We should be terrific next year with some additions, maybe even a 60 win season if we can get the right peices. I feel very good about our future. We have the MLE at our disposal but also a large number of expiring contracts with which to work with. As has been discussed ad nauseum, we can aquire a misfit or an overpaid player with these in a trade. My question to you all is, would you take a chance on any of the following players: 1. Zach Randolph - Definitely on the block. An absolute LOAD to handle in the low block. Terrific rebounder. However this nutcase doesn't play one lick of defense. And of course is a nutcse. 2. Darius Miles - Portland wants to unload him as well. Terrific, terrific defender. Gave McGrady fits earlier in the year. I think he could become the best perimeter defender in the L under JVG. A Pippen to McGrady's Jordan on defense. However he cannot shoot worth a lick. 3. Ron Artest - This is the interesting one. I think someone is going to offer quality to get this guy so we probably won't have a shot. But if we could just give up expiring contracts for him, I don't think there's any doubt Gumby would pull the trigger. This is the same coach that got the most productive years in the career of a guy who had just choked his previous coach. I think it was in last year's All-Star game, after Artest had thrown the TV, that the comment was made that someone had heard Jeff Van Gundy say that despite the distractions, he would take 12 Ron Arrtests on his team. I would absolutely roll the dice on this headcase if we had the opportunity.
I wouldn't touch Randolph or Miles. Randolph because of his poor passing and defense and Miles because his problems looked real, real bad in Portland this year. Artest is scary, but interesting.
Are you crazy? Miles no way. Zach NO WAY. He would be a good fit though as a player..but he's out of his mind crazy boy. Miles wow him and Tmac ATHLETIC...but Cavs traded him for a reason.. And uhh Artest would be nice though. He's a little bit koo koo too.
1. Randolph doesn't play D. We need a PF that plays D 2. If Miles can rebound, defend and block, sign me up. 3. Having Artest is like having a submarine powered by a nuclear reactor. Sure it sounds good because it's a great weapon to have but man....that sucker's nuclear. BUT if I had to pick out of the three, I'd go with the nuclear reactor.
Zach . . . I may take a flyer on Darius .. not worth it Artest - I may give up Deke for him . . and I think DEKE was the 3rd best player on this team Rocket River
like Clutch, I wouldn't touch Randolph or Miles either. Randolph needs the left block, just like Yao. The hell if I'm moving Yao out of the block to make room for Randolph. Miles just seems like such an underachiever. I don't know. He certainly has the ability to be a hell of a role player, maybe even exactly what we need, but I just can't imagine him becoming that now that his money is gauranteed. Artest I'd take. I know he's a powder keg but he's an AMAZING defender and an under-rated offensive player. I'd have to gamble on that, assuming we wouldn't have to give up all that much to get him. As far as other players that might be on the block, I wonder if any teams will decide to blow up and rebuild? New Jersey? Sacramento? Minnesota? Each of those teams has a player or two I'd kill to see in a Rockets jersey next season and we've got enough expiring contracts to pull off any deal if all a team wants is cap room and a pick or two.
On Artest: You gotta dare to be great. Would you have traded for Dennis Rodman in '95? Bulls wouldn't have won 72 without him.
I have no doubt that if we had artest we'd be champions. But I HATE that dude. He's a serious mental case and he doesn't look like he's learned a damn thing from his huge suspension. I'm pretty torn, but I don't think Indy would give him up regardless of what happened.
Should we look at Miles as a Pippen or as a Ron Harper? I could seriously get into him as the latter.
The only interesting one out of those is Artest. Crazy, but good. The other two are cancers who are not worth the risk.
IIRC, Randolph has some kind of contract extension rendering him difficult to trade. The most serious Misfit that is unresticted is Antoine Walker. He doesn't play a lick of defense, takes ill-advised shots & is a so-so rebounder. But in the open floor he's a difficult matchup and shading off of him towards Yao or TMac could kill a defense.
I think Artest is nuts beyond all recognition but I don't hate the guy. What I like most about him is that for some reason, we gets into the opposing players' head REALLY QUICKLY. And he's even an average offensive player to boot.
Artest would be perfect on this team. With TMac, Yao, and Ron Artest Houston would dominate this league for a long time. Zach Randolph has zero impact on the outcome of a ball game. Neither does Miles. I'd pass on them.
the offseason has already started..... though man be alittle realistic....Randolph/Artest...won't come cheap.. ther is no one on the rOCKS that anyone would want other than T_Mac/Yao... and Miles...i'm sure you hav'nt seen to many games with him playin.. cause man his Jay is worse than Ryan Bowen's
HELL NO to Miles. I NEVER want to see that punk in a Rockets uni ever, I can't stand players like Miles. Randolph is questionable. The guy is fully capable of being a great PF, we've all seen it. But the guy is terrible at D and has a bad attitude. Artest would be pretty sweet. The guy is a nut, but man is he a man. JVG was able to turn Spree around and I could see him doing the same for Artest.
I think it would be hillarious to see Artest and Bruce Bowen tripping over each other all regular season and in the post season. Ts, fines, suspensions to the max.
I would love to have Bozi Wells, I think he is in dog house in Memphis, he will be a perfect SG in this team.
