I think White is further along now that GG is or was......his understanding of the game is better......some players take a while to work that out. DD
Barry will probably retire next season, and we don't know what's gonna happen with Tmac next year. That just leaves: Artest Battier Wafer For next year, and with both Artest and Wafer becoming free agents. That's a pretty thin wing position if you ask me. White is probably Morey looking for prospects for next year, since we won't have a draft pick....
If Artest and his agent is smart enough. they will stay put for one more year and wait until FA of 2010. Of course, unless some team would flat out pay artest great deal of money (which I doubt it would happen as 2009 indicated that 2010 is the biggest draw) couple of reasons. 2010, Rockets are bound to make some noises with Tmac's 23 mil off the book. There will be money on the table to sign Artest to a comfortable contract and at the same time, morey be able to signed a big name FA. Artest should realized that being a Yao's teammates has helped me getting endorsement from China, which it would continues in 2010. I doubt Tmac would coming back at all, he would probably get dealt before trading deadline as we saw how Lafient (sp) expiring contact actually worth a lot more than Amare in this yr. Which other team would have a big cap relief as Tmac?
You do know he signed a 10 day contract right?? No insurance what so ever. After 10 days hes no longer part of this team. 9 more days to go and then its up to the general manager and coach if they want to sign him to another 10 day contract or look at someone else.
........... Luther Head | James White Height: 6-3 | 6-7 Weight: 190 lbs | 210 lbs Vertical 5.4 inches | 54 inches Position sg/weakass pg | sf/sg Athleticism none | off the charts handles none | very good rebounding poor | good defense avg | avg/improving 3pt-shooting good(*playoffs) | avg/improving playoff performance sucks | won 2 championships last 2 years Attitude great | may be nuts Upside none | sky's the limit
Even though your comparison really has no purpose because your comparing him to Luther Head. You should really compare him to the other players that play his position really. I honestly think the only one he has an edge over is Von Wafer really to be honest with all of yall. So if you use this chart and compare White to Ron, Shane, Von you'll see that White would have a better chart than Wafer.
Remember that if the Rockets re-sign Artest, they will be well into the luxury tax. Any re-signing of Wafer will basically cost the Rockets double, plus it will decrease the team's chances of somehow being able to dip back below the threshold and get a 1/30th share of the total luxury tax revenues. I certainly hope that (a) James White impresses the coaching staff while he's here and (b) the Rockets end up signing him for the remainder of the season with a team option for next (although I bet White's agent might be against that team option). IF (and that's a big "IF") White shows the maturity and willingness to become a more complete team player, the Rockets would have themselves a lottery pick talent without needing a draft pick and for the league minimum.
The Luther to White comparisons are a little unnecessary, but in regards to whoever made the "could Head average that many points in the D-league?" comment.. you are not taking into account what a huge different a role makes. Luther, as a smaller SG with a spot-up game, is never going to score 20 points a game in any league. That's not what a shooter does; a shooter is streaky and can go off for 20 at times, but usually doesn't. They are just a situational weapon to spread the floor for the slashers and post players and don't need to pad their points to be effective. Also, comparing the D-league to the NBA is always apples to oranges. I think that some guys that score 10-12ppg in the NBA would be lucky to have the same numbers in the D-league where the systems are completely different and the talent level surrounding them is completely different. Just my 2 cents.
I find it hard to believe that Head would be leading the NBDL in scoring. Just my opinion, but what did Head do exactly besides jack up threes and occasionally drive to the hole? He had no D. No size. Cant play the point. Just a streaky shooter that occasionally hit a big three. If White has a decent shot and some sort of D then I do not see how your point could be factual.
lol, I believe the White vs. Head comparison came from someone who said that White would be a better fit, or something of that nature. Which would make sense of the chart. If he can't score 20points in the DLeague then I do not know what to say, hell even Novak averaged 20+.
I'm late coming into this thread (been busy today), but, IF White proves to be an adequate defender (can't be worse than Luther), he would indeed he great insurance. Assuming Adelman likes him, we could lose either Artest or Wafer to free agency and be okay with Battier and White. if we keep Artest, Wafer and White, then Battier is expendable -- hopefully to trade for an agile, youngish, tall backup PF/C with a decent shot. Battier IMO is not the defensive dynamo most of the board thinks he is. He is too slow and has no leaping ability to block shots or score points. He is only decent as a spot-up shooter from the short corner. I really like him as a solid citizen Rocket. But that's just me.
can this dude play defense? can he play defense at a nba level? I really dont understand the big hype about him.
I think you all are seriously underestimating Luther. If you will recall, Chuck was a scoring player in the D-league. Even AB and Novak were putting up huge numbers in the D-league. Let's not taint Luther's ability with his recent struggles in the playoffs and finding solid PT after the exit of JVG. The kid can play, he just needs to find a place where he is in the right system. Hopefully he can get some playing time in Miami. As for White's contribution, it's going to be minimal (like only playing in blowouts) unless someone gets hurt. Much like Wafer. If Luther hadn't been hurt at the same time as Tmac and Ron, I can pretty much assure you he would have gotten more Pt when that happened. Perhaps then we wouldn't have seen the emergence of Wafer. Morey is right in that Luther will find a spot in a rotation somewhere. I would imagine if White is truly working as hard as he should be, he may find a spot too, though it will be difficult to do in Houston right now. My guess is that they will do his second 10 day regardless of any court time because that will give them time to check him out in practice after our ugly schedule this coming week.
Didn't Battier block 4 shots in one half recently? He's always been an above average shot blocker at the wing position. He has good length and excellent anticipation, and he's constantly busting his tail to contest shots.
