Dwight Howard takes Kristaps Porzingis to school with ridiculous alley-oop (VIDEO)

New York Knicks rookie Kristaps Porzingis has become the toast of the NBA and it seemed it was only a matter of time before the Zinger got burned.

Against the Houston Rockets on Sunday, the 7’3” Latvian met his match when fellow big man Dwight Howard manhandled the rook with this two-handed alley-oop over the Knicks sensation.

Howard's had enough of the NBA talking about this rookie https://t.co/LajV7QqzKv

— 401 (@RakwonOGOD) November 30, 2015

Even though K-Por, KP, K-Zing or whatever you want to call him, ended up on the wrong end of a Superman poster dunk, he still finished the game with 20 points and 13 rebounds in a 116-11 OT loss to the Rockets.

Rockets fan does his own version of Flashdance in stands (VIDEO)

This diehard Rockets fan took full advantage of his five seconds of fame when the camera turned in his direction on Wednesday.

Not only did he have "I (heart) Rockets" scrawled across his belly, he had a bottle of water ready to pour over his head after he tore off his Dwight Howard jersey.

The only thing missing was "Maniac" on the sound system for his low budget Flashdance.



This is for your burning eyes:

Dwight Howard elbows LeBron James in face (VIDEO)

Miami Heat fans held their breaths when LeBron James hit the deck Tuesday night after Dwight Howard inadvertently elbowed the MVP (Most Valuable Proboscis) in the face.

James Harden tried to make an ill-advised pass ahead to Howard in the final seconds of the Rockets-Heat game when the the center's elbow whacked the masked James in the jaw.

To add insult to injury, James' attempt at a buzzer-beating, game-tying three clanked off the rim to seal a 106-103 victory for the Rockets in Houston. James joked about the pain after the loss, telling The Miami Herald: 

"It feels like my nose is broken."

LeBron had 22 points on the night on 9-of-18 shooting, but was scoreless in the fourth quarter.

Curry floater, O’Neal block keys to dramatic Golden State win over Rockets (VIDEOS)

The Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors thrilled fans with a finish that included Stephen Curry hitting a floater over Dwight Howard and off the glass to send the game to overtime.

Then in overtime, with 30 seconds to go and Golden State up one, Jermaine O’Neal preserved the win by blocking a Chandler Parsons dunk.

Golden State went on to win 102-99, snapping Houston’s eight-game win streak.

One Lakers fan leaves Dwight Howard hanging on high five (VIDEO)

When Dwight Howard was walking off the court after the first half of his return to Staples Center Wednesday night, the Los Angeles pariah still managed to get a few high-fives from fans — all except one.

Watch the one guy pull his hand back in a classic case of “psych.”

Howard ended up slapping five with his teammates though, after the Rockets cruised to a 134-108 win over the Lakers. 

Kobe used Instagram photo to solace himself after news about Howard

Kobe Bryant posted a photo of himself and teammate Pau Gasol on Instagram shortly after free-agent Dwight Howard confirmed that he was leaving the Lakers to sign with the Rockets.

The picture, which shows Gasol patting Bryant on the head, bears the caption “#vamos #juntos #lakercorazon #vino.” The Spanish words translate to “we go, together, Laker heart, wine.”

“Vino” is one of Bryant’s numerous nicknames, a reference to how he is aging well. Gasol is a native of Spain.

Bryant was acquired by the Lakers in the 1996 draft. The leading scorer in franchise history, Bryant has won five titles in L.A.

His longtime teammate, Gasol, was acquired by the Lakers in a 2008 trade with the Grizzlies. Together, Bryant and Gasol won back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010.

Howard was acquired by the Lakers in a 2012 trade with the Magic. He averaged 17.1 points, 12.4 rebounds and 2.4 blocks last season. The Lakers were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Spurs after Bryant suffered a season-ending Achilles injury.

“I’ve decided to become a member of the Houston Rockets,” Howard wrote in a Twitter post. “I feel it’s the best place for me and I am excited about joining the Rockets and I’m looking forward to a great season. I want to thank the fans in Los Angeles and wish them the best.”

Both Bryant and Gasol will enter the final season of their respective contracts in 2013-14. Bryant is set to make $30.5 million while Gasol will earn $19.3 million.

Bryant immediately unfollowed Howard after he saw the tweet about leaving the Lakers.

