It's amazing how fast people jump on the Wafer wagon. Please remember this kid has been in this league since 2005, and has struggled to get a decent contract. I too am impressed by the recent play by Wafer, but I would not go so far that he's going to get a contract better than Landry. Since when SG's can get a better offer than a big man? Also please keep in mind that once TMac, Artest and Battier start to play regular minutes for the SG/SF (though Artest may play at 4 occasionally), Wafer will share very limited minutes together with Barry. I have no doubt that Artest, Brooks will come off bench earlier than him. Hell even Deke may come into the game earlier than Wafer! Would he be equally efficient if only seeing the court for 8 minutes, or not at all? If that will happen, which is highly likely, will his stock be as high as 4 million/year for multiple years? I doubt it. I see the rockets will have him for cheap (1-2 million). As a rockets fan I will be happy.
I'd trade shane. Maybe I'm feeling it even more because I was sitting around and watching the last 2 playoffs vs the jazz. Shane misses so many chances to be effective in the offensive flow its crazy. I think hed be a good 15-20 mins bench guy.
CAREER SEASON AVERAGES Year Team G GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% OFF DEF RPG APG SPG BPG TO PF PPG 05-06 LAL 16 0 4.6 0.158 0.118 0.750 0.3 0.2 0.5 0.3 0.2 0.0 0.06 0.80 1.3 06-07 LAC 1 0 1.0 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00 0.00 0.0 07-08 DEN 21 0 4.3 0.263 0.067 0.750 0.0 0.4 0.5 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.52 0.20 1.3 07-08 POR 8 0 8.0 0.304 0.273 0.500 0.0 1.1 1.1 0.3 0.0 0.2 0.25 0.40 2.4 08-09 HOU 19 5 17.8 0.460 0.435 0.741 0.4 1.4 1.8 0.9 0.5 0.2 0.74 1.40 8.2 Career -- 65 5 8.7 0.358 0.289 0.723 0.2 0.7 0.9 0.4 0.2 0.0 0.43 0.70 3.4 CAREER SEASON TOTALS Year Team G GS MIN FGM-A 3PM-A FTM-A OFF DEF REB AST STL BLK TO PF PTS 05-06 LAL 16 0 73 6-38 2-17 6-8 5 3 8 4 3 0 1 12 20 06-07 LAC 1 0 1 0-1 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 07-08 DEN 21 0 90 10-38 1-15 6-8 1 9 10 5 2 1 11 4 27 07-08 POR 8 0 64 7-23 3-11 2-4 0 9 9 2 0 2 2 3 19 08-09 HOU 19 5 339 58-126 20-46 20-27 7 27 34 18 9 3 14 26 156 Career -- 65 5 567 81-226 26-90 34-47 13 48 61 29 14 6 28 45 222 Two questions. Once the minutes reduce dramatically, which is almost certainly, will he be able to keep up the current level of performance? How much better is he than Snyder, Mike Harris, Strawberry, if the other guys also get enough quality minutes?
could the rockets look to trade maybe head and wafer in a package to the raps for the bargnani who is picking up for a center skill set and can be great off the bench for yao and really spread the court for a guy like Mac and ron to do their thing? The raps have said they wanted more athleticism. This is totally doable I feel. This also gives us size that some people seem to think we lack. Plus he gives us another 3 point option, the rockets love those.
Who is giving up a top 10 pg first of all? I think Brooks can and should start and would rather get other depth issues/players. Wafer is 23, but I'd be lying if I said he's not a good young wing. People will point to he didn't play a lot earlier because of injuries, but I look at a guy like Raja Bell, who was the same type when he broke in except he was a better defender. S. Jackson who was bigger but took a few years and even a guy like Azibukke whom the rox had and let get away. There is a place sorely needed on this team for a guy like Wafer.He and Brooks are the only guys that are atheletic for their positions and can get to the rack and finish in traffic. They've been ducking this kind of player for years, but now maybe they see these types can really help this team.
The rockets had dumped Von type of players in the past few years, because the scoring ability was not appreciated. With TMac at the same position and the addition of Artest, and Shane plays the position on the defensive end, there is really not much room for another scorer off the bench. Von was kept over Strawberry because he showed better shooting, which will still be the key whether he will continue to see minutes once TMac, Artest and Shane are back. For the second team, AB and Artest will carry the scoring load, Von will only see his minutes if he can keep up his shooting percentage. I for one support the idea of shipping him out when his stock is the highest (now) for a quality back up center.
With the injuries of Battier,Shane, Tracy, and barry, not to mention the scoring droughts this team tends to get into, along with the non threatning presesnce of battier on offense, doesn't it make sense to keep wafer and trade Head, Barry or Hayes? I mean, we know whane isn't going to do anything on offense and barry from his last 2 playoffs has done next to nothing and Head is, head, doesn't it make sense to finally have a guy that can get to the cup and finish. I think they do need another backup center, but head heays and battier would be higher towrds trade than Wafer.
Yeah and then 2 years after you regret your trade because the guy is averaging 22 a night. *cough* Rudy Gay *cough*. Don't forget that this team isn't as young as it used to be. Just look at Tracy. I think the development of guys like Brooks, Landry & Von Wafer is crucial is we don't want to be a lottery team once or big guns get off the books.. Give Von some of Tracy's minutes, its not like he is going to complain on staying in the game...
As for getting a backup Center, we already have one, and Adelman might one to play him for a try... He did a great job last year, I don't know why Adelman is waiting for Yao to get injured again to play him. Ridiculous coaching... I am definitely on the bandwagon of Von Wafer, and any Rockets fan should. The guy brings the energy we much needed and is definitely high light worthy. Trade him it will be just like Rudy Gay.. Show him some PT and he will develop just fine.
Von Wafer will be an unrestricted free agent who could be available for the minimum in free agency especially with teams not wanting to commit to or minimising salaries beyond 2010. IMO creating a free roster spot would probably be the best the Rockets can get out of trading Wafer.
Is it safe to say Rockets now have best bench in the NBA? Brooks/Barry Wafer/Head Artest Landry/Chuck Deke
Agree with this post guys the guy left college after his sophmore year so he wasn't NBA ready when he was drafted it takes time especially for kids who leave early.
Now is the time to get a sign him to a good 3 year cap friendly contract (3rd years team option). The more he plays the more attention he gets from the rest of the league and the higher his price tag is going to go up.
Dont be fooled by the last couple of games, everyone of those guys on the list are inconsistent and you never know which one of their alter egos might show up for a particular game
Yeah that is true. But don't you think that for the younger one's, consistency will come with experience?
This guy has game, he does what a team with Yao Ming needs, he shoots the 3ball, he hits the midrange, and he drives hard to the rim for the finish or a dish. This is what everyone would want from Tmac....but with more fire/energy and younger legs. Sign him now...do not let another kelena Azubuike walk out on this team because some think Wings that play like this are a dime a dozen...they aren't. We are lucky we have a diamond in the rough and he is getting better every single game. I wanted to keep Gerald Green (still would take him back) but this guy is better...right now. DD
