I think now that Swift has landed, the Rockets will have a lot less pressure on them and can focus a lot more on the backcourt situation. I predict a major move by the Rockets in a SnT from one of the teams that know they are losing their players and want to get something in return instead. I am talking an Antonio Daniels type of player. Great job Rocks management, I guess they knew what they were talking about when they said players would come play here for less. If anything, now the Rockets are in a position of power to tell players like Stoudamire to take the LLE or less money if he wanted to "win". Even a player like AD would not mind coming here since he knows he would be starting and playing to win it all on a team of great talent. Sky is the limit guys, and I have a feeling Swift won't even be the best moment of this long summer!
I would be thrilled if Stoudamire signed for the LLE, but if not, I'd be up for offering Portland two of our guards (say, Wesley and James) for Stoudamire (at $3 mil.) and Patterson. In terms of talent, I think it's very fair - you guys may argue that we lose in terms of talent, but I try to be conservative when coming up with deals, to counterbalance the natural tendency to be biased in our favor. We could have a backcourt rotation of: T-Mac Stoudamire Patterson Sura Barry Head with minutes like this: Stoudamire(28), Sura (12), Head (8) Patterson (16), Barry (20), Sura (12) T-Mac (36), Patterson (12)
I guess I see things a little differently. I would be happy to get Stoudamire, but I don't see him as our starter. I do however see him squarly in the rotation. It seems to me that we did pretty well with a fleet of tweeners. Sura, Wesley, James, Barry and even TMac all had ball handling duties. None of them are pure position players. I don't have any problem adding one more to the mix. First off, Sura and Wesley need to play less minutes. I really like both, but they are a year older and a year more injury prone. Second, it seems to me that we had a hard time defending super small point guards. I would like to have one of our own to counter with. It is also a good toll to change the pace up. But again, I don't see Mighty Mouse getting 30 minutes. Also signing for the LLE is an issue, now that we have used the MLE on Swift. I don't see a compelling reason for a trade, but adding Stoudamire would certainly make it easier to do so if desired.
What's the LLE worth these days anyway? Is it any different from the veteran's minimum? I should know this, but I'm too excited to go look it up.
If we get him Stoudamire better start and play 30 minutes. Putting up 15 and 8 or 9 assists per game makes this team better. I'm not worried about defense, look at players like Tony Parker and Steve Nash and Sam Cassell and other PGs. As long as you have help defense they'll be fine.
i see a sign and trade with portland coming.....they want expiring contracts, we have them, but we may have to take on one of their bad contracts like theo ratliff.
I just can't get past Damon's height. And the fact that he really isn't that great of a shooter. His 3 pointers aren't horrible, but remember when Steve was stuggling to shoot 40% from the field? It just felt like he was constantly throwing up bricks. Would hate to see the same.
I think I put down that Stoudamire was putting up 15-8, he's putting up 15-6. He was putting up 15 to 17 and 8 to 9 assists with Portland and Toronto early on. I really believe he could put up 8 to 9 assists per game on the Rockets next year with this loaded squad and good team chemistry.
Mighty Mouse would be the perfect end to a fantastic off-season. He definately still has game. If we get him, and resign Motumbo and Barry, we have a real shot at winning the whole damn thing next year.
I just have this feeling that the addition of D.S. may be the next announcement, probably a s/t involving Wesley.
There's a great chance M. Mouse signs here now that Swift is on board. Plus, He spends his summers here so it's practically home.
Hopefully any sign and trade scenarios including Stoudamire also involve Reuban Patterson. He seems set on not playing for Portland next year. Hell even Darius Miles might be available even though we won't be able to offer enough for him.
I'm sure both Miles and Patterson are available, Miles perhaps moreso. I like the idea of getting Patterson. I proposed a Stoudamire/Patterson trade earlier.
Ya know, a few months ago I would have thought the same thing. But Martell Webster is really playing well in the Summer League and they already have Derek Anderson. Even for a 1 year rental I am not sure the Blazers want to take on Wesley's salary when they really dont have to. I dont think they do any S&Ts unless they can subtract long term salary. Not to mention, the Blazers are VERY much in the hunt for Antonio Daniels, someone who also can play the 2. I think the chances of DS signing with Houston for the LLE/Veteran's Exception are much greater. Especially with him living in Houston, already expressing interest to play here and with Yao/Tmac and now Swift.
The Blazers would be interested in that deal because it reduces their long term salary in Patterson. Patterson is making around 7M I think. If you sign Stoudamire to a 3 to 4M/yr deal then you have to move out 10M in contracts. That would be Spoon/Wesley in that case. With that said though, I would rather we sign DS with the LLE if possible and then look around for a swingman with our expiring deals. Maybe Patterson, maybe someone else that is a better fit.
