[ESPN's Marc Stein] JVG interested in Sprewell

I thought we were aiming to become a younger team, not an older one, right?

 

Spree does not make us quicker. He definitely doesn't make us younger. The guy is a cancer. SAY NO TO SPREE. SAY YES TO CAT!

 

If Sprewell is signed, I will loose all hope that JVG can take the Rockets to the promise land.

 

People on this thread need to stop refering to old fantasy teams. Spree is not that player anymore. He is 35 years old. All the Basketball EXPERTS say we need to get younger. Spree didn't take a deal paying him 7.5 a season. If he takes the MLE, then he would want a deal over 2 years. This is a bad, bad idea. We can trade Wesley during the season. What will we do if Spree turns to Vin, Moochie or Mo Taylor. I don't think even the Knicks would take Spree. Stop watching Highlights on Sports Center and learn about the game.

 

Well, JVG certianly knows more than you... and he wouldn't ever approve of this deal if he thought it wouldn't help the team, or if would damage the chemistry.

And for the so-called experts in "team chemistry"... how many people really thought guys like T-Mac and Mutombo were really good chemistry guys before this year... all we'd heard the previous 2 or so years was whining about contracts, not giving it all on the court, numerous injuries... etc. Its funny how winning cures a ton of things... and besides Shaq/Kobe from last year, very few winning ball-clubs have bad chemistry (that's not to say that they all have good chemistry... you just hear the "bad" association when you're referring to the mediocre teams).

In the end, however, it doesn't matter who we could get to help fill the SG/SF role... whether they be young, old, or in-between (Mobely). The bottom line is that this team still probably won't be a contender until they get a good rebounding/shot-blocking PF that could protect Yao.

Getting Sprewell would just be about acquiring a role-player who can play both the SG/SF, plays good defense (when he wants to), and would be another body we could throw at the likes of Stackhouse, Joe Johnson, Josh Howard, Manu Ginobili, Kobe Bryant....etc.

But as far as vaulting us to contender... we still need a true PF... which is why this deal should be considered for just what it is... an attempt to make this team better than last year's team.

 

Stop listening to "EXPERTS" and wake up to reality.

-Reece Gaines for Mike James made us older.
-Tyronn Lue for Jon Barry made us older.
-Jim Jackson and Bostjan Nachbar for David Wesley made us older.
-Signing Rod Strickland made us older.
-Piatkowski for Mutombo made us older.

Van Gundy will care if you can play out your contract and be able to play at the beginning of the 2005-2006 season. If Sprewell is signed to a short term contract (2 years), he fits that criteria.

Van Gundy cares as much about my opinion as he does about some expert's.

 

In 04-05, Wesley played 34 mpg and Sprewell 30. If we don't overpay, drop his minutes to 25-28 and give some solid PT to a SG draft pick, I have no problem with Sprewell. The key for me being cost and PT for a rookie.

 

IMO, the way JVG talked in his last radio interview about how the team must make 'bold moves' that might threaten 'team chemistry' speaks to me about the possibility of having Spree in a Rockets uni next season.

But he also said that we needed to get 'younger', although trading Wesley for Spree wouldn't hurt us in that department, it wouldn't improve us either age-wise. I still think that we need a younger backcourt that can keep up with the backcourts of Dallas, Spurs, Suns, as well as lots of other Western Conf teams.

So unless JVG knows for sure taht Wesley won't be traded for a younger SG, then he might just decide to trade him for another player of a similar age if he can get improved talent in return, which Spree would provide.

 

I don't think we can get Spree for cheaper than we can get Mobley...if we do I don't think it will be by much. Considering Mobley does just about everything better than what Spree does, I'd much rather go after Mobley. The only advantage of Spreewell is that he runs the floor a little better.

However, you'd have to think that JVG would probably lean toward Sprewell. I just hope he doesn't get a long and fat contract that hurts our team in 2 or 3 years.

 

HELL NO !

He is receeding faster than Clutch's hairline.

 

Ditto. I'd MUCH rather have mobes than spree. If we use the MLE on Spree when there are other, better options on the table, then I'll be pissed. It'd be Charlie Ward all over again.

I think he dogged it last year to stick it to the owner, and I don't want any significant investment into a player like that.

But if he wanted to show up for the 1.5 mill exception or something cheap like that, then sure, why not?

 

I agree. I want Mobley back.

 

If a player has some attitude and is not happy at one place, he becomes public enemy and locker room cancer. Come on, guys. Everybody was down on R. Wallace, said he was the cancer. Now, after he contributed big with Pistons, all of a sudden he's a team player, hard worker, only care about winning etc. Jalen Rose used to be the "locker room cancer" with the Bulls. As far as I know, he's an extrem nice guy, does tons of good things to the community, and he wants to win so badly.

It more has to do with the management, coach, teammates, and team culture. With two nice guys in TMac and Yao as our core, I don't see any problem with those "cancers". We should only consider his playing, and whether he matches with us. Personally, I definitely think he will be an upgrade to DW. He could easily finish a fast break. Look at DW, how many layups he missed in the playoffs? I like Wesley a lot, but he can't help us to guard those taller and quicker guards.

My only concern is, at what price will Spree come.

 

Because he's old.

 

If Latrell Sprewell is added to the Rockets roster for the veterans minimum, I'll be pleased. Very pleased. However, we don't need to get older. We don't need to sign a 35 year old Spree to a signifigant contract. I don't like that idea at all. I don't even like a two year deal unless it's at or near the veteran minimum with a team option on the second year. Even if we sign him, we still haven't addressed anything but this year. I thought we brought in enough band-aid players last season. I have to admit, I like these short contracts that don't strap us down, but at the same time I'd really like to see the Rockets start building for the long term future of the team. I'd at least like to see guys who we can expect to have three-four more seasons before their decline. Sprewell is nowhere near what he once was. He's well into his downward spiral.

 

oh HELL NO to Spree.. two years ago i would've said 'yes,' but he absolutely sucked it up this year. Latrell is done. i had KG on my fantasy team this past year and every time i'd look at their box score Spree's stat line would be like: 4pts 2-11FG or 8pts 4-17FG.

nobody's mentioned that the guy has no range for a shooting guard. He can't hit a three to save his life (.327 for a starting two guard?!) and he's lost his biggest asset.. his quickness. he was a player in this league when he could blow by defenders, get into the lane and wreck havoc on defense.. guys, WAKE UP.. latrell sprewell cannot do that anymore.

dude, if it came down to it, i would rather stick with wesley. mobley is hands down better then both.

 

Lets stick with the game plan, get younger and more athletic. Spree doesn't do that. Guys like Spree are good to provide depth when making a championship run ala Miami's pickup of Morning and Anderson or the Spurs pickup of Glen Robinson. We are not there yet.