Okay, I have been thinking about what it takes, and what we have, with regards to building the Rockets into a solid, lasting Championship contender. I am going to theorize based on one supposition, and you are welcome to disagree with that, and dismiss what I say thereafter, build upon your own supposition, or agree with my initial supposition, but disagree with my subsequent conclusions. Some of you might even agree with me down the line, and that would be cool, as I tend to agree with myself too. Okay, without further ado, here is my supposition: In terms of a future championship contender, the Rockets have 2 pieces in place; Steve Francis and Eddie Griffin. I know that Mobley could be considered a 3rd piece, but to me he is not a player who we could build a champion around. He might be a secondary player, but not a cornerstone. I am not suggesting that you need a star/franchise type player at every position, but I think that you need 2 or 3 of those kind of guys, and what kind of secondary/role players you add to your stars are to fill in what those players don't cover. Bear with me, I'm not sure if I'm explaining this properly. If you agree with my supposition that Francis and Griffin represent 2 of the cornerstones of the future, you have then to ask the first question;1) Are they enough, or do we need a 3rd franchise quality player? To me, this is THE question we should approach this off-season with, as it will help decide if we try and draft a potential franchise player, trade the pick for an established but non-franchise player, what kind of free agent we sign, who we might look to trade/trade for, etc. To me, you start with your cornerstones. Okay, so in answer to question no. 1, my vote is that we need another franchise player. Of course that sounds easy to suggest, as who wouldn't want another franchise player, but it's not that simple in my opinion. For one thing, especially in the draft, you often have the option of a high risk/high return guy vs. a safer, lower ceiling guy. Also, if it comes to trade, free agents, etc. you aren't going to get an automatic franchise player that easily, and will often have to give up one in return. So...it's not that simple.. So, why do I think we need another? Because teams with just 2, like the current Lakers and the 80's Celtics had 2 who were, in all likelyhood, better than Steve and Eddie. Also, the only ones who didn't have a dominant inside player amongst their stars were the Bulls and Pistons. While I think calls, etc go into it, there is very little chance Francis and Griffin are going to have a chance at being as dominant as Jordan and Pippen, and you could also argue that Rodman was a franchise level player during their prime...The Pistons are closer, but they also had possibly the best collection of role players I've ever seen, and to accumulate that kind of specific talent, and invoke that kind of team commitment to hustle and defense seems to me as hard to accomplish as getting another franchise type player, given our situation, and less tangible in terms of it's impact. And Eddie, for all his talent, has yet to show that he can be a dominant inside player, at least not to the point that we can count on it... So, I say another... Question 2) Which is the best way, given our options, of acquiring another cornerstone...Well, here we hve to get even more subjective. Obviously it starts with where we'll end up drafting...Basing it on probablity, let's assume that we'll end up drafting roughly where we are now...4th or 5th. Okay, options are usuing that pick, trading that pick for value, or trading that pick for lesser value with the bonus of losing a bloated contract. To me, the best options are the 1st and last, as the second is contrary to the idea...in other words, you are rarely going to get a franchise type player for a 4th or 5th pick, this off-season not withstanding...There is only 1 Bulls, and the Grizz were in a unique situation. That said, it's a consideration...and as much as I respect OP,I disagree with his premise that we have all the stars we need, and ought to prioritize freeing up $...So, I say the draft is the way to go...I also don't think that any of the potential FA's this year fit our needs, as far as inside cornerstone... The thing is, people at this point will be saying things like "we have enough 4's, and there is only one franchise level 5 available, and we won't get him at 4 or 5, so what's the point? Ok, I have to get back to my premise: 1st get the cornerstones, then fill in the supporting players...So, if Mo's an expensive bench player, so be it. But there are ways around it... Question 3) Who, in the draft, is a potential franchise level inside player that we could acquire with the 4th or 5th pick? Well, there are 2 possible answers, IMO... A) Drew Gooden B) Amare Stoudamire Both would be acceptable, in different ways. Gooden would provide inside scoring and excellent offensive rebounding, and he and Griffin would complement each other very well as forwards...For one thing, EG's offense is primarily perimiter at this point, but he has the potential to be very versatile...Gooden is the opposite, if that's possible..His offense is primarily inside at this point, but his shot is good enough to develop into a consistent threat...And, Gooden is quick enough to handle a lot of NBA 3's, and both are long, and Griff looks