Miami finished their pre-season run with 0 wins and 7 losses. Four games were blowouts. They were also concerned with injury. Shaq, Wade, Walker and Williams suck up 70% of the teams's overall payroll. They need to spread the talent:dollars out more. Wade is injured. Doleac is injured. Simien also though not surprising. Shaq and Zo were injured a sign of more come given their recent injury histories. They need some hope of stability in their starting lineup and Williams durability doesn't give them much. If the claim made by a poster here that Rafer told him that Morey was trying to move him to Miami is true... Rockets trade: Rafer+Snyder+Reed+Butler+second round pick/s. Miami trade: White Chocolate.
i just puked a little in my mouth. Landry has shown that he can provide something to the rockets, plus he's the only PF who can actually hit a 15 foot jumper (scola's been aweful at that aspect). Novak...i i dont think he's near of a lock on this team as some think.
We have a guy that's going to be a stud up top sitting getting rookie splinters right now.Eventually Brooks will be in the rotation and blow people away. Until Brooks is ready Mike James is the man. While Rafer can handle the rudimentary requirements of running the show in this offense (as it's his specialty),I can't help but believe he's being showcased. As far as our acquistion/acquisitions....PF was a position where I really thought we needed a long athletic guy who could play good interior defense and slam the boards,but I have to tell ya with Landry's knee holding up nicely and Scola being the man I'm not as worried anymore. No,I think we need a swingman.Give me a player who can D up and get to the rack...maybe stick the J once in a while...more athleticism.
seeing how prepared morey was for this offseason, i'm guessing he's got a few deals ready to be made. teams right now are just waiting to see which ones work according to what they have on their roster after training camp. i think there are a few contingency plans in place... WE WILL SEE!
Morey apparently did an interview with sportsradio 610 this morning the podcast is up at www.sportsradio610.com
Keep 15: Yao McGrady Battier Alston Hayes Scola Wells James Francis Head Landry Mutombo Snyder Butler Brooks - NBDL? Cut: Lucas Reed Novak There will be no more trades because other teams know we have to make cuts.
Nightmares of day's past - Cut Steve Francis... God he sucked last night! Dribble Dribble Dribble... Turnover.
Eh? I am by no means a Francis lover and question what role he could actually have on this team, and I thought he dominated the ball a little too much last night. But, he had 5 assists and only 1 TO and he was making all the plays offensively in the 4th and 1st OT.
Yeah that's true...on a completely unrelated note, who was the MVP of the summer league the year before?
Sure I did. He looked lost out there, and he dribbled the hell out of the ball. Only 1 turnover? It seemed like more than that. I remember how he used to drive to hole, with 4 players around him, and b**** about not getting a call. It just seemed all to familiar. Maybe he'll get better, but IMHO he sucked last night.
I agree,Stevie's natural instincts on the court have never made for an ideal 1.There's was always much debate whether he should have set up shop at the 2 early on,but alas Cat was there.(that's a sordid tale in itself)He of course has had the knee problems and the wear and tear of years of hoops.I also think Stevie's out of shape as he hasn't really been as diligent about his rehab like he should have.Now,I still believe that barring another injury Francis will work himself back into shape and see more time at the 2 as Brooks emerges.Steve's role will be defined in the rotation as the year goes on,but again it should be attacking off the wing at the two along with participating in the break.Even the outside shooting % should improve later.Once he gets his legs and has a defined role,Francis will look much better. Without a doubt RA is trying to work Stevie into shape and knock off the rust.Adelman will take advantage of his strengths as the season progresses,leaving less thought and more play on autopilot. But last night was ugly.
You can't really play 3 point guards, much less 4. They have to play Francis for marketing reasons if nothing else. Mike James is going to get his, and Rafer is earning his minutes so far. No way Brooks cracks this rotation. It's simple math. On the other hand, you see what sitting on the bench all season did for Novak and VSpan. If you're going to have a tight rotation, and RA will, then give the young guys a chance to mature in the D-League. Unfortunately, D-Leaguers still count as a roster spot. Oh well. Can't have it all.
The burning question is there a deal in the works? If so, is it for starter material as indicated in the converstion between Morey and Harris? I wonder if it could involve LA or Miami who both seem to be in deep trouble and in need of making changes? If such a deal was forthcoming shouldn't it be made quickly to give a little time for adjustment prior to the start of the season. Possibly Morey will triumph again and get us out of our difficulties!!
