I cant wait until we do something PF wise, but I will miss the novelty of our twin towers lineup. It was intimidating as long as Cato didn't have to hit the jumper or come out of the paint to meet, say, Malone?
Being reallistic I would like to acquire Swift or donyell marshall to play PF. I havent seen Brand play much but it seems he doest alot of work close to the hoop and in the paint, which will make it extra clogged. Even though I have advocated trading Steve for a a PF or Tmac, or PG, I wouldnt be dissapointed if he stayed. After this season he should realize that his lack of outside jumper hurts this team alot and needs to work on a jump shot for the first time in his career. If he learned to catch and shoot I would like to keep him, but another problem is that we wont know if he can protect the ball and make the smart decisions. At most I would give him the end of next season to decide what to do with him. This year has been a transition year from ISO offense to more of a inside out passing offense. Even though it didnt seem like we made great progress in turnovers throughout the season, we should be near last in turnovers next season.
I'm going to throw a name out It is a LONG SHOT and only thrown out for his suppose POTENTIAL Tsitzvill . . . THAT #5 Pick playing behind NENE HAlario what is his deal in Denver? Rocket River
Ha, can you just imagine in 5 years having 3 "white guys" up front in Yao Boki and Tskita? That would be highly amusing. Tskita put on muscle, grew out his hair and got a tan, but he still sucks at basketball from what I saw this year. It's a "Boki" kind of suck tho, so the jurys very very out. I can't even begin to imagine how we'd get him. I guess since they have Nene they'd want a Cato or a Mobley. More actual contributors. There's no reason why they'd move him right now though. They've got plenty of time to sit and wait.
What would the TE and either Cato or Mo get us? Would the Clips take Cato and the TE if they knew they were getting Kobe? Players I like Brand Wilcox Okafor R. Wallace B. Wallace Okur Ratliffe Barry Allen Sura M. Daniels A. Daniels Hinrich Don't know if Chandler has the floor quickness to guard the Garnetts and Nowitzkis, and don't know if he has the power to take on Duncan, Brand, etc in the post. If he could then it would be interesting to see if Chicago would be interesting in a Hinrich, Chandler, ERob trade for the TE, Cato, or MoT, and whatever other salary to make it work. Bottom line is we are gonna upgrade this team with the TE and the MLE this offseason. We will have better forward play next year, and we will have better guard play to go along with better team play because of having one year under our belt with Van Gundy. I think JJ has to stay and Boki has to stay and develop, unless we can get a stud SF that can defend and shoot lights out. Rad and Rashard can shoot it, but can they defend? I just don't think we are going to take any players that aren't willing to D it up. That leaves out A. Walker, and TMac right there. So, I don't see us doing anything at the 3. Defense is the base and then from there we are looking for some offense, somebody that can shoot it on the floor, while Steve and Yao draw the doubles. So that means we are looking for a 4 that can defend, board, and hit the 16 footer. And we are looking for another guard that can defend, pass, hit the spot up jumper, and handle the basketball. We might as well face it. There is no way that we can trade Steve and get back equal value. He won't get us TMac, and if he would, I don't think Van Gundy would want TMac. That guy is a sieve on defense and he couldn't get even get his team out of the cellar much less the lottery. And the other players that we could get for Steve are inferior to him. Case closed. I don't think we can get equal value for Mobley either. The guy plays his ... off. He defends and does whatever he is asked to do. Yao sure ain't goin nowheres. So that leaves Cato, MoT, the TE, and MLE as the major ways to improve this club. What can we get for the TE and Cato?
There's a serious chance that Cato will be a Bobcat next year. And I'm not talking about through the expansion draft. I'm talking about all the crazy wheeling and dealing that's going to go on after that. Who else has a spare legitimate starting center on their payroll that they're willing to trade to the East?
If you listen to what he's been saying, he's going to work his ASS off this summer, because knows he's sitting exactly on the line between bust and success story. BTW, he plays behind Nene, Chris Andersen, Rodney White, and Francisco Elson. But I'd give him a shot if the price wasn't too high. I'd look at Rodney White as well, they guy can be deadly if he continues to improve his range like he has in the least 2 seasons. If they are looking to clear that logjam for insurance at the 3, maybe they're willing to swap him with Boki? I think Boki's value is slightly higher at the moment, but Tsiki probably has better potential.
The only real difference when they did the scouting report on the two was that Nikoloz was taller at 7 foot and can shoot the 3. he did back up Boki in europe and once again was drafted based on potential. He just like Boki hasn't had a chance to play so it's kind of a long shot as well if we go with him. His height is a big plus though.
I'd be so shocked if Cato goes in the expansion draft. That'd mean we couldn't find someone who wants him... and that's just crazy. Centers are always overpayed in the east, so that shouldn't be a problem.
Now we're talking. A good legit power forward. I just would hate to see us give Steve for Brand. I think if Tmac can be had, and depending on what the magic do there is a good possibility, you do that. Shaq and Kobe. Look at what those guys did with fisher at the point and s walker as the pf. Now granted Shaq is a far superior rebounder but as long as we can pick up a swift or swift type we will be just fine upfront. I dont think it would be a stretch to say something could be worked out for stromile. Now as far as Tmac well thats gonna depend on Orlando but judging by their track record im gonna go out on a limb here and say that perhaps some bridges have already been burned and that they are not gonna make a "big splash" in the offseason. Question? I know we were traded the MLE or TE one of those, could we package it in a deal as well? Just pondering pipe dream trades!
If they want seats in the house then trading for steve is a possibility. Well guess what I dont think anyone, even Jordan can lead that team anywhere but the cellar. Tmac had absolutely no help what so ever, not to mention he played with the softest frontline in the league. Its pretty safe to say in 03 rockets > Magic. So tmac cant lead a team that is the worst in the league to the playoffs, he is not good enough for trade for?
Based on everything that Bernie Bickerstaff has said about Charlotte's strategy for building their team, I'd have to say that there's a slightly better than zero chance that Cato is playing in Charlotte next year.
Did roxan say that KG was not tough? I dont know about you but someone who avereges a double-double for the season with points and rebounds at 4 seems to be quite tough to me. Plus the facial he gave to Nene last night....that was ugly. Ya roxan, I dont think they give the MVP to just anybody.
For those posters pondering 'Skita, DEN will likely have to leave 'Skita or Franciso Elson unprotected. There may be a way to pry which one DEN leaves unprotected by offering CHA a future 1st. Not probable, but definitely possible. I think you're in need of some CBA 101. The MLE is used to sign FA players and has nothing to do with trades. The TE is to "complete" the trade of Glen Rice for John Amaechi. It allows HOU to receive $6.99m more in contracts than it sends out. The TE must be used independently of any other exception.
aelliott,I know bringing back Alton Ford isn't the answer to the 4 but do you think he has the upside to become a legitimate PF and should the Rockets give him another chance?
He's got potential, but if you're looking for a guy to play big minutes in the next year or so, it isn't Alton. If you're looking for a guy that will be on the end of the bench for a few years, then he's a worthwhile risk.
