Okay okay, all you Mobe's bashers, you didn't get your wish. Mobely is still wearing Rocket red, (don't take it literally). Now the big question is how much will it take to sign mobley. Because when I see Mobley, I see another sam cassell. Mobley will not average 10 assits in his career, but he likely can average 20 plus points a game. No way do you let cuttino mobley go as a free agent. I say break the bank on Mobley, give him 5 million a year for 7 years.
Nobody in the NBA is averaging 10 assists this year. Sam Cassell is second to Kidd in the league with 9.3 a game. He's almost a 20/10 guy right now. If Mobley turns out to be that good, he's worth more than 5 mil. I don't think he will be, though. Popeye, still think Cuttino's better than Sam?
Do not, I repeat, DO NOT re-sign mobley. Trade him in the offseason for a first round draft pick. Has any one else noticed that cat seems to have his best games when we lose? [This message has been edited by BobFinn* (edited February 25, 2000).]
Dang Freak! Do you ever forget anything???????????? Answer: Yeah. I will take Mobes over Sam. If both in their second year. Right now I think I would still take Mobes. He's so erratic sometimes I have to bite down on something and scream siliently, but .... he so was Sam in his second and third year. His games were up and down like a yo-yo. Incidently, he'll not get $5M , but I bet it will take $4M to keep him next year. Some here who are saying to offer him the $2M/year are very low IMHO.
popeye, A few weeks ago, you posted about the numerous trade rumors going around and lamented the fact that the Rockets weren't involved as much as you liked. More recently, you posted about patience and using the trade exception in the best way possible and the opportunities coming this summer. Was it the revelation about the trade exception or something else that changed your mind over the past few weeks? Mango
Mango, Perhaps it was his realization that to trade now is pointless, as the Rockets have resigned themselves to going into the lottery. They HAVE to make a trade to utilize the 4.5 million exception, so it is best to wait and see how their draft pick comes out, and who is available at the end of the year. DaDakota
"A few weeks ago, you posted about the numerous trade rumors going around and lamented the fact that the Rockets weren't involved as much as you liked." Still am burned that we never got closer than we did. Kittles, D Anderson, and several others that were "doable". They admitted they turned down one package of Walt and TMass for Kittles,for instance. All I wanted was some common sense. Not to give up on the season. Not have guys sitting on the bench or IR that could be moved out. "More recently, you posted about patience and using the trade exception in the best way possible and the opportunities coming this summer." Don't know when I posted that. But if you are referring to the posts just before the trade deadline or just leading up to it, I was saying that we are okay for the summer trade sessions, with lots of opportunities. We have a basketful of guys that everyone is itchy to get a hold of because of their maturity (being able to play as "fulltime" roster players due to injuries,etc...), their talent (all excellent prospects), and desirable salaries (Bull,Drew,Mobes,etc...). Sign and trades etc are in our favor. The other thing is that we can pick and choose who we are going to keep and who we lose to make room for the two or three new roster players that will inevitably be here. PS I still think unloading TMass and Walt were priority #1. I am all for anything short of hiring a hitman. Frankly I think my grandmother could take TMass without breaking a sweat. And she's blind and weak. Same as Walt(blind,can't shoot) and Tony(weak,can't take a bump).
DaDakota, Maybe he realized that or maybe he thought that the opportunities for a good trade would be better in the summer. The Clips, Heat, Lakers, Raptors and the Knicks were all expected to do something by the deadline and nothing happened. The only significant team to do anything at all was the '76's going for Toni. Mango
popeye, Their mistake on keeping Walt and TMass. They should have even put up with Rider for 2 months just to move Walt. Mango [This message has been edited by Mango (edited February 25, 2000).]
Just because the Rockets have cap space for the summer does not mean that they will sign the next Hakeem Olajowon. Quite frankly, every smuck is making 4 to 5 million dollars just because they averaged 7 points per game and had a 42% shooting from three point land. And the Rockets will only have about 4 million dollars. And after they sign Mobley, they will be down to the 1 million dollar exception. Mobley is in only his second NBA season, but quite literally his first still since last year was so short. Mobleys only problem is mental. He has the ability, the speed, the skill, and the smarts to play NBA basketball. Hey, if the Rockets can give Maloney a 7 year deal worth 21 plus million dollars, 5 million a year for mobley should not be too much. Mobley acctually has game. Mobley is worth 5 million dollars per year for 7 years. But, the only stipulation is that I would not give mobley an option out until his 7th year. In 3 year mobley will be commanding an 8 to 10 million dollar pay check per year.
You're mistaken... we have absolutely no cap space. We've over the limit. We're going to be able to resign Mobley because he's only a restricted free agent, and we can match other team's offers... or offer the $2m exception. The 4.5 mill that everyone keeps talking about is a trade exception that we acquired by acquiring less total salary than we gave up through the Pippen and Francis deals. This can ONLY be used to allow trades that would otherwise violate league policy. EX, we could trade a 4.5 million dollar player (somebody say Walt Williams?) + our 4.5 mill exception for a $9m player On Mobley: I just love the way you say with such authority that he'll be commanding 8-10 million per year. How the heck do you know this? Honestly, you're saying that because you like him and he's on our team. Personally, I think he has a decent first step... and a moderately good ability to create plays. Not much else. However, I allow that many on this board have high hopes for Mobley... but making a statement that he'll certainly command nearly superstar money... that's absurd. It's IMPOSSIBLE to know that about anybody short of those such as Tim Duncan. [This message has been edited by haven (edited February 26, 2000).]