like he's going to be a hell of an interior defender. Yes, we would lose some matchups against very quick 3's, but so did Bird and McHale...I say we'd gain a lot more than we'd lose... Stoudamire is everything Griff isn't, and they would complement each other very well, assuming that AS is all he's cracked up to be...Of course that's a gamble, but you've got to take chances to win...He's VERY athletic, and could handle 3's the way Kemp did when he was younger, and his offense is all going to the hoop, offensive put backs, etc...What a duo those two might well provide in the future...Also, he's young enough that you could justify starting Taylor ahead of him for a year or two, thus letting him develop, and maybe letting Taylor develop some trade value... Or, a 3rd option, would be trading the 4th or 5th, plus, say, Mobley, for the 1st or 2nd, and drafting Ming...This might be the ideal, depending on who gets those picks and what they would need, as Ming is POTENTIALY exactly what Francis and Griffin need... Okay, depending on what way you go with the afore mentioned questions, then you have to look at the Rockets and see what they're missing, and over the couple of years they take to develop, you add the other pieces to the puzzle...I would suggest that, given any of the above, we should go for a solid defender at the 2, and if he can hit the 3 and pass a bit that would help...and a 3 specialist ( Rice, if he gets it back at all?) coming off the bench, and depending on whether we go for one of Gooden/Stoudamire or Ming, we need a 5 that can pound away, play solid D, and hit the outlet pass...sort of like how Cato has been playing, or if Ming, we'd need an athletic 3 who has some inside game, and can guard quicker players...A pure playmaker off the bench, the shooter we mentioned before, and....there you go. Of course it probably won't be that easy, and there is no guarantee that these work...but it's a plan, something I think we currently lack, aside from adding as many slow, tall shooters we can get ( Joke, sort of)...That's my take, what do you think...you can stream your questions anyway you want, but here are mine, to make it easier to answer... Based on the premise that Francis and Griffin are the 2 cornerstones the Rockets have around which we can build a future championship..( If you don't agree, create your own foundation supposition, and build thereupon...also, assumes that Francis' health/contract concerns are resolved in our favour) 1) Are Francis and Griffin good enough to just have supporting players, or do we need another franchise level player to become a legitimate championship contender? And if so, what kind? 2a) If we need a 3rd, what is the best way, given our conditions, to acquire another cornerstone; the draft, trades, free agency, or other? 2b) If not, how would you approach this off-season? What are the weaknesses do those 2 present, and what kind of supporting players do they need to get 2 the promised land? 3a) If draft, who, and what complementary players do we then need? 3a) If trade, who, and same as above? 3a) If free agency, who, and same...? So...what do you guys think? To me, the most important thing this thread will represent is a plan of attack for the up-coming off-season, rather than a reead and react...Of course, a lottery upset, either way, an unexpected trade possibility, or a negative factor like an injury, or Francis declining an extension, could all make this irrelevant, but based on everything going about as expected, what do you think? Like my ideas, hate them, have your own!?!?
Francis and Griffin are not good enough to just fill around them with supporting players - that is, not right now. In answer to number one I'd go against you JAG and say that in a few years (possibly 3-4) they will be good enough to be the 2 big stars in the lineup. To that effect you would then need to find complimentary players to fit around them. It looks to me as if a center who can score down low would not be needed (my supposition being that Griffin becomes a 18-10 guy who scores in the post as well as with his jumpers) and that Cato fits the bill pretty well as a role-playing rebounder (if his form over the last month continues!) Mobley looks to be that explosive scoring option that all teams need, and he seems to be a lock at the 2-guard spot (even better is his low money, long term contract!). So number 2b - I would say the major weakness in the combined game of Francis/Griffin is a lack of experience. I believe Griffin will add some weight to his frame and become a solid PF; so I guess I would see the weakness at the 3 spot, who to play there? Is Morris the answer? Looks like no right now, but once again, could it be a time thing? (or is he just too slow!) 3) To fill the voids I don't know what I would do! I'm not sold on the idea of drafting the best 3 because I can see MoT and Griff playing together with Rice and KT at the forward spots, I don't see any valid backup C, so I would be looking for something there, I also think OT and MN cover the backup spots at guard pretty well. I guess my option would be to draft the best possible center available (if there is one - I'm not sure of which useful big men are entering the draft) or failing that trade the pick + more if necessary for a long 3 who can play some stopping defense (maybe Bryon Russell or Donyell Marshall?)
