Returns to form offensively this year or if we give him to Seattle Shard busts and Mo is a stud. I know that this is unlikely but if he is working as hard as rumored would you guys still trade him so easily for Shard, what do you think?
I highly doubt that CD and Rudy are going to trade Mo, even if they could obtain Rashard in a sign and trade. Rashard wants too much money, and the Rockets need to start thinking salary cap. It is also highly doubtful that the Sonics are going to accept Mo coming off an injury. The Rockets are in a prominent position with three PF's. Griffin is untouchable, if Mo were tradeable, he would be gone or in the process of being gone. Kt is a hardworker who keeps his nose to the grindstone and would be a great player off the bench for a contending team. However, some people forget that KT is coming up on a contract year, and with how much Mo is making I'm pretty sure KT and agent are going to want a lucrative deal, especially considering KT's numbers last year. As much as I like Kenny his days in a Rockets uniform are numbered. One last thing about Lewis, his quote last year was that he was well on his way to being on the same level as Kobe Bryant when he was in his fourth year in the league, and deserved just as much money. Rashard is not worth the max, but he and his agent are going to try to pony up as much cash as possible out of every team that is remotely interested in signing him. The smart thing for Rashard would be to sign a one year deal and try next years offseason for big money, because more teams will be under the cap, or sign a three year (Shandon Anderson deal) to get his Bird rights. Either way I don't see the Sonics caving and giving him the max, I don't see Dallas getting him either, I think its between the Rockets and Bulls, call me crazy cause some of you will, but thats just my opinion.
No one has confirmed this for me yet, but I am pertty sure Mo is a base year compensation player meaning his salary only counts half in trades. So, if he is scheduled to make $6+ million, he would only be worth half that in trade. That does us no good with Lewis in a trade. The only players we have that have the kind of value Lewis wants are Rice and Cato, right?
Jeff, Taylor is not a BYC player. A player is only a BYC player if 1) the team is over the cap and it had either Bird Rights or Early Bird Rights to resign the player and the player got a raise of more than 20%. OR 2) The team is over the salary cap, it extended the rookie scale contract of the player, and the player received a raise greater than 20% Since Taylor wasn't coming off a rookie contract and we didn't have Bird or Early Bird rights on him, then he's not a BYC player. We signed Taylor with our available cap space.
Whatever the case.... MoT needs to stay. I would be willing to give up Rice and KT in S&T for Rashard. That would fix the logjam at PF and give Rashard room to start and let Boki come along slowly. I like MoT and I feel he was ready for a breakout year last year before the achilles injury. He seems to be just as determined and ready now...I say give him a chance.
Lets see, we could get a 22 yr old sf who outrebounded and outscored your injured ,overweight power forward and basically we'll be trading contracts. It sounds like a no brainer to me. Taylor's whole career including college has been what if. What if he this or what if that. This is his 5th yr and basically a finished product. He didn't rebound in college, hasn't rebounded in the pro's. All of a sudden with him coming off an injury he is suppose to be this stud ? Gimme a break.
The only way the trade would be worthwhile would be if Rice is involved. We need Mo and Cato to stay on this team.
Leebigez' right, Mo will be Mo. He isn't going to become a god all of a sudden. However he will provide us with some good offense right from the tip off, decent defense, average rebounding and a nice running big man in the paint to complement Yao. I will be totally satisfied if he comes back as the Mo we know from befo'!
i think shard for mo straight up we have to do it. then resign KT, who gave us basically the same stats last year as mo did 2 years ago. yao/cato griffin/kt lewis/nachbar/rice mobley/? francis/norris/tierre or tito yum.
Jeff, Thanks for the "base year" info. That kinda tells me that my boy Taylor is staying home for at least a while. If Rashard Lewis wants to play for Houston like he says he does, then we'll figure out a way. Lewis may have to take a pay cut, but it'll work out.
Wow, we are sure paying a third string guy a lot of money. I think the Rockets would trade Rice for a future-pick before they pay a third-string SF 9 mil a year.
The following is a comparison between Lewis and Taylor in their first four seasons. Taylor: 14.3 ppg (.472 FG%), 5.3 rpg, 1.3 apg Lewis: 12.2 ppg (.474 FG%), 5.6 rpg, 1.3 apg Please don't use age as an excuse for the similarity in stats between the two players. Remember, Taylor was drafted in 1997 after his freshmen year at Michigan. He was only a year and a half older in his rookie year than Lewis was in his. Taylor is still only 25 years old, just 2-3 years older than Lewis. Therefore, I cannot understand how people can assume that Mo will not improve but that the sky's the limit for Lewis. Taylor is nowhere NEAR the prime of his career. He still has time to develop as a player. My point is this: while I agree that Lewis's potential is greater than Taylor's, don't let only the most recent season determine how much "worse" Taylor is, especially since he didn't even play. Hell, Taylor has scored 17 ppg in TWO of his first four seasons! Rashard does it once, and everyone's talking about how great his worth is. Based on their first four years and proximity in age to one another, it looks a lot closer than many people think.
Bima- I guess we can make statistics look the way we want. Why are we emphasizing last year? Because it was a breakout year for Rashard. He has improved every year. Mo Taylor on the other hand had a season ending injury and was supended for substance abuse.
bigboymumu--Mo had improved his scoring in every season until he switched teams. From 11.5 to 16.8 and 17.1 ppg. After suffering through a prolonged adjustment period with the Rockets (not trying to manipulate statistics here, but there is a valid excuse for a dip in production coming from being a top scorer to a more complimentary role on a better team), Taylor finished his fourth season strong by averaging over 16 ppg during the second half of the 2000-2001 season. Unfortunately, injury cut short his attempt to improve once again last season. Point being, Taylor has already HAD his breakout year and has only regressed for half a season during his entire career. That it happened to be in his only season playing with the Rockets has Clutch City fans concerned. I say, remain calm, let Mo get back in shape, and let's see what he can do this year.
There are no excuses. And certainly not for regressions. Mo had his opportunities, He had the ball in his hands. He was the 1st, 2nd or 3rd option in every set. Lewis did not have that opportunity until this year. He finally had a real opportuniy to showcase his talent. Lewis for Taylor is a no-brainer.
bigboy--Besides the fact that a Lewis for Taylor trade is impossible under the CBA, I agree that I would do that deal. However, most critical comments of Mo are that he is way overpaid. Well, how much are guys capable of getting 17 ppg getting nowadays? Answer: a lot. Of course Lewis's ceiling is much higher than Mo's. I think Lewis will develop into a better overall player. I guess you are just misunderstanding my point(s): --Mo still has time to get better --Mo has proven himself already as a reliable scorer --Mo can be a very productive player for the Rockets --Mo should not be taking quite so much criticism from Rockets fans
If mo was quicker . . he could play the three . . then we would not need Shard but he plays 4 1. I want more rebounding from my four . . .at least more fighting for them 2. I want him to bang more. . . . I prefer KT to Mo . . . . KT tries more. HUSTLE AND HEART over POTENTIAL and PROMISE Rocket River
Shocking...a SF outrebounded Mo? Must be armageddon (sp?). If the Sonics were stupid enough to take Mo for Rashard, you better believe that CD would jump all over it. Why they would take on Mo's miserable a$$ after unloading the only PF in the league Mo could possibly win a 1 on 1 battle with (Baker) is totally beyond me.