It Just Got Real: @KobeBryant has unfollowed @DwightHoward within the last hour.
— darren rovell (@darrenrovell) July 6, 2013

Kobe keeping $20,000 bottle of champagne on ice for NBA Championship

Kobe Bryant must finally like what he sees in his Los Angeles Lakers team because the NBA star is keeping a $20,000 bottle of bubbly on ice in case his team wins the title.

Bryant was presented with a Black Gold Jeroboam of 1998 Dom Perignon — of which there are only 50 — and confidently joked, "We'll pop this in June," reported Page Six of The New York Post.

The moody Lakers star received the gift at the London West Hollywood for being named the latest brand ambassador for Hublot. There was no mention of his brand ambassadorship for Dwight Howard.

Guests at the Hollywood bash included Zac Efron, Jimmy Kimmel and a bunch of other celebrities.

The Lakers are still clinging to a two game lead for the final Western Conference playoff spot with 12 games to go, but have made great strides since early season disappointment.

Now Kobe has some added motivation to get his sixth ring.

Howard put on Kobe's uniform and mocked teammate in All-Star locker room

If you thought relations between Kobe Bryant and Lakers' teammate Dwight Howard had reached a truce during the All-Star weekend in Houston — think again.

Despite some some recent light moments between the two adversaries, sources report that Howard mocked Bryant behind his back in the locker room where he "grabbed Kobe's uniform, put it on, and imitated him in front of all the other players on the West team.  He was joking and berating Kobe" to fellow NBA stars, including Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and Kevin Durant, according to Page Six of The New York Post.

Big man in a little top.

The source said Bryant later arrived in the locker room, "said hello to everyone on the team except Howard, grabbed his stuff and moved as far away from Howard as he could."

Despite a recent clear-the-air meeting in Memphis, relations between the two Lakers' stars hasn't improved .

At the All-Star Game, Bryant said, "It doesn't matter" what his team does with Howard as the trade deadline nears.  Ouch.

Neither Bryant or Howard returned calls to The Post.

Kobe-Howard feud could lead to another blockbuster deal for Nets

While Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard butt heads in Los Angeles, the Nets organization is in the position of putting theirs together and coming up with an enticing package to bring the disgruntled Howard to Brooklyn.

A league source told the New York Daily News that the Lakers stars got into a heated argument following a New Year's Day loss to the 76ers, and Bryant referenced and agreed with Shaquille O'Neal's assessment of Howard being soft.

Howard was restrained  from attacking his teammate, according to the source, and it only highlighted the center's unhappiness with Bryant since the start of the season.

"Look at the difference between our team and (the Clippers)," Howard said after Friday's loss to their Staples Center roommates.  "They just play together.  They share the ball.  Everybody's excited when something happens."

The rift between the no-nonsense Bryant and the child-like Howard — combined with Howard's pending free-agency — allows the Nets to position themselves as prime contenders to make a deal for the center's services.

Howard has not committed to the Lakers beyond this season and if he isn't re-signed, the team risks losing him without anything in return.  Meanwhile, the Nets wait in the wings maybe getting ready to pounce.

The Nets — specifically guard Deron Williams — talked about getting Howard from the Magic all last winter until a deal featuring Nets center Brook Lopez fell apart.  Howard later claimed Brooklyn was his desired destination after he was sent to Los Angeles.

Lopez, who is in the midst of a breakout season after undergoing foot surgery, can't be traded until Jan. 15 because he signed a four-year, $61 million deal in the summer.

The Nets have been running hot and cold this season but have to ask themselves whether or not the addition of the somewhat slumping Howard would supplant the surging play of Lopez.

Williams, the Nets' $100 million man, probably thinks so.

NBA stars dribble 'Carol of the Bells' to promote new BIG Color uniforms

If the stress of Thanksgiving dinner or the door-busting crowds of Black Friday shoppers don't get you into a holiday mood, maybe the sound of a popular Christmas carol played by NBA stars dribbling basketballs will do the trick.

The NBA is giving fans the first look of its new and ingenious "BIG Color" marketing campaign — the one that features single color with the stencil-font letters that will be worn during the Christmas Day NBA quintuple-header — as a teaser.

