And it's also clear to me that you have no F'ing clue as to what the NBA is all about. The NBA is not a charity organization nor does it exist to perform social services for poor lost souls. The NBA is about winning and losing basketball games. You want to save the world, fine, go ahead and be my guest. That's a noble undertaking. Using an NBA team to cure depression is not noble but dumb. Folks that believe that can happen are also dumb. That is why they are called dumbasses.
If we'll build the team around Yao, which part of Eddie's game compliment Yao's game? He blocks some shoots but he always lost his man on defending. Other people have to help him on his man a lot when he played. How much inside defense help he can give other than a couple of blocks from the weak side? And he don't want to play near the basket on the offensive end. I don't know why it helps Yao if our PF park 3 point line and jack up flat ass, below average 3 pointers. Yao will feel the same kind of pressure on offense with Cato on the court. He's rebounding. Well, we are already a good rebounding team now, it's called team rebounding. Eddie's game did not fit in the current Rockets team. Maybe he was a good fit for the pre-Yao team. If we build our team around SF or T-Mac or whatever, EG might be all good. But not now. He won't ease the inside pressure on either ends of the court.
I dont think we disagree that much. We both agree that the NBA is not a charity. However, i feel, as well as most, that this is something that happend TO HIM and you seem to think this is something HE DID. I see this as a bad situtaion that forced him to miss last season and next year he should go on as normal. A little wishfull thinking but o well
What have the Rockets got to lose, sign him NOW !! Even depressed he is better than Mo T and Cato. And his game fits in PERFECTLY with a Yao dominated offense, and he blocks shots....SIGN HIM PLEASE ! DD
Uh, hey, Agent, I have a question. Instead of my previous provoked ranting, and bantering.. I'd like to calmly ask, what exactly, is "dumb" about wanting to trade Steve Francis, for something better, more well rounded and something that would be of more help to the team than two Francis' put together (Cuttino, actually thats not fair, he is capable of maturing, despite change in personal, and did learn to play defense)? What is "dumb" about wanting to trade, a player that is incapable of maturing, is one sided, keeps doing the rookie mistakes despite being 5yrs in the lague, which is the only thing he is consistent on, is only defended with reasons of "was good back when there was no zone" and "he is great against the Lakers"? And of course "he averages near triple doubles". All unreasonable arguments. The only one not as irrational is the 'near triple doubles' one, but its not saying much compared to the other two defenses. Considering, they are stats that can be easily replaced by better stats, much better stats. Really, could you kindly, take your time to tell me what is "dumb" about wanting to trade Steve Francis? Because, I'm just baffled.
If Griffin is pumping iron this summer, getting bigger, pick him up. He is sure to be aggrresive and have a meanstreak. He would would really nicely with Yao, his weakside shotblocking would be tremendous, and his jumper just needs some polishing. He's got some post moves as well which he can bust out once he adds some muscle. I hope this guy succeeds. If he works hard, he can be great.
Sometimes an NBA team (one in particular) cures my depression. Sometimes that same team causes it. And I still forgive them for causing me pain, and I applaud them when they apply a cure.
Why bother to waste the time and effort? After 3 wasted 1st round picks and 3 years of "eh" basketball from this guy, it's time to cut your losses and move on. If he hasn't done it by now, the odds are that he'll never do it in the NBA. The history of this league is littered with the corpses of guys like EG with loads of so-called potential that in the end did not amount to squat. Many teams have been blinded by the lure of that potential only to wind up with nothing but broken, empty promises of what might have been. I do not want to ransom the future of this team on the remote possibility that someday, somewhere, somehow, EG might, just might, actually turn into a real NBA player. Even if that were to come to pass, it should be blatantly obvious that he was not going to do it HERE. The Rockets cannot afford to waste any more time waiting and hoping for the lights to come on in EG's head because by doing so, they are standing still and when you stand still, you get passed by. Memphis has already passed them and Denver is poised to do so as well. Are you prepared to let Seattle, Utah and the others pass them as well while you try to resurrect this guy's career? I definitely did not get the memo where it was explained why EG is worth all of this time, effort and concern.
I totally agree with you. The tough part of "cutting losses" is not the loss itself, but to admit the fact that we made the mistakes at the beginning. Same thing as the stock market. You picked a stock with huge potential, and it went bad, not because of the climate, but something is wrong inside the company. Yes, they might still bounce back, but it's all about risk-reward control, do you want to go through the risk again? Why? Just because you fall in love with it? Same thing here applies to EG, sure he has talent. But is he so vital that he would affect the future of the Rockets team? I don't think so, then we have to ask ourselves, why do we want that huge risk? I've heard enough talking from everybody, but how many of them can put their acts together? If you make a mistake, it's totally normal. But if you make the same mistake twice, then you are really incompetent. I hope the Rockets' management are not that dumm.
