On "We're planning to bring (Dalembert) back"... Don't underestimate the value that his 6.7 million expiring contract could also have at the trade deadline, especially to a contending team in need of a big. Also, don't forget that we were starved for seven footers until we got him and there is no guarantee that Camby will be back (even if he is, you can't expect heavy minutes out of him)...Les still wants to compete and Dalembert/Camby is a decent center combo. Unless we draft a center or land Howard, I think 'Bert is here to stay until the trade deadline.
He served his purpose. Was competent (though inconsistent). Got supplanted by Camby late but was definitely better than Jordan Hill. Now, his partially guaranteed contract is a useful tool to facilitate a trade or, at the very least, for opening up cap room. The Rockets could not have really come up with a much better way to use the $7 million in cap room they had last season. MAYBE they could have given Chuck Hayes the offer he received from the Kings ($4 years, $22 million or so), but that contract would eat into their flexibility in the upcoming seasons.
Right. Last season when they were negotiating internally on what they could or should offer Dalembert, it seems to me like the front office pretty much told whoever was wanting him, I will compromise and sign him only if we can get him on X contract. This way I can guarantee that he will be an asset for trades at the very least and provide me another tool in my belt. The structure of his contract alone told me that signing Dalembert was a complete compromise within parties of the Rockets org. I personally think that McHale had a voice in this as well as Les. I remember more than a few interviews during training camp where he made comments about the height of players in camp. It seems obvious to me that the front office guys knew he was who he was. I applaud those guys for sticking to their plan and not overreacting to overpay a guy like Dalembert who could have easily had been a liability for the Rockets going into this season financially. Now it looks like teams really are coveting him for his contract alone. Seems like the compromise worked out well in the end despite mixed reviews.
This is what drives me CRAZY! How is it hard to get on the floor with our team!!?? We're not that good! Changes are necessary! Put him out there and see what happens. It darn sure couldn't hurt.
This is Spin. The Rockets knew he was done when he went down in the playoffs. They just milked it for two more years for $$$. The year one of rebuilding myth does not pass the smell test. Keep counting those empty seats Les!
Concessions are not bringing in the $$$$ when the seats are empty though....and that is a HUGE loss as it is major markup. DD
Hell yes they were, all their big salaries were covered by Insurance money....both Yao and Tmac had a majority of their contracts covered by Insurance, and that money goes right to the bottom line. Yao and Tmac being injured Netted Les Alexander more money than most NBA teams. DD
Not all of their contracts were covered by insurance. It's only conjecture when you say they were. Edit: And if he was keeping all of that money to himself, he wouldn't have bought draft picks when Morey asked. And any medical exception would have expired without being used. Yet, he allowed Daryl to sign Ariza with it. Midlevel exceptions wouldn't have been used if he was focused on bottom line. There's a fine line calling out the man when he in fact spends money. He doesn't go over the luxury tax drastically as one of the reasons is Morey never asked him to go there. His GM has just been diligent with the money he wants to spend. Hard cap and spending flexibility being in Daryl's mind when he makes a move. Daryl doesn't want to spend $ and many years on veteran free agents who would tie down the salary cap. Usually those free agents hurt more than they help after that first year of "bliss". And Mr A spends a lot of money on charities and his own organization that people don't hear about. He has money and will spend it if Morey proposed reason to.
Only on Clutchfans would a business owner be bashed for using an insurance policy on a 100 million dollar investment. Hey, anything to suite your argument I guess.
75% of both of their salaries was covered.....which was about $25+ million PER year the last 2 years. That alone made them more money than they usually make. Yes, he spent some on draft picks, because it was HOUSE money, but he did NOT spend on a significant acquisition that would have put the team in luxury tax and made them better, did he? NOPE.... Sorry, Les is a big reason why this team is stuck in neutral. DD
