i wouldnt trade eddie because i still think he will be a good player. also, his trade value right now sucks so thats more reason to keep him.
although his trade value is low, i did like the point that espn article made that by trading him, it brings a message to the rest of the team. too bad we can't trade him for kwame brown, at least one of the two disappointments is picking up his game.
I think we need to just wait and see what JVG does because their is no easy answer here concerning EG. Trade value sucks right now and he could still wind up being a great player. The man is only 21, people tend to forget that he is younger than Yao! Plus, Yao is light years ahead of him in maturity. Whatever JVG and CD decide I am going to back them up because they are in a way better position to make these decisions than ANYONE on this forum. We only see the games on TV, we have no idea what goes on in practice, in the locker room, or in their personal lives. We only know what we see on TV and read in newspapers; so lets give a little credit to the people that know whats really going on in their career and not bash them when making a decision that pisses you off. Let's see what happens with EG and wether good or bad we can always be assured that a 7'6" man named Yao Ming will be on the team no matter what happens.
After Eddie picks up his game a little bit, I wouldn't rule out a midseason trade for Kwame if we can magically confuse the league that Eddie is worth it. Of course, I'd like to dream about Shareef too. <sigh>
i'd trade him for a bag of wow doritos, and some toilet paper to wipe my anal leakage. i hate that s.o.b.
there's interest in Eddie around the league, but I definitely think it's a mistake to trade him right now in the middle of this bad press. Extend him and trade him when it's convenient if you're going to trade him. I don't think there are any compelling reasons for trading him now and there are at least a couple for not.
Of course we'll back up CD and JVG in what they decide, but we have a right to express our opinions--isn't that what this site is for? I think that we have a lot to vent about in light of Eddie's long standing history of delinquency and underachievement, with last week's events angering Rox fans badly enough to trade him even more. I'll give him half a season to step up, after that I'll glady trade him. No question that he has talent. A LOT of people have talent. But he's not worth it if he shapes up his attitude and game. The difference between a great player and a hopeful is commitment and desire. (and luck of no injuries) Look at Rasheed Wallace. With the physical skills that guy has, he could easily be one of the top 5 players in the NBA; He can shoot inside/outside, he has size & mobility, he can rebound, block, and pass. But the guy would rather smoke weed and sit on his fat paycheck like the rest of the TrailGangstas. Too hard to swallow that one? How about Shawn Kemp? I don't even need to explain that one, it's so obvious. Bottom line, if he doesn't shape up in half a season, I wouldn't flinch a bit if we traded him for someone like Kwame.
IMO, the Rockets need to sign him to a contract extension, place him on the IR, suspend his salary until and unless he sees a shrink on a daily basis and do everything possible to help him to straighten out his personal life. Eddie needs to feel loved, not hated. People with psychological problems do not respond well to negative input, so I do hope the board gets off his back. I understand the frustration on the board, but it is counterproductive to say the least. Eddie may not ever get past his personal demons, but we can all pray that he does and wish him well in either regard. We gambled taking a player so young, but I, for one, would take that gamble again.
Thumbs, That is one of the best posts on the EG subject. I completely agree. We lose more by cutting him lose than we do by keeping him and trying to rehabilitate him as a valuable NBA player. The talent is there. People dont have the kind of #s that EG had in a major NCAA conference without talent. If we don't try and rehabilitate him, someone else will.
The last two posts are good. Keep in mind while Eddie 'is on the mend' -- the Rox have (I believe) 12 guaranteed contracts + an injured FA + two slots to place folks until Pike and either EG or MoT are ready. 12 is greater than the 8 (or 9) man rotation JVG has indicated he'll run. Rox and Eddie have plenty of time to get their acts together.
I agree the Rockets should try to rehabilitate Eddie, whatever that means. However, I don't see why we should resign him to an extension now. First off it does send the wrong mesage. Both to EG and the team. Second, if we don't sign him, we can still sign him after the end of the year. The Rockets can give him a qualifying offer and can keep him by matching somebody elses offer. Are you really afraid that some other team will come along and throw huge dollars at an unproven malcontent. I believe the offer would have to be at least three years. If I am another team I might take a flyer on a cheap contract, but not three years on a basically overpriced contract. If the offered contract is underpriced, we can match and keep him. Why extend now?
Pat, Maybe GATER will chime in here and correct me, but I believe that if we don't excercise the team option, and EG becomes a FA, then we don't retain the right to offer. I think that right only becomes realized after the 4 year. I might be totally wrong on this though. Thumbs, Not sure if you can send a guy to the IR with mental problems. Although, I am sure EG can develop a nice case of plantar fasciatis if need be.
Sign an extension and try to give him what he needs for him to develop his potential. But he can't hide him always behind this word: " potential ". Rockets need results. 2 years, it's beginning to become long !!! If he shows no improvement, let's try to trade him for Swift for example.
