the claims many made about boki being peja 2.0 were based off of trust in the (previous) rocket's regime. the legend of boki was largely created by the stories of twine tickling during boki's workout. it was created by rudy's account of boki dunking like a madman. it was based on rocket fans' blind trust in what rudy & the organization said about him. and it was also based on nba reports that said he might be the most "nba ready player" in that draft. this is so different that your statement is comical. we, or at least i, have seen adrian griffin play. i have a first hand account...not a relayed hype job by rudy & co. btw, what great nba player have i - or anyone else in this thread for that matter - compared adrian griffin to? no one that i can recall. so stop looking for a parade to rain on, damnit. where's the wind? blow awaaaaaaayyyyy!!!!
Here's all anyone ever needs to know about Abdul-Rahim... while a bit unfair because he is pretty talented, this is the word I've read attributed to him describing other players. "Shareef-itis" Definition: 1. A non-medical condition used to describe a talented player who puts up big numbers on a bad team but due to unforunate circumstances, bad karma, or simply by being who he is and having an unlucky aura, will never play for a true contender. Or, if fortunate enough to play for a good team, the player is always criticized as the reason why the team "didn't go further." Also, the player is usually considered to be "overrated." 2. A player who puts up big numbers but has "black hole" tendencies. Examples: Shareef Abdul-Rahim, Glenn Robinson, Ricky Davis, Jason Williams. Used in a sentence: "Who the heck would trade for the Big Dog? He's got a bad case of Shareef-itis."
The NBA game is not necessarily about the quality of players you get, but at what price you sign them for. Piatkowski + Griffin + $2.5 million > Posey Let's face it, Jerry West overpaid James Posey. Had Posey signed for the MLE of around $4 million, then things are not so clear. However, I think the Rockets got Piatkowski and Griffin at fair if not good salaries, and they are two guys who can provide exactly what the Rockets need. First of all, these two are underrated players who have been overshadowed by either playing on bad teams (Piatkowski), or not getting enough minutes on a good team (Griffin). For those who think A. Griffin is a scrub, I seriously have to question your long term memories. This was the same guy who, as a member of the Celtics, won NBA Rookie of the Month in the first month of the 99-00 season. Yes, that was the same year that Francis, Elton Brand, James Posey, etc. were rookies. Griffin also was in the top 10 last season in the steals per minute played category, as well. Does this mean that he is going to seriously change things in Houston? Probably not, but remember that we're paying him the league MINIMUM. He will give us a lot more than the average vet min player would give us. He is a downgrade from James Posey, overall, but I'd say his defense is just as good, and we're paying him 1/6 the amount we would have paid Posey. Piatkowski and Griffin are two guys that I am ecstatic that the Rockets picked up, given our weaknesses, especially when you take into account that we're paying them half of what we would have paid Posey.
The existing platoon situation lowers Mobley's minutes, because we have Piat, Griffin and Rice rather than Posey and Rice. Your scenario does nothing to lower Mobley's minutes, unless you are going to have Posey back him up, then you need to platoon the SF position *even more*...which would be raising Rice's minutes in your scenario, no? basically, your scenario has 4 experienced guys covering 3 positions. (Francis, Mobley, Posey, Rice)...the rest are inexperienced, true scrubs or might not develop. And let's not even discuss the 'i" word, wrt to Rice. But we should note that Rice is gone after this year, no? Our bench sucked last year. It was a major problem. We need to spend money on experienced role players at multiple positions, and I am seeing CD/JVG saying to themselves that Posey overpriced himself for one role player and that impacts the overall bench. JVG looks to be going for an experienced bench 9-10 deep. RIET, however, believes our worst starter is more important than building a bench. <b>We still have 1/2 the MLE to spend, and the $1.5m exception.</b>
It obviously must include Bruce Bowen being more legitimate, because San Antonio passed on James Posey with all that money to spend, and Bowen as their starting SF.
I like the pickup, Griffin gives us more options for sub patterns. He is a very tough defender and is strong, hell I bet he is the strongest player on our team right now. Not as strong as MoT's appetitte though. Posey was a good defender, but was still frail. If we need some outside scoring we plug in the Polish Rifle, if we need Defense we bring in Griffin. Last year it was Posey(as the only option).....b/c Rice was always out hurt with a strained muscle in his gut , or some pulled fat.
I´m gonna be critic. I don't know what you think about Griffin. Is normal that all you are excited now becuase he's a new player for our team, and that´s always exciting. But I advise; in the middle of the season you will say: " He sucks. He don't have shot and any offense moves" " Only that height to a small forward?????" " I prefer Hawkins, he´s better than Griffin, but he´s now in... China??, no he is on a NBA team. Yes, last night he stopped Cuttino. Oh and he made 8 points in 15 minutes, and 3 steals, and a great pass to - for a slam dunk." " We need a small forward with shot and defense definitely. Not 1 SF with defense and 1 SG-SF with shot." Yes, he won't be a bust, but he will take the place of joaquin who is a better passer, better shooter and better player than him.
