The rockets play this preseason seems to be better, especially on the defensive side under JVG. The biggest difference in their play has been the reduction in turnovers and one on one defense. I think Tyrone Hill would be a great pick up for the rocket and help continue the growth process of the Steve and Yao. Tyrone is a tough defender and good rebounder, A JVG type of guy. And the rockets need a back-up PF to add to the rotation with Yao and Kato. And move on from the idea Eddie is going to turn things around, hasn't displayed any passion for the game up to this point what makes anyone thinks that is going to change. Also of note, is Nachbar becoming the Rockets best defender. Did a great job on Anthony last night.
Unless TH signed for vet's contract, all exception $ is gone (Jax and Pike split MLE), AG got 1/2 the lesser exception, yes?
We were sayin the same thing about Cato just a year and a half ago... worthless, not gonna change, no passion... look at him now. and I do agree somewhat on Boki, I wouldnt say best...he is not a lockdown defender by any means...but considering many here said he had NO defensive capabilities....the defense he is playing is world class in comparison to what was said about him last year. btw...xiki...I believe we do have a 7 mil trade exemption from the Rice trade..are you referring to the MLE?
I think Kelvin Cato and Pig Miller will give the Rockets everything they'd hope to get from Tyrone Hill.
Yes. Since the trade exception is for a trade, is it not? then it wouldn't work for a free agent? Help me, here. Can it be used for a FA?
good point, I didnt appreciate the distinction in your previous post. the TE is for use in a trade situation from what I understand...(check codell's Eddie thread for Gater and aaelliot's explanation of it) I also didnt see till too late that you were talking about the MLE inyour previous post...I need edit!!
We have a banger now in Cato. What we need now is a PF that can defend the smaller PF's that can play away from the basket and create their own shots of the dribble.
Not that I'm advocating we go hard after Tyrone Hill, but if he came cheap enough we could do worse. Of course, we could probably do better also. The only problem I have with your take, Possum, is that it will be hard for Cato to get nearly enough playing time at PF without another banger on the roster. Because giving him significant playing time at PF means actually letting Amaechi get off the bench more than 30 seconds a game. I'd rather have the banger (or a better backup center), give Amaechi a flaming case of plantar fascitis, and let Mo play against those smaller PF's. He may not be able to guard them, but he could at least keep up with them in the scoring column. Not to mention the current Laker lineup. It's hard to find enough fouls on this roster to play Hack-a-Shaq as it is. Let alone with Malone flopping on all our power forwards also.
I think we cut Miller. I don't really know that much about Hill. How good of defense does he play? Is he decent....or a worthless scrub like some here say? If he is worth anything......why is he still out there?
I wish we would have signed Tyrone Hill last season. That's exactly the kind of scrappy, physical player that Houston has lacked at the 4 ever since Otis Thorpe headed to Portland. I was one of Cato's biggest critics up until last season. I still don't think he's worth what we pay him, but Cato did a 180 last year as compared to his lazy, no hussle seasons before last season. Cato's a keeper unless we need to throw him into a deal to get an all star caliber player. I hope Cato's time at the 4 this pre season is not just a pre season scenario for Van Gundy. If Cato is destined to back up Yao at the 5, then I think the Rockets could use a Tyrone Hill or an Anthony Mason type veteran PF for a 1-year deal.
