Rudy's Interview

The "In and Out" Interview

Tonight RT had a long interview on Radio, 950AM and rebroadcast on 880AM I think, sorry guys but caught only snips of it coming back from Austin.AM Radio ... In and Out and fuzzy a lot of the time. I am hoping for someone sticking it on RealPlayer. But it was interesting.

1. He will not Tank this team. Certain "allegations" of other teams (not mentioned) did not go well with his "competitive spirit" and he would "never do that to this young team".

2. He is aware that "two of our guys" have a chance to win "personal awards" and will do anything to help them win something, as long as it doesn't hurt the team ... and winning doesn't hurt a young team, but losing does. My sentiments exactly.

3. Draft day will be great if they have any of the top five positions. After that he thinks it is more likely he will trade to "get two or even three" late first rounds or early seconds. Or, he will trade them all away to get some player trade leverage. He is doubtful that the Rockets will land a top five "Steve Francis type"-"starter" player because the team "played us out of four positions(he laughs) in the last week". he said: "It was great!" or something like that.
I was as proud of him as I have ever been. Honest to God. I had my doubts this past year about Rudy's ability, but man, he made up for all of that in those few words.

4. We have the $1.2M, the $2.3M plus a $4.5M to play with during the offseason, barring any changes in personnel. He thought it would be likely that Orlando would make the playoffs and the Rockets would get their pick this year afetrall, making it three total picks for the draft. He praised Hakeem personally and professionally and said he hoped he would know "early" what Hakeem's plans would be for next season. (I was catching this part only in and out with lots of interference, but) RT sounded like he felt Hakeem deserved to have a better season to finish off his career, but also seemed to say a poor showing next season maybe even worse.

5. Brian Grant: "We tried to get him a couple of times before" but couldn't get the deal done. I suppose I would be tooting my horn about my posts on these trade talks that (almost)everyone said was NOT going on. He liked his game. Liked a defensive 4/5 player like that. He would cost some big bucks and RT said he didn't think they could do it, unless a lot of things happened. First of all, the $4.5Million exeption is predicated on a trade only. That is, it can only be used in a trade not in a free agent signing. So that would involve a compatable trade with Portland's blessing and cooperation. RT didn't like the chances of that happening. IMHO: Who to trade? Walt? Nope. Drew? Maybe but what do we do for the rest of the 7-9Million it will cost to land Grant the RastaMan?

6. He likes the core of Francis, Shandon and Mobes. Interestingly he had a chance to say Mobes would be a good trade bait if he went after some high profile players like Grant, etc.... but he never said anything more substantial about Mobes leaving or being traded (at least I didn't hear anything). I think they have a quiet contract worked out for the Catman,folks. I think Mobes stays in the Bayou city.

7. He spoke very highly of Kenny. Even let slip something about what Tim Duncan told him recently (Tim Duncan????? wonder what they got together talking about,eh? Nobody asked him when he was talking to Tim and he didn't offer an explanation) and said ... "Tim said,who is that guy out there? I like him." "He(KT) gave McDyess a hard time last night too."

8. He also talked about the team being solid at the 1 and 2 positions, "deep" and he saw "no changes any of those guys at all". Mmmmmmmm, maybe Mooch is signed and delivered too. Dang!

9. Rudy said he really wanted some movement in the 3/4/5 positions and he thought he would likely fill those with trades. I never heard Walt mentioned at all.

My Take:

I have heard some very thick and trustworthy things lately, and some close "discussions" that are not wholly solid yet, that I will share here.

1. Tim has been very verbal about his chances of leaving San Antonio. Since the all star break, some things have happened (including a very personal situation) that has made it a greater possibility than before. Houston is one of the teams (although I hear a "distant possibility", some sources and one friend who I trust has speculated the odds are in Houston's favor), also Orlando,Miami and a "quiet/secret" contact recently from MJ's Washington Wizards, makes it interesting to be Tim Duncan these days. Chicago is out of the running. Never was in it apparently.