The ad — which will be released Wed. — features Lakers center  Dwight Howard, Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony, Nets guard Joe Johnson Thunder guard Russell Westbrook and Heat guard Dwyane Wade dribbling basketball to the tune of "Carol of the Bells."  The players are all wearing the monochromatic uniforms and take turns hitting the various notes of the carol.

You know a couple of elves probably did a lot of editing to pull off this Christmas miracle.



Not surprisingly, all five players are scheduled to play during the holiday marathon featuring the Celtics at Nets, Knicks at Lakers, Thunder at Heat, Rockets at Bulls and Nuggets at Clippers.

Tyson Chandler takes issue with Shaq's NBA center rankings

Dwight Howard isn't the only player who disagrees with Shaquille O'Neal's ranking of NBA centers.  New York Knicks big man Tyson Chandler took issue with the TNT analyst's assessment that the two best centers in the NBA right now are "Robin" Lopez and Andrew Bynum.

The slighted Howard called Shaq's rankings "comical," reports The New York Post.

"I was watching 'SportsCenter' this morning, eating breakfast in the team lounge, and I was laughing at the whole thing," Chandler said.  "I honestly think it's comical.  I don't care about rankings.

"That's one individual's point of view.  I know where I'm at.  I know what my value is.  And I know better I have to continue to get better."

Maybe Chandler's tough skin comes from years of being underrated.  Chandler, last season's NBA Defensive Player of the Year and U.S. Olympic team member, is used to getting such congratulatory snubs.

During the London Games, Chandler told The Post it was "ridiculous" that the coaches voted him second-team All Defense after he won the won the Defensive Player of the Year award.  Try and figure that one out.

Shaq may have ruffled Chandler's feathers with the Bynum and Robin Lopez — we're sure he meant twin-brother Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez —  comment, but the Knicks center might have Shaq eating crow.  The Knicks enter the season with high hopes and a improved — if not older— roster.

Who knows.  With Howard out in Los Angeles, Chandler has a good shot of making his first All-Star team.  That is if any Lopez brother or Bynum doesn't get in the way.

Deron Williams: No more frustration in Nets locker room

It looks like every act, show and performer out on the road these days will be making at least one stop at Brooklyn's new Barclays Center.  But if it were up to Brooklyn Nets star Deron Williams, the circus won't be one of them —  at least not in his Nets locker room.

Williams said he was frustrated at all of the losing he endured with the former New Jersey Nets during the 2011-12 season but really angered him was all the clowning around by a lot of his teammates after a loss.

The All-Star point guard said the locker room would turn into a comedy club after double-digit losses and — although he sometimes joined in the jocularity even as the losses mounted — it was eating him up.

"It was hard.  I've never been in that position before," Williams told reporters Tuesday following the Nets first day of training camp.  "So at times, I've shown frustration , but I think anybody would have.  I think no matter who it is, if you were there every day and you saw what was going on in the locker room you'd be pissed off too sometimes.  You're getting your asses kicked and then you're in the locker room laughing about the game afterwards .

"I don't think that stuff is funny.  That's what we had to deal with last year.  But I don't think we're going to deal with it this year, because we're just talking to the guys, that's not what we're about.  we're talking about not losing two games in a row. We were just trying to fight to win two games in a row last year."

Williams didn't make excuses for the Nets 22-44 record last season but could have pointed to the Nets injury-depleted roster, his contract talks and the Dwight Howard trade talks.

Asked about the the differences this year's squad will bring— only six players remain from last year's roster — Williams was optimistic.

"It's night and day, last year to this year, what we have in training camp," he said.

Williams re-signed with the Nets  — signing a five-year, $98 million contract — mainly because Nets GM Billy King wasn't reluctant to bring in some new players including All-Star shooting guard Joe Johnson.

A new arena, a new team name,  a new leadership role and no clown cars pulling into the Nets locker room.  All things Williams can put in front of himself this season.

"I look forward to being that guy that everybody looks upon when things get tight, when things get close," he said.  "I like those moments."

Brook Lopez signs $61 million deal with Nets; goes comic book shopping

Brook Lopez signed a four-year, $61 million deal with the Brooklyn Nets and the first thing the comic book buff did was leave his press conference and go comic book shopping.

After the announcement at a Brooklyn Marriot, Lopez crossed the street in front of the still under construction Barclays Center and headed to a local comic book store where he plunked down $75 and had a conversation with the clerk about "The Rocketeer"— no, not Jeremy Lin.

