They have it wrong about Dream retiring and creating cap room. That isn't the first time that mistake has been made. Mango ------------------ The Serious Police are watching Donate Blood
That's not the only thing they got wrong. Mobley made about a 1/3 of what they said he did this last season. These are both minor points compared to the thrust of their argument, but their lack of care in such things makes me distrust them in all particulars. ------------------
Mobley got starter minutes, so getting the starter position may not hold much sway. Chicago and Orlando will s*ck next year, while the Rockets have a legit chance at the playoffs. This is actually a very good point. How many teams under the cap do not s*ck? Indiana can not be under the cap, so they can not offer more than the middle class exception, which the Rockets can beat with the early bird thingy. ------------------
Realistically, the Pacers will not be under the cap. Technically, it could probably be done. Mango ------------------ The Serious Police are watching Donate Blood
Hmmm, I guess I misjudged his actions lately. If Cuttino himself said "God doesn't like greedy people" then I am sold. Cuttino will be a Rocket next year. ------------------ The lottery sucks!
No worries You stated: "Chicago and Orlando will s*ck next year, while the Rockets have a legit chance at the playoffs." I do not understand why you think that Orlando will suck next year. To me they will probably improve from this past year's performance. Remember they were almost in the playoffs this year. Everyone expected the Magic to suck this year (I am talking about being in the same category as the Clippers). Did they prove everyone wrong! At this point it is almost impossible to say if the Bulls or Magic will suck next year. With the number of quality free agents and top draft picks. Who is to say what either of those teams rosters will look like next season. In any case, I think you will see drastic improvement on both teams next year. I would not think Cat would rule either of those teams out. If Duncan and Grant Hill both resign with their existing teams. That will only increase Mobley's skyrocketing stock... We have to be prepared this off-season for alot of teams making a strong offer for Mobley. I am just hoping that he will value his friendship with Francis and know that he is one of the Rockets key players for the future. ------------------ "There is Francis backpedaling at full speed to guard Seattle All-Star Gary Payton on a fast break and then leaping as if off a springboard to make a spectacular fingertip block on what appeared to be a sure layup." [This message has been edited by Dream34 (edited April 21, 2000).]
That article has another flaw. Cuttino did not make $900K this year, he made the minimum for a 2nd year player: $385,000 <font size="4"> Mobley is Staying</font> For reasons why, see my arguments for not making him a restricted free agent in RF34s thread: <FONT SIZE="2" FACE="Verdana, Arial"><A HREF="http://bbs.clutchcity.net/ubb/Forum3/HTML/006501.html">2 Cap Questions...any cap experts please answer.</A> </FONT> ------------------ The farther the Rockets move down the standings, the farther I move down the bleachers.
Thanks for pointing that out again, partner. ------------------ [This message has been edited by JuanValdez (edited April 21, 2000).]
04/21-HOUSTON AND CUTTINO- The Rockets, despite a horrible set of injuries, had a decent year, the expectations were low, and the team had a chance to really try on their young guys, and many showed genuine NBA skills, and some look to be superstars in this league. One of those young guys is Cuttino Mobley, arguably the best 6th man in the league and he has a wicked first step, making him tough to defend. As a second round draft choice, he did not get the luxury of shoe companies knocking down his door, and second rounders get few guarantees from their teams. Despite more than enough reasons to play it safe, Cuttino has set out to destroy all his critics, and has done and excellent job. Now that free agency approaches for "Big Cat", Houston has reason to fret...Chicago loves Cuttino and he may be the 3rd or 4th player they talk to......And lets not talk about teams like Orlando, or Indiana, who may be willing to let Cuttino start versus being 6th man and pay him much more than the $900,000 he made in Houston this year. Just like Cuttino, there is more than enough reasons to say he's gone, there are a lot of reasons he stays..... Houston can not offer him much in salary this year - unless Hakeem retires, which could create some room for Cat, but because he is not full bird righted until next season, he'd have to agree to at least a 1 year deal, which could be the bargaining chip (sign now, get paid later), also there is the closeness that has developed between Cuttino Mobley and Steve Francis, and Houston is not about to chase away the Franchises' boy. Cuttino himself commented to our own Bill the Rocket Guy, that "God doesn't like greedy people", which made Bill smile and hopefully if he was serious...will make a lot of Rockets fans happy too. ------------------