Here's how I see it. The Rockets have their 2 cornerstones. Steve Francis. Eddie Griffin. We probably need a guy that is somewhere between Griffin (or if Griffin surpasses Francis, then Francis) and Mobley. Everything else fits around them. I see two guys on the roster that gel in extremely well: Cuttino Mobley-Third option, excellent scorer. Not the Rockets, but a big part of them, think what Sean Elliott meant to the Spurs. Mo Taylor-Probably not as a starter, but he's quality 6th man bench material, that I see becoming among the premiere backup big men in the league. Potential Solid Role Players-Must play good defense, and be able to move ball, as well as play smart Terence Morris-good size, good intangibles, if he can find his stroke, he'll stick in the NBA. Oscar Torres-Also a good defensive player Kelvin Cato-Which one is the real Kelvin Cato? A 10-10-2 Cato of the past 2 weeks would be more than servicable. That #3 player-Most likely has to play SF. I don't think Drew Gooden is it. I think Gooden will be a fine player, but I don't see him meshing with Griffin...he doesn't seem to sync with Griffin. I think the SF needs to be someone who can be a threat from the perimeter to allow Eddie to work. I don't think Eddie is near as effective when playing forward alongside KT as he is with a more traditional SF. As for Amare Stoudamire, I don't know. What I do know, is I usually hear "raw" "no range outside 5 feet" associated with him. I've also heard "bad attitude", and I just don't see as much buzz in him as I do in a Eddy Curry. We're seeing how raw this year's HSers are, and he's supposed to be even more unrefined? No thanks. The only college player right now that I think would be a sure thing fit for us is Dunleavy, with his shot, handles, and smarts. The other SFs are hit or miss. I'm thinking we trade the pick. In a perfect world, we manage to pick up Lamar Odom out of it. A point forward type would do wonders for this team-it'd relieve Steve of a lot of pressure, and ball movement is contagious. If not Odom, or a point forward, go for a lockdown defender, like Artest (not with our pick, though). Time to mention more "other" pieces. On my "team", I have my 4 swingmen (Cat, OT, Odom, T-Mo), and 2 PFs (Griff/Mo T), which means I need to add backups to the bookends (Steve, and the recent Cato). Backup PG...what a position. I just can't see Moochie doing it. I want 2 things out of my backup PG: good defense, and the ability to push the ball up the court/run the offense well, like Avery Johnson. An experienced veteran would be nice here, but not required. Moochie provides neither of these things. Moochie sometimes does the latter...then then sometimes, he loafs it up the court. Too many times do I see Moochie walking the ball past half court with 18 seconds on the shot clock...with NO press going on. That is simply unacceptable. I wish we had gone after Greg Anthony. I'd add a 3rd stringer in the draft sometime to learn under that veteran/Francis, and eventually become the backup. Center- After Cato, there are 2 ways to go. A.) Try to get a solid shooter/rebounder type, like we hope of Collier, or a Brad Miller B.) Go after another rebounding/defender type like Cato already is (will be), or a Jahidi White Keeping in mind the backup 4 is Taylor, probably look to another tough guy, preferably a veteran type but not necessary. A mid range shot like Oakley is nice, but not required. There are actually several guys I wouldn't mind drafting as a backup 5 in this draft, with a couple (Ming and Borchardt) as pretty good bets as starters. Personally, I wouldn't draft Ming unless we had filled our most pressing need (the 3), and we had no stunning offers-I'd probably trade the pick to get the stud 3. Anyhow, we need Cat/Francis to rethink their defensive concepts, get a better defensive backup for Francis, add the final answer at 3, and grow as a team.
