I assume you are talking about Memphis's Jason Williams? Terrible contract. The only reason we would consider him was because we needed to for them to S&T Swift, getting Swift via the MLE we don't have to. As for the Duke Jason Williams, not a bad flyer, but the likelihood he is better PG than James or Sura next year is remote, very remote. Head has a better chance, and that is remote as well, at least for a couple years. Other than that I like your analysis, and agree DS brings more overall to the table. I think the more physical/intense James backing up DS would make a great 1-2 punch. Sura plays more 2, and even some 3, if we acquire DS.
Well, I wasn't saying that is who they should get. I was curious as the lack of rumors or news about where he might end up.
I saw it, was nothing much - they said this was the first interview after meeting with the Rockets. They were trying to pry into which way he was leaning. He said that he doesn't like to talk to media and papers over these issues. All he really said is they know where I am at and I know where that and we will see what happens. It appeared that he really wants to be here and vice versa if things can be worked out. Not much else than that...............sorry..
Probably remembers the disastrous trade that never happened. mogrod, I realize I didn't read your post carefully. My apologies if it seemed like I was jumping down your throat. It is interesting that we haven't heard much about McInnis.
Both guys are coming off injuries (one still could be career ending) and last time I checked - TJ Ford was not a free agent. But you seriously think these guys future potential, is better then somebody ready to play now like Stoudmaire? He is coming off a pretty good season, with 15.8 ppg, 5.7 apg, and .369 3PT% & .915 FT%. TJ Ford is not available anyways, but I agree Jay Williams would be a great pickup (if its for cheap). Even if he is ready to play, he will probably be VERY RUSTY for a good year to two. You may not like Soudmaire for whatever reason, but he is a major upgrade to what we currently have as our upcoming starter.
Damon would probably be my top choice right now if the price were right. I'm not thrilled about it, but he would definitely improve the backcourt. The plain fact is that the pickings are slim and we have little to offer. Another possibility is Gary Payton. He seemed to defy the skeptics last year, starting 77 games, averaging 6.1 assists (3.2 A/T ratio) and having a +14 efficiency. The Celts were a net +1.1 with him on the floor. He's an UFA unlikely to receive a sizable offer. But he's 37. In Clipperland, Marko Jaric is unhappy playing behind Shaun Livingston and wants to go somewhere he can start. He's only 27, with almost the same assist stats as Payton, and at 6-7, 217, he has good size. He hit 37% of his 3s last year, but only played 50 games. He has a +13 efficiency rating and the Clips are +4.9 per 100 possessions with him on the court. He's a three position player, though, and may be best suited for the 3 spot. He's a RFA who made $6 million last year, though, and we would need help from the Clips to get him. Thoughts?
There was a deal that was virtually done for the Rockets to aquire DS several years ago, but that assclown, Glen Grunwald played the media into getting another deal. Also, Roderick Rhodes was rumored to be a deal breaker. The deal: Kevin Willis Maloney Ellie for Stoudamire Walt Williams Zan Tabak
I'd consider Payton. Granted his shot has been slipping the past few years, but he's a big PG that can back down his opponents and he makes good decisions with the ball. Jaric? Nope. I don't want Neo on our team
Stoudamire for Mario Elie (and other considerations?) 1997. Aborted b/c Glen Grunwald was a putz about the deal and made all parties involved hate him enough to kill the deal. Longtime denizens of the forum, can you provide any clarity that I may have missed in the 8 years since it happened?
Apparently the Lakers made an offer to Stoudemire...he'd be an idiot if he goes there...although they are offering more...So i guess this will prove if Stoudemire wants to win or if its all about the money. http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=fanball-lakersstoudamirepayt&prov=fanball&type=lgns
Money wise, we cant offer 5M for DS. Does DS really want to stick to a rebuilding team at this point of his career for some pocket change compare with his big pay days in portland?
The proposed deal on the table was Mario Elie, Brent Price, and Kevin Willis for Stoudamire, Zan Tabak, and I think Walt Williams. This is what I don't understand. We're talking about a 23 year old former ROY, dynamo point guard who was very highly thought of at the time and Toronto was considering that lousy package? Price was pretty worthless and Elie and Willis were both on their last legs. It would be the equivalent of trading like Telfair or Shaun Livingston or maybe Tony Parker in today's NBA for aging role players that can't help you rebuild. I can't believe we were even in the running for him with the crap we were offering. If I'm not mistaken, the deal was then altered where we offered some additional garbage like Matt Maloney and Toronto wanted Roderick Rhodes. That was the end of that.
For some reason I don't remember Kevin Willis being a part of the package. Don't forget Kevin Willis did net us 2 1st round draft picks in 1998 from Toronto (3 months after the Stoudamire botched trade), so he did have quite a bit of value (at least from Toronto's point of view).
Back then the Rockets had Barkley, Drexler, and Hakeem. But they also didn't have a point guard worthy of that line up. If Damon Stoudomire would have come to Houston, it is pretty fair to assume that the Rockets would have beaten the Jazz and played the Bulls for the Championship!! I remember the radio and Jim Rome announcing it was a done deal. Imagine the shock when we found out that Portland had landed him!!!
I'm not questioning DS's talent as a player, but his pros & cons to fit the Rockets. With Yao and TMac as the offensive core, JVG's hard & physical defensive philosophy, we need more of a traditional, pass-first PG, who can direct half court offensive most of the time. I know DS has good passing skills, but we also know he is a good PG with shooter's mentality. Plus, his defense was very suspecious when he was young, now he is 32? I know every good/great team needs role players, you cannot win with all star players at each position. But those role player do their "role", namely they do exactly what the coach want them to do, there are the "system/strcture" players. I just don't think BS is the "system" kind of "role" player. To get off bench to play a few minutes, yes; to start for a JVG-lead-competing-for-playoff-advanced Rockets, no.
