Sura can and will be bought out for $1mm. His salary is, in NBA terms, not too distant from SBs. Therefore, his value is disproportionate IMHO.
I'm all for trading Battier. I've never seen a guy who averages 10 ppg get so much attention. For the record I dont hate the guy, I just think he is average and we can do better.
You don't trade Battier for Artest... but according to articles we get Artest for close to nothing, we take artest, you risk team chemistry for taht guy that can put you over the hump.
I see your point here but Shane was not brought here to be that 3rd big gun on offense. He was brought here because of his defense and the other little things that he does on the court (hustle, attitude, etc). Battier is a very good player and this team needs players most of all. And I'm certain that Morey knew that both Shane & McGrady were SFs when he made the deal with Memphis. At that time, the prevailing consensus was that Battier could play the 4 and when that didn't work out very well, he went back to playing the 3. To be fair, the lack of athleticism has been a major problem with this team ever since the big trade with Orlando so what happened in the Utah series should not have come as any big surprise. During the season, they had lots of problems with teams like GS, Portland, NO - teams with youth, speed and athleticism. There's not all that much they can do about it without rebuilding the team which would mean sucking for the next 2-3 years and that won't put more fannies in the seats at the TC which is what Les is most interested in right now.
Artest won't put them over the hump because he's a SF as well and not the PF they need. It's not a question of IF he'll go off but WHEN. At some point he'll snap and attack (a) a fan (b) a teammate (I hope it's the Sta-Puff Marshmellow Man (Bonzi)) (c) Clutch The Bear or (d) his baby momma (again) and boom! there goes the Rockets' season.
Does the name Vernon Maxwell ring any bells? He was SAME PLAYER, he went into stands also for someone spitting on him, he got arrested, he had domestic problems... Its no different that attitude oddly enough would greatly benefit the Rockets.. they are all too passive for their own good.
I think he's also in the joint now so what does that have to do with anything? If you're trying equate Artest with Maxwell, then don't bother. MadMax was a hotheaded fool who screwed himself in the end (no pun intended). Artest is borderline homicidal and believes everyone is against him. Big difference. He can go off on anyone at any time and that includes anyone: coaches, team members, staff, fans, security personnel, mascots, police officers, friends, family and well, you get the idea.
Amateur psycho here says that MadMax had (has?) sociopathic tendencies and Ron - Ron psychopathic traits.
For all you guys want to trade Shane for Artest, can you imagine what the team chemistry will be if Tmac went out due to back, Yao injured (was he already being figured to be out for 6 months?) ? Shane was one of the most consistent player when Yao went down. I am all for trading for Artests, but not with Shane.
Are you suggesting the team would be better off with Battier as the number 1 option (with Yao and Mcgrady out) than with Artest?
I am saying when team is not doing well, regardless the situation, the team chemistry will be much better with Shane than with Artest.
Originally Posted by Baqui99 I think we should trade Battier for Rudy Gay. And only if we get Mike James in the deal and he get his trade kicker and while were at it lets send Rafer Loston back to the Raptors.
that trade (billy, snyder, sura, #26 = artest) would have got us to the conferense finals this season. dennis rodman didn't need to get along with the bulls. you need a player who will bring attitude to your side, and fear to the other side.
what about Camby as a possibility in a swap for Battier? he would fill a need and can play some minutes at back-up at C as well. his shot-blocking and face-up game compliment Yao in the post really well. for salaries to match we would have to give up something along the line up Sura's expiring... This is kind've a wash in talent. But aside for filling our need for a PF it also allows T-Mac to move back to SF where he would face more advantageous match-ups. Denver has a glut of big contracts in their frontcourt: Martin, Nene, Evans, Najera and Kleiza aside from Camby. They are also looking to dump salary. Battiers deal goes for a year more, but it has 3M less on it per. He would also provide a 3-pt threat (and upgrade to JR Smith whose future is now in doubt). Not to mention he is the consumate professional and team player and has proven he can be effective alongside 2 superstars. is this a win-win scenario?
I love how we are all amateur psychologists here. Just for the heck of it, as I'm sure it slipped some minds, I'd like to remind you guys that Mad Max was a key part of the Rocks winning their first NBA championship for the city of Houston. Warts and all, crazy or not, streaky as hell, say what you will, but Max could ball, and he helped us get that first trophy. The guy deserves his props. If Artest could help us win another, and then jumps off the Ship Channel Bridge onto a barge, splatting himself all over creation, I would be perfectly fine with it. I don't pilot barges on the ship channel for a livin'.
