I still think the Rockets are suffering by not having good enough ball handling at PG. Wesley is trying his best but how long can it last? Will Sura ever come back? And when is Alston coming back? Clearly Wesley is one of our most available and moveable pieces to perhaps get another PG on the roster. And one guy that the Rockets might want to target is Chucky Atkins in Washington. Atkins is in the last year of his contract, 4.5M and wants more playing time. The Wizards already have PGs Arenas and Daniels on the roster and swingmen Hayes and Butler. They really have a glut there. Does Wesley help out the Wizards? Not much unless you figure into the equation that Atkins is really unhappy and that could hurt chemistry. But to me, if the Rockets can move Wesley for Atkins, who also is an expiring contract, then it would be a good move. It isn't flashy, but it would help the team. Sure Atkins is kind small at 5-11, but he does handle the ball well AND can hit the 3pt shot which is important in our offense. At 31, he basically is a poor-man's Damon Stoudamire, but still I think he could help us. ### Here is an article from the Washington Times today talking about Atkins whishing he could be traded.
i still prefer wesley > atkins... ps y would we want another 30+ yr old guard on the team.. and also i doubt wesley would be starting once sura/ rafer return.... so id rather hv wesley as opposed to atkins comin off the bench...
Chucky would be a good pick up. Not sure what Washington would want back. Can't ever count on Sura or Alston. Sometimes they just can't play, sometimes they don't play well. Atkins has played at a high level for very good coaches.
If you want Wesley over Atkins then that's fine. But to say "dont add another 30+ year old guard".....I mean if we move 35 year old Wesley for 31 year old Atkins, we are getting younger. And Atkins isnt locked into a contract. "Once Sura/Rafer return".....when will that be? I think Rafer will be back but I have my doubts on Sura. Wesley is an expiring contract....Atkins is an expiring contract. Why not swap them and get a better "skill-set" in Atkins?
Atkins could improve our outside shooting quite a bit. I don't think the Wizards would trade him for Wesley but I like the idea.
Atkins is a poor mans version of mike james. he jut dosent see a bad shot. if sura was'nt coming back anytime soon, i would have gladly done the trade, but with sura coming back, i say no.
atkins was the floor general tonight with arenas out, 19 points, 9 assist, wizards win over new jersey by 20. id take him.
when is sura coming back? last i heard it was something like 8 weeks. i'm not waiting for half the season to be gone for bob to come back. who knows how much he will be able to contribute? i'm not counting on sura. i love him but IMO we should move on. i like the idea of atkins filling in at PG for the time being and coming off the bench eventually. the only problem is, i'm not sure the wiz would do it.
When the Wizards beat the Pistons in Detroit, Atkins was possessed. It was unbelievable and great to see their crowd shut up so man times! But I don't know if he'd be happy here with the role he would get.
Atkins is a smart player who brings some intangibles to the court. Not necessarily the key piece that will make us into a contender, but definitely a nice addition to any team.
WELL EVEN IF SURA DOES COME BACK, THIS'LL PROBABLY BE HIS LAST YEAR AND LIKELY WONT PLAY 100% HEALTHY. I'D ALSO CONSIDER BARRY'S PRETTY MUCH DONE AFTER THIS YEAR AND THE WAY HE'S PLAYING SO FAR, HE'LL JOIN MOOCHIE IN THE 3RD STRING LINEUP. SO THE ONLY ONES IN THE GUARD ROTATION IS DEREK, LUTHER, AND TMAC. MOOCH(LESS THAN 10 MIN/GAME) AND GRAHAM USUALLY PLAY IN THE GARBAGE TIME AND ALSTON'S STILL HURTING FOR GOD KNOWS HOW LONG. I THINK IF WE PICK UP CHUCKY, THAT'D MEAN THE END FOR ALSTON AND MAYBE EVEN SURA OR BARRY.
I think we're underestimating Rafer. He looked solid in preseason and there's no telling how long he played with his injury early in the season before it was diagnosed and how much it effected his game early on. Rafer can handle with anybody and he was a player in Miami. I don't think he's lost it yet. I think he just needs to get healthy.
