I knew Wafer has the potential since day one. Playoff is a big big test for him. Keep your confidence and enhance your defense are the keys. I hope his coach believes him and his teamates also believe him. If he succeed, Rockets will succeed in this playoff. By the way, White is not Wafer. The difference is ball handling.
Wafer's athleticism is Lebron like in how it creates mismatches. Lebron is so quick for a big guy, it is a massive advantage even against other great players. Wafer has that same quickness but only for the guard position, it is a HUGE advantage to be that quick, but to also have the elite jumping ability and shot making, as well as prototypical size.....come on...that is rare. DD
I understand the context that you are saying this in, but... Wafer's athleticism is not Lebron like in any way, shape, or form. That is ridiculous. Wafer doesn't cause mismatches with his quickness as much as he uses it to attack weaknesses in defenses. Usually in a one on one half court situation, the person guarding him has no problem. Wafer's comparisons should start and stop with J.R. Smith... Same player, Wafer just doesn't jack up as many shots as Smith.
I can't believe how overrated Von is on this board. The guy is having 1 good season and people want him back. Say the Rockets resign him and he is sucking it up what then?? Now guys would be saying trade him he is a bum blah blah blah
I think Von Wafer adds a great deal to the Rockets offense, certainly more than any player off the bench. Landry is close. He is clearly a work in progress: however, he brings some intangibles that the Rockets don't have an overabundance of, like FIRE! He sparks the team, fires up the crowd, and disorients the opposition. Like, who is this guy?! I really enjoy watching him. I think he may be the difference in a playoff game or two in each series. He may not be LeBron, Jr. (nobody is), but if he got 30 mins of playing time, I bet he would average over 20 points. Yeah, I know, he might take 30 shots to get it! Honestly, he has become less shot happy in the last several games.
For most fans, they only care about score. Good thing is Morey is smart. He won't overpay an one dimensional guy too much. If Wafer can defend well, or rebound well, he'd be more of an asset to the team. But right now, if he's in a slump shooting wise, he'd be completely useless.
Von Wafer is not "rare" by any means... He has been a solid bench contributor for half a season. Larry Hughes was a HOF type player for 65 games. Small sample size...
Nice to see you back in fantasy land, DDQ. You know, I think you might be on to something (or on something?): one or the other. Maybe, just maybe other teams in the West would seek to sign Streetball just to block the CP3/Streetball nightmare scenario . That would be unstoppable. This could start a catastrophic league wide bidding war for Streetball, that might open the door for a Rockets Lebron signing. Teaming a backcourt that plays absolutely no defense has resulted in many a championship banner being hung. Of course, those championship banners were probably girls' intramurals, but hey a banner is a banner, right? Oops, sorry I have to go. Cameron Diaz and Nicole Kidman are at my door demanding another menage a trois.
I know you understand the context, I am not saying he is not Lebron like in any way shape or form. I am saying Lebron has an athletic advantage on every SF that guards him... Wafer has a similar advantage over SG's......thus Lebron like. Maybe I am overvaluing him a tad, but I guess we shall see when he is an UFA this offseason. I think he will get a ton of offers and for a good sum of money, he is not JR Smith, that guy has a reputation as a gunner and a free wheeler who plays outside the system. Wafer has proven to play within a team structured system. Maybe you guys are right, maybe Wafer won't get a big contract offer, that would be great, but I think a team down on their luck might throw some jingle at a guy that is a proven NBA talent.....and one that has massive upside. I will give you the small sample size, that is the risk any team trying to sign him would be taking, but his athleticism is indeed rare, he has a VERY quick first step...one of the quickest in the league, and he had the best vertical in his class...something like 42"....that is rare for a 6'5" guy with his quicks. DD
Have the Rockets had anyone in the past 5 years with the athleticism Von has who has actually contributed to this team?
Thanks for the laugh DD. This really had me rolling. Wafer's athleticism is no where near LeBron's. As for you comparing Wafer's quickness to LeBron's thats just insane. LeBron is lightning quick with out and without the ball. We rarely see Wafer lightning quick speed when he doesn't have the ball.
How quickly we all forget TMac. He won't ever be the same player he was when he got here, but TMac along with Clyde the Glide, are the two most athletic players the Rox have ever had. Steve Franchise and Vernon Maxwell were also mad athletic but 25 y/o TMac and Clyde were other worldly with their length and athleticism. Oh, and I'm not talking bigs b/c Hakeem is the most athletic Rocket of all time, bar none.
O man. Wafer is drawing comparisons to the king now? Wafer is very quick and athletic, but Lebron is a smooth athlete with power. He can change direction and speed almost effortlessly because he's so powerful. When Wafer is going to the basket, 9/10 he's going to put up a shot because he's going full speed and he doesnt give himself time to see things developing in front of him. Lebron has that rare ability to get wherever he wants to on the floor, and he does it with controlled movements that allow him to make decisions on the fly(Magic Johnson like). Wafer is at best a sixth man off the bench. His three point shooting is overrated, his decision making on offense is inconsistant and his defensive awareness is below average. He's the type of player who is great to have in the regular season, but becomes a liability in the post season. I wouldn't throw too much money at him especially if mcgrady works his way back.
You guys need to understand comparisons, I said he has an advantage LIKE Lebron in his athleticism, not that he compares to Lebron overall. DD
Personally, I'd give him a bit less money than Landry. 2 to 3 years at ~$2.5mil a year. I think this is as high as the Rockets should go. Especially in today's economy.
Why? James White is every bit the athlete that Wafer is. If someone offers Wafer the full MLE, I say let him walk and give White a shot.
