This isn't much of a scoop, but did anyone else just watch the Best Damn Sports Show? Wally Szczerbiak is the guest, and after Stephen A. Smith started talking about the rumors of Wally being traded, he put Wally himself on the spot about what he would like to do. The first thing he said was that he "had a soft spot in his heart" for NY, but later started talking about how he would like a warm weather climate. The hosts asked him if he had heard any team mentioned, and he said something to the effect of this: "Well, there's Houston, and then Seattle..." (and one or two other teams, forgot which). However, Houston was the first team out of his mouth, so it might be worth noting... did anyone else see this? It may actually be a taped show, from the looks of it.... as they just went to a commercial break, I think Chris Rose said we'll preview the Nets and Lakers. However, Wally will stay on set, apparently, taped or not, so if you're near a TV check it out. I can't recall this being posted in the forum, though, so it may be news to those who don't regularly watch the show...
there are times when a players baby-ish and negative attitude can be tolerated b/c he's a damn good player. but that's not the case for sczerbiak. i'll agree: he's a very good shooter and can find his own shot. but that negative aura about him during last season has me questioning his attitude. there's not gonna be room for primadonnas on our team.
Nice catch, drapg... I figured it had to be from sometime last week since they were talking about Chris Webber. If this has been posted before, lock this thread, but I can't remember any thread on this. Correct me if I'm wrong, though... Nah... didn't get too far into specifics. He just generally mentioned a few teams he had heard talked about in regards to him being traded, and I thought it was interesting that Houston was the first team he noted.
That's interesting that Wally Szczerbiak mentioned Seattle. Both the Supersonics and Timberwolves seem a little uneasy with their small forwards... Rashard Lewis vs. Wally Szczerbiak
Hmmm, Wally would be an interesting pick-up. Before he got a huge ego last year he was pretty good and would have fit in well. Wally to Seattle for Lewis? Or maybe Wally to Seattle, and the Rockets could pluck away Lewis?
it would be great to get wally, but we need a guy who can play D. without trading for some 'D' we will be like the mavs. on the other hand if we can get a good defencive player we can follow the kings.
He would play SF. And everybody on our team is one-dimensional right now, what would one more player hurt?
Since when is Wally World a one dimensional player? He can shoot the lights out of the ball, drive and create his own shot, is an above average defender, and if you watched him during his coming-out party in the NCAA Tournament, runs the floor like a gazelle. Basketball-wise, Sczerbiak is everything the Rockets need from the small forward position. When Walt Williams was on, the Rockets won. The Rockets need a good basketball player than can shoot, not a shooter that otherwise can't play good basketball. My problem with Sczerbiak is that when you have two hardheads like Cuttino Mobley and Steve Francis on the team, you can't risk the ego clash with a guy like this. It could get ugly. Whether it's Sczerbiak or Rashard Lewis (highly unlikely), if the Rockets are going to obtain a small forward, he needs to be able to shoot.
Wally is what we hoped Glen Rice would be- a lights out spot up shooter, plus he's quicker, younger, can score off the dribble and a lot more athletic. The only things I'd be worried about are: a.) His attitude-are those problems real, or are they media creations? b.) Money That said, I don't know if we have the right talent package-Do they Wolves want a pick that bad? (KT/15/extra)
I seriously doubt the Wolves would deal Wally for anything that the Rockets would offer. I like his all around skills and efficiency on offense but seriously doubt Wolves accept any packages centered around KT and 15. This falls into the same category of Rashard Lewis and Lamar Odom, I dont think you can get players like that for KT, 15, cap fillers, etc. If the Rockets want to make any huge changes via trade, it will involve breaking up their starting backcourt since the #1 pick is basically spoken for which I just dont see as intelligent or likely at this point.
MManal - i agree with you about getting wally and odom. however, rashard is a strong posibility. he is a FA. he can ask for a sign and trade to the rockets. we can send them moT, a player that seattle wanted before he signed with us. we can pick #15 for seattle, then trade the rights to him before we signed him so we can avoid the whole "he cant be traded until dec. 15th" issue.
Rashard Lewis can not be signed and traded without a team with a large exception or cap space getting involved because of BYC restrictions. Further, we can not negotiate with Seattle about who they'd want us to pick for them at #15, it'd have to purely be coincidental that they'd want a given player we draft. In real life, your average team would not want to undermine Stern, because there are serious repercussions if you do (see Timberwolves, Minnesota). Even further, Seattle was going to sign Mo to a MCE at 2.25 million. What guarantees they want him at his current salary? Why would any team in their right mind trade a young budding player like Rashard for Mo coming off an injury that kept him out an entire season, and without seeing how he'll come back? Basically, we can offer Rashard the MCE, which starts at ~4.5-5 million, and maybe over 6 years plus full signing bonus comes to ~35-40 million total. Even if Seattle doesnt offer max, they can offer higher raises (12.5% vs. 10%), and probably would offer 6 year contract worth around 70 mill. Howard Schulz is the owner of Seattle-he owns Starbucks. He's not poor. I doubt Lewis is THAT homesick that he'd turn down 30 mill. The only ways Lewis ends up in Houston: a.) Seattle severely lowballs him. b.) Seattle really ticks him off. (ie-trades Payton for garbage) c.) He is so homesick that he'd turn down 30 million dollars. 30 million dollars can buy a lot of plane tickets for you and your friends if you really miss them.
wallys a good player and all (all-star, cmon now) but i dont really see him fitting in here in houston. i think hell get the big $$ in minni and stay there. i like the guy, just not in a rockets uniform. hes about to be austin crochered with his new contract meaning too much money to be worth it. small forewards are a dime a dozen. i think maybe a CBA guy that plays great D would fit in great right now. a real mario elie type guy. we need the tangibles.