I can't beleive I'm hearing this. How can you NOT consider Cat one of 3 cornerstones. On any given night, I will bet my life that no one would bet anything more than a penny that Cat ill shred the guy defending him. Mcgrady, Kobe, Bruce Bowen, Gary Payton. I have never thought: Oh, he's gonna be neutralized. This is very good for our team. Why?It takes pressure off of the rest of the players, the defensive attention he gets. Now with zones, even the PF and C may benefit from the attention Cat gets. I know Cat has struggled FG% ise this year, but I don't think that this will be the case next year, for a number of reasons. 1) Francis will hopefully be injury/migraine-free. 2) Griffin will begin to draw more and more attention, and clean up for Cat when he messes up defensively. 3) Even the bench and supporting players will improve over this injury-plagued season. IMHO, I think those 3 places are locked. I'm not too happy with Cato's contract, but I think one thing can be agreed. If Cato was in his final year, and he played that way the last 20 games or so, he would be getting offers like 5M/season. Just like Nazr Mohammed, Marc Jackson, Calvin Booth, and Todd Macculough. over the last couple of years, the league average has gone up, and I'm not as dissatisfied ith his contract as I was before, mostly because of his recent play. He tries hard on D, rebounds, is beginning to block shots, and is keeping the energy level high with his dunk fests. If we get a chance at Ming, great, we'll let him develop while playing backup to Cato, and when he's ready, we'll have an excellent defense/offense C combination. Right now, we really can't acquire a C anyway, and our C rotation is better than a lot of teams. Cato/Willis/Griffin sounds fine. So now, we have 4. Here's where we made the mistake: Glen Rice. I understand hy we acquired him. This has nothing to do with injuries, but it as a bad idea to take on his contract when we're looking to build a champion. Glen's not a bad player, he's just not right for our situation. This leaves: Cato/Willis Griffin/Taylor -------(Rice for now) Mobley/Torres Francis/Norris Right now, I really only see 2 things in the way of making that championship caliber: 1) An excellent Bruce Bowen type defender. I'm talking Pat Riley defense. With this, we'd have an EXCELLENT defensive frontcourt, which would mean great defensive strides for our backcourt. 2) Commitment to defense from every single player on the roster. e can't keep going around getting lit up by every star who comes to town. REAL commitment to defense. The defensive 3 I as talking about would be priceless if he would also preach the defense to the players. With this, there's also one last final solution. That's trading for Lamar Odom, and outscoring the opponent to death. This deal can be reached, and would even make Rice effective in hislimited minutes next year. KT, Mooch, protected 1st rounder, future first rounder for Odom, Dooling. I think Sterling will bite. Draft=small contracts.
If I were you I'd not bet my life on anything resembling Cat vs McGrady. McGrady is a supa dupa star in the making and Cat is not anything remotely associated with anything close to that.
<b>1) Are Francis and Griffin good enough to just have supporting players, or do we need another franchise level player to become a legitimate championship contender? And if so, what kind? </b> I believe they will be enough - my belief is that you need 2 franchise type players and then supporters. I believe that 3 will cause too many problems, and is really not necessary. Both Francis and especially Griffin are young... Griffin hasn't even begun to tap into his potential yet. When he does in a few years, I think we will have more than enough franchise player talent in Francis and him. Plus, they are the perfect complement - 1 big man and 1 guard, unlike certain teams like Orlando with Hill and McGrady who essentially play the same position. The main reason why I feel that Griffin and Francis will be good enough is cuz of Griffin's defensive ability. Not only will he most likely become a good/great offensive player, but he will be able to <b>ANCHOR</b> an entire defense, an added talent that most franchise players don't have. <b>2b) If not, how would you approach this off-season? What are the weaknesses do those 2 present, and what kind of supporting players do they need to get 2 the promised land? </b> I'll agree with OP... I think that we do have enough talent (speaking when Griffin turns into franchise player mode). I would say our greatest weakness is at the 3 so far. Our power forward positions are set with Taylor, a quickly improving Thomas, and Griffin. Our center position could use some work, but if Cato keeps up his play, he will be very valuable, and I believe we will see lineups with 2 pf's without any true center as well, so our lack of centers won't be too big of a problem. TMo really hasn't shown much yet, Langhi for whatever reason is not gettin a chance, Walt sucks, and who knows if Rice will ever regain his lost form? IMO we need to improve our sf positions - I would prefer acquiring somebody established that can shoot (such as a Mike MIller), but a draft pick wouldn't be bad at all seeing as how it will still be a few years before we make serious noise.
