Only if he promises to never try and dunk the ball, and miss it, near the end of the game. That should be a clause in his contract.
Man, I really wanted us to pick him up last season, but all you guys thought I was crazy. i bet we don't go after him once again just to spite me. I still think he's a really good, young, shot blocking, rebonding presence to put behind or alongside Yao.
I like him alot as well. Still a project based on upside, but his upside is very high. His energy would fit the needs of this team and his age would be a good addition. I think it comes down to his salary demands.
How much upside does he have 'left'? Could he play an effective 4? He's not on my radar. Why is it that 'little' is winning, yet everyone everywhere wants 'big'? This has become a 1/2/3 league, not a 4/5.
He is very athletic..but I don't htink he wants to be a backup for Yao. He's probably looking for some more money..I wonder how Suns are gonna replace him..well probably they will of course Steven Hunter..very athletic..but not always consistently good. I'd rather have Nazr Mohammed
Hunter would be a nice backup for Yao, especially if Deke doesn't resign. But I'm sure Hunter is opting out for a reason (more $$ or more pt), both for which the Rockets cannot offer more than most other teams.
You must not be watching the Finals... Not that I blame you, they have been terrible. But the fact remains, the Spurs have Duncan and Mohammed, and the Pistons have Sheed/Ben. Last I checked, the two teams in the Finals were the winningest in the league. What are you suggesting, exactly, when you say that 'small' is what's winning? Are you saying we should trade Yao? Or that we shouldn't get a better PF? That we should play T-Mac at the 4? I don't understand your point. I mean, is it that we should be more like the Suns? Wasn't Hunter a rotation player for the Suns last year? Does signing Hunter somehow hurt our chances of improving on the perimeter? What are you getting at, exactly?
Plus, I'm not so sure he would want to play with TMac. When TMac was asked about Hunter, his teammate at the time, he responded by saying, "Who?"
I wanted him to consider him too before the Deke trade, Suns ended up getting a great value player last year. He opted out not to leave Phx, but for more money, which he showed enough to earn. Unless he gets much more offered from another team he will sign a new contract with Phx, they want him in the fold long term. It would not be worth it for us to get in a bidding war for him, Deke is the better role playing back-up C to Yao anyway even if it is for only 1-2 more years. We don't need to tie in big money to a back-up 5.
I have watched the Finals - some. They have been underwhelming, dramafree, uninteresting to me. I have no emotional pull for either team. Yet, it's been the backcourts who have led the teams to victories, and defeats. Billups is shuttling Parker to Ben, Manu has gone from international superstar to non-factor. I am not suggesting trading Yao, not eschewing upgrading the 4. I am, with toungue buried deep in my cheek, referring to so many comments from so many, that 'little ball' is de riguer, that teams throughout the p/o's are taking bigs out in the 4th. Everyone is looking for the next Wade, it seems, not the next Yao. Give me a solid 4, and a solid 2, a better bench and let's see how far Yao AND TMc, or TMac AND Yao, can carry this team.
Tracy and Steven didn't get along in Orlando. One journalist asked T-Mac what he thought about Hunter. He responded: Who? Who is Steven Hunter? Tracy is more mature now, but I still don't think Hunter warrants his respect. I saw enough of Hunter in Orlando. He's a nice guy, but he's a choker
Hmm.... Reminds me of this: ESPN: Do you ever see the day where it would be possible for you to sit down, have a talk with Kobe Bryant? Shaq: Who? ESPN: Kobe Bryant. Shaq: You know what I am not familiar with that name, I know a lot of names and I have a lot of names in my head, but I am not familiar with that name. Especially if there is nothing to talk about, I'm sorry I can't recall that name.
I was all for it too, but not so much now. His stock is much higher now, so he wouldn't be such a bargain as he was before. He can be Kelvin Cato 2.0, but the problem is that comes complete with no jumper. I'm not paying big money for that. If we can get him at a bargain price, great, he can be the third guy in our big man rotation after Deke retires. But just say no to giving him starter money.
I wouldn't mind picking him up for some frontcourt depth and assurance. But on the same note, why would a young guy looking for a decent, multi-year contract leave an already good situation in Phoenix to come be our garbage guy? If somebody like him or DeSagana Diop would sign for cheap, great. Having too many 7-footers on a basketball team is never a bad thing.
