The guy is a stiff offensively, and does not have any proven track record for being a defensive "stud" to justify $25M. Prove it as a starter playing for 35 MPG for at least one season then fine, but what has this guy done?
He's 7 feet tall and an "elite" defender, according to both Clutch and Bima. That's good enough for me.
He is an elite defender based upon statistics as a Chicago Bull, and while that is true, how much of that is because he plays under Tom Thibedeu versus it is him, is up in the air, imo. DD
A lot is up in the air, DD. Whether Chicago will match is very much up in the air, although Morey has made matching as difficult as humanly possible under the current CBA. What isn't up in the air, however, are the weighty opinions of Clutch and Bima, at least in my opinion. There's no question that Asik is a risk to acquire as a starting 5, but not based on his skill set, again in my opinion. The risk is whether he can handle the minutes a starter has to be able to play, if healthy.
I like Clutch and Bima's opinions too - but I don't always agree with them - they are fans just like you and me. DD
I know, and I've disagreed with them before, but I think their opinion is on target with regard to Asik, and I'll add that their knowledge of things Rockets (Clutch) and things cap related (Bima) trumps you and I put together, and I'm not talking about The Donald.
Lowry's midseason illness was one of the more unlucky breaks for the Rockets this season. Goran's free agent value explodes, while Kyle's trade value goes down after coming back a lesser playing malcontent. This could have been one of Morey's established PG traded for high value routines.
I don't know why everyone overrates Dragic "that" much. The Rockets still got Lowry an allstar level point guard. Seriously who cares if Lowry and Mchale cannot come to terms, Lowry is a professional player that is getting PAID to play basketball. Even if this coach-player relationship isn't going well it is seriously a minor thing that could be remedied easily.
It's a lot easier to trade a 7 ft center that makes 8 million than a PG who makes $10 mil. Ask Dalembert.#SizeMatters
http://twitter.com/paulcoro/statuses/220577547145052160 Suns not willing to pay Dragic either? Just playing it safe? (I mean, Felton sucks, but it appears the Suns don't think so).
Yeah I'd be willing to roll the dice on Asik seeing as how we've been trying to get him for two seasons in a row the Rocket's organization have clearly done their homework on him. As for Dragic, it's unfortunate both sides couldn't come to a compromising deal. We still have an unhappy Lowry to deal with. All in all this is the most active the Rockets have been in the offseason in awhile.