“[Houston] was the best fit for me basketball-wise,” Howard said. “And no offense to [Lakers Coach] Mike D'Antoni, but we're talking about Kevin McHale, who had a million moves in the post.”
Howard declined a five-year, $118-million contract offer from the Lakers to accept a four-year, $88-million deal with the Rockets, his third team in an 11-month period.
“Walt Disney said, ‘Big risks, big rewards,'” Howard said. “He put everything he had into ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,' and the sky was the limit. Now there's Disneyland and Disney World.
“It's a big sacrifice leaving $30 million. Really, really a big sacrifice. But I want to win a championship and I want to get back to being the person who I am and have some fun and enjoy playing basketball. And I think that's what I'll find in Houston.”
Texas has more favorable taxes on income than California, bridging the gap somewhat between the contracts offered by the Lakers and Rockets.
Howard declined to discuss whether he was dismayed by the Lakers' aging roster or by any lingering uncertainty in their front office after the death of longtime owner Jerry Buss in February.
“I'm not going to sit here and throw rocks and jabs at the Lakers,” he said. “It didn't end the way we wanted but I was able to develop a much thicker skin. I'm looking forward now to being the veteran in Houston.”
Reply With Quote
Just cuz you were living in the SoCal during Magic's AIDS parties doesn't mean you understand the current landscape of the LA media today tbh. LA isn't that hard of a market to play in. Nowhere near the level of NY.
I'm actually almost starting to feel sorry for this guy he has no clue
playing for the Lakers as being easy is funny as tbh. 