We effectively have $4.5 million. I know we can't use it to sign "free agents," but it can be used in a sign and trade situation. That seems to be the way you get some of the better players anyway (either an outright trade or a sign and trade). It does restrict us a little more than if we simply had $4.5 million laying around to use in signing someone, but it will come in very handy. As was said, we could ship out $4.5 million dollars worth of players and get $9 million worth in return. With so many teams wanting to shed some salary, there's no telling who we might be able to pick up. As far as Mobley goes, how many teams will have the money to offer him more than one of their exceptions? Which teams are in a position to do that? Which teams who are in a position to do that will want to spend that money on Mobley? What I mean by that last question is that a team might not need another shooting guard and might consider their money better spent elsewhere. How quickly will teams like Chicago and Orlando eat up their salary cap space? If guys like Hill and Duncan resign with their old teams I'm sure they'll have quite a bit to spend on guys like Mobley, but if not they won't have much room. Will they?
Mobley has the tools to be a super star. Plus Mobley has proven to be better than probably all but 10 or so rookies from last year. Those he hasn't proven to be better than, he likley will in a couple of more years. You know what I like about mobley is that not even he knows what he is capable of accomplishing. He just doesn't have a ceiling that prevents other players from becoming super stars. Alright, he is a ball hogg at times, but what the problem with that. Anderson is the complete opposite. All in all, if not next year, the year after, mobley will be putting up 20+ points per game. And if anderson does not apply himself more on the offensive play, he'll be the 6th man like he was in Utah once again. You just can't stop mobley, the quickest first step in the league.
Here's some words directly from our hero Mobley on paying Francis's $10,000 fine, 2/25 Boy, that quote makes me happy. Sounds to me like he is referring to two contracts, "Next year and the year after that". Could it be a 1-year at Middle Class, and a Full Bird ramp-up to $5-6m the year after. Popeye's figure depresses me. It's tough finding $4-5m in cap room this summer, meaning that pay scale would be coming from another team.
Look if somebody else will likely pay him 6-7 million dollars a year that means that he is likley worth that. I'm not the reason that the salary for the NBA is so bloated. It's been caused by smart deal makers and great negotiating on behalf of the players. Oh, not to mention that the players realize that without them, nobody makes any money. Now that is crazy for everyone else in the working world to accept. But, who watches the CBA? If Mexico defeats the U.S. in the olimpics this summer, then I'll stop watching the NBA until it gets competitive again. Mobley is certainly one of the bright spots in terms of talent that the league has to offer. All I'm saying is that the Rockets do not become the next Montreal Expos. The Expos are the best talent evaluators in baseball, but they always lose their men to big money elsewhere. That must not be the case with Mobley. If mobley signs a 4 million 1 year deal, I'm certain that he will post 18 to 20 points per game. His 24 point games a night are becoming more common as the year proceeds. If he isn't signed to the 5 million 7 year deal, it will be tougher to keep him in Houston then after next year. In turn losing him to another team eager to pry the young rocket talent that Rudy T is building around. But, hey, you all mean to tell me that Walt is better than Mobley. Walt get playing time but does not do what mobley does. Oh, yeah and how much does walt get paid, 5 million a year. Cuttino should be making 8 million.
Vince, We can't pay him $5m. We can't. He does not have full bird rights, yet. The most we can pay him without freeing up $5m in cap room is to sign a 1 year at $2.2. That is the most. Sorry dude. I agree with you. After three years, he has full bird rights to give him whatever he deserves regardless of our cap situation.
But, the Rockets can match anybody's offer. Then that is a plus!!!! Francis and Mobley at the guard position for the next 2 championships.
HeyPartner, If someone else offers Mobley more money, the Rockets can match it. If I were Mobley's agent, I would go that route. DaDakota
Vince... "superstar?" What on earth are you talking about? Only about 10 players from the last draft have proven to be better than him? Fine... I'll agree with that. Problem is, there's NEVER been a draft that has produced 11 superstars. And as to him becoming better than those players... why? What does he do that indicates this supposed incredible talent? If you watch teams other than the Rockets, it's not THAT difficult to find *many* other players with talents comparable to his. Mobley's a fine player... but he's not a superstar, and he CERTAINLY doesn't have the quickest first step in the league as he claims. As for a sign and trade... if we waited to sign and trade Mobley, we'd be renouncing our rights to him as a restricted free agent, meaning... he could go to another team if he wanted. I think that's a bad idea. As much as I sometimes criticize Mobley, I still want to keep him. [This message has been edited by haven (edited February 26, 2000).]