The Nets re-signed the free agent after being mentioned in trade talks with Superman— yes, Dwight Howard.

Lopez doesn't like the idea that the Orlando Magic center is compared to the Man of Steel.

"I read a lot of comics and they don't mention Dwight Howard," said Lopez.

The Nets center is headed to Italy to celebrate with his family.

Lopez wants to keep the Brook in Brooklyn

Brook Lopez— the center for the Brooklyn Nets and lately the middle of trade rumors surrounding talks with the Orlando Magic about bringing Dwight Howard to the Barclays Center— wants the Nets to know he's all-in on Crooklyn.

Lopez— an unabashed Disney fan— would probably love to live in Disney World but even the close proximity of the AmWay Center to the Magic Kingdom does not make Orlando a place Lopez wants to play.

"He really wants to see it through with the Nets  and go to Brooklyn," said Chris Lopez— Brook's brother and advisor told The New York Post.  "We're back in California and he understands the situation, but he wants to remain consistent He wants to be a Brooklyn Net.  He hasn't played anywhere else and he likes the organization.  He wants to be a part of it now that they're going to be good."

It sounds like the Nets are also wishing upon a star and it just happens to be Howard— the most sought after free agent available.  The Nets reportedly said they are willing to give up Lopez, forward Kris Humphries, guard MarShon Brooks along with three first-round draft picks in order to land Howard.  If  the Nets throw in Sleepy, they've probably got a deal.

Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to Orlando we go.

 Lopez would have to agree to a sign-and-trade and Chris Lopez has doubts that his brother would be willing to make that move but said,  "Honestly, I couldn't answer that, it's Brook's call."

Lopez, the 10th pick in the 2008 draft, missed almost all of the 2011's abbreviated season because of a broken foot and and ankle injury right after he returned to the lineup. He has averaged 17.4 points and 7.6 rebounds in his first three NBA seasons.

"Brook and his rehab are doing fine," said Chris Lopez.  "He has been working really hard toward seeing it through to Brooklyn.  He is willing to do anything to make it happen.

"But we haven't heard anything other than what we've read and seen [on TV]."

Now— with the signing of point guard Deron Williams— the Nets are looking to add Howard and complete their own version of the Big Three.

Suddenly Brook Lopez, you are not the fairest of them all.

Nets still in hunt for Dwight Howard

The Brooklyn Nets and the Orlando Magic are in discussions for a blockbuster trade which would send Dwight Howard to the Nets in exchange for Brook Lopez, Kris Humphries, Marshon Brooks and three future draft picks.

The report by ESPN, quoting unnamed sources, says the Nets would give up first round picks in 2013, 2015 and 2017 to land Howard— the five-time All-Star— and maybe, more importantly, help entice Deron Williams to re-sign with Brooklyn.

Howard has told Orlando management that he wants to be traded to the Nets and only the Nets.  Williams sounds like he has narrowed his picks to the Nets and the Dallas Mavericks.

The Nets traded for Atlanta's Joe Johnson on Monday and— if the pieces fall in place— make a trade for Howard and re-sign Williams, Brooklyn will have their own formidable Big Three.

Lopez and Humphries are free agents, so they would have to consent to a sign-and-trade.  The ironic thing is that Lopez— who is a restricted free agent— is a huge Disney and Disney World fan and would be more that happy to play near the Magic Kingdom.

Humphries— the most most dominant front-line player on the Nets for the past two seasons already lives in Florida during the offseason.

If the Nets do sign Howard and re-sign Williams, it would give the Nets Big Three a combined 2012 salary of $58.8 million.  The NBA salary cap was $58 million last season.

Defensive Player of the Year Tyson Chandler only makes All-Defensive Second Team

Was Tyson Chandler slighted with his All-Defensive Second Team selection? For the New York Knicks center, the second straight  Second Team pick is nice— if not a bit perplexing— especially since he was already named the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year.

Since that award is voted on by the media, the All-defensive Team honor comes from all 30 NBA coaches with one important rule— coaches can't vote for their own players.

Dwight Howard— who had won three DPOY awards prior to this season— was nominated to the first team in Chandler's place.  He was joined by LeBron James and shot-blocking phenom Serge Ibaka and guards Chris Paul and Tony Allen.

