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CBSSPORTS: Melo is Foolish Not to Consider Houston

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by Old Man Rock, Dec 22, 2010.

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Old Man Rock Contributing Member

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Melo Foolish Not to Consider Houston

Carmelo Anthony seems dead set on New York, ignoring overtures from Houston and Dallas. We don't think that's quite so smart a plan.
Posted by Matt Moore

Carmelo Anthony has been weighing his options for months. This whole, convoluted process started because Melo started examining his options. But he's kept his preference limited to New York. He's been ambivalent about New Jersey, mostly because they're the only ones to make an offer to peak the Nuggets' interest. Otherwise, he's shown no real interest in headed to Newark, before Brooklyn. Dallas is considering acquiring him regardless of his extension-status. For whatever reason, Melo's not itching to head to Dallas, despite it being a huge market with considerable endorsement opportunities. But what's more perplexing?

Why won't Melo consider Houston?

For months, Houston's been in pursuit of a star, as General Manager Daryl Morey has more than once recognized publicly that you need such stars to win in the NBA. Melo's been on the list for as long as he's been on the market, but still, there's been no word of Melo's interest in Houston. And if it's true that Melo simply doesn't have any interest in the Rockets, that makes him a fool.

The Rockets certainly aren't a contender this year. They're improving with each game, but they're not a top team in their conference, and aren't locked in for the playoffs. Houston isn't the same kind of market as New York. There aren't the same kind of opportunities for endorsements or parties as there are in LA. But Houston does provide the right set of circumstances to get him out of Denver without losing too much, and most importantly, an organization committed to winning.

Daryl Morey has made significant moves every year he's been with the Rockets, and his success rate has been pretty high, considering the injuries to Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming. Outside of the overspending on Trevor Ariza, largely acquired due to a nice playoff run on a stacked team in LA, Morey's been on point. More important, though, is the organizational approach. Morey almost never shackles himself to long-term assets, seizes opportunities to improve his roster (as he did with Ron Artest), drafts well, and if something isn't working, will move to improve it. He supports his head coach Rick Adelman and works in conjunction with him, as opposed to autonomously.

The Rockets have the pieces to acquire Anthony without giving up the farm for him, as New Jersey is backed into a corner about. The Nets keep offering up more and more assets, and have been acquiring more to try and sweeten the deal. But what's left if they send all that? The only thing assured to be waiting on Melo in Jersey is Brook Lopez, who hasn't been having as good of a season as he normally does.

Meanwhile, the Rockets can package Aaron Brooks, Kevin Martin, any number of combinations of reasonable solid players to acquire Melo, and will still have either the expiring contract of Yao Ming to trade, or the money this summer once Yao comes off the books. Should they elect to move Martin, they may be able to pull in another A+ player depending on who or what pick they choose to package with him. Should they keep him, they'll have a legit scoring 2-guard to put next to Melo.

And as a core element, they have Luis Scola. Scola is a top power forward in the West this year. He has ability to play in the post, can defend out to mid-range as well as down low, and rebounds well. Even at 30 years old, he's a piece worth building around, especially at only $16 million over the next two years.

Melo's wife La La Vasquez may want the bright lights of New York. But if Anthony really wants to contend, he needs to hitch his wagon to a management and ownership group who is willing to work to make sure he has a contender each year, and will pounce on opportunities to make the team better. Daryl Morey offers that, and without the baggage that New York is still struggling through without draft picks. Mark Cuban's Mavericks are in a similar situation, but with Houston, there's no Dirk-Nowitzki-type player who Melo would have to share the spotlight and ball with. He'd have free reign to be the man, have a legitimate chance at winning, and an organization committed to success.

A player's legacy isn't forged in commercials and cocktail parties. Houston's not the most glamorous city in the league. But ask Hakeem Olajuwon what playing there did for him.
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#1 Old Man Rock, Dec 22, 2010

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Daryl Morey has made significant moves every year he's been with the Rockets, and his success rate has been pretty high, considering the injuries to Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming. Outside of the overspending on Trevor Ariza, largely acquired due to a nice playoff run on a stacked team in LA, Morey's been on point
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And that is why people consider him the Wizard. Please never leave us Morey!

#2 ILoveTheRockets, Dec 22, 2010
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Houston specializes in humidity not glamor.

#3 Raven, Dec 22, 2010
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http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=197930

#4 RV6, Dec 22, 2010
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I would do Brooks/Martin for Melo.

Lowry/Ish/Twill
Lee/Twill
Shane/Chase/Twill
Scola/Hill
Hayes/Hill

Although I think I would rather trade Scola and Brooks because I really like Hill's growth and I think he may be able to handle being the starter if Martin and Melo on the team he won't have much pressure.

But it doesn't matter, Melo doesn't want to come here so forget him.

