With Duncan and Zo inside, they would need outside shooters. T Hardaway has an expiring contract as does Bowen. No urge for them to trade Voshon. They couldn't justify having most of their payroll tied up between PJ, Tim ,Mash and Zo with a minimum wage backcourt. PJ would seem to be the odd guy out. Since Riley likes "D" and there are no D's in "Walt Williams", that is unlikely. Plus, Miami would want to get cap space and Walt does not help Miami there either. Mango ------------------ It could be worse ....... you could have been born a Jazz fan!!!!
Lets pray Duncan signs a one year deal. C'mon be greedy, sign that one year deal, so you can get more money! You know you want to do it Duncan! ------------------ A big time draft site has tried to stunt our growth, but we will succeed! The little draft site that could!
Nike Actually, Odom has been public about his displeasure lately, but look for the Clips to build a team around him instead of losing him. With the right team members surrounding him, this guy could easily make as many waves as Carter, Kobe, et al .... IMHO anyway. Duncan We have "no" and "absolutely no" chance of obtaining Tim Duncan unless a great number of magic things happen in Rocketland. Including us getting rid of some very heavy contracts and making some other high-end roster moves. ------------------ <font color=blue><center> "Eye Yams Wha' Eye Yams" </font> <font color=green><center> SPINACH RULES!!!! </font>
popeye, We usually agree on most Rocket opinions, but I gotta question your fondness of some of the guys you named... 1.) Kenny Thomas - Has got to be one of the worst defenders on our roster. He also must've learned how to shoot 3's from Barkley (that's not a good thing) I do agree that he does have a better arsenal of shots than Othella, but if they're only going in the hole at a 41% clip, then who cares? (64% FT shooting too) 2.) Othella Harrington - You want a one-dimensional player. You got it. If someone defends worse in the post than Thomas, here's your man. Oh, and as you said he doesn't have the array of shots as KT. 3.) Olowakandi - I see a trend here. You like guys who show something on the offensive end, but have trouble with the concept of defense. Kandi isn't as bad a defender as Harrington or Thomas, but if he's gonna be your starting center, then you're in for a lay up nightmare. 4.) B. Grant - He used to be an above average defender, but with his injuries do you expect him to bang with the big boys with the same effectiveness or confidence? I don't. At least, I don't want to take the risk of chancing it by losing Cato or any other young, athletic, uninjured player. I don't think he'd be a horrible pick up, just that calling him a "strong defensive presence" is really putting a lot of hope in his rehab. That is all. ------------------ I have a dream.........his name's Hakeem. [This message has been edited by DREAMer (edited March 22, 2000).]
Actually, it seems that Cato has developed some of the offensive game that we all hoped he'd start to develop. Sure, his main points are off of dunks, but I've seen him hit a couple of 17 footers in the last couple of games. Plus, like we've already said, Rudy and his staff can work with him in the offseason. I really like Kenny Thomas and I REALLY hope that he will go work out seriously in the offseason. I think Rogers SHOULD stay. I know that he's been trying to learn somethings from Hakeem and he seems to be a very hard worker. No telling what 1 summer of improvement will do to him also. ------------------
Popeye: At this point our valuable trade bait is Mobley, Thomas, and Cato. It would be nice to keep Thomas and Mobley, but I would not hesitate if other opportunities presented themselves. *Brian Grant-No longer interested. He's cleary not the same player who frustrated Karla Malone in last year's playoffs. He's also getting up there in years (29 i believe) and won't have much left by the time we're ready to win. *Olowokandi-I love this guy. He doesn't put up big numbers, but unlike Cato, he has some nice footwork in the post. He's asked the Clippers org. to get him some help with his game. From the view that the Clippers need players with long-term deals, perhaps Cato for O-kandi+cap fillers? *O. Harrington-Not interested. Offensively, I feel Kenny Thomas will be better, so if you want to take that direction, stay with KT. I prefer a defender at the 4, and O doesn't fit that mold. *Marcus Camby-Now you're talking. He does everything Cato is supposed to be doing. An explosive leaper, and incredible shot blocker. He aslo excels in the open-court game. Like Cato, his offensive game is in it's infancy, but he isn't the headcase Cato is. Cato to NY is logical...they need a center for Patrick (apparently the Frederick Weiss thing didn't work out, *smirk). Camby signed an extension last season which pays him about $6million a season. Heypartner: Now you're talking! I saw some of your proposals in other threads, and will respond to them here. Would we be better off trading the lottery pick, as you suggest? I too believe so, if it can land a player of Camby's caliber. I also like Al Harrington. I'm not interested in Fortson...the undersized power forward thing isn't so appealing to me. What would you say if we ended the offseason with a: *Cato+Drew for Camby+scrub Popeye, is all hope of McGrady gone? I'm willing to part with any combination of Mobley,Thomas,LotteryPick+$4.5mill. Damn, imagine Camby and McGrady alongside Francis. They would have to raise the roof at the Compaq Center. ------------------ "Sources tell me that the Blazers held a team meeting after the two losses..." - "Pistol" Pete Vescey with the inside scoop. [This message has been edited by thacabbage (edited March 22, 2000).]
