Posted this in the other Asik forum, but might warrant its own thread. Houston Rockets center Omer Asik has formally asked the team to trade him in the wake of the team landing Dwight Howard in free agency. But the Rockets have no plans to grant Asik's wish, sources told ESPN.com. ESPN.com On Sunday at the Orlando Pro Summer League, Rockets' coach Kevin McHale said the team will try to mend fences with Asik. "With Omer, he had a great year for us last year and really became one of the top centers in the league," McHale said. "It's just when you have an opportunity to get Dwight, it's hard not to. I'm sure Omer right now is a little down in the dumps, but we'll pick him up." McHale said he can see lineups when Asik and Howard would play together in addition to Asik, who along with Howard would create perhaps the best defensive and rebounding rotation in the league, backing Howard up. McHale called to mind the 1980s when the Rockets used lineups with Hakeem Olajuwon and Ralph Sampson. "You do play two bigs," McHale said. "You have to get spacing and you have to make sure your small guys have got to make sure they keep the court spaced." UPDATE: Added link... http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/9...wake-dwight-howard-add-houston-rockets-say-no
Sorry, but I need to hear this from Asik or his agent. ESPN has lost all credibility with me after saying this five minutes after Dwights decision.
I have a hard time believing this. Omer isn't the type of guy that would create a problem like this. Heck, I don't know if he could even request a trade in English. I think ESPN just assumes he wants a trade because we have Dwight.
If he and Dwight play like 10 minutes together, and if Dwight plays between 30-35 minutes, Asik could still get 20-25 min per game.
rockets will hold on to him as long as they can. trading him now will net a less valuable return because teams know their hand is forced. if they wait and make believe they will keep him, then they have a little more leverage in negotiations.
Wow I know some people in the GARM really don't want to move Asik, but this denial is getting a bit silly lol. When did espn become the CNN of sports? Is it THAT unfathomable that Asik would not want to be relegated to a smaller role now? And would formally ask for a trade? Is the best argument that he didn't do it, despite espn reporting that he's "officially asked," that it just seems too obvious that he would ask for one? lulwut?
Omer must have watched way too much ESPN. I think Dwight wants him here, too. Heck, I'd like him to stay.
great, now maury is holding him hostage. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hoy_en_la_revolucion/7484244472/" title="dareeell by *The last son of krypton*, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7121/7484244472_2650025935.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="dareeell"></a>
ESPN has already shown they have an agenda, and they have reporters actively lying or reporting unsubstantiated information simply because they're angry Howard didn't go to one of the darling teams so I'll wait and see on this.
ESPN and FOX have a lot in common, no wonder they don't like each other. Thus I don't trust either so lets wait and see.