(AP) -- The Houston Rockets are reportedly interested in free agents forward Eric Piatkowski and point guard Kevin Ollie. Ollie's agent, Bill Ness, says he talked with Rockets general manager Carroll Dawson and that Ollie, who played with the Seattle Supersonics, had a telephone conversation with Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy. Piatkowski's agent, Jeff Austin, says he had a "preliminary conversation" with the Rockets. Piatkowski averaged 10 points a game for the Clippers last season.
Piatkowski would be a great addition but I was under the impression that he wasn't a free agent. We have to fill the backup sg spot with someone other than Posey. Posey cannot play the position except in spot duty. In fact I would rather him play pf than sg. He has no handle at all and at sg, that skill is required, especially seeing as how so many teams started trapping Steve as he was bringing the ball up the court. Piatkowski on the other hand can be trusted bringing the ball up the court if needed and he will make the smart play on offense along with knocking down the open jumper. He's a smart defender but not as athletic as Ollie but he does have size. If we could somehow get rid of Moochie I would love to sign both of them.
Great! Well I always liked Eric Piatkowski.....last time I mentioned him.....a baseball player put me down! Anyways....you don't know Kevin Ollie? Remember when we played against the Sonics? He was SCREWING Steve...Kevin Ollie is kinda old but is what we need. A veteran. He knows fundamentals and he knows how to play the game. He like had to wide open layups by the baseline because Steve wasn't paying attention. His defense is good too. He is like Darrell Armstrong but not as well known and not as good at offense. I think he would accept the very minimum....or veteran's exception or whatever. Piatkowski is a 3 point shooter. Would be a very nice backup. He's been with Clips' for his entire career of like 9 seasons. Really. He's a good 3 point shooter. He shot like 40% from behind the arc 2 seasons ago. He would be a great backup. Francis/Ollie/Moochie Mobley/Piatkowski/Posey Posey/Nachbar/Rice Griffin/Taylor/Badiane Yao/Cato If we can get them, I will be satisfied!
I like these moves. They fit our current needs without mortgaging the farm to try to contend too quickly. I love Pike's shot - he can close out teams and is a terrific sub off the bench, excellent contrast to Mobes. AND - Ollie is an excellent backup for Francis, for the cost, one of the best given that he is Mr. Hyde to Francis' Dr. Jekyll-ish assist to turnover ratio. Just what the doctor ordered if you ask me.
I'm glad we're addressing backcourt issues, but is the frontcourt going to improve? What are the EG trade rumors?
If we get either one of these guys, it's a successful offseason. If we get both it's a coup. Cuttino suddenly becomes truly expendable (right now Steve at the #2 is make-believe). Were we to get those two? We solidify the frontcourt w/ a banger courtesy of our good friend, beautiful beautiful beautiful beautiful boy. Bye-bye Cuttino. It's been real. It's been fun. Too bad we never won.
I'm not convinced we're Starting Over, but I hope you're right. I had thought that too, and I'm not just a Jealous Guy trying to bash you for beating me to it, I'm just not holding my breath...What I am doing is just sitting here Wathcing The Wheels go round and round...
Hehe...so you are saying we get both Ollie and Piatkowski? And then trade Mobley along with Eddie or Cato or Mo for a power forward? Sounds fantastic! Good job CD!! Steve Francis/Kevin Ollie/Moochie Norris Eric Piatkowski/Steve Francis/James Posey James Posey/Bostjan Nachbar/Glen Rice Elton Brand/Eddie Griffin/Malick Badiane Yao Ming/one of the above That would be great! I think Piatkowski can start on our team. He is exactly what we need. Outside shooting. Defense....is he good at it? We can put Posey on the better offensive guy. I hope this happens...
Moves? They've only made initial contact...probably along with several other teams. Don't count those chickens just yet.
Are you suggesting Pike be our starting 2? I really don't think that's a good thing, he's never averaged more than 26 minutes per game in a season. But then if we could package Cat and Mo for a banger and a decent 2...
Oh! You mean...Elton Brand and Quentin Richardson! Who else is a banger that's on a team with a decent 2? Besides Antonio Davis and Vince Carter. Who knows! Maybe Mobley is staying...
I wasn't counting yet, however given the "slow-ness" of this offseason, I do consider these moves. It may only be a "Hey Joe Blow Fan, we are alive and we are working to improve your Rockets", but it is a move (or intial contact... potatoe / potato - same difference). I'm just happy that we are looking at quality and not flash. I guess Jon Barry is a fall back? I like the heck out of Barry and hope that we end up with him. Pike actually fits the bill better than Barry, so come on Pike, come join the Rockets.
007, I like SLA's rough breakdown for the lineup... Also, I'm curious about the banger we'd come up w/ too... Cuttino is great trade bait to wrap around Mo Taylor's ankles, but who could we really get? Ahhh... either way, these are two key contributors to two teams we'll compete w/ for the playoffs. Pull the block CD!!
Piatkowski and Kevin Ollie????????????????????? I don't want to be the guy tellin kids Santa does'nt exist, but... If this is as good as this summer gets...........I think I'm gonna...................... What a splash for the new Stadium, Ollie and Pike is just what the doctor ordered Les and CD better get extra help to fill all the pre season ticket orders!!!!!!!!!
man that is sooooo exciting (for opposition backcourts) imagine the defensive abilities of a back court of Steve and Piatkowski, should be plenty of opportunities for someone to break Wilts 100 pt record, stopping GP & Kobe, Cassell & Hudson, Nash and Finley, Parker and Kidd, even Christie and Bibby, will be so much fun.
so do we cheer as they near Wilt's 100 and then boo? or do we boo them until they near 100 and then cheer them?..I can't remember.
lol...well their defense is not THAT bad!! And Posey can always help...and our frontcourt would be impossible to score against. Fine...if we trade Mobley, we should get a decent 2 in return as well. FINE! I'd be satisfied with the original team of... Francis 36/Ollie 12/Norris 0!!! Mobley 36/Piatkowski 12 Posey 30/Nachbar 18/Rice 0...will start season playing at first.. Griffin 24/Taylor 24/Badiane 0 Yao 36/Cato 12 Imagine Yao and Taylor making all these passes from inside to Piatkowski and Francis and Posey and Mobley and Griffin for wide open swooshes!!!!!! Piatkowski...we should offer him 3/4 of the MLE. Please get some backup! Most importantly...resign Posey!
I'm glad that some of you have put down the controller to your X-Box long enough to realize that, in the real world, you don't get Kevin Garnett for Cuttino Mobley, Eddie Griffin and a bowl of Wheaties. These two players are solid role players, not starters, who could contribute in very specific ways. Two of the biggest problems we had last season were defense in the backcourt and shooting. While this may not totally solve the problem, adding players of this calliber would help a great deal. I remember when we traded for Mario Elie and everyone said, "Who the hell is he?" Amazing how role players can make a difference. Granted, I don't personally think this is the end of the offseason. I still think that the Rockets would love to pull off a decent trade to get a young talented player in here. But, even if this is all, these are good, solid additions.
if those guys just come in as backups, we're still the better; but I'd rather go for a huge improvement in the frontcourt than stay the course for trite Cuttino fan worship.
Bingo Just like Shaq/Kobe needs its Horrys and Brian Shaws Just like Hakeem/Drexler needed its Kennys and Marios Just like Jordan/Pippen needed its Hodges and Paxtons Steve and Yao need players that they can count on to do the right things at the right times. Piatkowski and Ollie are these type of players. They aren't starters, but you can't win without them.