Marcus Camby -- Now there's an idea I like. He's an athletic shot blocking 6'10" PF. Who wouldn't want that? Plus, he's not the type of player who needs shots to be into the game. He seems happy with garbage buckets and the occasionaly alley-oop. Cato + any other of our crap players: is fine by me. ------------------ I have a dream.........his name's Hakeem.
well, if the Rockets could get a center with equal talent to Cato from the draft AND trade Cato for a really talented player, then it should be a no-brainer. The cap space that is invested in Cato would be better served on a more talented player anyways. Potential vs. talent - go for talent. ------------------ Not only am I president of the WaltWizFanClub, I'm also the member.
Hmmm, wait a sec . . . that sounds familiar . . . hey, I got it! You're talking about Kelvin Cato, right? Okay, Camby then. For some reason a lot of you are high on this weak PF that can't bang with the big boys down low in the West. The guy is only 225 lbs (that's 30 lbs less than Cato). If we package Cato, I sure hope we can up with something better than that. ------------------ [This message has been edited by Launch Pad (edited March 23, 2000).] [This message has been edited by Launch Pad (edited March 23, 2000).]
When did Cato average 3.65 blocks a game? I forget... ------------------ I have a dream.........his name's Hakeem.
Preseason??? 3.65 sounds a bit high..I know he had that one game where he had like 12? blocks or something like that...damn I thought he was gonna be great!! What a disappointment Cato has been!!! ------------------ Go Rockets Go Need more LottoBalls!!
I'm sorry. See you have to read more into my post to know what I'm talking about. Launch Pad, was saying that Camby Man and Cato were the same thing. I retorted with the question of when Cato had averaged 3.65 blks a game. When in reality Cato never has. It was Camby who a year before last led the league in blocks with that total. After 50 or so more posts you will be expected to pass both the "hidden meaning" test and the "sarcasm" test. Be prepared. ------------------ I have a dream.........his name's Hakeem.
A better question would be, "When did Camby average 3.65 blocks/game? 3 yrs ago? This year he's averaging 2.02 bpg (a respectable number sure) in 26.3 mpg. How different is that from Cato's 1.88 bpg in 22.7 mpg? And how about my other point: do you honestly believe that Camby could hold his own defensively against the much larger West PFs like (e.g. Rasheed Wallace, Karl Malone, etc.)? If you want to trade Cato, that's fine, but at least make a little progress in the trade. ------------------
So far I like Heypard's suggestion the best. a line up of Francis SA Griffith Camby/Olowakandi Fortson would be an all around good line up and an improvement over the current one. Pretty realistic deal too. ------------------ Not only am I president of the WaltWizFanClub, I'm also the member.
Dreamer,L-Pad,Green & Leafy Vegetable To clarify: 1. I would like to keep Thomas, but Othella would be a nice pick up to fill that spot if Thomas goes in some imperative trade. The amazing thing about players like Othella is that they will sometimes look lousy on a poor team and shine til the sun sets on a good team. He will always require other "dimensional" players around him. I am not worried about his "one dimensional" game. But I do prefer Thomas. Bigtime. 2. Grant is disgruntled over play time, especially after promises were made this summer that he would split the time 50-50 with Wallace. The injury didn't help his PT or confidence. It is/was more nagging than anything and he ended up slapping weight on that took twenty games to get off ... so he has had his problems. But to say he is old at 28 or not as effective is going a bit far. I would take him in a heart beat. Now if PJ was ever on the market, I would be in a quandry over Grant or Brown. Brown would likely win, all things being equal. But Riles will never let PJ Brown leave the Miami city limits unless he is escorted by troops. He's already been offered the Gross National Income of a couple of countries including the kingdom and has turned it down. PJ will be a Heater Beater for some time. 3. Camby is a player that I like but there are so many more "like" him that will be available. To me he runs a little too hot cold for his position. Some say that's because he doesn't get a clear message from management (VanGundy,etal) about his playtime (versus Spree, Houston, etc..) . But he did not have these distractions in Toronto and he played super hot and cold there also. Plus he had a contract extension this past summer. I just get a funny feeling about his on and off again intensity, and just think players like Gill, McGrady, Jameson, Finley, Rose are safer,and yes some maybe more expensive too. In truth, Camby reminds me more of Pippen than Pippen does these days.But I am ready to be convinced otherwise. Just to put this in perspective .... a Cato/Mobley/+more deal for Camby/Thomas(?) I would be willing to risk those "uneasy feelings" over. 4. Anyone who thinks they have seen Kandi's whole game ... better not invest too much in the stock market. Or cross streets in broad daylight. Your foresight is limited. 5. We have the opportunity to go in any number of directions this summer. Trades or Drafts. Fill the three and the four. Empty the nest. Sell our picks. I also personally think Hakeem will retire. There will be lots of strange and wonderful moves. Big decisions to be made. But keep these two things in mind. (a) The new CBA effectively limits Free Agency as a viable move for a player's benefit. The simple free agent acquisition days may be gone. Intricate and complex multi-player trades may be the rule. We excel in this field. I look for a blockbuster deal with several players changing zip codes. (b) The Rockets do not traditionaly build via the first round draft choice. They have always relied on mid picks and late rounds. Surprising everyone almost yearly by finding diamonds in the rough. The scouting is exemplary and thorough. The Rockets are clearly well ahead of most other franchises in that department. IMHO If we do not have a 1 to 4 pick and/or, if the available need player CD/RT want has been picked already, I suspect we will trade that pick. Or package it in some trade deal. [This message has been edited by popeye (edited March 23, 2000).]
