More Mo and Cro from NY's 'finest', Vecs http://www.nypost.com/sports/15736.htm Numerous sources are predicting the Rockets will do something noteworthy before Thursday's trading deadline, but it positively won't involve Steve Francis. In an effort to ease the defensive congestion around Yao Ming, management is trying to acquire a legit 3-point shooting forward, namely Austin Croshere. A few weeks ago, the Pacers discussed swapping him for Kelvin Cato. Recently, the talk revolved around Maurice Taylor; if Indy pulls the trigger, you might see Al Harrington to Denver for Rodney White and Jon Barry. Houston also is talking to the 76ers about Aaron McKie, who could just as easily wind up in Chicago for Jerome Williams.
Yeah, I heard Vescey talk during the All Star break on NBATV right after "he" broke the Van Horn-Tim Thomas deal (at least 3 writers got credit for that one, IIRC) about a Croshere for Taylor trade. He went on to say that the trade clearly benefits the Pacers, but the Rockets are looking desperately for a big man that can shoot (Matt Bullard, anyone?) to spread the court for the Rockets. I believe this is being discussed in another thread, though.
Cro is OK, but not worth Mo or KCato and definitely not the time and space PV is giving it. Now, Mo (and others) for Lewis (and others) we could discuss. Mo for Rado and Barry perhaps. But, Mo for Cro? Just say 'NO'.
I don't think I'd offer anything beyond Pike or Padgett for Croshere. I would have thought Jayson Blair would have set the stage for firing Vescey long before now.
I saw an interview with JVG last night on the local news. He said the lineup won't change between now and after the trade deadline and that's not a bad thing. Vecsey needs to shove a cork up his ...
When Vecsey reports something on the Knicks, there is possibly something to it....but when he starts preaching about WC teams, he's usually pretty far off.
Except that Blair apparently never was a legitimate reporter, just a lying scam artist. Hehe seems like that is the same thing Vecsey is.
Croshere has such a ridiculous contract that Indiana would have to pay the receiving team additional talent just to relieve themselves of his salary. Why would the Rockets give up a better player in Mo Taylor to pick up a cap albatross? Unless Indiana is throwing in a lottery-pick or something, it isn't worth considering for any team. Remember when the Rockets almost got Croshere? That's one of those deals where we dodged a bullet by getting outbid.
I'm not the biggest MoTay fan but that guy is more effective against western conference fours than Croshere. The guy has been living off a reputation from the Finals four years ago. His numbers have gone down since then. And as JV said, he has a ridiculous contract also. There is no point in this deal for the Rockets.
Regardless of what Vecsey says, the Rockets aren't making any changes until the summer. I have a minority opinion but I don't see that much difference overall between Croshere and Taylor. Taylor puts up #'s against 2nd unit and Croshere can't get any playing time at PF or SF when he's behind O'Neal, Harrington, Bender and Artest.I don't think anyone here is suggesting Taylor has more shooting range. In spite of Croshere's alledged "huge contract", he and Taylor both have 3 more years and Croshere makes 600k less than Taylor. May I be so bold as to suggest that let's see how Taylor performs in his first ever NBA playoff series before making a further evaluation.
MoT is too good to give up, he has the skill to post, to shoot mid rang J. He is not a bad passer as well. Rockets staffs can't be that stupid to trade MoT. I am a MoT's fan, I am all heart for him. MoT, I love your game.
Mo T is not so good as to give up, but his salary means he's a keeper. Croshere is not an upgrade either on the court or at the salary trough. BTW - not a bad passer? How would you know -- have you ever seen him pass? Give me Rado/Barry for MoT and I deal. I think Seattle might, too.
I have really, really come to appreciate MoTaylor lately. The guy at times carries our team in the 4th quarter. He is a skilled post player and CAN spread the floor out just inside the three point line. He has a true back to the basket game and has been working much harder defensively. He has been rebounding very well and passing better too. I think giving him up of Austin Croshere would be a joke. AC had one good finals against the Lakers and has been living off of that since. We have enough outside players/shooters w/ little D like Pike/Nachbar and Padgett (who plays very similarly to AC). Mo is a post presence and is a bit of an enforcer in that he stands up for players during any arguments etc. I think he was a bit slow coming back from the Achilles injury but is starting to make strides and I think he will be getting better and better. He seems to love playing with Yao and they both have range to spread the floor when either is posting up as well.
I said this in the previous thread about this and feel I have to say this again.... While I AGREE that this team needs better outside shooting for Yao, Croshere for Taylor is not a good move. Taylor is just too important to this team in terms of the low post game. If we want to give up Cato then fine. But we need Taylor to anchor our second unit when Yao is on the bench. If we throw this lineup on the floor: Francis, Mobley, Jackson, Croshere, Cato - there isn't a low post player to draw double teams. You will then see Francis and Mobley do iso plays on the wing with Cato down low to try to get rebounds and Jackson and Croshere on the sides waiting for 3pt shots. It just doesnt work. If I am the Rockets, I would would to look at Al Harrington instead of Corshere. (In the article above, Harrington for Rodney White and J Barry is ridiculous in Indy's perspective, no way they trade their talent for those scrubs!). Harrington doesn't have Croshere's range but is much more athletic and a much better defensive player. Plus he has more upside. Harrington does have a post up game, albiet that is not something he does a whole lot. I would be willing to trade Taylor for Harrington but not Taylor for Croshere!
Croshere's contract is huge, just like Taylor's is. Unfortunately, Croshere has even less talent to make up for it. Just as Rockets fans don't think teams would be willing to pick up Taylor's contract without some additional incentive, I think teams will be doubly wary of Croshere. They get paid almost the same money, but Croshere plays less than half the minutes Taylor plays. Obviously, Indiana has a better team, especially at the PF spot. But that just makes Croshere more of a cap albatross for them. Do you think they were happy to have Croshere when they were scrounging for money to keep Brad Miller in town? If they want to be rid of him, they'll have to pay with talent to do it. Croshere does have some 3-pt range, but that's about all he's got. Despite shooting 40.2% from 3-pt range (about half his shots), he shoots 40.3% overall; which is pretty bad for a PF. Taylor shoots 48.4%. These guys are not comparable talents; Taylor is head-and-shoulders better than Croshere. Even if you want a shooter to get feeds from Yao, the Rockets would likely still be better off with Mo shooting a mid-range jumper than have Croshere taking it.
I hear what you are saying. Seattle wanted MoT back then and VladRad is redundant with Rashard. They need a four who can post-up and score inside. Barry is on the block as he wants a 4-year extension and Shultz, whose cheapness is comparable to that of Les, is balking. Problem is that Ray Allen has gotten Barry's back and is saying he wants Barry to stay. The other thing is, even if Seattle agrees on the trade, would the Cheap b*stard wrap up Barry's extension before we lose him as a FA in the summer...