Chandler was joined on the second team by Kevin Garnett, Luol Deng, Rajon Rondo and Kobe Bryant.

Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin was confused by the slight and even questioned the logic behind Chandler's snub via Twitter.

Lin tweeted: "im no genius or anything but someone explain how @tysonchandler is defensive player of the year but not make the nba all-defensive team."

He did go to Harvard.

Chandler did have more points (36 overall and 13 first-team votes) than both Allen and Paul, but since only one center can be nominated per team, the honor went to Howard (16 first-place and 41 overall points).

If it was any consolation to Chandler, his teammate rookie Iman Shumpert received honorable mention after getting one first-place vote and 13 overall.

Howard's team, the Orlando Magic actually regressed from one of the top-three defensive teams to No. 13 last season while Chandler helped turn the Knicks into defensive force.

Tyson Chandler on London Olympics: I'd represent

The loss of big men Dwight Howard and LaMarcus Aldridge for the London Olympics after surgeries have created a huge hole in the middle of the USA basketball team but not if Tyson Chandler can help it.

The New York Knicks center is ready to put his own red, white and blue Superman get-up and fly to the rescue after the Knicks playoff run is through.

After the injuries to the two centers and Andrew Bynum saying he wasn't interested in joining the squad, Chandler may now even get to start for the U.S. Olympic team.

Chandler, who was not selected for the 2008 Olympic gold-medal team but was a member of  Team USA in the 2010 World Championships says he wants in. He was already named one of the 20 finalists for 2012 in London in January.

"I'm definitely ready to represent my country," Chandler told The New York Post.  "I'm very excited.  Just  to be able to be considered for the USA team is a blessing and something I'm very proud of.  I committed myself when I joined in 2007.  I still feel that way."

Although Chandler didn't play at this year's 2012 All-Star game, he's had a remarkable season and is a strong candidate for Defensive Player of the Year.  His 'D' on the court is outstanding.  In the three games he's missed, the Knicks allowed an average of 116.3 points— far above their average in the Mike Woodson Era.

Deron Williams uses Brooklyn in final pitch for Dwight Howard

The future of the New Jersey Nets might hinge on the plight of Dwight Howard before today's 3 pm trade deadline and the Nets free-agent-to-be Deron Williams is banking on the the borough of Brooklyn to lure the Orlando Magic center to the Nets.

After a bizarre sequence of events over the past few months, including drunk-dialing from the Magic CEO and continuing with Howard telling the team he would exercise his one-year option to remain in Orlando, it looks like the big man could end up in New Jersey— until the move to Brooklyn next year.

Williams sounded like a man who would remain with the Nets if Howard came aboard and sang the praises of Brooklyn to show why the new location was desirable.

"Companies I'm dealing with are real excited about the move to Brooklyn," Williams said.  "That's what really excites them ... they see the buzz around the new arena, the fans are excited about a team coming to the borough, and I think everybody is trying to get a head start on that."

All that, and free Jay-Z tickets to boot.

Williams was traded to the Nets at the end of the 2010-11 season and made it clear he would not stay if the team didn't build the franchise around him.

The Nets guard, who becomes a free agent after the season said he will stay if the Nets sign Howard.

Nets general manager Billy King has continued to engage in trade talks with the Magic with the hope of  making a deal before the trade deadline.  King insists that the Nets will not trade Williams.

While the Nets are one of many teams vying for Howard's services, Howard has said in the past that the Nets were a top choice when he became a free agent.

If the Nets do not sign Howard, it's almost a foregone conclusion Williams— their best player— will leave at the end of the season.

Williams— who came to New Jersey from the Utah Jazz— wants Howard to know that by coming to the Nets opens up a lot of marketing opportunities especially when they relocate to Brooklyn.

"It's been a lot different than Utah, that's for sure.  It's definitely a bigger market, a better market, able to reach more people," said Williams, who has picked up deals with Audi, Metro PCS, and Red Bull.

"A lot of the companies I'm dealing with are excited about the move to Brooklyn."

If Howard re-signs with the Magic, it would be the worst-case-scenario for the Nets.

Is Williams concerned about being traded himself or his future with the Nets?

"There is no way to tell," he reasoned.  "We'll see what happens and go from there."

