MacBeth - I realize how big a Hinrich fan you are, but could you please take a moment to factor in that there is absolutley no way on this planet Scott Skiles and John Paxson want Steve Francis? I know you've methodically rationalized this in other threads...the Bulls need to win now etc...but Francis is in the middle of their wish list in a best case scenario. ========================================= One thing I'm sure off...if TJ and Tim Thomas light the Rockets up tonight, it'll all be Van Gundy's fault.
I'm not convinced that we can get Hinrich...I was using him as an alternative to illustrate a point, and pre-empt the rebuttle ( you suggested another rookie, etc.)... Ford is not the answer. A pure pg is ok, although I suspect a combo might work better so long as he defers...but he's gotta be able to shoot. Ford's Achilles heel is shooting, at which he is, for all his other strenghts, among the worst in the league. Yeah, he can improve, but I see his long term potential as a better Avery Johnson, with similar strenghts and weaknesses ( better at going to the hole). It's possible Ford will develop a shot, but I don't want to hitch our wagon to that chance.
Avery Johnson led a team to a title. If you load the team up with shooters and finishers at the 2, 3 and 4, TJ has the ability to be great. Leadership skills, passing skills, penetrating skills. That said, while this "rumor" seems pretty transparent (some guy reading tonight's game preview + knows SF/JVG have friction = radio trade rumor), Des Mason must come along in this trade to balance Thomas' nasty contract. Kid's a defensive stud, can shoot the 3. Perfect. Redd is a pipe dream. Cheap, young Allstar = untouchable.
AJ could not have lead a team to a title if Duncan A) was as vulnerable to doulbes, particularly high-low, as Yao is, and B) didnlt have Robinson to make teams pay when they did double. Think of what we now know about Cato. Apply those exact same weaknesses to the point.
T.j ford is a good player but he cant shoot, with yao u need a point guard who can shoot. Or yao is just gonna get double/tripled teamed.
How about SF+Boki for Redd+TJ+filler? I don't think it is possible to pick up Thomas's contract and still get Redd (who will need big money for next contract) unless we also trade away either Cato or MoT, Les is not that rich.
A) Definitely. But by the same logic the Rockets will never contend if Yao doesn't consistently burn doubles. B) Not just D-Rob, Sean Elliot and their hot SG du jour, too. Great finishers. That's what I'm saying, 2 thru 4 need to be impact finishers that don't require the ball (ie catch and shoot, catch and finish) off the attention at the 5 and the sag off the 1. Can also put it this way: This team will never contend with Cato getting major minutes at the 4.
Can anyone verify that they even heard this on the radio? The Rockets and Bucks play tonight and Francis had a slip-up, so I think it's very easy to get confused here. MLC1MGC2ALC3 ... did you yourself hear this on the radio? If so, please speak up. If all you're doing with this thread is passing along a post that you read on a message board and just printed it as fact here without mentioning where you got it, then I'm more than a little peeved. The message board post Deuce referred to said this was mentioned on the air yesterday ... you would think the story would have been picked up by now. I just now called the radio station (1510) and they are not aware of anything even remotely similar to this, though they are checking with their Bucks reporter.
Seriously MLC1MGC2ALC3, if all you contribute to the board is Real GM trades and claiming ideas from other message boards as fact, it's no wonder lots of folks around here aren't fond of you.
I think any trade involving Steve Francis should involve getting a non-protected first round pick as well...it makes good sense, since Steve seems to have a knack for avoiding the playoffs. Well...at least the NBA playoffs
Steve Francis is currently experiencing the worst shooting season of his career by far, and at .395 is shooting over 40 points below his carrer average. This has caused much gnashing of teeth and pulling if hair in here... ...and it's still over 15 points higher than Ford is shooting. from the outside, which is relevant to what we're discussing, Francis is also shooting a carrer worst .289, a whopping 60 points worse than his career average... ...and that is over 25 points higher than Ford. There's not great, bad, and awful. Steve is usually the first, this year the second, and Ford is the last.
You and me i hope he has some back up on his "trade rumor" because every1 in here is getting all worked up Including me!
