The Rockets should trade #1, and #15 to the Clippers for Brand, and Odom, and let them tend to the Ming dynasty.
It must be a racial question with you because any level headed red blooded American can see the potential in Yao Ming. Just STOP IT NOW!!!
My reasons for shying away from Ming have nothing to do with racism or hatred; I just think he's a high risk player. We don't yet know how his commitments to his native China, will affect the Rockets in the future. I would hate to see the Rockets great fortune (to have the first choice in the draft) fall by the wayside. I'm sorry, but I'm having visions of Ralph Sampson, and Hideki Irabu.
The Clippers aren't moving Odom, and they certainly aren't moving Brand. They are on the cusp of the playoffs for the first time in five years and have a core of young, exciting players that can compete with any team out there. They've finally developed their "project" center Olowokandi to the point where he is serviceable, and occassionally dominant, and expect to resign him at a competetive salary this summer. Why in the world would they break up this team to take on another project? I've been reading these forums ever since I heard the rumors regarding Lamar Odom, and, from a Clipper fan perspective, find the majority of the posts laughable. You have to understand that Odom is the franchise player for the Clippers, the guy they hope to take them to the next level. He is a world-class talent with some off-court problems, but the Clippers knew that when they drafted him (and it's why he wasn't #1). He also happens to have put up some pretty damn good seasons at the tender age of 22-- it's not like were only talking about potential here. Compare his numbers with Francis, Davis, and Miller over that span instead of just looking at the last season, when he missed 50 games and was injured for half of the ones he did play. Then you'll see why he's not going to be traded for Kenny Thomas + #15, or Eric Snow, or any of the other BS rumors you may have heard. Management has been adamant about the fact that they are not shopping Odom, but people overly concerned with Sterling's "thrift" have fabricated rumors to the contrary. Even if they were interested in trading Odom, they would wait until mid season, because right now his stock is low and the offers they are receiving are ridiculous. And why would the Clippers trade with Houston? They are directly competing for the same seeds in the tough Western Conference. Any trades involving Odom and/or Brand going to Houston would certainly vault the Rockets past the Clippers in the short-term, putting the Clippers back into rebuilding mode-- suicide now that the team is doing well and the arena is consistently selling out. Contrary to popular opinion, the Clippers are not a farm-team for other franchises. I don't know what's going to happen with the Rockets, but I can at least ease the minds of the Odom-haters out there, because he's not coming to your team.
Acquiring the #1 pick would allow the Clippers to upgrade to a 25,000 seat stadium, and sell out every night. They could name the place after Ming, and sell egg rolls and wan tons in the concession stand, as well as hot dogs and pretzels.
Hey Ralph Sampson was no bust. He was well on his way to a tremendous NBA career. There's only so many knee operations a man can take. He was no bust. Sampson would the #1 pick in any draft, no questions asked. He's no Hideki Irabu. Maybe Yao can impact this team like Ichiro did in Seattle, we just tend to doubt talent that don't play in the USA. Pau Gasol, Dirk, Petro and what about Hakeem. Need I say more. Lets get him and see what happens. If he's half decent, this team will be in the playoff. All we need after that is Rashard Lewis to come and this Dynesty will begin.
Hey Ralph Sampson was no bust. He was well on his way to a tremendous NBA career. There's only so many knee operations a man can take. He was no bust. Sampson would be the #1 pick in any draft, no questions asked. He's no Hideki Irabu. Maybe Yao can impact this team like Ichiro did in Seattle, we just tend to doubt talent that don't play in the USA. Pau Gasol, Dirk, Petro and what about Hakeem. Need I say more. Lets get him and see what happens. If he's half decent, this team will be in the playoff. All we need after that is Rashard Lewis to come and this Dynesty will begin.
well said. if he is not a 20-10-4 guy, we can still win (a lot) with a 10-7-3 guy. just add a sf and we are set.
