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Today is the Fourth of July. If you're not American you get to act like it for the day. Celebrate over 200 years of being world champions at everything. Go drink (Responsibly if you're traveling), play with fireworks (If they're legal in your state, and if they're not, just shoot a gun into the air and shout "Murrica!"), and grill some meat (Today is not a day to be a vegetarian). This thread shouldn't be too active, you should be out with family.
Also, feel free to vote in the fan confidence poll so we can see the ebb and flow of the fanbase for two days. Especially since Dwight should be announcing his decision tomorrow.
Author's Note: Please refrain from posting gifs and photos as it causes the page to load slower, bog down, and just become inconvenient for everyone.
Since it bears repeating from our playoff threads: In an effort to keep the quality of the site and discussion up (Since a lot of these conversations are devolving to sophomoric levels) we would like to remind our users that we're looking for respect, a level of decorum, and some insight and reflection on posts. Let's give it the ole college try to get our level of conversation back up to one of the more respected Houston Rockets sites on the net. After all, we're really only as good as the community we cultivate/foster.
Dream Gives 85% Chance Dwight Signs With Houston
Olajuwon was very frank about the Rockets meeting stating that McHale knows how to utilize the center we need and that the backcourt is the best one he has a chance to play with. He emphasized that the Rockets are his best chance to win a championship.
Radio Interview with Daryl Morey
Morey discusses the theory craft behind some moves, the courtship process with free agents, and says the Lakers aren't interested in a sign and trade for Dwight Howard.
Rockets Summer League Roster Announced
The usual suspects are headed to the Summer League with notable exception Donatas Motiejunas. Motiejunas has been excused from Summer League to play for Lithuania's national team over the summer.
ESPN Updates on Current Free Agents
Truehoop's running update on specific free agents and standing offers to them.
CBS Running update on free agency
CBS Sports has compiled links of articles relating to NBA Free agency. Check this site for full NBA coverage if you have an interest in non-Rockets action. On Twitter the rumor is that Andrew Bynum is not working out for teams in free agency and has drawn interest from the Mavericks in case Howard signs elsewhere.
Rockets Seek To Create Their Own Big Three
During the meeting with Josh Smith the Rockets stated that he is not a back up plan in the Dwight Howard sweepstakes but a player they're interested in adding to play next to Dwight if the signing occurs as well. Houston could really improve with Smith at the 4 next to Howard but it will hinge on who they swap out to make the deal happen.
Tweets
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>According to <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkHeisler">@MarkHeisler</a>, the Rockets still believe they're "clear leaders" for Dwight. Details: <a href="http://t.co/XhIfgxOc2v">http://t.co/XhIfgxOc2v</a></p>— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) <a href="https://twitter.com/LakersNation/statuses/352123946990174208">July 2, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Rumor: Houston Rockets exploring trade options for Royce White.</p>— Brett Poirier NBA (@BrettNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/BrettNBA/statuses/352764948750942209">July 4, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Useful Follows
The usual stand bys of Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA), Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine), Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen), and Chad Ford (@ChadFordInsider) are good. If you want to diversify Mike Kerns of TDS (Marginally) is good for breaking news and Twitter harassment (@Zepp1978), and Mark Deeks (Yes, I was a jerk but I gave him credit) broke the Lin shopping story (@MarkDeeksNBA). If you're after commentary and what not you have an option for all the TDS crew @PatrickHarrel, @ak2themax, (Me) @QuestionablyBD, @Xiane1 (Who is still alive apparently), @3ptTheHardenWay, @CroesFire, and @Allen_OJ. I don't list NVP because he told me not to as he rarely ever Tweets, don't support OJATM by rec'ing him.