i believe steve and griff are enough my extra piece is lamar odom-this would make us impossible to play trade kt, our lotto pick and toronto pick for him...it works for both teams cato griff odom mobley steve bench taylor torres mooch morris collier
Trying to be realistic, as much as I don't want it to be true, but the odds are that if Francis is your best player, a championship most likely will not happen. As for Griffin, it's just too early to tell. Are either of these guys once-in-a-lifetime players, probably not. So the odds are, it doesn't look good. Again, just trying to be realistic. That doesn't mean the team can't be very good for a long time. I think you need to add another question to your list: 1b) If Francis and/or Griffin are not good enough to eventually produce a championship, do we need to look at building the team around someone else? I mean let's face it, championships are all about luck. You either draft or acquire a Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon, a Magic Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal, or you don't. If you don't, you're probably wasting your time in terms of ever winning a championship. Sure the Pistons happened, but that's been an anomaly since the era of the modern NBA. My vote, of course, is to stick with these two guys, and just try to be as good as you can. Also, appreciate how lucky we are to have won two championships. Also, JAG, I don't know if I'm understanding your definition of 'franchise player'. I only saw one on the Celtics and Bulls. You even say Rodman could have been one. I don't think anyone is going to build their franchise around a Dennis Rodman, even in his absolute best year. Same with Pippen, and McHale (or whoever the other Celtic is you're thinking of). Could be just a semantic thing, probably. Also, agree with Sane that Mobley is more than adequate to be a third piece. The guy is putting up over 20 a game, for crying out loud.
Also, JAG, why do you think the Rockets don't have a plan? What move(s) have they made or not made that leads you to believe that?
I didn't mean to say that Mcgrady is at the same level as Mobley. Just one good game shouldn't tip the whole scale. Can you ever honestly say you're sure "Insert ANY NBA player" will shut Mobley down? Mobley's a veyr very very very good offensive player. VEY VERY VERY adequate for being the 3rd best player on a championship team. Especially when Francis and Griffin are your other 2 players.
Griffin will not really blossom until about his 3rd yr which would make Steve 27 or 28 and Cat 30 and on the way down. If this team wants to compete for the prize real fast, add lewis or Odom and you'll have it, plain and simple. Drafting another young guy that would take 3-4 yrs to develop is not the smartest idea, ask the Clippers. The young guys they have now, Morris,Torres, and Brown could be developed for depth like the Kings bench. I don't care what anyone says, before the Rockets move into the new building, a team with a winning atmosphere must be in place and moving forward. Give me Francis,Mobley,Odom or Lewis ,and Griffin as my base, and I can show you more than 1st rd elimination.
That may be the quote I agree with most in my entire career as a BBS member. A core of those players + a new building + an established winning atmosphere (next season) = Contender.
TheFreak-You don't think Griffin will reach a Duncan-like level, or come close? Ron Harper averaged 20 ppg, too. I like Mobley a whole lot, but I think on a championship team, he's probably not a go to threat-if you key in on Francis and Griffin, Mobley can burn you for 30 on occasion, or if you stay home on Mobley and double him when he penetrates like they do now, Francis and/or Griffin (and/or mystery SF?) will make you miserable. Oh, as for Odom/Lewis-agree 100%. Adding Lewis or Odom to what we have now instantly makes us a contender, IMO. One can only hope as the deadline approaches that the Clippers would love to have some cheap, short-term, veteran depth up front, and picks (KT/KW/picks?)
I think Steve and Griff are good enough to do it. IMO we already have good role players. Mobley is a good starter and can go off for 30 on any given night. He's not McGrady, but he can play. I think if we can get a good 3 we'd be better off, although I don't know if Rudy would use him right. The one thing I don't like is the age difference between Steve and Griffin. If Griff develops quickly (which it looks like he may,) this won't be a problem. Rashard Lewis would be a nice pick-up, but I don't know if there would be enough shots to go around. Odom doesn't seem like he would need the ball as much as Lewis. It won't be easy, but I think we're on the right track.
