Dash

Because Storm of Swords (the third book) is 1,128 pages long and most of it isn't slow build up that you can easily cut out like they did for season 2. Too much happens in the book to cut much of anything out and the halfway point makes for an ideal stopping point for a season finale anyways. *minor book spoilers* Another reason is probably because they want to milk it due to seasons 5 and 6 likely going on a slower pace.

I'm sure we'll shuffle the roster around a bit throughout the season and at the same time maintain the flexibility of acquiring a big name, but everything else seems to point to Houston finally giving in and rebuilding. The draft really was the turning point for Daryl Morey, given he and the front office are so high on the rookies and loaded on draft picks that it would be utterly stupid to not rebuild. If Morey really did want to contend this year then he would have gone all in for Dwight. Instead the Houston's willingness to go through such a deal has been heavily overstated due to rebuilding suddenly appearing to be a very appealing option for the Rockets (or Dwight and his agent continuing to threaten Houston significantly hurt their offer with the chances of him skipping town). Basically we're rebuilding with the option to contend if the opportunity arises, but in order for Morey to break away from rebuild mode he wants a star player bigger than Pau Gasol. More than likely that opportunity won't come up so I'm prepped for a tanking year.

Houston hasn't been interested in reacquiring Pau for some time now. They're in full rebuild mode.

Thank god this is all finally over. Awful deal for the Magic though.

Not buying it until the deal actually happens.

I just finished watching Blackwater Bay, loved how the battle was done and although I had a few gripes I would basically have to be nitpicking. My biggest gripe with it was the lack of screen time for Davos but at the same time I realize that they were going to have to cut out a few parts (in the books, Davos is the sole POV from Stannis' side during Blackwater prior to the wildfire). This was made up for though with by instead saving the screen time for Stannis when he led the attack, something we weren't privileged to in the books. The scene where Tywin Lannister and the Tyrells show up at the end felt rushed. I was hoping for something grander than the throne room scene with Cersei but maybe I'm just nitpicking again. Overall I thought it was very sound, Blackwater Bay was the main thing I was looking forward to in the show and it didn't disappoint. Glad the third season is being split into two seasons although it really shouldn't surprise many considering all the shit that happens in it. The midway point and the ending to the third book would both make fantastic season endings. Edit: going to wrap up the season sometime tomorrow after work. Looking forward to seeing how the House of The Undying is done.

Not sure how actively you follow the WWE but have you seen the way they play their heels? Cowardly and like glorified jobbers. If Punk is to be a heel for the long haul then Vince and the WWE will as per usual, find a way to bury him and cut off whatever storyline momentum he has because apparently heels don't need wins. If Punk is going to the top heel of this company then he better hold onto the championship until at least Royal Rumble to face The Rock or his 200+ days as champion has been a waste. Punk had his promo with Rocky and delivered a GTS to knock him out in arguably one of the biggest Raws in history, so its Punk/Rock or bust for me. Can you imagine the hype though? The Rock, who has been booked as the greatest of all time, vs CM Punk, the hottest heel in the company and has been WWE champion for over a year. Personally I think Punk should have remained a face and main evented matches like a WWE champion should be doing, and maybe even gone over John Cena but Vince is too [expletive] to do it. Punk has to go over in Summerslam and he has to hold onto the title until Royal Rumble or else this is just another case of Vince shoving John Cena down ours throats and possibly destroying a top face in the process. Punk holding onto the title is the only way I can accept this heel turn.

Please keep the WWE championship far away from John Cena. Punk should retain and go over in Summerslam but I doubt that happens.

Marc J. Spears ‏@SpearsNBAYahoo Rockets get a 2nd round pick from Charlotte that Boston owned along with JaJuan Johnson,E'Twaun Moore and Sean Williams in Courtney Lee deal

MORE POWER FORWARDS.

I don't doubt Rudolph's relationship with Dwight, he proved it himself on the day of the trade deadline but he said so himself that he didn't personally speak to Dwight on this subject. Someone else fed him the information and that is why I don't believe this report. Rudolph doesn't have many connections (if any) outside of Dwight Howard so he doesn't have a clue about what the Orlando Magic are thinking at the moment. Kennedy...eh, he's alright but has proven to be off on several stuff before and I don't think he's that clued in to be on top of the Dwightmare. FWIW there is a Magic "insider" on truebluenation that is disputing this report. He posts under the username YaBoyR, usually am pretty skeptical of these forum insiders but apparently he's provided evidence to the board that he's legit and is backed up by the posters there as well. Flip through the next few pages to see what he has to say although I would take it with a grain of salt. Link: http://truebluenation.com/forum/index.php?/topic/23349-the-dwight-howard-drama-unfolds/page__st__5784

Lol Broussard has zero sources. His 'source' for his report was probably Rudolph.

Celebrating a bit too early because this sounds like BS. Rudolph pretty much said on the radio that Dwight didn't comment on his inquires, which suggests someone in Dwight's inner circle that wants him in LA fed Rudolph that rumor.

Done deal how exactly?

I'm kind of split personally. I really like our future with the rookies and think maybe we could get a top 5 pick this year with the team being so inexperienced. Then again passing up on Dwight/Bynum (per the Laker three way) is tough to do but if either one of those guys walk in free agency... Its odd to suddenly see the Rockets in a good position for once though. Rebuild or compete, we've got great options.

Keep the rookies and tank?

Well we finally got a point guard.

Marc J. Spears @SpearsNBAYahoo Rockets found loophole that would cost them $8 million on third year of Lin offer sheet and Knicks $15 million, source tells Y! Sports.

Lol Sheridan.

Webber was slobbering all over him.

The Nets deal, which supposedly was 'close' to being completed, was horseshit compared to this. No [expletive]ing way we should be giving up that much. Edit: Yugo beat me to it.

This seriously cannot be the real offer. No team even comes close to that deal, why would we overpay like that? Daryl cannot be this [expletive]ing stupid. On the bright side we keep Motiejunas with this proposal. :/

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/8162534/houston-rockets-reconstruct-trade-proposal-orlando-magic-center-dwight-howard So the proposed offer is (some speculation on the picks): Kevin Martin's expiring Chandler Parsons Marcus Morris Patrick Patterson Jeremy Lamb Royce White Terrence Jones 2013 Raptors first (non lotto protected) 2013 Mavs first (top 20 protected) Half of 2013 Rockets first (get if in lotto) For Dwight Howard Jason Richardson's contract Chris Duhon's contract Glen Davis' contract Hedo Turkoglu's contract (3 of 4 of these contracts) ARE YOU KIDDING ME? We would have NOTHING left.

Lol we are so screwed. Scola was coming off a bad year and clearly held little trade value considering we amnestied him. Dwight to Houston is a lock at this point, no chance they get a better deal but we bend over hard. Asik hasn't signed the offer sheet yet btw.