This isn't directly related to this topic, except that it says quite a bit about this years free agent class. I was just looking at nba.com and I swear to god they have a headline that says, and I quote, "A star-studded class of free agents, including Steve Blake, are exploring the market." No kidding? Even stars like Steve Blake are available? I envy teams like Portland, New York and Dallas with their multi-billionaire owners who are willing to break the bank on big name stars like Steve Blake. STEVE BLAKE A STAR!!! hahahahaha It's one of the funniest things I've ever seen.
Joe Smith would be OK. But 3 years about 12 mil or 2 years maybe 8 mil max. That said I'd rather get Gooden. Or Varejao, but he is no where near worth a 4-5 year deal starting at 8 mil. Joe Smith is about on par with the 3rd Clev guy, Donyell Marshall (who should be easily attainable for expiring contracts). I see them about equal stopgaps, both would help some but basically work via committee with Chuck and someone else (Landry?).
I am underwhelmed. I am tired of the "almost finished" vintage of players. I want young, big, athletic, explosive. Expensive, maybe. Worth it, yes. Are the Rockets really serious about surrounding Yao and TMac with the "right" supporting cast or is "they will do" still the standard?
I have no idea what the Rockets are looking for in a PF. If we assume they are looking for a young,big,athletic,explosive type of player,then I'm certain they are facing extreme difficulties.We don't have the money for a FA nor the role players to make such a trade.
Dallas seems to get whatever they want because ownership spends big, not that it worked out for them in the playoffs. I am not saying the Rockets have to go on a spending spree, but I am tired of the "running on fumes" kind of players that only stay for a season or two. Look how the Jazz have upgraded since the Malone/Stockton era. Surely there is a way. I know, it just past, the draft. Well, that's over. Trades and FA are all that's left.
That's disturbing,all the vets are old and on the way out or are malcontents,injury prone and soft players. Vets like Najera,Etan Thomas,KT,Reggie Evans,Gooden or Shareef aren't going to be able to solve the problem and cost quite a lot on top of that too.
Gooden doesn't belong on this list. He is 1 year younger than Yao and he is a legit starting PF in the league and has a respectable contract (owed less than J Howard for instance). If we got him for any combination of players short of Yao-Tmac-Battier we would have done terrific. I share sentiments with the rest of your list, probably prefer Joe Smith or Donyell.
I hope this is not the case. This will do nothing to improve our chances against the giants in the west. Please make a big splash Morey.
Hey, i'd love to add a young guy too, but look at the names thats been thrown out there...Darko is probably the youngest. I have heard 610 mention guys like PJ Brown, Jamal Magloire, and of course....as you can see in black and white....JOE SMITH! I still like the IKE idea, but that never seemed to happen when the rumor was hot.
Well, there are two teams in the NBA who perpetually go on spending sprees: New York and Dallas. One is the largest market team in NBA and the other has an owner with unlimited resources. Houston can't do that, especially in a town which struggles to put people in the stands year round even with elite players like Yao and McGrady. Teams like San Antonio, Phoenix, and Detroit are much better models. They don't overspend, but they intelligently pluck solid veteran role players from around the league, they draft young kids to develop, and they keep their players happy and signed.
He is not by talent but he should be by price and what he does is buy us more time to make a trade because everybody knows Houston is desperate for a PF with Joe Smith its still definitely a concern but we will now be able to make a trade that is not rushed and makes more sense.
Dallas also does something better than Houston that they should address right away and that is they scout talent. If you watch any of their summer league games they have a PF that we should get that would be chaep and I think would instantly be the best PF on our team his name is Brandon Bass. He is a good rebounder has a solid offensive and defnesive game and also has some NBA experience. Slightly undersized but he is athletic enough to hold his own.
I don't know anything about him; "undersized" is a term that scares me at the present time since the Rockets seem to be stuck on it.
Not good enough to earn more than 9 minutes a game during his 2 year career in New Orleans. I'm guessing his career fg% of 37.7% might have something to do with that.
Have you seen our payroll recently?? McGrady is top 5 in paychecks and will crush the opposition in 2010 when he makes 23 frickin million dollars!! Throw onto that Yao's increasing salary within the range of ~15 million (far better use of money), and 3 midlevel salaries with James, Battier, Alston combining for ~16million...there's not much playdough left to use on anybody. If Tracy were making like 5million dollars left on average every year than what he's currently set to make, we could definately make a ripple or two in free agency. But..such is the sacrifice of having superstars around to support their families and feed their children.
