http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/topstories/ in Dallas Morning News. " I think Dallas has a better organization than Houston," Lewis said
right who cares id they have the best. If players used that to make them go somewhere, then every one would want to play there. Shoot B davis and A miller are fighting to sign there after their contracts are up. Even mvp caliber player like duncan and kidd want to go there did i meantion payton? i agree jeff who cares how good your organization is, its the team that matters.
One word. Rudy! He exemplifies our organization. CHAMPIONS. Rashard is coming home. I have a very good feeling.
Rashard is just saying that since we dissed him three times during the draft and this year by not heavily going after him. He is pulling a Chris Webber on us but it's even more insulting to Shard since he has stated publicly that he wants to go home.
What Rashard means is that Dallas has deeper pockets than Houston. Mark Cuban can pay Rashard what he wants after three years because he doesn't worry about the luxury tax. The Rockets can't (or won't, I hope) promise the same. But, you know what, it's just one quote (and a very short and suspect one at that) printed by the Dallas media. I'm not getting worked up over it, and frankly, I don't really care what Rashard thinks of the Rockets organization. I'd be glad to have him for the MCE if he wants to come home, but I'm not losing any sleep over it.
shard wants to come home, but he is goin to make it hard on us. he wants to see how much we really want him.
Well, he'd win more games there; but he should watch what he says. Unless he really is only about the money. Money and wins: he'll get them (the former, eventually, the latter, right away) in Dallas. He won't play very much, though. It's not as if we're dying to have him but watching the Houston native go to Mark Cuban is a joke. Better for the Sonics to overpay and keep him.
besides, remember how Webber was sayin nice things at every stop when he was shoppin around? And not a one of em meant a damn thing.. Stop overreacting... If Lewis is serious about wanting to come here..he will...but I p-ersonally think he's just tryin to squeeze some more cash outta Seattle...
......For those that dont know how to push the link in the original post Free agent says he's 'very impressed' with Dallas' recruiting 07/26/2002 By MARC STEIN / The Dallas Morning News Don Nelson picked a fine occasion Thursday to unveil his not-so-full new moustache. Nelson's patchy growth would have been exposed to greater scrutiny had Rashard Lewis not been standing just a few feet away, signing autographs on pictures doctored to show Lewis skying to the rim in a Mavericks uniform. Similar fits of commotion were commonplace throughout the afternoon, once Lewis and his entourage landed at lunchtime on a flight from Houston. The free-agent forward was greeted by a couple hundred well-wishers at the airport, shown to his would-be locker at American Airlines Center housing a LEWIS No. 43 jersey and treated to the sound of faux play-by-play from Mavericks radio voice Mark Followill while he signed for a pack of yelping kids. Ryan Donnell / Special to DMN Rashard Lewis (center) speaks to the media at DFW Airport. Mavericks owner Mark Cuban looks on at left. Followill's "commentary," describing a fictional Lewis buzzer-beater to sink the Lakers, was pumped in over the loudspeakers on a practice floor ringed by tall stacks of blue, black and white balloons. That's where Lewis met briefly with the media, to confirm with a hearty laugh that his only college recruiting trip out of Houston's Alief Elsik High School, to Alabama, was nothing like this. "I'm very impressed," Lewis said. "I'm still impressed." The Mavericks are ultimately hoping for a signed declaration from Lewis, specifically on a three-year contract worth $15 million, but they're cautiously excited about the 22-year-old's initial reaction. Dallas' long-shot bid has to win Lewis over largely with affection, since his present employers in Seattle are offering $60-plus million over seven years and likely to increase that if the Sonics sense Lewis is about to bolt. Mavericks owner Mark Cuban insisted that "this isn't about pressure" and that "I'm not even going to try" to get a read on Lewis' intentions. Cuban said Thursday's full-court courtship, culminating with dinner at Bob's Steak and Chophouse, was designed to "answer Rashard's questions." Cuban, though, might have scored one victory already. Asked if leaving Seattle came down to a choice between the Mavericks and his hometown Rockets, Lewis gave the advantage to the former. "I think Dallas has a better organization than Houston," Lewis said. The hoopla wouldn't be necessary, of course, had the Mavericks drafted Lewis in 1998 when they had the opportunity. Lewis remains the only high school player Nelson has ever scouted in person in more than 20 years as an NBA coach and general manager,but Dallas selected Ansu Sesay with the 30th overall pick in '98. Lewis, passed over three times in the first round by Houston, slipped to Seattle at No. 32. AP Rashard Lewis (7) said the main thing for him is to feel comfortable with his next playing situation. Nelson has since tried in vain to acquire Lewis, most notably at the February 2001 trading deadline, and calls him "the perfect small forward for our team." Lewis is certainly slender, but he's also 6-10, and that has Nelson salivating at the prospect of lining him up in the frontcourt alongside Dirk Nowitzki and Raef LaFrentz. "I'd take on the Western Conference All-Star team and feel comfortable," Cuban said. Said Nelson: "We don't really have a small forward. Rashard rebounds really well for his position and he can shoot it. Plus I think there's even more there to work with, since we allow our players to do a little more. ... If we got him, we'd be more than dangerous." Lewis has yet to establish a firm timetable for his decision – "Next week or so," he said – and left open the possibility he'll also visit other teams, with Houston and Chicago among those certain to extend invitations. Lewis, who spent the night at the Mansion on Turtle Creek, will meet with Mavericks officials again Friday before leaving town. The odds would still appear to heavily favor Seattle, whose offer figures to be at least $45 million richer, but a wide-eyed Lewis and his mother, Juanita, were clearly moved by the Mavericks' efforts to woo him back to Texas. "The main thing is me being comfortable," said Lewis, calling Dallas "really the team" he wanted to visit.
