Tonight I was introduced to Colin Pine and he and I talked Rockets for a few minutes. I know, he's Yao's translator and it isn't as though CD is setting up meetings with him to consult him on personel moves. None the less, he knows more about what's going on than most of us, so I thought I'd share what I talked to him about with you guys. Besides, it's the offseason. First, I asked him about the rumors that the Rockets have talked/are talking with Stromile Swift. He said he knows they have talked to him but he isn't sure how serious the talks are. He added that JVG wants to bring in a veteran power forward. I also asked about the Sprewell rumor. He said he hasn't heard Sprewell's name mentioned. We then talked about Spanoulis. He said the Rockets feel he's ready to make the roster. I asked about Badianne, he said that the word is that Badianne isn't ready yet. The remainder of our conversation was about Yao. He said Yao is a really great, down to earth guy. At this point, I thanked him for talking about the Rockets with me and was out the door. He was a really friendly guy. Oh, he also said he's not going to be working for the Rockets next season. He said he's moving to Beijing. I didn't inquire as to what he'd be doing. I don't know about you guys, but I'm thrilled to hear that Spanoulis may be ready to contribute and that the Rockets most likely aren't talking to Sprewell.
It's a good thing he doesn't work for the team anymore since they may not appreciate him telling you info like this and putting his name on this forum. Sometimes sources are best left anonymous.
Hey Jonathan, I missed Scott and Todds band, but Colin and couple of other friends said they were damn good. I was gonna hit u up tonight if you were on, but anyways.. yeah colin is leaving the end of this month, hes going to be working for the NBA in Beijing. I think hes gonna do that for a couple of yrs, than maybe move back to htown. Im going next summer out there to see him, you down to fly out too? Hit me up...
None of it seemed too secretive to me. Everything he said has been said in the press. It was really more of a confirmation that he's heard the same talk. I can't imagine how he'd be in trouble with them for this. It isn't exactly as though he told me someone would be traded, etc etc. ESPN reported that we're in talks with Stromile Swift. Dennis Lindsay himself said they think Spanoulis is ready to come over. As to the Sprewell information, all he said was he hadn't heard anything. I don't think you can get in trouble for revealing that you haven't heard anything. And as to Yao, well, I'm sure they'd be very upset to learn he's telling people what a great guy Yao is. I don't know why I'm surprised by this. It seems like every time anybody claims to have some sort of inside scoop, even one as slight as this, countless posters show up to bash them. I suppose I didn't think my information was new or exciting enough to merit that though. Hell, I'm not even claiming to have an actual inside contact. I just met the guy and chatted with him for a few minutes.
With all this talk about SAR.. the guy got a bad injury this season and had to play second fiddle to Randolph. Still his worth isn't going to depreciate as badly as Cato's. I doubt the Rox will be able to afford him.
You know, the Rockets officials probably talk personel decisions to Yao, when Colin is not around... They probably throw in some Pig Latin for good measure.
A veteran PF? Oh lord. Please tell me we're not going with Oakley again. Or Rodman. I'm jesting - but I could imagine JVG bringing in someone like PJ Brown - who hasn't been all that good in years. If it's SAR, that's fine .
... and you didn't even bother to provide a picture of proof! j/k, relax man, don't mind those posters. i think a lot more posters here, me for one, appreciate your info.
First, thanks to jmw. Secondly, why are you guys analyzing "veteran" PF? Swift, Marshall, Walker & Abdur-Rahim (among others) are all vets. Turiaf, Simien, Blatche and Diogu are not vets. The former carry far less risk. Vet PF and perimeter quickness in the draft shouldn't shock any of us.
I didn't mean to "bash". It's just I'm sure the Rox don't want their people saying stuff on the record, in particular that they have been talking with Swift. None of the other stuff could be termed secretive at all. I appreciate inside info like everyone else but was suggesting you could have left Colin Pine's name out of it.
Oh ya, this posting is an official anouncement. Gater is right, SAR, Marshall or Swift are the likely targets and a SF/SG in the draft.
Yeah - but Colin's no longer "our people" - his last day of employment here was the 31st. He's now (or will be soon) an employee of NBA China.
I'm really glad we are going after a SG/SF in this draft. I really think we can come away with a realy good scorer in this draft because everyone else seems to be glued to the PFs in this years draft...