Verse, WELL SAID!! Got to watch AG probably 80-100 times with the Mavs, and you have captured him PERFECTLY. He's EXACTLY the type of mature, hard-nosed, in-your-face-defense-oriented player this wild bunch needs. And he reminds me a little of a poor man's Adrian Dantley on offense - likes to back his defender in and usually can get into the paint when he wants to. Think of him as an ON-COURT SURROGATE OF JVG! Totally agree that he will become a crowd favorite in short time. Dallas Rocket
Can't go along with what you are predicting. First, he doesn't suck. He does have a very solid midrange jumpshot. He will knock down uncontested jumpers. He has crafty offensive moves. He is not explosive at all, but he "glides" and finds his way to the hoop. Griffin is 6'5" which is fine for a SG, and a bit short for a SF. However, he compensates with his strength and length. Plus, as a backup, 6'5" is acceptable, depending on the matchup. When the Mavs played the Lakers last year, Griffin defended Kobe more often than Finley did even though Finley has more of a "prototypical" SF's height. The Hawk was tenacious, but he had a horribly inconsistent shot. Hawk is taller than Griffin, but much less developed physically. I liked Hawk's defense, but overall he was a liability because of what he couldn't do in other parts of the game. There is a reason why it took him so long to stick with a team... he's not that talented. Bottom line - Pike and Griffin solidify our chances of making the playoffs this year while showing some financial discipline at the same time. Can't ask for any more than that.
Well, in my opinion, the talent drop off between Posey and AG is minimal and the salary difference is pretty darn important. I've seen AG play more than Posey, and while I don't think he is exceptional, I do think he's a very solid player. Also, I like that he's got some experience on a team that knows something about winning. Another thing about AG that I always thought was interesting is that it seemed like he was the only guy on the Mavs who could score when the game started. While everyone one else was trying to get into the flow, AG would suddenly have 4-6 points and you would only be 2 minutes into the game. With the Mavs offense, that was about all he ever needed to score so he would kind of get passed up in the offense after that. Just my opinion. --Drof
I'd have to say i'm satisfied with this signing but not over-joyed.. I think the rockets are doing what they can do because teams don't want their inflated contracts, somehow I don't think rice will be going anywhere in the offseason (unfortunately) even with his last year contract.. also IMO the Rockets have finally learnt from their 'large contract' mistakes..
I agree with verse and heypartner on Adrian Griffin/Posey. I just don't understand why you need to make it so personal with RIET, heypartner.
It's kinda cute that you worry about RIET, but take it from someone who has met him in person.... don't worry about it SJC. it's just me and him jabbing on a BBS.
All I know now is that we're not going to sign HAWKINS to any deal because of this move. Hawkins is one of those NBA players who play solely for the love of the game and the fact that he know's he can't mess up and must play his heart out. Too bad, I'm gonna miss him.
Yeah, don't worry about it man. See, HeyP is from Illinois where all his friends grew up wacthing the lowly Cubs. The Cubs and their Let's Play 2, Rick Reuschel, Ed Lynch, We suck but look at Dave Kingman, We got Harry Cary, Oh no, we lost again blah blah. The Cubs got character ... euphimism for losers. HeyP likes cheering for the underdog and appreciates the game for itself. It doesn't matter if the Rockets win or not. Hell, why can't we just enjoy watching Cat and Yao play out their careers in perfect harmony. Kumbayah my friend, Kumbayah. I on the other hand am ultra competitive and grew up idolizing Vince Lombardi's take no prisoner attitude. Congratulations son, you just had 1 more tackle than a dead man. Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing, blah blah blah. I am ultra anti-establishment, anti-management because oftentimes, they aren't about winning. To me I hate it when managment makes decisions based on money and then pretend it's about something else. This was a pure money decision to make up for all their previous stupid money decisions. They just can't come out and say that because nobody would admit their mistakes so openly. Not in Sports, Business, or Politics. HeyP calls it looking to place blame. I say it's taking responsibility for your screwups. In an ideal situation, we would sign Piatkowski and Posey. But said previous failings have led us to Adrian Griffin and minimum salary players. Yes we still have some money left and can still do something with that and hopefully we will. However, to say the 2 moves alone is equivalent to losing Posey is just a sham. And I don't care what Kiss Ass Jonathon Feigen-ish posters think. Adrian Griffin and Eric Piatkowski does not equal James Posey.
right, I agree. We should just sign Posey and Piat....I said that. however, if they are looking for a PG and PF...then I understand. I think you are just speaking too soon, but will agree with you if this is all we get. btw: funny Cubs stuff...I'm not a cubs fan...never was. poor, poor cubs fans, is right. What you are missing is the point I've made that I've lived all the most glorious title wins that I could imagine....and that BBall is extra special. The other difference is I just don't look to blame...I really do just like screaming at the play in progress, and short of wins...just having fun scouting as a fan. Maybe what you enjoy is coming up with are reason why your team just lost...which always leads to blame. I think that a common trait of all UT fans who can't bare to lose to OU. Yeah...it just *has* to be someone's fault. Because my team should just deliver...dammit.... it has been what?? 32 years since a UT title....damn....fire the coach again...****...what are you guys thinking!!! grrrrr. This is unbearable. It totally ruined my semester. ...blame blame blame...losing sucks...we all have to deal with it. You deal with it differently. fair enough. But, what I don't see from you is a visceral love for the game of Basketball. No shame it that. Texas is a football state, afterall. However, you are the one who mentioned my roots. From my seats, I simply love bball more than you, and I don't think you quite understand the difference in us in that regard...doesn't mean anything about your or my takes on the Rockets,,,,but just thought I had to clarify the Cubs reference regarding cheering for perennial losers. btw; why do you mention the Cubs as perennial loser who I root for rather than the Rice Owls. hmmmm....I wonder. LOL!! bottomline: you'll never quite understand the fact the Basketball is a metaphor for life.
