I see a parallel between Cat's free agency and Brian Grant's. Brain is sick of being a bench player and will never oust 'sheed from the starting position. He's making a $40 million bet that he can be a starter on another team. The only reason I can see that Cat hasn't made a public commitment to the Rockets yet is his interest in becoming a starter. With the Rockets, that's a difficult proposition. The trouble begins and ends with Shandon. One of the major reasons Shandon signed with the Rockets last year was the lure of becoming a starter. I believe Rudy made a commitment to Shandon at an early stage that he'd be the starting shooting guard for the Rockets. How else can you explain Cat not starting last season (especially during some of those stretches where Shandon all but disappeared)? So the dilemma becomes, how can Rudy keep Shandon and Cat happy as both are not content with the 6th man role? How about Shandon at SF? I've always been intregued with the possibility of Francis, Cat and Shandon all on the floor at the same time. Sure, the Rockets would be 'small,' but with Dream at center and Cato at PF, the size discrepency may be made up to some extent. If both men can't be starters on the Rockets, I suppose one has to go. I'd rather see Cat in a Rockets uniform long-term if that decision must be made. For a couple of reasons: 1. The Franchise: Francis' chances of resigning when his free agency comes is slim to none without Cat on the team. 2. Salary Cap: To my knowledge, Mobley can be resigned without a hit to the salary cap (if the Bird rights still exist). If we resign him and trade Shandon (I know, heresy!, but hear me out), that opens up some space for other free agents (maybe Crosere?) 3. Long term potential: Cat's only had 2 1/2 seasons of experience. With that, he's proven to exceed all levels of expectations. Anderson potential is not a variable. It is a known quantity. Shandon's chances of becoming an all-star are not as great as Cat's when thought of in terms of potential. In sum, I see the Rockets second biggest long term problem (number one being finding a 'replacement' for the irreplaceable Dream) is keeping Shandon and Cat happy. If Cat's not happy, neither is Francis. Without Francis, this team competes for most NBA losses with the Bulls.
Remember our run in the last month of the season last year? This was the lineup at the end of games. Francis, Mobley, Shandon, Walt, Cato. If we can be successful with that small of a lineup, we can certainly be successful with Francis, Mobley, and Shandon starting. Remember those 3 were on the court at the end of many many games, so even though he didn't start, Mobley was essentially a starter. ------------------
driver8, One of the major reasons Shandon signed with the Rockets last year was the lure of becoming a starter. I believe Rudy made a commitment to Shandon at an early stage that he'd be the starting shooting guard for the Rockets. It was widely known at the time Anderson signed that being a starter was one of the unwritten items of his contract. How about Shandon at SF? I've always been intregued with the possibility of Francis, Cat and Shandon all on the floor at the same time. Sure, the Rockets would be 'small,' but with Dream at center and Cato at PF, the size discrepency may be made up to some extent. Throughout the past year the Rockets went with Anderson at 3, especially when Mobley was on the floor. Be intrigued no longer, it's reality, but it can only happen against certain oppononets and cannot be the rule. 1. The Franchise: Francis' chances of resigning when his free agency comes is slim to none without Cat on the team Francis will be a restricted free agent and will ahve full bird rights at the end of his contract. That means that the Rockets can match ANY contract that another team offers, and hence can keep Francis no matter what. Francis demanding a trade would be a different matter.... 2. Salary Cap: To my knowledge, Mobley can be resigned without a hit to the salary cap (if the Bird rights still exist). If we resign him and trade Shandon (I know, heresy!, but hear me out), that opens up some space for other free agents (maybe Crosere?) That is a common misconception. Bird contracts eat up salary cap exactly like any other salary. The only difference lies in the fact that you are allowed to exceed the salary cap when signing a bird free agent. ------------------ Current Rocket's Salary & Contract Info [This message has been edited by davo (edited July 13, 2000).]
Offensively sounds great. Defensively sounds scary. Depends on who we are playing. Game time decsion. ------------------
Starting is not the only reason cat hasn't commited in fact it's probably not the main reason... the free agent signing is starting to have a domino effect knocking out key players like Duncan, Hill, McGrady, now maybe Eddie Jones to Miami... leaving the next tier of players like Tim Thomas, Austin Croshere and Cuttino in demand. Toronto has already offered Mobley 5 mil a yr for 6 years and a chnce to start. Also I would say if Cat was head and shoulders better than Shandon then Rudy would start him, but that is not the case. In fact I think Shandon might be an all around better player and more valuable ( don't get me wrong I consider Cat a very integral part of the team also)... Anyway I think Cat would be ridiculous to commit now and not at least look at what his market value is. ------------------
I think he meant Francis would bolt when he became unrestricted in 4 or possibly more years. ------------------
Thanks for the knowledge on Bird rights. I remember now. However, the rookie restriction I thought only lasts through the 4th year of a contract. After that, it was my understanding that the rookie becomes an unrestricted free agent. Meaning, yeah, the Rockets could 'force' Steve to play here for his 4th year by matching another team's salary offer, but that after that, Steve's in the driver's seat. Any other compensation scheme would run afoul of the former reserve clause that baseball contracts had (and were subsequently found to be illegal). ------------------ [This message has been edited by driver8 (edited July 13, 2000).]
