ESPN Insiders Grades from John Hollinger: http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/insi...umnist=hollinger_john&page=TradeGrades-110224
I think you are correct. Dragic is being underestimated by some fans here. Very solid pg with scoring abilities. Of course, it did not hurt he has horned his skills under Nash.
Dragic will fit right in. He doesn't like Joey Crawford either.. <iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/xFPzJVYTX8w" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
"I wouldn't classify the trade as an upgrade. I think when you look at deals, you look for where the deal might be, and with this situation both guys needed a fresh start..." - Lon Babby, Suns President of Basketbal Operations
/\Source (MP3): http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/552044/Lob_Babby_Lance_Blanks_Brooks_Trade_2.24.11.MP3
You have to wonder, if he just feels Brooks is a sidegrade/lateral move, why he gave up a) A player under inexpensive team control next season b) A first-round draft pick That's Morey for ya...
A fresh start... There's always 3 sides to one story. His, theirs, and the absolute truth. There were things that Aaron could have done better in regards to handling the situation, and I'm sure there are things the Rockets could have done better. They tried to be as honest as they could have been. No negotiating extension based on last year only which is what he and Leon Rose wanted. Perhaps they could have dealt him in the offseason to a team that would have used him in that manner (last year's version of AB) on a nightly basis and would have given him that extension. How many of you would have been up in arms if he were traded though? Coming off a breakout season... However, it didn't happen. And they wanted him to evolve into more of a pass first point guard setting up Scola and Martin to get the ball first. Only shoot when the open shot is there while running the play that was called. It wasn't happening and his frustration boiled over. Both parties needed a fresh start. We got another young point guard who is more in the pass first mold. And if Aaron excels in Phoenix, then good for him.
Great trade. I love Dragic's game. He does take some chances with the ball, so he turns it over a bit. Not everyone can be Steve Nash. Hell, it took Steve Nash more than a couple years to become Steve Nash. He's a distributor and a shooter (I don't feel his 3pt % this year is representative of his shooting) who can penetrate and create for others. He's a better defender than AB, no doubt. He had literally no help D in Phoenix, so per 100 possession stats don't really tell his story. I'll miss AB. I think he could have been something special here. He started the season badly, but I feel that is due to the injury, which was the first semi-major one of his career. I wish AB all the best and will cheer for him to do well in PHX as long as they don't win. The playoffs are still a possibility (awaiting Jim Mora video). Let's hope for the best and enjoy the rest of the season.
This post by a suns fan on realgm says it all. "Sad to think back to last year's great playoff run thinking of Amare dropping 42 in game 3 on the lakers Goran dropping 24 in game 3 against the Spurs Lou bringing the hustle and energy night in night out despite his flaws, Jrich being the heart and soul and barometer of this team. ugh.... 6'0 aaron brooks. " Rockets made away like bandits with this trade.