Depression is as powerful as any other illness. I know most of us think playing in the NBA and making millions is perfect. But depression has very little to do with one's surroundings. With proper medication and treatment he should be fine. If he's fine, then he's still the same player who a lot of people had #1 coming out of the draft. The Rockets owe it to themselves to see what the real EG can offer to the team. Even if it means hiring John Lucas.
The thing that makes this interesting is that it was never about his potential but about him wanting to make things happen. The guy turned it no when he wanted to, the problem was that he wasn't committed to staying aggressive. I think that has probably changed now, I think he appreciates what he has now. It's a gamble, one I'd love to take, but I understand why other wouldn't.
As you can tell by the rest of that post I was in prevoking mode at that moment . some reasons Im not for trading steve His heart, the way he dives around going for balls and defend his players against people like Marion and Malone 2 people who could kill him and he does it w/o fear, hes got guts. I also think you should think of the rockets like your kids. Yes there gonna piss you off at times. I don't think anyone on this board has screamed at steve more then i have as well as Ming,Cat hell even Matt Bul for saying something stupid and OMG don't get me started on JJ. But there still rockets and they still need our support. Another thing is rebuilding. In 1999 we made 2 big trades, Pippen for Kato,Carlos Rogers, and Walt Willams. and Michael Dickerson, Othella Harrington, Brent Price and Antoine Carr for Steve Francis(did that by memory might have missed something). The point is when we made that trade, we had a rough year but finished well and the feeling was a few more years and we can compete. Well next year we finished 45-37(the same record we had with Ming last year but Steve haters fail to mention that) and we all thought we were just a few years away from competing. Next year steve went down and that gave us the chance to pick up Ming. And then again everyone said in 2 or 3 years we will compete. What im getting at is, making a major trade would set this team back years and Im getting to old for that We rebuilded, we put the team together and its time to see what they can do. And as long as we are off topic, I was listening to 610 as Im writing this and they reported Rudy saying he did not want to coach this year If you still want to discuss this link a Steve thread and well fight it out there but lets get back on topic here
Actually, Eddie only played 2 years for us, this would have been his 3rd season. "If he hasn't done it by now, the odds are that he'll never do it in the NBA." - If thats the case, there would be no JO, no Randolph, no T-Mac, no Ben Wallace, etc... Go to NBA.com and look at the players 1st couple seasons, some didn't even give what Eddie did. You have to give players more than a couple seasons to show what they have, period. If not, the NBA would be missing out on some of their superstars, and I mean superstars.
I would have been a whole lot happier not hearing about Eddie's alleged comeback. He was a loser in my book....but I can't help thinking that he could become a very good player for another team if he comes back(BIG IF), and then I don't know what to think! Maybe the Rockets should take a chance and sign him. Watching him play lights out for another team would drive me nuts!
Hillboy, you had a good argument that it might not be worthwhile making an attempt to bring EG back. He burned a lot of bridges, which I think was due to his condition, and I was ticked off with him as well... very angry indeed. But when you start calling members dumbazz's for being willing to take another chance on a guy who still has great potential and cost us dearly to draft, then you deserve whatever slamming you get. This isn't an ESPN board. Take that jazz somewhere else if you can't help yourself.
These PRO-Eddie post are really making me sick!! After everything (I won't list them ALL!) Eddie has done to set himself and my beloved franchise back and we roll out the red carpet. C'mon people! All this from the same people who want to ship Francis out of town because of the bad T/A ratio. Even though he is by far the most complete player (not just skills) currently on the roster. And don't come with the argument that Eddie is a badly needed piece on this team. That would be saying Wilks/Jackson combo is stronger than a Cato/MoT combo. So yes we do need an upgrade at the PF, but I don't want to get rid of Steve who is obviously our best player RIGHT NOW. But for those who said"get rid of Steve", and now say "ohhh Eddie please come back." "We forgive you for everything you did." I say "%&^%^%$%" YOU! You steve-hating, eddie-loving %%^&*%$%'ers!!!!!!
I think everyone deserves a chance for redemption, Steve only screwed on the court more then anything.... Eddie freaking shot beat the crap out of "long time" hoe friend and shot at her... to make things worst his aim was off... His aim wasnt any better on the court. I can deal with the fact that he was a no show at time but off-court trouble at the tender age of 21 would only mean trouble to me.
please list them I can't think of one. and dont say he cost us 3 1st rnd picks because thats not his doing People have got off for murder in a better state then eddie was in
