I think we need to find a new back-up Center/PF, Deke is old and I don't think he can support Yao as before.
James is ranked 42th among NBA players on RealGm.com. If such ranking has certain accountability, it means James is good enough to be the 2nd best player on a playoff team seeded around the 6th spot. If he can be had at the MLE, which I doubt, it's an absolute steal. In the last 20 games, James averaged 24.5 points and 6.8 assists, that's Tracy McGrady type numbers. I 'm not saying he's better than T-Mac, just to show that James is a badass baller. He shot the three pointers at 44% last year without Yao. As for his mentality. Who cares? If he doesn't fit in, you can always trade a guy with borderline all star stats(20 points and 6 assists last season) at the MLE, isn't it? That's the way Dallas Mavs has had success, they amass talent first, if the talent don't fit, they exchange such talent for talent that fit, like what happend to Jamison and Antawn Walker. The Rockets can't copy the same strategy because of the smaller wallet, but when a nice talent can be had cheap and the Rockets don't bite, for whatever stupid reason such as worrying about chemistry. Then they should go down with Paseidon.
i agree with most here in saying that mike james is a better player then mike james in most areas. but one thing in comparing the two that would have to be taken into account is every year from now on head will be getting better and coming into his prime where as i think mike james will probably start declining starting next season for the rest of his career.
Your post was well thought out and very well written. But I have a question or two. DO you think that Mike James can continue to have those types of numbers on a playoff team? Dont get me wrong, I liked Mike James when he was here; and I still feel like we would have won more games if he hadnt been traded; however I am just posing the question. And I totally agree about the "dallass formula" I can see where you are coming from, sign the "big" name while they are cheap and sell them later for what you really want. Lets Sign Mike James
I tried to suggest that in another off-season thread and basically got b****ed at for it. Why? Don't ask me. It seems like a good idea to me...should be a sticky even.
I am not loooking for a blockbuster trade!! Just decent athletic basketball players!! If you have watched the playoffs you would know that Swift and Howard will not make the standards of a team having the potential of being a championship contender. The standard of talent is so high now that if you are going to contend you MUST have at least FIVE players that can put the ball in the basket.Van Exel is past being a help to the Rockets and is considering that he might retire.
Bingo. First off, it's highly to be hoping that James will accept the MLE. Why did the Rox trade him in the first place? Because he would want a huge contract after the season. That played a significant part. So, in a year where he won't EVER post numbers like this again unless he signs with a horrid team, you're telling me he's gonna accept 4.5 mill or so to stay in Houston? Nope. He can talk all he wants about how he loves it here and what not but the fact is that money speaks LOUD and CLEAR when it comes to athletes. I seriously think Luther could've put up something like 16/5/3 if he played 38-40 minutes per night for Toronto. James was the lone perimeter scoring threat in Toronto. Of course he's gonna jack up shots and get his numbers. It's blind faith, period. We don't need another guard who has to have the ball in his hands to be effective. I think Head has the potential to have the type of year Devin Harris is having this year for the Mavs. Harris played some nice minutes his rookie year and then was given the opportunity to thrive this season, and he has. I still think people underrate Head's quickness and his shooting touch, but whatever. It's all opinion.
Nice to hear about my post, thanks. To answer your question, I don't think Mike can average 25/7 on a playoff team. His scoring got a boost after Chris Bosh went down. I'd say 18/6 is possible, depending on the make up of the team. One thing about James, he doesn't score by over shooting, he scored 20 points off 15.5 shots per game which is good efficiency. He can also create his own shot. That's why I don't think more talent would prevent him from getting 14 shots a game, on a lower seeded playoff team. People ask why the Raptors can't win, and blame James more than he should've. The Raptors are a young team, they have 8 players with 2 years or less experience. Hard to win with boys. Another reason I want James on the Rox is the peculiar situation we're in, T-Mac has chronic conditions and has been missing games because of it for years. It's probable that T-mac goes out for a stretch of games again next year, who knows how long it's gonna take? Without someone of the caliber of Mike James, who's gonna pick up the slack? Splitting the MLE for lesser players won't bring the impact that Mike James can - they probably can't carve up the Pistons defense for 39 points.
Though unintentional, that sentence works pretty well In fact, I could even see it come out of Mike James' mouth, hahaha
And yet another well thought out post. After Yao and TMac, we don't have anyone who can score with ease, efficiently and consistently score. James fills that void for when or if either one of those 2 go down - expecially TMac. gucci888 - I'd be happy with either scenario or some variation of the 2.
say WHAT??? James is superior to head in all those categories except maybe defender. i haven't read the rest of the thread so it's probably been addressed. i just had to get that comment in once i read your post.
since i cant post any thread i'll just comeon here and post one of my ideas for trades Houston trades J Howard B Sura for Calos Boozer why houston does it When healthy boozer brings a rebounding presence and a agressive inside presence why utah does it utah gets a shorter contract in that of howard and sura, and utah's gm have been wanting to trade boozer for the past 2 years wat do yall think
i know it doesnt deserve its own thread but with some of the other trade suggested that have their own threads why not this one, i think someone should start a official trade thread so everyone can post their trade ideas.
I have been saying this for weeks now but you are the first to support my notion. JVG will be the big stumbling block as he gives much honor to Mutombo for his great heart & effort. Mutombo should have the grace to retire or possibly replace Patrick Ewing as the Big Man's Coach. Possibly Cato could give us a couple of years or we could enter the fire sale at Portland and get Joe Prizbilla.
Man I have been with you all the way on this subject. Last week in a thread I mentioned getting Nazi as our back up center. And immediately I was "flamed". and of course told that PF and SG or PG should be our main concern. But with Deke on the very closing moments of his career will see his minutes cut back even more than last year. And last year he would play a game and then not see another until the next week. Yao requires a decent back-up to give him breathing time. Especially since we dont know how his injury will heal or how good of shape he will be in when he gets back. Thanks
Rockets Offseason Priorities: 1. 3rd scorer, good shooter 2. defensive perimeter help 3. trade Juwan 4. PF upgrade 5. 2nd or 3rd string PG 6. backup SF 7. contract with medical supply company (heating pads, gauze, etc.) 8. Rabbit's feet 9. cheerleader tryouts 10. 164 rubber bands and thumb tacks (2 for each game, one tack in each corner of Van Gundy's mouth with a rubber band stretched between thumbtack and ear to form a smile) . . . ........... 173. Backup Center
and our record will look like this What about hayes? he have to stay I want mike james f**k what he talking bout Plus thats luther ova james is jus plain horse-feces but luther is the best guard we have, but he's not better than james 5 more lbs & Van exel can play left tackle
