Completely Unsubstantiated Talk Around Juwan Howard and Lakers (no link worthy of sharing)

Submitted by MaizeBlueA2 on April 10th, 2022 at 1:16 AM

I tried to be as clear as possible in the subject, so don't click and then get mad. You knew what this was...

I'm not including any links, because I personally don't see anything from anything close to a major news outlet (except maybe Bleacher Report), but Google "Juwan Howard Lakers" and you'll see the talk has begun.

Howard played with Pelinka and more importantly, he played with and coached LeBron. The connections are obvious for anyone looking to start a good rumor. Notice I said START a rumor, because I don't even think this has risen to "rumor."

THAT said, it's 2022 and there's a solid chance someone semi-credible is going to pick this up and Juwan will have to say something publicly. If nothing else, for recruiting purposes.

Juwan loves Michigan. He's said quietly that he's not going anywhere before his kids leave Michigan. So yes, it's the Lakers, LeBron, and Pelinka, but "This Is Michigan." My worry meter is, "0, but go find a shooter." However, I wouldn't be surprised if people mention his name enough that it becomes a quick "thing."

He also has to bring the Fab 5 together, which by all accounts, is very important to him.

Juwan has already coached LeBron and due to the Lakers roster situation, that job will be open again in 4 years - after, presumably, his kids are gone.  Bronny can come to Michigan if LeBron wants to be around Juwan. Otherwise, let's hold onto Dickinson and Diabate and find an All-B1G caliber guard to give the young ones another year to develop. 

San Diego Mick

April 10th, 2022 at 2:39 AM ^

I'll bite, in the off chance he takes an NBA gig, whom would we want, I'm interested to see whom you guys would desire as coach. I could see Martelli filling in for a few years and we'd be fine IMO,  maybe Beilein but I doubt he wants to recruit anymore. 

I doubt Juwan leaves, there is unfinished business at Michigan, the NBA ain't goin' anywhere, it will be there should he feel like it whenever.

blue in dc

April 10th, 2022 at 10:17 AM ^

I think we should all get to complain about it being a nothing burger.   A good rule - if it hasn’t “risen to a rumor”, then it isn’t worth posting.   Caveating to the nth degree that a post isn’t worth making or reading doesn’t some how magically absolve one from making said post.

mGrowOld

April 10th, 2022 at 5:10 AM ^

So I did as you suggested and Googled "Juwan Howard Lakers Report".

1. Seven front page web links

2. First two were from their 2020 search 

3. Next five ALL referenced a single podcast made by a Barstool NBA "insider" Ed Pincus as their source of this alleged rumor, who, BTW, is such an insider he doesn't have a verified account on Twitter.

4. This thread which has just been posted has reached the #7 slot on the Google search.

This is a classic case of how completely unfounded bullshit rumors take off.  One random nobody idiot (dude at Bleacher Report) makes a wild, completely unsubstantiated claim out his ass and other random nobody idiots (like you OP unfortunately) repeat it creating an echo chamber of bullshit.

Take this down Mods if anyone is up.  Please.

Don

April 10th, 2022 at 7:51 AM ^

"The connections are obvious for anyone looking to start a good rumor. Notice I said START a rumor, because I don't even think this has risen to "rumor."

You forgot to put in this last sentence: "But I'm going to do my damnedest to make sure it rises to rumor."

MRunner73

April 10th, 2022 at 8:26 AM ^

Given that back in January and for 4 weeks it was all about Harbaugh to the NFL, it is easy to see how talk like this gets some legs. My worry meter is 0.1 and hopefully this talk dies on the vine.

blue in dc

April 10th, 2022 at 11:49 AM ^

Harbaugh wanting to go to the NFL wasn’t just a rumor though.   He actually interviewed and it isn’t unreasonable to believe that at least some of the other Harbaugh rumors were at least partially grounded in fact.    This seems to be nothing other than silly speculation.

dickdastardly

April 10th, 2022 at 8:28 AM ^

I am sure Juwan's wife would give him a good ol backhand slap across his face if he considered leaving Michigan for Los Angeles to coach that POS Lebron over her two sons. 

wesq

April 10th, 2022 at 9:19 AM ^

The Lakers job seems like it would be miserable. Westbrook is unmovable (maybe Wall but that doesn’t help) no assets or no cap space to get better, an older team getting older. And with Lebron and AD you still have the pressure to win. IF Pelinka survives to make a hire he is on the worlds hottest seat and most likely you’ll be looking at a new at a new GM who didn’t hire you in a year or two. Type of NBA job you want is the Pistons. The heavy lifting of the tank is over, trajectory is up and you have guys that he can still mold and grow and look like they are having fun. 

Durham Blue

April 10th, 2022 at 9:55 AM ^

I just cannot envision Juwan leaving before he coaches his two sons to the ends of their Michigan careers.  Yes, crazy things happen but I think this one would be next level crazy.  Maybe he leaves in 2024 or 2025.

UNCWolverine

April 10th, 2022 at 10:19 AM ^

“Don’t click and then get mad”? 

that’s not how this works.

That's like saying I'm going to punch you in the face, but since I told you first don't get mad.

I clicked just to downvote this trash. 

Teeba

April 10th, 2022 at 11:13 AM ^

IF Coach Howard wants to return to the NBA, the Laker job has got to be one of the least attractive options right now. They mortgaged their future to win a championship 2 years ago. The future is here, now, for them. They are a collection of “Jordan on the Wizards” players. LeBron and Westbrook can still chase stats, but they do nothing to improve the guys around them and AD can’t stay healthy. 

matty blue

April 10th, 2022 at 11:15 AM ^

this post, while completely stupid, will be an interesting study into whether random-assed message board nobodies can be the one and only seed for random-assed talking heads suggesting that “there are rumors about” event XYZ.

so if a scholarly study about the creation of dumbassed internet rumors is your intent, nice.  if it’s not, you’re being a silly person, and a troll. don’t do that. 

bronxblue

April 10th, 2022 at 2:36 PM ^

Nothing quite says "useful thread" like a 2-paragraph preamble outlining why you don't trust anything you're about to say.

Anyway, I'd be surprised if he jumped to LA while his two kids are in college.