I can't be too mad at the guy I mean, after reading all the stuff they did for the guy (jersey, play-by-play, fans waiting at the airport, etc.) I wanna play for the Mavs right about now . Seriously, Cuban is going all out for the kid while we can barely get CD to admit that he is "interested" in Lewis. We'll have to wait and see what happens when or if the Rockets make their offical pitch for Lewis. I think we still have a chance however slim b/c I was told by a friend of mine who works for the Rockets (not really high up or anythinh but works in an area regarding the players) that Mooch & KT might not be participating in some of the Rocket's offical team events this summer b/c they might not be Rockets too much longer. Don't tell anyone I said that though.
I really don't think the Rockets are "very interested" in Lewis. They did not have "sign Lewis" on the agenda when they picked Nachbar. This euro guy is the future SF that Rudy T. wanted. Then having vet. like Rice for Nachbar to learn from is a very good situation. Now with that said, I think the Rockets would pickup Lewis IF the situation is good for the team. I have a feeling that a S&T is the only way the Rockets want to add Lewis. While R. Lewis may sign for a MCE with the Rockets, the Rockets may not want to sign him to a MCE. I think all the salary crab's been mentioned enough to know that adding Lewis and his future salary demands will make it hard for the Rockets a few years down the line. If Seattle would take Rice for Lewis... But I know that would never work both logic and salary wise. This insider info about KT and Mooch is interesting but their salary does not add up to much, what maybe 3 million?? I also think the Rockets really like M-Taylor and that KT, as good as he was last year, is the 3rd man out. He's up for bigger (not max) money next year and he's not better than Eddie and not better then M-Taylor (in the eyes of managment). KT plays with heart but unless M-Taylor can be dumped (not likely) then KT is out. As for the Mooch, well he's overpaid and I think everyone knows that. If they could dump him and keep Brown or even Titto, then it's OK. Mooch is a luxury if we sign Stevie to the max.
It's all Dallas propaganda. What else would you expect them to say? Hype is part of the game, and every team in every town would do the same. Guaranteed when he's here in Houston, our newspaper will read something like "Lewis is homesick and wants to come home" or something like that. Big deal. Let's just wait and see what happens.
If he did in fact say that, screw him and let him go play there. I'd like to see him as a Rocket even though I don't think he solves all of our problems, but this is a slap in the face of the Rockets organization.
I'd really like for us to add some mental toughness to our team. Someone like a gritty, hard-nosed player similar to a 1994-1995 version of Mario Elie. Or perhaps a stoic, solid, lunch-pail-in-hand player like an Otis Thorpe from 1993-1994. Adding Rashard Lewis, a 22 year-old player with a history of immaturity does nothing to advance this cause. Rashard CRIED when he didn't go in the first round. HE CRIED. Do you think Mario Elie has ever cried in his life? doubt it. I just think we need some maturity to make it deep into the playoffs. Youth and potential is nice, but teams that achieve the ultimate goal always have a healthy stable of veterans on board.
If he does sign in Dallas, he will find out that there is not much basketball to go around on that team. He could end up scoring a lot less because Finley, Nash, and Dirk are going to get their shots before Lewis....Dirk and Finley combined put up probably 40-45 shots a game. Nash probably shoots another 8-10 times. One reason Lewis scored 18 a game last year is because he played with the Glove. Last time I checked, Nash wasn't as good as GP. It will be a big mistake for him to sign there. We'll see his average drop at least 5-7 points a game in Dallas. Not only that, but the way Cuban does business, he'll probably try and trade Lewis before his contract is up anyway...He is not a very loyal owner. He might drop a bunch of cash, but I doubt he is loyal to his players. He just always has to go after the best players out there so nobody else can have them. I think Rashard signing in Dallas would be a big mistake....
Are you serious? He was a 17-18yr old who was just embarrased in front of millions of people. I can't blame in for being emotional. Caron Butler cried when he went #10 and I would take him in a heartbeat. Yes we could use a hardnosed player, but we could also use a 22 yr. old 6-10 dead-eye shooter who can also rebound. And what other signs of immaturity has he shown since then?
