The Rockets passed on Mike James because he wanted a trade kicker. Instead, they used their MLE to sign Bonzi Wells to a 2-year deal, Steve Novak to a 3-year deal, Vassilis Spanoulis to a 3-year deal and John Lucas III to a 3-year deal. Not a rotation player in the bunch. They couldn't work out a deal to get James (despite his recently reduced market value), or any PG help, at the trading deadline even though the need was smacking them in the face with a frying pan. In the playoffs, Rafer Alston shot 33.8% from the floor and 32% from three-point territory, putting up OVER 7 threes a night, and played an insane 44.1 minutes a game in the series. I did not think JVG should be fired and at the moment lean towards not (because I think you can get better offensive players but it takes a good coach to get players to play defense).... BUT, this is reason #1 to let him go: His stubbornness. He bashed those who criticized Rafer, he got no help and he made his bed here. Rafer burned him badly in the postseason. I'm not sure yet if I will support bringing James here now given JVG may be gone and the offense could completely change, but make no mistake: Mike James would have provided a tremendous boost in this series. It was a trade kicker, people. A asterick-asterick-asterick-asterick-ing trade kicker.
I think you and me are the only ones that believe in this, Clutch. We still have people on this board that thinks that attaining Kevin Garnett is a serious option.
Bobby Jackson.. derek fisher.. brent barry... mike james.. whoever... anybody that could score of the bench for the love of god
James isn't anything great and just like the contracts we have given to such players over the years Mo Taylor..Moochie Norris... ect..ect..ect... with what a 4 year contract to Mike James whos already aging and declining with an added Trade Kicker?? That has death written all of it. Let Bonzi walk, I still think V-Span can develop
I don't like Rafer at all, but I don't think he did bad this series, but he didn't do anything exceptional. We defintely could have used his scoring off the bench. He could create something for himself.
anyone would be an improvement right now. new point guard and some ants in ya pants to get him move quicker. he is a lower than molasses right now
I agree JVG is a good coach but too damn stubborn. Nobody knows if V-Span is good, but with the way the NBA is becoming, he could have been valuable because of his quickness and ability to penetrate.
I'm just as disappointed as anyone else, but I agree with you Clutch. You can't win a championship with 9 rotation players.
Of course, Derek Fisher was willing to come to the Rox a couple of years ago, but the Rox did not want to pay him the money, he went to GS and got traded to the Jazz. Think Fisher on this team, he will do wonders for the playoff.
agreed, JVG's refusal to make adjustments and his "my way or the highway (bench)" mentality has cost this team. his rosters moves and mindset have set this team back a few years.
I think if Bonzi was played more during the last quarter of the season he could have provided some help for us in the playoffs
Well to be fair CD had a MJ for JHo trade lined up but JVG nixed it because he wanted to keep the team chemistry the same and perhaps reward players for stepping up when Yao was out.
James ISN'T anything great, but this team needed a third player that could create and decided instead to get Jake Tsakalidas. And to think they still almost won with Rafer Alston jacking up threes like he's J.J. f'n Reddick.
With all due respect, if you think Rafer lost us this series, you didn't really watch the same series the rest of us did. Rafer stepped it up in the playoffs. Who do I blame? - Chuck Hayes (Disappeared on the road and in game 7). - Yao's rebounding - Juwan Howard's lack of anything - Luther Head running around the court doing nothing. I know Rafer is everyone's favorite scapegoat but look to the real people who cost us this series. Rafer stepped up and created chances when T-Mac and/or Yao were not on the floor.
As much as I agree with you Clutch, and you know I do, even Mike James would NOT have put us over the top, IMO. Mike James is a nice player but not nearly enough to make up for the talent gap we have on this team compared to the top teams in the league. I have said it before and will say it again: this team is going nowhere fast as long as Le$ and his delusional stooges in the front office keep thinking that basketball is a two-man game and that Yao/McGrady with a bunch of NBDL talent is enough to get it done. Wanna know who it's REALLY on? That would be our front office. Le$, Morey...it's on you!