Hedo Turkoglu gets touchy-feely with refs

There are a few things a player can get away with in the NBA—taking five steps to the basket and not getting a travelling call or swatting a once-untouchable sensation with a Lin-sane forearm (Jason Kidd on Jeremy Lin?) and getting a no-call; but putting your hands on a referee is still a no-no.

The Orlando Magic's Hedo Turkoglu learned that the hard way last night at the United Center.



The Magic were involved in a close game against the Chicago Bulls when the Magic forward thought he was fouled going to the hoop and went to plead his case with ref Carl Lane.

While addressing Lane, Turkoglu innocently put both hands on the ref who immediately gave him a technical.

Turkoglu continued to grab at Lane then went over and played two-hand touch on the other referee Phil Spinner.

The "T' really didn't matter as Orlando got a big game from Dwight Howard and the Magic defeated the Bulls, 99-94, snapping Chicago's eight game winning streak.

Turkoglu is lucky he didn't get two on the play— two technicals that is.

Ex-Magic CEO's Booty-Call Could Help Nets Land Dwight Howard

Nothing says "I love you" like a late night phone call to your ex—or soon-to-be free-agent—after a few rounds of drinks but the same call also says "run for the hills."

Either way, it's never a smart thing to do as ex-Orlando Magic CEO, Bob Vander Weide, found out after admitting he phoned Dwight Howard pleading with the star center to stay with with his team.

It sounds like the CEO's booty-call might have backfired.

Vander Weide, who unexpectedly retired yesterday, told Bright House Sports Network he called Howard a few days ago after having "a couple of glasses of wine" and "maybe should have waited until the morning."

"Maybe Dwight thought it was inappropriate to talk business after a couple glasses of wine," Vander Weide told the network about the 1 a.m. phone call.  "I was playing paddle with a couple of friends."

The Magic are desperate to keep Howard in Orlando.  Arguably the NBA's best big man, Howard can opt-out of the final year of his contract on July 1, and has expressed his desire to go to another team.

The situation has pretty much forced the Magic to deal the five-time All-Star now before they risk losing him for nothing in return when he becomes a free-agent.

In the meantime, teams have been taking advantage of the shaky relationship between Howard and his current team.

The Los Angeles Lakers—most notably—have offered everyone but Kobe Bryant for Howard but it's the New Jersey Nets who have actually put a tangible deal on the table.

The Nets have offered Brook Lopez, draft picks and cap space in order to keep their own All-Star point guard Deron Williams in Newark before they team moves to Brooklyn next year.

On Monday, Williams—who has his own opt-out decision to make after this season— claimed he had spoken with Howard about coming north and is "sure" he would sign an extension if he was dealt to the Nets.  The two players were teammates on the 2008 U.S. Olympic team.

"[Howard's] a monster," gushed Williams.  "He's like a created player.  He's not real."

The Nets might be facing an uphill battle for the coveted big guy playing alongside Williams.

Los Angeles—and the bright lights of Hollywood—might be too much of a draw for the aspiring actor Howard and the trade bait—Lamar Odom, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum—might be too tempting for the Magic.

While the desperate call by Vander Weide might have been fueled by liquor—as suspected by Howard—the Magic are still in the mix for Howard.  The former CEO told Bright House that Howard is still waiting to see what Orlando offers the center before he becomes a free-agent after this season.

"We have a pretty good relationship," said Vander Weide.  "I have a pretty clear understanding where Dwight's head is and that's between him and this organization."

Still, the Nets don't want to turn any trade negotiations with the Magic into a media feeding frenzy, ala the Knicks and Carmelo Anthony.

"We're confident—Billy [Nets GM Billy King] and I," said Nets coach Avery Johnson.  "We've been confident all along.  Last year, we had a circus atmosphere when we were trying to make deals for some guys.  Hopefully, if we do anything, you guys [the media] won't find out until you kind of find out what we did [with Williams]," said Johnson.

Johnson said that trade talks with Orlando are in the preliminary stages and will be kept under wraps until the time is right.

"I can't talk about it publicly," said Johnson.  "But it's a foregone conclusion that we're working at it and hopefully, we'll get something done."

Maybe it's time for the Nets to bring out the big guns to lure Howard to Jersey and their new Brooklyn home next year—Madison Avenue and Jay-Z.