Considering the latest injury situation - maybe the Rockets should just draft Jay Williams. That would make Cat and Stevie happy!
They do? I could've sworn it was your front office, one of the better ones in the NBA, that tried to sign Cuttino when he was a free agent.
If you noticed, he said "Sorry Coach" as though it's a foregone conclusion that Rudy T wants Ming. My guess is Rudy's opinion outweighs Mobley's
Here's another thought. I think it's becoming extreemly clear that Cat and Francis think Cato does a fine job at the 5. Francis mentioned it on Jim Rome when he was asked about drafting Yao. Now Molbey is insinuating it by arguing for a 3 over a 5. Now, I will be the first to admit that I am not a Cato fan. I think there are still some questions that he will have to answer through his play this season. That said, Cat and Steve have been playing along side Cato for 3 seasons now. They have a chemistry. He's definately in the top half of centers in the league and he's not overpaid by that assesment. They want a 3 that can dribble and make plays. It will open things up. Maybe I'm crazy, but I think that's a valid opinion. I still want a physical presence but I also want a playmaking 3. Butler or Odom would be fine with me. I would rather have a veteran big man than a rookie big man. We already have a Giffen Project and to a more childish extent, a Cato Project.
When I was 5, I am the same size of 5 year old MJ, my BBall skill is just a bit better than MJ--not to say that my competition is better than MJs, we both have dummy as our opponent. Then...well you all know the rest of the story.
I think there is some overreacting here in terms of whether or not Francis/Cuttino run the show. They don't, and Rockets mgmt is not just going to draft whoever Francis/Cuttino want or make whatever trades tehy ask for. But, in terms of the maturity of our players, there is no overreacting going on. Francis and Mobley both make too many dumb comments. There is no need to say anything more than, for example, what Jalen Rose did, when asked who they think the team should draft. As of now, both Francis and Mobley have both made at elast one public comment that shows their lack of faith in Rocket's mgmt. These off the court issues are reflected in their on the court play. They are both, talent wise, two of the better to best players in the league. When it comes to intelligence, leadership, savvy and maturity, though, they both have a long way to go. It is quite obvious that our star backcourt has been given too long of a leash for some time. Some might say that they are just expressing their own opinions. True, but when I was 15 I understood enough about deferring answers and being aware of the reaction to have been able to smartly and deftly answer such questions. Whether or not they are just expressing their opinion, absolutely nothing good could come out of it (either for the team or the players themselves) by answering in these manners. I hope Rudy realizes this year that his job is on the line and he is the coach. As for Ming and the CBA. I'd gladly take the Shanghai Sharks to tear through the WAC any year. Heck, I'd give em good odds to win the D-I title. Oh, and micheon is saying that it is pointless to compare Bradley and Ming when they were 18 (even though Ming was still obviously the better player) because they are both not 18 now and their talents/skill set have changed (Ming's gotten even better...Bradley still sucks).
Oh my gosh this thread has gone ballistic... Fact is, Lamar Odom, is incredible, and I have to agree with Mobley, maybe it was needed to be said. While the front office has made some great moves with Francis, Mobley, and Griffin, they've also wasted picks with Bryce Drew, Jason Collier, Terrance Morris, and Dan Langhi. The Ming bandwagon needs to come to an end. I would rather use the #1 to pick for someone that we know is going to jump right in and contribute. Lamar is completely well rounded with - 6' 10" Points: 16.3 Rebounds: 7.5 Assists: 4.9 Blk: 1.4 Stl: 1.0 That's one hell of a stat sheet for a small forward, and do you remember how well coveted he was when he was coming into the draft. There's a reason. He Rox!
Honestly. . that isn't the issue Their comments are weaking the rocket's bargaining position If we draft Jay . . . EVERYONE KNOWS WE WON'T KEEP HIM so . .we won't get as much. THAT IS CALLED TUCKING YA PRIDE AWAY AND TAKING ONE FOR THE *TEAM* Cat and Franchise need to shut up . . talk up everything so NO ONE KNOWS what the rocket will do [or rather not concretely] If they keep this up . .they could screw up the whole scheme Without them talking we may get Odom and Ming with them campaigning for Odom the clips are gonna dangle him and say "If you wanna keep your back court happyy. .. . it will cost you this. . . . " so they need to find a seat on the sofa. . . prop up francis's arm and SHUT THE F*CK UP!! Rocket River It is about politics and positioning in the off season and they f*ck up the program
While I disagree with most of your positions, I will say that, for the most part, yours was a well expressed/thought out post...BUT...please can the ESPN/NBADraft.net 14 year old at best trash talk...This place is better than that.