About 24 hours has passed since the trade and here aer my thoughts on it: (if anyone cares) First off I wanted Brooks gone from the beginning I was always hoping it was last summer at his highest trade value but that didnt happen. I believe the Rockets felt he was in their plans. Maybe Morey always wanted Kyle to be the starter and Brooks off the bench a la Jason Terry or Jamal Crawford but I dont think anyone ever will know. That was my hope for Brooks, but that never manifested. I wouldnt go as far to call Brooks a cancer, but the guy clearly had something bugging him this season whether it was the non-extension (which is what the Rockets do for everyone not just him) or his new role. AB never played well because of it and his weakeness became even more glaring while his strengths were less and less needed, especially with his poor shooting. Despite his apology I believe his exit from the game against Memphis sealed his fate and was the ultimate breach in trust between him and his teammates. The guy needed to be more professional and mentally stronger than that. I hope he does well enough in phoenix so they make the playoffs (so the Rockets get a better 1st round pick) but I will not miss him at all personally. As for Dragic, it is debatable that the Rockets downgraded in actual talent, but they get back a player who would be a better fit for the team. I had long felt that if Morey could not land an all-star that trades would be made where we would be giving up more in talent but get back someone we may need plus possibly a pick. And that is exactly what happened here. I dont think Dragic is that much worse than Brooks either...clearly Brooks is the superior scorer but Dragic can distribute the ball better and play better defense than Brooks. Given Brooks' lack of scoring this season and his inability to defend Dragic may provide the bench with an upgrade and better cohesion. Lastly there is no worry about Dragic being upset at not starting or being the guy off the bench, he is fine with that role and at times has thrived in it. The addition of the first round pick is just extra that will always help. 2011 maybe the weakest draft since 2001 but a first round pick is a first round pick. And one thing I always have faith in with this front office is that they work their asses off. Maybe more than any other front office but they work their asses off. Meaning that a first round pick could actually net the Rockets a decent rotational player or if they get lucky an all-star. I expect more of the former than latter though. OR the pick can be used in a later trade during the draft for a more significant piece. The trading landscape has changed in the league teams want talent and picks. As it stands right now the Rockets have 2 picks in 2011, 1 in 2012 and 2 in 2013 if all the lotto protection clears for the 2013 pick from memphis. This gives the Rockets the ability to trade picks in consecutive years if needed (since they will still have one) for a 2-tier talent. Back to this trade though one of the issues the Rockets have been lacking this year is steady and productive bench play. With Dragic helping run the show and being less shot happy that means 1) more shots for Lee who has been probably one of the most productive bench players 2) if Williams does play now (or if Chase gets regulated to bench role again) more options for him as well as Patterson and Hill/Miller/Thabeet. The bench could become an asset for the team again and that is a good thing. Dragic has had a down year this year much like AB has but I believe he can do well in Houston with a change of scenery. Much like how I believe that going to Phoenix will help Brooks' career right now he probably will play better and hopefully learn a thing or two from Nash. I wont give this trade a "grade" until Dragic plays and see how the new second unit does with him helping run the show. Granted I have optimistic hopes for him running the show but it will take some time to gel. But by the end of this season we should know that maybe even though we lost a more talented player that the sum of the parts we have now is greater. side note: I attended a Suns Clippers game in Phoenix this year and was sitting in the friends/familys of the suns players section (i got hooked up through one of the suns players) and Dragic's wife or gf or floosie for the night was FINE. Whenever he made an assist or scored she would jump up and cheer my friend took a picture of her I didnt felt taking pics like that is kind of creepy but will try to see if he still has it though.
I was against trading guards for guards, except in the case of Brooks. I'd have traded him for a Snickers bar.
Did Brooks want out of Houston? In his last two games as a Rockets I thought he looked 100% by the way he was moving and driving into the paint. Even looked better dishing the ball. The only downside was those 0-8 sprees in both games. Was he sending a message to management?
he didn't look 100% at all, for his sake he is going to phoenix which has been labeled as the best medical staff in the NBA. regardless of labeling him playing like a starter, or a bench player, morey didn't want to pay brooks starter money this summer.
In the following article: Mention about AB NO-Trade Assurance It says, "...Aaron Brooks had heard his name in trade rumors for several weeks leading up to the trade deadline, but didn't listen to the murmurs because the Houston Rockets' front office had made it clear that he wasn't going to be dealt. When reports surfaced that Brooks could be headed to Minnesota for Jonny Flynn, the point guard and his camp reiterated that he wasn't going to be traded. But several minutes before the deadline, Brooks was informed that he had been dealt to the Phoenix Suns despite the assurances from the Rockets. They felt they had to make a move and the deal with Phoenix was the most attractive..." I know it happens but is this common practice in the NBA? I understand being blindsided by a trade but to be told you are not being traded and assured once more that you are not being traded only to end up being traded is not how our organization should be dealing with players. This could be why statements have been made that agents don't want their players doing business with Houston. Anyway, best of luck to AB and Battier. Hoping TWill gets the opportunity to show his skills.
