I agree with this, but also I know that for some crazy reason, the media doesn't respect our team (past & present), so I see that factor into where one of those guys wants to play. Even the championships we won are being questioned, which is b.s.
While the writer makes some very good points as to why, objectively speaking, Lebron should seriously look at trying to engineer a sign-and-trade to Houston, I wanted to quickly dispel the notion in his Item #7 that Morey "could clear sufficient cap space to land James in short order". Not so. The notion that the Rockets could conceivably have nearly enough cap room to sign a player like Lebron went out the window the second that the Rockets traded for Kevin Martin. But that's perfectly okay, since even a gutted Rockets roster wouldn't have had more than about $8-9M in cap room. Pretty much the only way to have created that much cap room (pre-Martin trade) would have been for the Rockets to offer up Shane Battier, the #14 pick (or whatever pick they'd have had in this year's draft) and a 2012 first rounder to a team like OKC or Minnesota for . . . a future second rounder. Similar to the Kurt Thomas trade a couple of years ago when Phoenix traded Thomas and 2 first rounders to Seattle for a second round pick. If Lebron wants the Rockets, and if Cleveland is willing to sign and trade Lebron (two HUGE ifs), then it will likely cost the Rockets something like two first rounders, Budinger, Hill and filler. I wouldn't be surprised if Cleveland demands Brooks and that the Rockets take back Mo Williams or Daniel Gibson as extra salary. Still, this is all likely fantasy. But you all at least deserve to know what is even possible as it relates to cap room availability.
You were saying? 0-13 in game 3...YUCK ! Budinger would have driven in and stuffed it home on at least some of those. I think we should stick with the young up and coming 6'7" guy over the aging vet. DD
The OP wasn't talking about clearing cap room to sign James outright. He was talking about being able to put together a package for a S&T that met cap requirements. He worded it wrong by saying "clear cap room in shorter order", but that's what he meant. No way the latter happens. You think they would rather let LeBron walk by trying to force a terrible deal on us than pick up a few young players and draft picks? Either way I'd rather not let Hill go in that circumstance. Our frontline is thin as it is. Not that he would be a deal breaker for me, but I'd rather build a trade around players LeBron would be replacing. Martin, Ariza, Buddinger, Battier, picks. Not all of them of course, but those would be teh preferable ingredients instead of gutting our frontline further while bringing in a peremiter player.
I enjoy reading your post because as lopsided as the op's posting was,you make it at least sound beleiveable. My problem with articles like this and posters buying in is a guy like lebron anywhere makes them a contender. I could change the rocket to the spurs and say jefferson, parker,and splitter for james and whoever would be just as enticing for cleveland and lebron. At least he knows pop can win a title and duncan will be there for 70+ games which is more than he can say for the rockets situation.
I just want to add that even if Yao doesn't play after next season(if he can't come back to form), Lebron will still be an icon with the Chinese. The Rockets are a brand name in China, which even with Yao leaving the game would remain. That said, these kind of perks matter more to a non-superduperstar than Lebron. Which is why I think it would be more of a marketing pitch to someone like Bosh or Joe Johnson. Players that won't get nationwide recognition in the states and would like the extra perk, in addition to all the good stuff Houston normally provides(climate, no taxes, relaxing media, etc.)
I dunno, I just don't see him as a player that is loyal to teammates or his team enough that I'd be thrilled to see him as a Rocket, considering what it would take to get him. This does not mean that I think he is not awesome on the court.
They shouldn't be questioned at all, but when I was typing this, I remebered someone posted a article from SI saying if Jordan was in, would Houston still have won. I would hope articles like that don't enter these players mind, but it might.
Wow, you giveth freely. Don't you think thats a little too much to give. You'd give them all of last years picks, this years pick and a 2012 pick unnecessary i think. Minny, hopefully would only ask for one(sensibly Bud because adding Hill would leave them with the same problem that they are having with Jefferson) and a 2012 pick. Probably something like Jeffries+Battier+Bud and a 2012 pick.
The only negative to getting James would be the bandwagon fans that would jump on board.. Nothing Worse But if that gets us James, i'll take them too
That's like saying the only bad things about winning a million dollars is the difficulty of deciding how to spend it.
It's really not like that?? Im just saying that where i'm from, everybody will jump straight on Houston and act like they know whats going on, like the Lakers and Cavs at the moment..
Problem is, Cleveland has said they are not going to do anything that aids Lebron finding another team...aka a Sign and Trade. Also don't say "Well if Lebron is leaving you might as well get something back for him..." no, not if you are Cleveland. You have to remember the finance of this all...When/if Lebron leaves, attendance will go down and so will the business of the Cavs. So taking back equal money, could just mean losing money for next season. IMO it's much better if Cavs just let the dude walk, suck for a year, and get another top 5 pick. UNLESS in the SnT they'd get a young up and coming player back...like Brooks...but that's not going to happen, because the team making the trade for Bron will be trying to go for a championship and will not give key pieces away.
And that would mean absolutely nothing in the context of getting Lebron and instantly being the favorite to win a championship.
