He isn't going back to the Wiz and could probably be had for cheap. Russell hasn't exactly had the best 2 seasons in D.C., but maybe it was the system and not the player. Who really knows what went on up there with Supreme Chancellor Jordan around. He was a decent scorer (about 15 ppg if I remember correctly)and a good defensive player while with the Jazz.
Russell would not be a bad pick up but only for the vet min. I would also make a play for Mark Jackson. He is a vet PG that may take the vet min to play behind Steve and show him some stuff about how to play in control and be a NBA pg. I would not give Russell anything more than the vet min. He is not worth more than that. There is no one out there that I would give the MCE to except maybe Jon Barry.
Signing ex-Jazz simply isn't good Karma. It lead to us getting Glen Rice; it has simply killed the Knicks; the Mavericks got knocked out the first round the year they had Howard Eisley; it ruined Jordans retirement party with the Wizards, and look at what has happened to Kobe since they signed Malone. Karma is important.
<i>Signing ex-Jazz simply isn't good Karma.</i> Greg Foster won an NBA championship with the LA Lakers, and Danny Manning got to the ECFs with Detroit. I would love to get Russell or cheap, he has a good outside shot and plays solid defense. He got caught up in that mess in Washington where Jordan just screwed up that team to satisfy his ego.
I would prefer Piat over Russell. It looks like Russell might be washed up. The Rockets should definatly make a play for Mark Jackson. He is a upgrade over Moochie because of his smarts alone and like someone else said will help Francis become more of a true point guard.
Russell was one of those players who looked great because Stockton and Malone constantly fed him for the easy 15 footers, wide open treys, and backdoor layups. That was the type of team they were. They worked for the easyiest shot possible. Our team does very little of that. We take the first thing we see and go for it. If a play breaks down we don't revert to a pick and role or a backdoor cut, instead we shoot an off balance three or make an uncontrolled drive at the hoop. Russell would not be successful here.
If you are writing about Jim Jackson, he is considered to have been a negative influence in most of the locker rooms he has been in. But he may have changed.
Byron Russel.....hmm...an ex-Utah Jazz? Well, that's the main thing going against him (but to some that's all that matters!).... but I think the positives outweigh the negatives... -he's a veteran (but not too old- 33yrs old) w/ playoff experience (we have near-to-none!) -can be got cheap (veteran's minimum hopefully) -he averages nearly 9 points a game and almost 11 points in the playoffs throughout his 9 year career -he can shoot the rock (almost 44% career, 37% treys) and can punish double-teaming yao in an inside-out game -JVG would find a way to fit him in a disciplined half-court game, in which we need shooters and smart veteran role players We shouldn't judge his performance w/ the Wiz b/c his minutes dropped by more than 10 and suffered at the hands of MJ's personal selfish quest for glory. I especially like Mark Jackson though (oh sh*t! another ex-Jazz). He's a smart veteran, great playmaker (2nd all-time assists), and puts up pretty good career numbers after so many (16) seasons! (9.9ppg, 8.1apg, 3.9rpg). He's got much-needed playoff experience, and Plus he'll be cheap as heck (vet min)! Do something Rox! Please!
From everything I saw of Bryon Russell last year he is DONE! He would add NOTHING to the Rockets team.
Actually I would take both, Russell and Piatkowski. Hopefully that rumor of the Rockets offering a deal to Stephen Jackson is true.
