I'm wondering if the 2 could work hi-low together on the Rockets. Its evident that Miami might want to part ways with Zo even though his doctors gave him the ok to go ahead and play this yr. Is it too much of a gamble on the Rockets part? Since Miami won't have as much money as they originally thought( only about 6 or 7 mill) would they take a sign and trade? Is Zo at 33 signed and traded for about 3yrs at 7mill per for Taylor and his contract to big of a risk? Of course adding a player like him would instantly put Cato on the trading blocks and maybe Mobley on the blocks also. Is 3 yrs too long and will it keep Eddie happy or would he want to walk and go somewhere else? Just really pondering the thought of a 85% healthy Mourning and his 14pts 8 rebs and 2.5 blks along Ming in the rugged West to help Ming on the frontline. It wouldn't really be that big of a deal because we'll get rid of Taylor and his salary, which is the best possible scenerio.
I would not sign him for more than a year if we want to sign him at all. His situation need to be re-evaluated each year due to his health problem. Frankly, I do not think that the rocket should take the risk and sign him.
What about 4yrs? 2guaranteed and 2 1yr team options? On 11 shots he'll get you 14-15pts 8-10 rebs and 2-3blks in a little more than 30 mins. Plus we probably could get from under Taylors contract.
I still think that it is too risky if we cannot evaluate him one year at a time. He will want significant amount of money. If we are hurried to sign him we can end up with bad contract because there is a chance that his health will not allow him to play at all. His kidney problem will not go away. It will either stable or get worse with time. Two years, if it does not cause much, may be an option, though.
First of all..... DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYM homie. He's only 33?!? lol. But injured. Still can play? Guess so.... I would do it. Alonzo Mourning and Yao Ming. Zo could teach Yao some tricks. Be a good enforcer. Don't expect him to like score 30 ppg. But solid rebounding would be nice. Zone defense all day baby! I would try to get him for MLE....but nothing more. There are plenty of better and younger players available. I think Alonzo might want to join Yao.
I would like to see the list of better younger players availible. In todays game, a guy getting 15pts 8.5 rebs 50%fg and 2.5 blks is considered a all star,Mourning got those the first yr he came back from kidney problems. Sign and Trade with Miami for Taylor at about 7 or 8 mill a pop would be fine for 2yrs and 2 team option yrs.
why would Miami want Mo Taylor, when they already have an overpaid power forward in Brian Grant? and why would Zo join a team with another center? if he wanted to play power forward, he would be on the lakers.
In the newspaper....it said Mourning wants to join a young team with talent who hasn't made the playoffs who needs experience and leadership and prefers having a center.... I don't know. Maybe Jonathan Feigen was being sarcastic. Mourning in Houston! No problemo! Just Mo Taylor and Eddie would still be here.......somehow trade them....
Leeb, I dont see any reason why Miami would take on Mo Taylor's overpaid contract. They'd be much better off just letting Mourning go for nothing than taking on a bad contract. That would mean that Zo would have to accept the MCE to sign with Houston. Although I wouldnt necessarily be opposed to that, I would much rather look at other possibilities; if for some reason, Zo has some complications and cant play, then the Rockets would be back to square one.
I would do it if I were Miami, Zo got 3 yrs left on his contract, Mo got 4. But if Zo can only play 1 out of those 3 years, they still pay him for doing nothing. With Mo, they atleast get some production even if they have to eat a contract for another year, but hey by then Grants and Eddies contract would be gone along with Mo T's and they can really rebuild. Also, who knows how good Mo can be in Miami. The Rox can do it since we'll be eating a big contract and if he can't play, pay for nothing, but hey, it atleast give us cap space a year earlier, just in time to resign Yao and maybe make a move.
ZO is a FA, I think. Doubt we need sign and trade here. He would likely sign for MCE and might sign for vet min. With Yao here and a very marketable backup C in Cato, and our team needing an enforcer and vet influence, I would sign Zo if he will come here, trade Cato and figure out a servicable 3rd C to have around (maybe Collier but doubtful) in case Zo can't play much. Either that or let Mo/EG back up center if Zo can't play. This team has a ton of young talent and has twice finished very close to making the playoffs with that core. I think everyone in the league knows Houston is close, but also knows Houston could use some veteran influence. A chance to help mold our young squad (esp Yao) and a team with a reasonable shot at the playoffs next year, a state with no income tax, a player's coach, and a ton of talent around you? I have got to think that Houston would be highly attractive to a guy like Zo. It wouldn't surprise me if he has a different perspective on the game after what he has battled through that would lead him to think money is not an issue and its about either the ring or helping to mold the future.
KeepJuaquin: was that a tongue-in-cheek quote or did zo actually say that? and do you have some kind of proof? usually, i don't ask for links, etc., but a comment like that is very, very pointed.
verse, unfortunately, there's no reason to think Zo wants to come here. Feigen, 5/4: Mourning cleared -- Alonzo Mourning, 37, coming back from kidney disease, said last week that he has been cleared to play next season. He would be an ideal fit for any team looking for a solid, hard-working veteran, particularly a veteran that knows how to win and would work well with a young team filled with players who have not reached the postseason, and especially if that team has a towering and talented young center that could use a muscular, no-nonsense running mate and backup. But any team interested in Mourning's comeback could have had a hard time making Mourning fit its retooling. "The doctors have pretty much given me the thumbs up to possibly go out there and play the game again, but time will dictate that," Mourning said in a radio interview. "Up until September I will continue to monitor my body chemistry to see if I will be able at that time to play, but right now they are giving me the thumbs up to play. "The situation with the Heat is, we feel it is important to make the franchise the priority. I understand this is a business and I am not going to take anything personally. Pat Riley has to make business decisions. It is not about our friendship. I, too, have to make the best decisions for myself and my family and what I addressed to Pat is that I am going to explore the market. I would be foolish not to see what is out there before I make any type of decisions." Bringing in Mourning does sound a little intriguing to me.
Relativist: thank you for providing some perspective and context on that quote. so, that's basically feigen speculating. hopefully, rox management is either listening or leaking to him.
Im really suprised that Mourning isn't going to stay for Miami. I mean, injuries happen, but he basically made $20-$30 MIL over the course of two season where he didn't play one game. The Heat suffered tremendously because of this. I think he owes them to stay on for at least one season at the MCE or something like that.
Zo would be a great addition to our team and could help Eddie and Yao develop by having a REAL front court player in scrimmages everyday. If he was willing to come here for the MCE, I'd defintely sign him. He's 37, so wouldn't expect a long contract.
I would think that LES would be hesitant about getting another player with a question about his health after the RICE ordeal of missing most of the first year of play.
