I've been saying that for weeks. Everybody wants to trade him away. I don't mind trading him either but we better get something solidly better. If not, I'd take DWes. He was rock solid for us.
My basic point is that if you're going to judge McGrady and Yao on not coming through in the clutch in Game 7 when it counted, you have to look at other superstars who did the same. I was merely responding to the comment, "Do you think Tim Duncan or Shaq would let their teams lose like that?" and the answer is "Yes," because they have done this in the past. That's all I'm saying.
I wonder if they will carry it on the drivetime players show??? They just had an update and said they hope to have DA on the air this afternoon.
Ok, Yes. Superstars don't ALWAYS pull through but the megastars pull through sometimes. And McGrady and Yao didn't pull through in the Dallas series probably because they were too young. My point, which I was contesting you and VinceCarter with, is that the role players aren't what makes us "no where near" SA. History is riddled with teams with that have great role players that never did squat or championship teams with so-so role players. Typically, championship teams are defined by the superstar...not the role players. You just want players that will allow your superstar to shine. Now TMac won't have to guard Dirk.
Press Conference Transcript http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/Derek_Anderson_Press_Conferenc-149457-822.html Rockets General Manager Carroll Dawson: We appreciate everybody being here. Its a very exciting day for the Rockets. We think we've added another top-line piece to the puzzle, and a great talent. We feel very fortunate to have, not only his shooting ability, but we think he's a very underrated passer and it's good to have some length. (He's ) a real veteran that's done a lot in this league. He's never shot below eighty percent from the free-throw line. He's always been a good three-point shooter. I think he's gonna help us spread the court, and we're looking for great things from him. I think that he's gonna blend in well with our team. He's always been the type of person that works hard within the community, which is another thing we look at. It's very important that we keep adding the pieces that we think that's gonna lead us to where we want to be, and also with the top character. He does a lot of things to help other people. We're very fortunate to get a guy like this. I feel very blessed. I think he's going to like Houston. I think he's going to like this team. I think that everybody who likes basketball is going to appreciate him because he's got a lot of things that he brings to the table. Derek Anderson (on how he'll blend in with the Rockets): Well basically, basketball players, they know how to play basketball mentally. My thing is that I understand what my role is. Everybody's not going to get that last shot to take every game. My thing right now is just to blend in with these guys and play basketball. That's what it's all about. (on what position he'll play) He just told me I'll get the opportunity to play. Once he puts us out there, it's up to the coaches to decide that (what position he'll play). (how he felt knowing the Rockets tried to acquire him last season before the trade deadline, as well as this summer) That's the whole key. If I come here and do what I do, I'll get the opportunity to stay. At the trade deadline, we tried to get a trade. So it's more like, "Okay, they did want me. It wasn't a money issue (with Anderson signing for less this season than he was making last season), it was more like they wanted the talent as well. Dawson: When it leaked out in the paper that we had a chance to get him, I get a call from Tracy (McGrady), and he says, "Is this true?" I said, "Could be." He (Tracy) says, "I really like this guy. He's gonna help us. When I was visiting colleges, he (Derek) was my host at Kentucky." Small world. And I said, "Well, maybe you can host him now." Anderson (on the logjam in the Rockets' backcourt): When you see my play; when you see me with a team, you'll see that it doesn't require a whole lot of anything (as far as minutes, shots, etc). My thing is that I don't worry about anybody. This is not like I'm playing against my opponent, it's my team. So if we win, and whoever starts stats, that's what it's all about. We're all going to reap the benefits of that. (on what the attraction was for him to come to Houston): I've talked with some of the guys, like Bob Sura, who I played with in Cleveland. Mike James, who I played with in the summer. Everybody I've seen play and talked to, they've all had the same type of complements, like "we (the Rockets) stick together." You don't find that a lot in this league. Everybody's worrying about contracts, and this and that, but when you have the team that actually sticks together even when they have contract issues, it's hard to find. It's not about the money. I've taken less. I'm happy, because I know I have the opportunity to play with a good team. That's what wins championships, is the team. Not individuals. (on playing with Tracy McGrady): I've played with him before in summer leagues and stuff like that. Playing with a player like that, it's easy because he makes your job easier, and that's what great players are supposed to do. You get him, Yao, and then you get Stromile in here, this is a collective group that knows how to play basketball, and that's just hard to find. Dawson: One thing about Derek, whether you go back to Cleveland, the Clippers, Portland, or wherever, if you go over here to Fonde (Houston's local Rec center) and watch him play, he plays hard all the time. He loves the game and he plays hard, and with God-given talent, that just gives him a great chance. (on any more potential transactions due to the clog in the backcourt spots, and Anderson's fit with the team): We've got to see. He (Anderson) can play the 1, 2, or 3. He's a versatile player. You can find a place for a guy like that. He can rebound, he's 6'5", he's long. He's a perfect fit for us, and when he's as versatile as he is, you can find a place on the court for him. He's just a good all-around player. Anderson: (on his negotiations with teams since money was not such a big factor due to his release from Portland under the amnesty clause): I took my time and thought about, "hey, I could go out and try to be greedy and try to get some more money with a terrible team but I've been blessed to be in this situation so take advantage of it and still get the opportunity to maybe one day be here long-term. Dawson: I knew he was different when I got a call from him and he said he understood our situation (salary-cap wise) but he liked Houston, he liked the team. He understood there was more money (elsewhere) and he'd just left a couple places, visiting, where there was more money. He assured me that we were in the picture at the time, and I started feeling pretty good about it after talking to him. I just kept showing interest and it worked out. Anderson: (on if he feels he's joining a team that can win the championship): Yeah, I said that the first day after I was done with the amnesty (clause). I could have started on a lot of teams. They automatically told me I was going to play minutes, a lot of them. But to win a championship, I didn't think I had that opportunity elsewhere. I think this is a better fit for me. Just looking around the whole league, you can tell we're solid. (on his role and whether he'll start): There were no guarantees. None. No starting position, no nothing. It tells you something about where I'm at. It tells you I'm happy about being here because I have the opportunity to win. I'm going to work harder (to start). I'm not going to accept coming off the bench, I'm not going to accept anything- but I know how to handle it. Dawson: If you promise things in this league, that's a sure sign of disaster. That's (Derek) the kind of people we like
Exclusive Rockets.com Q &A Session With Derek Anderson http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/Anderson_Blazes_Trail_To_Houst-149459-822.html
Thanks for the post rikesh...reading that response alone makes me beyond happy that we got DA over Sprewell.
Special Q&A session w/ DA on rockets.com http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/Anderson_Blazes_Trail_To_Houst-149459-822.html