Crisco: I think I have our #1 and Drew for Fortson and Griffith. Then try to get Camby straight for Cato. If not, don't worry. But I couldn't get Kandi and Fortson. Or are you seeing something else. For instance, Boston might trade Fortson straight for Cato. Then you could do the #1 and Drew for Kandi. Anyhow, to me this would be fine: Francis SA Griffith Thomas Cato Mobley, Rogers and Fortson supplying bench speed and power. I don't care how small people think Fortson is: he can hold his own underneath. The other one if you do Cato straight for Fortson and #1 and Drew for Kandi would be: Francis SA Mobley/Rogers Thomas/Fortson Kandi/Fortson ------------------ The farther the Rockets move down the standings, the farther I move down the bleachers.
I wouldn't be surprised if they trade their pick under these conditions: 1. Terence Morris does not come out. 2. Stromile Swift does not come out. Well he's defintely not coming out. 3. Jerome Moiso does not come out. This guy is strongly considering to come out. While you guys are all over Swift, this guy is slowly sneaking up. Same body, similar game to a degree. Kandi I feel can be a great role player in the league, he doesn't have all star stats, but can rebound, block a few shots, score a few points here and there. He's happy being a role player. You may say, he's not good enough to be a starter and that his stats aren't that good. Well wouldn't u be happy to get rid of Drew and Walt for him? I still don't understand why you guys are all over trading Cato. I'm one of the few that value Defense OVER Offense. I believe in Riley's you only need one guy to score, 5 to play defense. So that's why I perfer Cato over Thomas. I love the Camby idea, however would perfer trading Kenny instead of Cato. That way we can really boost up our frontline into tall lanky people who like to block shots. However, if you really do want to trade Kenny, its a little early as to what deals are best...I'm still waiting for 5/14 when underclassmen last day to declare. We will know which Rudy goes then. ------------------ A big time draft site has tried to stunt our growth, but we will succeed! The little draft site that could!
oh, heypard I was thinking #1 and KT for Fortson and Griffith. Then either Cato for Camby OR Cato + Walt + Drew for Olowakandi + bench player like Nesby. if nothing else, please get rid of the cap room Cato is gonna take up, cuz he isnt earning his money yet ... ------------------ Not only am I president of the WaltWizFanClub, I'm also the member. [This message has been edited by CriscoKidd (edited March 23, 2000).]
I think this can prove that Camby has the ability to rise to a high block total when given the chance. In Toronto, he was the only notable big man, and he got his chance. The past few years in New York, he has been lost amongst the shuffle of Ewing,Gramamma,KurtThomas. Given the starter's minutes, he can perform. Do you not remember during the Pacers series, when Camby played nearly 40mpg with Patrick Ewing sidelined? He played sick defense, nearly blocking everything. As for guarding power forwards, he sure did "outquick" the hell out of Dale and Antonio Davis this summer, leaving them stuck in cement. What power forwards are you worried about? Other than Malone and sometimes Duncan, nobody else plays a power game. CWebb and Rasheed like to fade away from their opponents or catch lobs. Garnett is rail-thin and a Marcus Camby would be ideal in defending him. One other thing So early in the rebuilding process, I do not want to worry about depth. Some of you may be wondering, "If we trade Thomas,Carlos,Walt,and Drew, who will be our bench?" IMHO, it doesn't matter. Package all your quantity for some bonafide quality. As the years go by, strengthen your bench with draft picks and free agents. ------------------ "Sources tell me that the Blazers held a team meeting after the two losses..." - "Pistol" Pete Vescey with the inside scoop. [This message has been edited by thacabbage (edited March 23, 2000).]
