is #2, Gasol #3, Nash #4, and Artest #5. I am always the first person to rag on Artest for his lack of offensive production, but when he's your 5th option (possibly 6th if Antawn Jamison is on the floor), that's a pretty good team. He's one of the better 5th options out there.

Defensively, you now have 3 lockdown defenders in Howard, Bryant, and Artest. Gasol is no slouch, either. A defensive-minded coach just got the best defensive player in the NBA.

The best part about this trade is, unlike the Heat trade, all of the Laker pieces mesh well. You have a new point, a dominant wing, and a post. Gasol is flexible enough to play low or high post, and you have some options at the other wing spot. No one is playing the same spot or expects to have the shot at the end of the game, except Kobe. He's still the respected, unanimous leader on this team. When he leaves, Nash will be pretty much out the door so it becomes Dwight's team.

Do I like the Lakers? Of course not. But until the Thunder can prove they are the league's best team, I'm gonna put my hopes in a team that I've hated all my life...since they are the best shot at beating the player I hate more than any team.

....Go.....Lakers.....