I think Cato would interest them since they know Kandi is leaving after this season, but I doubt they would be happy with just Cato. The only other player that would be worth it to them is Cat. The rest of the players we wouldn't trade or they wouldn't be interested in. I wouldn't want to trade Griffin unless I was fairly certain that Brand would resign at the end of the season. If Cato is involved can Brand play backup center any? Would the Clippers want a PF project in return since they already have two rookies PF's already? And if they don't take Griffin how do we get rid of Taylor since it's been proven having three PF's doesn't work? Would the Clippers be willing to trade Brand for Cat straight up?
Mo has always been a shooter - his average was higher with the Clips because he got more shots. But even then, his game was always outside. Brand is pure power inside.
Two co-ROY's meeting up to take the team back to the championship? Add in the mystique of international superstar Yao Ming, and we've got quite a nice tale to tell. If this deal goes down, I would consider Houston to have one of the luckiest fans in the world.
griff/mobley for brand doesnt appeal to me. however, griff/someone else other then francis/ming/mobley does. thats all im gonna say...its going to be a big mistake if we give up both mobley and griff.
Why is there any debate about this. If the Clips said Brand was available, I'd whip out our whole roster, cross out Yao's and Steve's names, hand it to them, and let them circle all the friggin' players they want. Which is why this rumor must be BS.
Another trade that works is Cuttino Mobley and Eddie Griffin for Elton Brand and Eric Piatkowski. Real GM says Trade Accepted! Posey moves over to the 2 and TMo moves into the starting lineup. Piatkowski comes off of the bench behind Posey and Boki can start getting time behind TMo. Next year you cut Collier or trade him since he would be on his option year. This would be a nice little savings since is making a 1st round salary. If we decided not to keep Piatkowski then that would be an additional big savings. Rice and his giant albatross of a salary would be gone the following year. Everyone was hopping that Eddie would become a max player anyway so now we trade him and get a guy that has already said that he might not demand a max contract anyway. Having Francis, Brand and Yao Ming all in the prime of their careers is enough to make anyone get excited! Remember Clyde, Dream and Chuck and how you wished that we had them when they were in their primes? You know you wished that! Well this would be that wish come true. Posey, Brand and Ming are all very good defensive players and can all change the game with their defense. They are all also capable of changing games on the offensive end as well. Throw in Steve Francis and TMo and DAMN! Everyone should stop over analyzing this. There is no way that this is even close to a bad trade and yes it makes the Rockets an underdog favorite in this years play-offs. A quick review of Elton Brand: Co-Rookie of the year as a 20 year old in 99-00 Has been a double / double man his entire career A great shot blocker One of the better offensive rebounders in the league Gets a huge chunk of his points on offensive put backs He is a full size Power Forward and strong as an ox No one will bully him in the paint Bring in Elton Brand!
Great we're back to this argument. Before it was he only put up good numbers because he was in the East and once he came to the West he would be lucky to average 8 rebounds and 15 points. The man can play...period!
1st, trading Mobley and EG may upset morale, especially Steve's. 2nd, nobody expect EG to become a max player.
thats the whole point. he doesn't necessarily have to reproduce those numbers to be effective (even though, w/ mobley gone, he would reproduce those #'s). i cant possibly believe i'm hearing some of this non-sense. if you dont consider Brand a franchise-type player, you lack basic basketball knowledge and should not be allowed to post.
LOL ... me too. Though I'd put my thumb over Posey's name and pre-circle Mobley's when I handed them the list. I haven't heard anything about this rumor. I do know though that Les was fibbing big time the other day when he acted all happy and patient after the Dallas fiasco. That was very much a calculated media move because he was pretty livid (just another thing to add to the mystery as to why the Rockets suddenly are playing their best basketball in years).
Obviously Brand is a huge improvement, hands down. But after these last two games, I think a lot is hanging on how well we perform the next two games before the all star break(and the following weeks). If we play with the same unselfishness, if we play complete games like we just have, I don't know how you can break that up this season. (1)After a trade, it takes time to gel. Even if it's a small amount of time, a short dropoff could literally put us out of the playoffs this year. Getting to the playoffs is a bigger step than what some here believe. We have been spoiled, a huge step in becoming a dominate contender is getting into to the playoffs. You get in, make a battle, be humbled, then improve. (2)That's a huge risk to trade for a player going into free agency. There are too many 'if's'. And didn't Les just make a comment about the luxary tax, not going over? I love Brand's game, but if we can be consistent in the next two weeks, IMO it's a bad move to trade - even if we can pull it off.
Thats an absolute crazy statement. Where were you when EG was drafted? Everyone around here thought he would be a true stud and a max player at some point in his career.
Whatever you're implying, it's asinine. You think that any "glorified blue collar player" can put up those numbers? PF is the most talented position in the western conference. Tim Duncan, Dirk Nowitzki, Rasheed Wallace, Chris Webber, Karl Malone.... The fact Brand plays against these players day in day out and puts up those numbers should tell you something. When Eddie Griffin plays against these guys, he gets 2 fouls in the first 5 minutes. Yes, Griffin is young but so is Brand. Elton Brand is 23 years old and is one of the best PF's in the game. Good team or bad team, very few players put up those numbers.
Well I won't argue with you. Yes I don't consider Brand a franchise caliber player. There is a reason Chicago traded him.
Is there anyone out there that can really substantiate this thread?? Please, someone... if this is true, it totally puts the Rockets is excellent position.
How many years does Mobley have on his contract? I'm guessing that if the Clippers are stupid enough to dump Brand they're going to be looking for a cheap contract (Griffin' contract) or an expiring contract. I'd kill to have Brand, if we could get Brand we'd be one of the elite teams in the league. But I don't want to lose Mobes, Steve, Yao or Posey. As much as I like Griffin, Brand is an upgrade right now and now Griffin seems to be stepping up his game. I'd hate to ruin our backcourt, but getting Brand is tempting, REALLY tempting. But considering Mobley is just on a monster tear, including 6 assist I would hate to trade him. Then again Griffin is suddenly playing better. Hmmm. . .
Chicago traded him because they have a dumbass as GM. Cocky, ugly son of a b#tch at that. What is all this talk about Brand not being franchise material? He's definately worthy of being part of a big two. In these times, you need atleast two franchise players to be contender material. Brand is legit even if he isn't as awe-inspiring as Garnett or the other 4's. Brand is dependable, consistent, and shows heart. Is Ben Wallace franchise material? Ok, is Ben Wallace with scoring ability(20ppg) a franchise player?
