Going strictly on stats from last year, its pretty close: Olajuwon: 58g, 26.6mpg, 7.4 RPG, 11.9 PPG, 1.52 Blocks Willis (Tor): 35g, 22mpg, 6.4 RPG, 8.8 PPG, 0.6 Blocks Willis (Den): 43g, 24.6mpg, 7.2 RPG, 9.6 PPG, 0.72 Blocks Single game highs also come pretty close: Olajuwon: 27 points (3/03/01) 20 rebounds (2/13/01) Willis: 25 points (4/18/01) 20 rebounds (4/10/01 against the Rox!) Kind of interesting.
The deciding factor though, the Rockets would have had to pay Hakeem something like 5 million dollars a year for 3 years, they have Kevin Willis for only this year (his contract expires) and he makes 3 million dollars. So he gives us somewhat similar production, is cheaper, and doesn't have to be to much of an option. Meanwhile Hakeem gets what he wants in Toronto, money, a role, and be on a contender, so it's win-win.
Why start Olajuwon comparisons again? This thread title should be Willis or Maurice, anyhow. How soon we forget that Maurice had to get injured for the season for us to land Willis?
The number that jumps out at me is the number of games played - 78 for Willis and 58 for Olajuwan. When was the last time Olajuwan played 78 games in a single season?
Actually, crispee, you could compare Willis vs. Jackson vs. Taylor. Either way, RocksMil pointed out the key elements that make the Willis deal such a great one: solid, mobile, role-playing big man with a short contract. And at this stage in Willis' career, he would probably be year-to-year in contracts, instead of multi-year, if he wanted to keep playing, which could give the Rocks some much-needed flexibility.
Because it is directly relevant to how this team will look as opposed to the one we saw last year. Willis is basically "taking over" Olajuwon's role as a 25mpg (+/-) big man.
With all the money involved and egos, I would take Willis over Hakeem!!! When Willis was in Houston, Hakeem was still at top form (no comparision between the two). Now Hakeem has lost most of his consistency (on the offensive end), but can still get you a few blocks and 10 rebounds pg. Look at his game the other night on the offensive end: 0-10 fg (OUCH!!!), but he did get 10 rebounds (?). Willis still has the same somewhat inconsistent offensive skills (does not like to pass out of the paint), but stills hustles and gets you the same 10+ rebounds, and the biggest plus - even at 38 he can handle an entire NBA season (Hakeem will be lucky to make it 40 games, BEFORE CAREER ENDING INJURY). Look at Willis's game the other night, I think I read he got 16 rebounds or something. THAT IS WHAT THE ROCKETS NEEDED from Hakeem, his defense presence (not offense). This is a win win situation for the Rockets. Willis can mentor Cato, Griffin, Morris and can help Collier ------ well, I do not know what he can do with COLLIER. MAYBE PUT SOME ANTS IN HIS PANTS, SO HE DOES NOT LOOK SO STIFF OUT THERE. NOW WE STILL NEED ONE MORE TRADE, Walt has to much trade value to pass up on, and we still have to many 3's.
Really? Well then how do you factor in our look after losing Maurice? Isn't Willis backing up the PF position as well. Let me ask you what I believe the proper question is in comparisons to last year: Are we better now than we were before Mo' went down. I'd much rather have Mo' than Willis. Don't get me wrong, this pick-up is excellent and very much needed...I was going into supersticious homey denial about our pitiful frontcourt until this trade...my point is simply that Willis vs Olajuwon is not an appropriate comparison to measure how our "team will look" versus last year, after losing Mo.
Perhaps a bit, but I'd say the vast majority of my projected 25 mpg for him will come at the Center spot. In other words, I wouldn't expect to see Cato/Willis on the floor very often. Agreed, the loss of Taylor isn't accounted for here. However, were I to start another thread on that subject, it would be "Taylor + Kenny Thomas or KT + Eddie Griffin" Thankfully, that point becomes moot in a year's time. I will agree that the subject line was probably a poor choice
I do not see Willis getting to much time at the PF position (if any). He was brought in to split the time, with Cato, at center. If the Rockets really wanted another PF, they would have made the move for Chris Gatling, or others. Willis is a legitamit NBA center, and has shown he can bang with the centers of the west.
Willis is a better fit on this run and gun team. Hakeem would not have concentrated on the boards like Willis will, he would of wanted his post ups and points.
barbourdg, I agree that Cato and Willis will play few (if any) minutes together. Mabye on another team they would, but not our perimeter game. But, unless Collier plays no minutes, Willis and Collier could play together. What does that mean as far as who plays center and PF? I could see an 8 min stretch from end of 1st into the 2nd quarter being played with those two, with Collier getting little playing time the rest of the game. Collier fits well with setting the high picks, especially when Willis is in there helping him rebound. Who cares if we call one a 4 or a 5? Collier's picking and shooting is solid enough for some quality 2nd q minutes against a lot of second teams in the league, and K9 and Cato will often get 2 fouls in the 1st Q anyhow, requiring Willis to be versatile with his role. I don't mean to overstate this. K9 will start. Rice will do some sliding over to go small yet high-octane with 3 guards, and Griffin will get 10-20mpg (conservatively speaking), somewhere. There isn't that much room for Willis playing PF, I agree. But I do see Rudy using Willis and Collier together...and certainly Willis is injury insurance for the 4 spot.
