I don't see how anything negative can come out of signing Dikembe. At worst, he's a player/coach/cheerleader/best person on the team. At best, Adelman will realize that ability to clog the lane and shut down any team without a stud PF is the identity that fits the Rockets best, and Mutombo will be a huge part of that. I posted yesterday that the Rockets should "give a big donation to Deke's hospital as a retirement gift", but if Deke wants to stay, Deke should stay. Carrying Deke on the roster makes more sense than carrying Bonzi.
we need to keep him..he still has something left in the tank..the worse thing I would want is to see him playing for another team like the mavs and he is killing us with his defense.I hate when people bring up the to old to slow thing...I think under a new system he will still be effective.He is also one of the best teammates and is a true leader we need on our team.
lets not forget doug christie. a SG who can't shoot anything but layups. he was one of adlemans best players. people here assume that if a center can't shoot RA can't use them. what do they think about him using a SG who can't shoot? IMO billy will be our christie. defensive minded, slasher. he's a 1 so he will be more of a creator but christie ran the one sometimes to free up bibby.
Deke saved our butts last year. He earned at least one more year with us even if he only gets 5 min a game. I hope he can teach Yao how to use his elbows better. (against other teams not us )
Look I don't mind if he is on the Roster because he is an icon, and he did do fairly well in the regular season last year, but I would hope there are better options out there for backup center. Preferably one that can score the ball a bit..... Vet minimum - sure, but nothing more......otherwise time to move on....and call it a career...IMO. DD
after watching the video,i do too,the crowd would go nuts everytime he 'd make a basket,since it would be as often as it was in his prime. he get a reception everytime he checkin in. play him some at pf with yao. i'd love it.maybe his injuries and knees are rested.....
I think we should all just get over him. The guy needs to go. He was thinking about quitting on the team. He turns the ball over most of the time you pass to him and he can't shoot. And in DaDa's estimation (which is think is generous) he only did a "fairly good" job in the minutes he saw last year. IMHO, we really need to find another direction to go for our backup point gu.... wait, who are we talking about? Oh, nevermind, I thought this was another VSPAN thread. Yeah, Deke should absolutely stay. And as for this "he won't fit our new system" garbage. Which system will he not fit? The one that Adelman is going to custom tailor to the strengths of our team? THAT system? He's not going to fit that? And before you light me up on that, ask yourself: is the system you have in mind the one Adelman is GOING to implement or the one you WANT him to implement?
I guess that will remain to be seen, but I expect a lot of Yao on the low post, with occasional high post position for him, with much more movement off the ball. DD
Deke should definitely stay. He is a terrific rebounder and shot blocker, can spell Yao for short periods of time. Also, we might need him if Yao gets injured. I think he is better than Tsakalidas.
And I would probably agree with you. But I think last year showed (while Yao was out) that, although Deke is not a particularly talented offensive player by himself, our offense didn't suffer from his elevated levels of playing time. There are plenty of ways to use him effectively (screener, finisher when he's on the move otherwise he draws a lot of fouls right under the basket, offensive rebounds, etc.). I just think that any backup C we could get to replace him would be a downgrade in overall talent. I think one of Van Gundy's biggest problems was that he needed players that fit his system and I hope that we're not going to have the same problem with Adelman. Besides, Deke's a good guy and I think he's earned the right to decide when to call it quits. Color me too loyal.
Deke for anything close to the minimum is a nobrainer. He still is better than 3/4 of the back-up centers in the league if you only ask him to give you 10 or 12 minutes. I am totally fine with a C rotation of Yao, Deke and Howard--with the latter two minutes depending on match-ups. If Howard is traded than I assume we would have another 4/5 in the mix. Jake is history. He doesn't do anything as well as Deke despite being a half century younger. That was a crappy use of a nearly 4 mil trade exemption. I don't even think I'd take him back for the minimum over some new free agent flyer.
mutombo can play here for the minimum. yao will get injured again and we'll need a defensive anchor again. give the guy credit, his arms/elbows NEVER STOP. but i agree with DD, it needs to be the minimum.
