has a player option after this season. What that means is he could opt to become an unrestricted free agent. He is somewhat under-paid at 4.5 mill a year. If he does not opt out after this season, his contract ends after the 2002-2003. I would love to see the Rockets work out some sort of sign and trade deal, if Rashard opts out this year. Francis-Mobley-Lewis would be as good of a PG-SG-SF trifecta as any in the NBA.
That would be good, but if you're Wally walker, who would you want from the Rockets. Other than Francis,Mobley,Griffin, there isn't anyone on this roster i would take. Besides, I would want to see Lewis stand around at the 3pt line while francis and company play with the ball. All Rudy want is a steve kerr type at the 3 spot it seems.
Good point. I would only want a SF worth a damn if Rudy is gone. What's funny is that Rudy played SF, yet in his system he absolutely handcuffs the SF. Lewis, Francis, and Mobley would be able to run on anyone. Assuming we get a decent rebounder too.
I don't get it either. Rudy was a high scoring good mid-range shooter from the wing, but now all he wants his 3 man to do is stand at the arc and wait for the pill. It would be nice to see Rice post up a little, run off a couple of screens and stuff like that instead of waiting 25ft away and just waiting like the rest of the offense. I think If Cato and Thomas flanked the Elbows, it would open the baseline and also put them in better rebounding position. Plus it would make them more of a threat and picks could be set easier. I still don't understand the way he uses the 3 spot though.
You think Seattle would let him walk? They're rebuilting the whole franchise around the guy. And not to mention Rockets will have no cap room to sign Lewis for the next 3 years.
Good points. I believe all quandries must first answer what to do with the 1 spot, though. Flanking the elbows is cool, and can definitely help the 3 spot...the problem is what does that do to your franchise. The Kings run what you ask. The have a great passing center, too, and one of the best 3 spots in the league. Notice what this has done to Bibby, though. Does making Pedja better at the expense of Bibby (ok that might be an exaggeration based on stats) work for Francis and Rice? I soooo bad want to make use of a high post. But I try to temper all my unspoken wild ideas with first what is best for Francis. leebeejeebee, btw: I actually have seen a rare double post, but not a commitment like the Kings. Do you consider a singular play, or a base system like the Triangle? Do you think a team needs to commit to that to do it well, or do you think a team should be able to switch from one set to the next, interchangeably according to what the defense is throwing them?
The Rockets lost all chances of signing Rashard once they allowed themselves to be locked into Glen Rice's $8m/year for 3 years contract. Don't even waste your brain cells thinking about it.
Crispee, I think that spacing issue is overrated. I think ,I know you can make passes from high post to low post without surrendering your "space" I look at our team and everything is based on how the defense defends instead of makeing the d do what we want. Our entire base offense is flawed because it has makes some players none threats. When Cato is 20ft from the basket, how why would another team defend that, thus teams pack it in and make the Rockets drive into the teeth of the d while the clock is running down. The guy that gets the ball afetr the failed pick and roll doesn't even have time to triple threat the defensive player. Yes the Rockets did kill themselves by taking Glen Rices contract.
I seriously doubt Rashard Lewis would come to Houston. First off theres the salary cap problem with Glen's bloated contract. And then I still think he is really pissed about not getting drafted by the Rockets. Yes Yes I know it was 3 years ago but he is still a 21 year old kid with no more than high school education, so he would still hold a grudge. As much as I would love to see him here, its not gonna happen.
Rashard coming to the rockets would be a bad move on lewis behalf...he would get lazy and with all his boys as he puts it around him 24/7 his skills would diminish Rashard is better off somewhere else besides houston. Its taught him to grow up and be a man Rashard is a solid player and would be a great addition to the team but hes from houston and hes still young and he does have a history here for the bad vibes he attracted.
I know we won't be under the cap, that's why I said SIGN AND TRADE. I don't know what our situation will be like regarding exemptions, but if we get one then we could use that to help get Lewis, if at all possible.
We would have money after next year if we bought out the last year of Glen Rice contract, unless that would still count against the cap. Also If we could buy out Rice, I would think Rashard Lewis would expect max money like we will pay Francis - around 11 mil per year. This would be 2 mil more than the last year of the Rice contract. We are already over the cap now. Do we help ourselves more by paying the luxury tax, or buying out Maloney's contract as well. Sorry everybody - I better study the CBA before I post on this subject again. The other issue- Pride- I don't know how Lewis feels now, but he was very disappointed at not being drafted in '98. Did someone from the Rockets tell him he would be drafted by us?? He seem to have felt betrayed.
What if Stevie doesn't end up wanting to come back? Perhaps an S&T involving the 2 would be a possibilty?
A contract buyout is amortized over the remaining life of the contract and applies to the salary cap. Example: next summer Rice has 2 remaining seasons @ about $17m. If he's bought out for $9m, the cap hit is $4.5m for two more seasons. Issue 2 pride - since your new, I will just mention that it has been well documented by reliable sources here at CC that Rashard would consider the Rockets. You know the saying - money talks and B* walks.
After the Sonics game, Lewis was interviewed by Calvin, and was asked if he'd come back to Houston. Lewis responded something like "oh yeah, I wouldn't mind that at all." and had a mischievous smile on his face. The Rockets would instantly throw full MCE at him, which with escalation should be somewhere around 40 mill, and the chance to play at home. Remember Walt's contract at 5 mill expires. Goosebumps of a front line of Griffin-Taylor-Lewis,
Overrated. Dude is not that good, and never will be. College experience counts. He doesn't have it, and he's no KG. Again, he has his flashes of brilliance and suddenly people want to throw him money. Come on. Now, if someone had said last year, "let's go after Elton Brand".. Okay, I would buy that. Dude is super consistent. Not flashy, but consistent with 20pts, 10rebs. We have enough flash on this team with Francis and Cat, and the occasional Moochie "I've got to shut that punk Rocket104 up" Morris game-winner. Consistency, especially from the frontcourt, is what we need in the long run, and Rashard will not provide it. Major/Shanna - I'm totally with you on your sig. Mooch sucks.
I would love to have Rashard on the Rockets, although I have high hopes for TMo. But I think when it comes down to it, Rashard will be too expensive. The guy's good, but he's not worth the max, and I'm sure some team will give him the max.