The Franchise: Francis' chances of resigning when his free agency comes is slim to none without Cat on the team. Just cuz Mobley isnt on this team doesnt mean that Francis isnt going to re-sign with us. All that means is that Francis has a LOWER chance of re-signing with us. Why would Francis leave this team(a good team BTW), where he knows all the players, coaches, and has a good relationship with them? ------------------ treasurer of the moochie norris fan club
Alaskansnowman: You keep telling yourself that. Those two guys are as about as close as brothers as players can be these days. Sure the Rudy, Keith and Mr. Mean have created solid relationships with Francis, but I think Steve's prediliction for the D.C. area (combined with the Wizards cap situation 2-3 years from now) means we should be doing everything (and I mean everything) possible to keep Cat in H-town. Sometimes a phone call a day isn't enough. ------------------
Old Man Rock, Where did you hear that Toronto offered Cat 5 mil a year for 6 years? ------------------
I think you guys are making too much of Cuttino and Steve's friendship. Sure, he'll be disapointed if Mobley leaves but he'll get over it. Players don't just leave teams to be with their friends. ------------------ You ain't gotta like me, you just mad cause I tell it how it is, and you tell it how it might be. [This message has been edited by New Jack (edited July 13, 2000).]
Driver8 Just a rumour but you cn check it out here http://www.bskball.com/Rumors.htm 07/13-BUCKS AND ROCKETS SHOULD BE CONCERNED- With Chicago being basically shut out of the free agency race, a few teams should be concerned. Tim Thomas has a deal on the table from Milwaukee 6 years, $50 million dollars, Detroit recently offered him $35 million for 5 season and a starters spot. Cuttino Mobley, loves the Rockets and his teammates- Houston can not offer much more than $2.2 million (their median exception) and a promise of a huge payday next year, but Cuttino has been offered a ton of cash by Toronto ($5 million for 6 seasons). All of these sound like good offers. However all of these offers will now have to compete with a very large ego driven man in Chicago, who has warned he will not be shut out! While attention in Chicago is focused on hair and psychology, the real madness is that Chicago may be prepared to offer $9 million over 6 season to these same young men. Both of them. They are not completely accurate because Cuttino is an early bird which allows to receive the league average from the Rockets... but only if he signs for a minimum of 2 years. I honestly believe Cat will remain a Rocket unless Toronto are someone offers him more than this. But in spite what he really is worth he may get more. We'll just have to wait and see. ------------------
All this coddling up to millionaire players sounds like junior high boyfriend/girlfriend stuff. Pay me $6 Million a year and I'll move to any NBA city for 6 months out of the year. Everyone has to make SOME sacrifice. The inmates are running the asylum! 1 Frances/Mooch 2 Mobely/Drew 3 Shandon/Walt/Langhi 4 Collins/Thomas/Carlos 5 Hakeem/Cato This team is a threat to make the playoffs. Oh yeah, I'd love to get Croshere or Lewis but it looks to be tough to do so. ------------------ There are 3 kinds of people: those who can count and those who can't.
posted by driver8 but I think Steve's prediliction for the D.C. area (combined with the Wizards cap situation 2-3 years from now) What exactly did Stevie predict about the D.C. area? I missed it. But even despite what he said, Francis seems so happy here. Sure, going back to D.C. to his home town would be nice, but he's already got a special thing going over here. Fans love him, players love him, we have the best coaching staff, he is the center of our offense, and the only thing I see from him is optimism- optimism about how the ROX are gonna be good soon. ------------------ treasurer of the moochie norris fan club
pred·i·lec·tion (prdl-kshn, prd-) n. A partiality or disposition in favor of something; a preference. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Couldn't resist, sorry ------------------ Current Rocket's Salary & Contract Info
I think too much is being made of this Steve Francis-Cuttino Mobley thing. Sure Francis would like to have him here, but he has said on a couple of occassions that he understands its a business and realizes that the Rockets are restricted to what they can pay him. It really will not affect me either way if Mobley stays or leaves. I just do not want him starting on this team. In a way, I feel its a blessing in disguise that the Rockets are limited to what they can pay him. If they could pay all the way to the max, the Rockets would feel compelled to match any offer out there even if it was something totally insane. Cuttino is a top notch 6th; he is not a future star like so many feel, but thats just my opinion. ------------------ Check out the Best Source for Draft Info Draftsource.net
Francis:Sign Mobes and he's happy Mobley:Sign him to a good contract and he's happy Shan:Keep his playing time the same and he's happy. ------------------ please venture to atheistalliance and rocketsonline I AM SPARTACUS
You know, Cat's visits to other teams might be a way of measuring his monetary value, so that he can return and say, "So-and-so offered me 5 mil per year." "OK, Cat, we can give you 3 years at 4.1, 4.5, and 5, then give you a contract at such-and-so amount to help make up the bank you lost last time around." ------------------
I think most people are making to big of a deal of the Francis-Mobely relationship as well. Same goes for Mobely visiting other places. First the visits-Just because Mobely visits other teams does not mean he will sign with him. He knows he won't get to play Cuttino ball anywhere else in the NBA. The Francis Mobely relationship-People ar emaking way too big of a deal out of this. I don't think Hakeem bolted to Portland to play with Clyde the first time he was a free agent or anytime for that matter. Also Francis has stated on numerous occasions that he believes that staying with one franchise his whole career is very improtant to him. Basically Francis wants to be a Rocket lifer. By the way I have not heard any Washington predication either. ------------------
Hey, more importantly, didn't Clyde pass on an opportunity when he was a FA to come back home to Houston? I don't know if he simply renegotiated an extension prior to free agency or if the Rockets weren't interested in him at that point but I do know that it took several more years for him to get here--JUST IN TIME! ------------------ There are 3 kinds of people: those who can count and those who can't.
