http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/stories/080505dnspomavsdate.1c838297.html Van Exel leans to Rockets Mavs made contact, but guard thinks Houston is good fit 09:42 PM CDT on Thursday, August 4, 2005 By CHUCK CARLTON / The Dallas Morning News Free agent guard Nick Van Exel apparently is leaning toward signing with the Houston Rockets. Van Exel told a Houston radio station that he considered the Rockets a good fit. Soon after Van Exel was waived by Portland, Rocket officials talked with Van Exel's agent, Tony Dutt. So did Mavericks officials, but Van Exel has long had an affinity for Houston. Dutt could not be reached Thursday. Miami and San Antonio are also possibilities for Van Exel. The Mavericks could be interested in swingman Doug Christie if Orlando releases him. Christie is one of the NBA's best defensive players when healthy. An ankle injury that required surgery limited him to 52 games last season.
Van Exel wants to be in Houston, over Dallas and San Antonio, this is for sure, but the question is... does JVG want Van Exel?
How about Doug Christie? He would the perfect SG. He's arguably the best defender at the 2 position and that what JVG wants from that position. He and Tracy know each from their playing days in Toronto. He's a great passer and has great basketball IQ. I think he and Finley are our best chance to get an athletic swingman this year. I would be ecstatic if we got either I like NVE, and it looks like he doesn't have many options. I would wait on him and see if we could get a player who can have a greater impact.
Sweet...I believe NVE, when motivated, has some game left...2 yrs LLE would be a bargain for us. Or does the LLE have to signed w/3 yrs? Anyone know? I'm sure we'll find some takers for sura or mj if we sign NVE.
The thing here is, NVE WANTS to play for the Rockets. He's motivated. After watching Game 7 against Dallas, where nobody stepped up to the plate besides T-Mac and Yao, NVE should do this team wonders come playoff time. Sure, we have 283862 guards, but I think CD will get things under control before the season starts, and trade away some of the excess baggage.
Is this really a scoop. As I can figure, the radio interview they're referring to is one with NVE at the beginning of the summer (sometime in June I think). I don't know if what he said in that interview means he'd take less money to come to Houston when he could get a bigger chunk of the MLE in Dallas or San Antonio. I'm not saying I want him or don't want him, but I don't know that an article referencing a radio interview means that much. Thanks for the post though...
NVE signing would be great. He's not nearly the player he was in his prime. Nor is he really a great fit for the team. But the Rockets backcourt is in desperate need of talent. And there's not exactly a great selection of players if you're only offering the LLE. NVE would be a low-risk signing. Most likely, NVE will simply be a decent 20 minute role player. But there is a chance he could turn out to be a steal.
LOL.. i'm not sure if i want NVE on the team or not.. i guess i will just say that whatever CD/JVG decide to do (with NVE) i will agree with and go from there.
the radio interview i believe he's referring to was last night (wed) on 610 with Matt & Adam. while he did say he thought he was a good fit and he thought the team could use some more creators other than t-mac and Yao - he didn't say too much more than we already knew. he lives here, he wants to play here, the Rox are one of his three choices and the Rox are probably at the top of his list.
I was laughing at our propensity to sign aged, decrepit players. If you are going to use the Barry name, lighten up a little. You would make Jon proud.
I think Nick could be effective for the rockets. More than likely he wont be asked to log heavy minutes, maybe just come in and create space with his shooting. Like they say at the Fonde, a three is like a layup for him.
