Independence Days arrives a little earlier in The Association than it does in America. At the stroke of midnight Sunday, teams were free to strike deals with free agents. With Doc in Hollywood, the Clippers have found the cure for keeping Chris Paul. Houston is again going all out, like a fireworks fanatic on the fourth. Instead of a sending up a red flare, the Rockets set up red flair for the biggest one - literally and figuratively - Dwight Howard (they blasted Thomas Robinson,Carlos Delfino and Aaron Brooks right off the roster to clear cap space).
In addition to meeting with the owner, GM and coach, the posse persuading Howard included players past and present: Chandler Parsons, James Harden, Clyde Drexler and Hakeem Olajuwon in-person, Yao Ming via teleconference (Yao, who was calling from China, is so tall we're classifying him as a "Skypescraper"), and Dikembe Mutombo by means of a videotaped message (we wonder whether he wrapped with a finger-wagging warning not to sign elsewhere). All they were missing was George Zimmer to tell Howard he would like the way he looked in a Rockets uniform - he guarantees it.
If that trinity of centers didn't make Howard feel like the center of attention, no one will, although it also highlights that the Rockets, like the Lakers, have a long line of long-limbed legends. Howard plans to visit the Hawks, Mavericks, Warriors and the Lakers, so we'll see if sending choice recruiters helps him make his choice any faster. We expect this to take more time - and involve more flipping - than grilling on charcoal.
*it's unknown if Houston told Howard he would like the way he looked in a Rockets uniform and, more crucially, guaranteed it.
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