Seems that Cat is just as stupid off the court as he plays on it. The Rockets have one chance...ONE to take a player that can be a superstar, and that player is Ming. Cat and Steve should look at this years team and think about what THEY can do to get better. The biggest flaw the Rockets have is that our guards can not guard a 65 year old lady. Hey Cat, how about you and Steve playing defense for a change and making up those 7 points that way? Lamar Odom would be great, but he is NOT worth the number 1 pick. Now, Odom and Olowakandi, and you got my attention. DaDakota
R. River- The Rockets WILL NOT draft Jay Williams with a deal worked out. Remember, there's another month before the draft to get deals worked out. If the Rockets don't get one to their liking, they'll draft Ming, and keep him. Tom-I did notice the "sorry coach". I'm not sure to take it as "sorry coach, me and Steve disagree" or "sorry coach, I'm about to say some things I should or should not be saying". To Cat's defense, he did NOT bring up Lamar Odom. The hosts sort of all blurted it out as if it was some inside joke, everyone knew Odom was going to traded to the Rockets. I really wonder how much he was planning on talking about it. Odom alone is not worth the #1 pick. I don't think anyone would argue he is. But if you add in 2 lottery picks...the stakes get a little bit higher.
Do you remember how he slipped because of immaturity? He wanted to go back to college after he had signed with an agent... just a tidbit, I don't think it really means anything.. After watching the show, I do think I overreacted.... I refer you to JayZ for the rest.... It makes you wonder if the Shanghai Sharks/CBA got peeved last night... the thought of Cuttino and Steve shutting Ming out has to be a delight to their ears... and don't think that Steve and Cuttino haven't thought about that stuff... Cuttino specifically complimented Odom for the fact that he didn't demand the ball a lot. Status quo. That's what it's all about. Let's get our stupid friends to come in and turnover the ball a bunch, miss some games here and there, but brah! We're pals! Brah! We're tite! Ming might not defer me to beating my man down for 23 seconds on the clock! Brah! Rudy might take the ball out of my hands! Ming's different, this team won't be ours w/ that giant here! Brah!
It's fine that they're leaders and they should express their opinions on what to do with the pick,but ONLY TO ROCKET MANAGEMENT. If they go spouting off in public they stand a very good chance of screwing up whatever leverage the Rockets might have if they did want to trade the pick. If they really ARE trying to trade for Odom and Cat spoke out of turn,then the Clips just gained leverage by thinking the team is willing to trade #1 so these two don't pout and Steve re-signs. Totally agree. Of course they have opinions and they should express them to management. Public statements like this simply reduces the Rockets bargaining power. Right now, teams are all bidding against each other *and* the Rockets for the #1 pick. If it eventually becomes clear we are looking to trade it, then they are just bidding against each other. If it becomes clear we are targetting a single player, we lose even more leverage. A single comment like this doesn't really do much. But if they keep repeating how they love and want Odom, don't want Ming or Williams, etc, it will eventually reduce the Rockets bargaining power.
Achebe, Who do you think would get more putback points, Ming or Odom? Once Ming starts rebounding the ball, and shutting down the middle, Cat and Steve will both STFU and play. Ming rebounding all those misses and then passing back out to Cat and Francis for another shot will do wonders for team chemistry. All Cat's comments do is prove to me that he has ZERO clue of what it takes to be a winner in the NBA, if he and Steve continue to act this way, I would trade one of them to make a point. Ming + either Cat or Steve is greater then Odom + Cat + Steve. Ming is a skilled big man, and there are not 5 of those in the league RIGHT now. Ming is the thing. DaDakota
The latest blurb from Peter the Prophet...just thought I'd add it in to this thread, since it's about Odom. Look for the Clippers to aggressively pursue the first pick in the draft in hopes of locking into Jay Williams; offering Lamar Odom, Corey Maggette and their No. 1, to Houston, for beginners. Count on L.A. not to re-sign free-agent-in-waiting Jeff McInnis. Despite impressive improvement as a shooter (especially mid-range) and as a decision maker, McInnis apparently isn't the easiest sucker to coach or play alongside. Naturally, he expects a decent raise from the 590G he was underpaid this season, which never fails to impede a player's chances to remain a Roach Clip. Another obstacle blocking McInnis' return is a 6-7 playmaker named Marko Jaric, selected No. 30 in the '00 draft. Team officials are convinced he'll be an instant success. If by their #1 he means #12...uh no. If it's #8, maybe. But remember, it's just a starting offer, meaning it's likely to get better as the draft closes in.