2. Trade offers with Houston, involving players like O'Kandi, Odom (God yes,Odom), have been circulating throughout the NBA trade mill. I have heard it from a couple of unrelated sources but have not been able to substantiate it to my satisfaction.

3. One rumor has been spinning around three "out of the race" teams, who are in dire need of help up front and involving Rockets Cato and Carlos Rogers amoung others. No comment from the Rockets. My feeling is that the Cato situation hinges on a number of things, not the least is what Hakeem will do and whether the Kandi-man/Odom trade is fruitful.{Does anyone else see the possibilities of Hakeem tutoring O'Kandi while Othella (Yes,yet another story,but probably just wishful thinking,coming from a good friend in California) splits time with them up front.

4. Tracy McGrady is going to Chicago. That appears to be solid. They Bulls are the only guys with big bucks and enough moxie to barge in and give him maximum without argument.

5. Vin Baker will be going anywhere that will take him. Gary Payton says he and a couple others "go or trade me,screw this."

6. Eddie Jones will be elsewwhere unless they max the paycheck and the Hornets cannot do that. They sunk themselves with so many lousy contracts, that they look like the Washington Wizards sometimes. Guess what Chicago owner likes Eddie's game. Personally I would take two I."JR" Riders before I would put one D. Colman on my team. He's a slug. In a related rumor, Eldridge Recasner may be available for a team looking for a solid guard. He wants Coleman gone or he is going. They will have difficulty trading away Coleman. So El will be moving it seems.

7. My Opinion Only: The Lakers make a strong bid for the big dance. (Well, duh,eh Popeye!) But win or lose the team will be essentially kept together for at least another season.

8. Read my lips. Drew will be traded. And early in the summer. KT will be a Rocket next year unless we are looking at him as a deal breaker in a major deal.



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George Michael Band

Sorry, your scenario is all but buried in the far reaches of never-never land, my friend.

Wiz would have to be gone, we would likely lose at least Drew and Mobes also to affect that move. And Hakeem would have to accept a buy out at lowest cap allowance, I think that is half of remaining contract (aelliot will let us know).

We may be able to keep Cato in the trade, but we would still need to make at least one more acquisition.

I agree that Pig Miller wouild be kept. I think Bullard would be kept also in this scenario of yours.

But Tim would only consider the move if a lot of things happened,IMHO. Including: keeping the core(Francis,Shandon,MOBES,Moochie,KT) on the team. We would also need an effective 5 position and I am still not sold on Cato as our future center. Now a movement to bring Kandiman, or Croshere, or Grant to the rockets and we are talking, but how do we do that?

It's going to be fun summer trade season.

 

Sorry, I missed some guys.

Mango:
Lakers would be almost ten if not more games behind without the intense and timely play of Rice. he has helped them enormously thgis year and the Jerry's know it.

B Finn:
This would have to be a sign and trade. And do not discount or ignore the possibility of David Robinson being included. (Surprise,Surprise) Wizards would trade away some big contracts, but also some very talented guys to start the rebuilding process. This could be mutually beneficial to both teams, depending on who was exchanged. You can always decimate a team if your willing to start over. MJ would commit to dump the whole team to get a start at building a "new" dynasty. The big question is would Duncan go to a team that was basically starting from scratch. I'm betting no.

Eddie Jones is a Rocket luxury that is unnecessary and would be way out of our league price wise, because we need the money to shore up the 3/4/5 positions. We are solid with the 1/2 rotations with Francis, Shandon, Mooch, Mobes. An old adage from med school: "First do no harm."

Cat:
I was about to add what you have just posted, that at least a couple of picks would likely be involved also. Ironically, Drew is as important an element to this trade as the other participants.

Off to Bed. Ciao a bella.

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HP Sauce

Actually in the radio interview, Rudy spent some time discussing sending one or two players in trade AND add the $4.5M to land someone who (I think he said)" ... is a (or would be a) difference player." then he said he's "... not in a rush (to use the $4.5M)", or something of that nature.

I hate AM stations!

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