We can go deep in the playoffs with Francis, Griffin and Mobley as the core players. It looks like we're keeping Cato for a while, so I hope he keeps developing into a better than average, athletic, defensive center who can clean up the glass and dunk. We all know he has the body & capabilities to do so. That is 4 starting positions down. Cato Griffin ? Mobley Francis We have only 2 other players who I'd consider very valuable. Taylor & Thomas. I like moochie, but I don't think he's that good. We can't and won't win with him playing many minutes. Other players have some value, and Moochie does too, in a trade scenario. Williams, Morris, Torres, Collier. I said some value, not much. I think we'll keep & develop Morris. Collier is a back-up who will not command much in return. We will keep him. Torres, I believe, may be due for a new contract at the end of the season? He may get some good offers. I don't know if we'll keep him. Williams is expendable, but we're in need of a SF and we really need someone who can consistently knock down the 3 pointer. To be what Rice was supposed to be before he fell apart. Cato Collier Willis Griffin Taylor Thomas ? Morris/Williams/Rice/Langhi Mobley Torres Francis Norris Brown Now, we have two valuable bench players, but they're both at the same Power Forward position. Could we have a lineup with Griffin Taylor Thomas Mobley Francis Yes, but it would be nice to have a 3 who could hit the 3. But, mo can consistently hit the 18-20 footer. *Now, we have, let's say pick # 5 and # 20 Do we trade the picks and Thomas for Lamar Odom? I like him, but he can't shoot the 3. Do we sign Rashard Lewis? Donyell Marshall may also be available free agency. Or....... do we pick Dunleavy at #5 (possibly trade down to 7 or 8) If we pick Dunleavy, we could trade # 20 and Thomas for a very capable backup to Steve & Cuttino. Conceivably, we could trade Thomas and Moochie and # 20 for a really good pick in the lottery (#6-8? or even #5?). We then have two picks in the top 7 or 8. I say we get lucky in the lottery and draft J. Williams at #2, sign Rashard Lewis free agency and trade Thomas, Mooch & #20 for Camby, (Mooch, Walt & #20 for Brad Miller) or a good, healthy center. Camby Cato Collier Griffin Taylor Lewis Walt/Morris/Langhi?/Rice? Mobley Torres Francis J. Williams Brown But, yes, we can use Francis, Griffin and Mobley as star players on championship team. With a little help from their friends!!!!
I suppose it's possible, but not probable by any stretch. I mean, granted Duncan had 4 years of college, but he came right out and averaged 21 and 12 on 55 percent shooting, and led his team in the playoffs. We know what happened in just his second season. It's just not like there's a lot of Tim Duncans out there -- I would never expect a guy to match what he's done. Ron Harper certainly could've been a third option on a championship team in his prime I think. He was first or second option with Danny Manning on that playoff Clipper team. I just don't expect that much out of a third wheel, and I think Mobley easily can fill that role and more. Going back to '90, you can look at the third options on championship teams, and they aren't anything Mobley couldn't match production-wise -- Vinnie Johnson/Mark Aguirre, Horace Grant, Toni Kukoc, Sean Elliott, the Rockets never really had one, neither did the Lakers. Add in Mo Taylor, and the Rockets have plenty of firepower.
1) For clarification...I may have been a bit vague about my definition of 'franchise' or 'cornerstone' type players...I guess that the easiest way to define it is that, were you have 2 or 3 players of equal value, ( obviously at different positions) you would be a perennial contender,and were you to have a decent supporting cast, you would be an annual favorite...2 or 3 McHales, to me, gets it done...Although that is speculation, as McHale never had to carry a team, but you get my point...I said Rodman was borderline, because he was dominant in 2 areas...Obviously 2 or 3 guys only dominant as defenders and debounders aren't going to get it done, but were they of equal value but in different ways, I think you're talking serious contender.. To me, 2 or 3 Mobley's ain't gonna get it done, period. Not even close...he's one dimensional, and even at that he's not among the best...Sure, he could be a valuable instant offense guy, and might make an excellent championship-level 6th man/instant offense Vinnie Johnson kind of guy, but he's no cornerstone...To me it's a losing philosophy to say " This guy does this great, and he is a valuble member of our team right now, therefore, he must be a cornerstone..." Name any dynasty in the past 30 years upon which he would have been the 2nd or 3rd best player...That's what we're up against. The standards of time are the ones we need to use to judge ourselves if we want to get to that level...and as much as I like Cat, he's no cornerstone, never would have been on another dynasty, why would he be for us? He's a poor man's Rolando Blackman, statistically, and he's in his prime. How and why is he suddenly going to be the kind of guy championships are built around? And as far as the argument that you could never bet he won't be locked down on any given night, well, of course not. he's an above average to good starting player who's primary value is as a scorer...How many starting players who are primarily scorers CAN you say you'd bet could be shut down on a given night? He is currently 20th in the league in scoring despite being 3rd in minutes..and he does not much else. A good player? Surely...a cornerstone? Not to me...
Uh, Ro Blackman was arguably the Mavs' best player on their best teams (the team that took the championship Lakers to the limit in the late 80s). We're only asking Mobley to be our 3rd-best player, right? And, how is Mobley already in his prime? At what point did we start saying that you were in your prime in your 4th season in the league?
