http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/3295677 By JONATHAN FEIGEN Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle The Rockets moved quickly after the Trail Blazers' cost-cutting release of guards Nick Van Exel and Derek Anderson on Wednesday with preliminary conversations with Tony Dutt, the agent for both players. Dutt said the two players are interested in the Rockets, and that Van Exel could be especially open to considering the Rockets' smaller salary-cap exception. Limited by the salary cap and this week's signing of Stromile Swift, the Rockets can only offer their smaller exception, set last week at $1.67 million for the first season. The Rockets had offered that salary-cap exception to another Portland guard, Damon Stoudamire, and did not offer the exception to Anderson or Van Exel. But Stoudamire could be close to accepting a richer contract with the Grizzlies, freeing that money to be offered to other free agents. Anderson, the first player released in the league's new luxury tax amnesty provision, is scheduled to meet with the Lakers next week and likely will receive offers in excess of the smaller exception. Van Exel, who has also drawn interest from the Heat and Timberwolves, has often said he would like to play in Houston, his adopted hometown.
Stoudemire was old enough but not crippled enough. Nick and Derek are even older, and they don't have two good knees between them -- perfect additions for our geriatric bench.
funny how thats what most said about dikembe, sura, and JB... all whom turned out to be some of our more reliable role players. not every player we get can be 23 and have the athleticism of jordan.
Looks like he is ours if we offer the LLE. Dallas wants him as well and must know they need to offer more than the LLE. I don't want NVE for the LLE only the vet minimum. I want DerMarr Johnson for the LLE but it doesn't look like it will happen.
I never complained about the acquisition of either Sura or Mutombo. Sura was healthy when we signed him but hurt himself during a summer pickup game. The ageless Mutombo will never be declared old until he officially collects social security -- and he still has sturdy legs. As far as Damon Stoudemire, I didn't mind his age because he is still healthy, although there are several other PGs I prefer. But why do reserves almost ALWAYS have to be old AND crippled before we really go after them?
You're right -- it's a difficult choice. Do the Rockets use the teams limited money on energetic youth with relative inexperience (like former Bull Jason Williams or DerMarr Johnson) or experienced veterans without any gas left in the tank (Anderson, Kittles, Van Exel, etc.)?
I'd prefer the latter, personally. We had an old, slow team last year and they won 51 games by playing smart basketball (and giving the ball to a guy named T-Mac). We've seen what happens when you put together a team with all athleticism and no clue.
Both young guys you mentioned had crippling injuries that may well keep them from ever fulfilling their potential. Honestly, I'm not interested in any of them, young or old. I think Rockets should start looking at trades instead of free agency at this point.
I am probably overstating the age issue because Mutombo and Barry are favorites of mine. However, they do not show signs of debilitating injuries like the Derek Andersons, Kerry Kittles etc. of the world. Yes, crafty is better than clueless, but I don't think you can put DerMarr Johnson and former Bull Jason Williams in the clueless category. Players like Rod Grizzard, Courtney Alexander, Qyntel Woods et al have proved clueless and, while I love their athleticism, I no longer covet them for the Rockets for that reason.
I like how you mentioned Jay Williams... You're talking about a guy who fractured his hip, tore three knee ligaments, and suffered nerve damage in his leg... At times his leg still goes numb, and he's had seven corrective surgeries over the past two years. I'd say he's a bigger injury risk than a guy like Kittles or DA. The bigger problem I have with him, however, is that he really wasn't all that good when he was healthy, and I think it's safe to say that he'll never be even close to the athlete that he once was. I like DerMarr Johnson. He's athletic, a decent shooter, and a good defender. But some of the aspects of his game worry me. He doesn't seem like a terribly good passer or ballhandler, and for a player as long and athletic as he is, you'd expect a better rebounding effort. I wouldn't mind him at all as a backup 3, but I don't know if he has the skills to start here over Wesley.
You missed my comments in another thread -- I pointed out there that Jason Williams (he wants to be called Jason again, not Jay) and DerMarr Johnson weren't 30 yet but they had been critically injured. Here they are: These (Johnson and Williams) are good. These would be very good. Unfortunately, they are not old enough. But...on the plus side for the Rockets...they have been severely injured