#5 JayGoogle, Dec 22, 2010
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Don't tell me my business devil woman!

#6 ChievousFTFace, Dec 22, 2010
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RV6 said:

http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=197930
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Sorry, i failed, meant to post this in the other melo thread...

#7 RV6, Dec 22, 2010

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Anyone should be up for grabs besides Martin, Scola or Lowry. I would love to hold on to Hill and Lee but one of them probably gets shipped out in this scenerio.

#8 sammy, Dec 22, 2010
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Old Man Rock said:

Melo Foolish Not to Consider Houston
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Great article. All points made about winning are correct. Morey has really amassed a large number of good players - some of which are not getting enough court time for their respective skill set.

Melo may be foolish not to chose Houston if he wants to win. But if he just wants to play with friends *Amare*, then I would not consider him foolish.

#9 Moonscope, Dec 22, 2010
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Old Man Rock said:

can defend out to mid-range as well as down low
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Scola being talked up for his D

I appreciate this guys perspective, but he is way off base on Scola.

#10 larsv8, Dec 22, 2010
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i wish this had statements that weren't pretty much false and was more influential. Giving up brooks AND martin? Scola can defend on the perimeter AND inside? Having yao's near 20 milol to spend?

#11 RV6, Dec 22, 2010
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JayGoogle said:

I would do Brooks/Martin for Melo.

Lowry/Ish/Twill
Lee/Twill
Shane/Chase/Twill
Scola/Hill
Hayes/Hill

Although I think I would rather trade Scola and Brooks because I really like Hill's growth and I think he may be able to handle being the starter if Martin and Melo on the team he won't have much pressure.

But it doesn't matter, Melo doesn't want to come here so forget him.
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Whee's Melo in your lineup?

#12 Prince, Dec 22, 2010
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I think there was a similar article about Bosh and how he should consider Houston. Didn't really convince him much either.

I'll still keep my hopes up....

#13 HeyDude, Dec 22, 2010

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RV6 said:

i wish this had statements that weren't pretty much false and was more influential. Giving up brooks AND martin? Scola can defend on the perimeter AND inside? Having yao's near 20 milol to spend?
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Agreed. Moreover, has there been something about Denver's ownership / management that has not been full throttle try to win in Melo's years there? They've made a number of trades, they've tried to surround him with players, and they've gotten pretty far in the playoffs once. Just not enough, but not for a lack of trying, and better than the Rockets have done as late.

That said, yes, it doesn't make a ton of sense from a winning perspective for him to go to a Nets team that will be trading the Nuggets what limited assets they do have.

But why is it more perplexing that he doesn't want to go to Houston than that he doesn't want to go to Dallas. Vetoing a trade to Dallas makes the least sense if he really wants to win, as Dallas seems most able to make a few real runs to the championship if they could get Melo and still keep some of their many assets.

#14 JayZ750, Dec 22, 2010
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If I had to give up either Lee or Hill I don't know which one I would ship out.

#15 highstep, Dec 22, 2010
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highstep said:

If I had to give up either Lee or Hill I don't know which one I would ship out.
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Checks in the maill, who paid this Writer Morey or Les?

#16 binvegas, Dec 22, 2010
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JayZ750 said:

Agreed. Moreover, has there been something about Denver's ownership / management that has not been full throttle try to win in Melo's years there? They've made a number of trades, they've tried to surround him with players, and they've gotten pretty far in the playoffs once. Just not enough, but not for a lack of trying, and better than the Rockets have done as late.

That said, yes, it doesn't make a ton of sense from a winning perspective for him to go to a Nets team that will be trading the Nuggets what limited assets they do have.

But why is it more perplexing that he doesn't want to go to Houston than that he doesn't want to go to Dallas. Vetoing a trade to Dallas makes the least sense if he really wants to win, as Dallas seems most able to make a few real runs to the championship if they could get Melo and still keep some of their many assets.
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Maybe Mello don't wanna go to Dallas because Cuban told K-marts mom that her son was a thug. Dallas and Denver had a nasty rivalry a couple of years ago.

#17 Nolocke, Dec 22, 2010
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highstep said:

If I had to give up either Lee or Hill I don't know which one I would ship out.
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Both if it gets you Mello.

#18 Nolocke, Dec 22, 2010

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RV6 said:

i wish this had statements that weren't pretty much false and was more influential. Giving up brooks AND martin? Scola can defend on the perimeter AND inside? Having yao's near 20 milol to spend?
Click to expand...

Also, it's pique the Nuggets' interest, not peak..

#19 Artie_Fufkin, Dec 22, 2010
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ChievousFTFace said:

Don't tell me my business devil woman!
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Honestly guys, wtf does he see in that woman. As Chris Tucker would say: "She ugly!!!!".

#20 Hakeemtheking, Dec 22, 2010

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