How about Alexander Johnson as another 4? I remember the rockets being high on him last years draft... http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/grizzlies/article/0,1426,MCA_475_5629158,00.html Griz make two moves By Ronald Tillery July 14, 2007 LAS VEGAS -- Say hello to one big man and goodbye to another. The Grizzlies did just that Friday when they officially announced the signing of free-agent forward/center Darko Milicic and waived Alexander Johnson. Advertisement Milicic's signing happened three days after both parties agreed in principle on a deal that is believed to be for three years, $21 million. Milicic is expected to fly from Serbia for an introduction in Memphis sometime next week. Meanwhile, Johnson's departure came as a bit of a surprise. The 6-9 forward was originally said to be in the team's plans. But he was only guaranteed a spot on the roster if his contract was guaranteed by Aug. 1. Johnson will clear waivers in seven days. "We think we can upgrade at that position at that salary," Griz general manager Chris Wallace said. Johnson would have earned more than $687,456, or twice the league's minimum, in his second season. Last season, Johnson appeared in 59 games (19 starts) for the Grizzlies, who traded for Johnson's second-round draft rights in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2008 draft. The move leaves the Grizzlies with 11 players under contract. But look for them to add at least two players, including a 3-point threat, to address their stated goals for the offseason. Memphis shored up its backcourt and frontline by drafting Mike Conley and signing Milicic. The 7-foot, four-year veteran joined the Griz after playing for the Orlando Magic for the past season and a half. Milicic began his career with Detroit after he was taken No. 2 overall in the 2003 draft. "Darko is just 22 years old but already has been in the NBA for four seasons," Wallace said. "He has been blessed with tremendous basketball skills, excellent size and impressive athletic ability. In Detroit he was exposed to a championship organization, and in Orlando he practiced alongside a great big man in Dwight Howard and received significant playing time as well as playoff experience. "In Memphis, he will play for Marc Iavaroni, who is recognized as one of the premier teachers of big men in the game. Darko is poised to take a major step in his career and Memphis is the perfect place for him to blossom."
I like Alexander Johnson! If we don 't sign Landry ... PF: Scola/Hayes/Johnson ... (I would love that!)
There's potential to do a few things right now. If we could somehow get a few players off the roster we can sign Francis and Johnson. Ofcourse, it would mean not re-signging Lucas, dealing Alston for someone we can cut or a trade exception, and letting Deke walk. But this would be a very good team IMO: Yao, Butler, A Johnson, Landry, Novak, Hayes, Scola, Wells, T-Mac, Battier, Snyder, Head, Francis, Brooks, James. Yao/Butler/Johnson Scola/Hayes/Johnson/Landry (D-league) T-Mac/Battier/Novak Wells/Head/Snyder James/Francis/Brooks That's a hell of a lot of talent, youth and athleticism. Not only are we good for this season, but we're set for a few years after.
I 'd rather deal Head than Alston ... James and Francis 'fighting' for the PG spot could be trouble! Landry playing in the D-league would be a smart move, if we could sign Johnson and yeah, that 's still a hell of a lot talent!
I'm not sure we'll have enough shooting options on this team if we trade Head. Honestly, I'd rather have Alston over Francis. He brings the kind of playmaking that none of our PG's currently are capable of. He can organize the offense, is creative, has great handles, and it shows in his great asst/to ratio. I think those skills will be magnified in Adelman's offense. Francis, on the other hand, has never been able to play uptempo. Being fast/quick is NOT the same as being able to make your team go fast. Francis may be one of the worst options at PG for an Adelman team. However, I know we need to shed some salary and I won't be surprised or dissapointed if the next move we make is a cost-cutting move. We're going to buyout Sura, trade Lucas and maybe Alston, which opens up a backup PG spot. I think Francis would be one of the betetr options out there, although he's not the ideal type of PG. Then again, maybe the owner is serious about contending this season, and makes a 3 for 1 trade which puts us over the top. Head is a young shooter, Battier is a great role player and Lucas is an expiring contract. Sura is pretty much an expiring contract. Snyder is not absolutely needed on this team. We have a lot of pieces. Basically, the rest of the moves this summer will show exactly what the owner wants out of this team. But either way, I think we'll be among the top 4 teams in the league next season. I expect Dallas to drop off.
There's a 12 man roster and 3 man inactive list, so we could have our cake and eat it too. James/Alston/Francis T-Mac/Francis/Head Battier/T-Mac/Snyder Scola/Hayes/Butler Yao/Butler/Deke Novak, Landry, and Brooks would be on the inactive list. Lucas, Sura, and Reed need to be dumped for this, and we need to sign Francis and resign Deke.
I don 't agree with Snyder ... I think this guy would love to play in Adelmans (up-tempo) system and I also think he could be VERY effective as a pretty decent role player. When you keep Head, he 's minutes will be VERY limited because Bonzi 's back ... I wouldn 't be suprised Bonzi will be our starting 2! When you keep Snyder, he is going to back Bonzi up at the 2 spot with his same slashing style of playing and I also see James will play a couple of minutes at the 2 spot as a great combo guard when Brooks (or Alston) is running the show at the PG position! PG: James/Alston/ Brooks SG: Bonzi/Snyder/James SF: T-Mac/Battier/Novak/Harris PF: Scola/Hayes/Landry (or Johnson) C: Yao/Butler
Hmmm, I guess I forgot Bonzi. Probably need to drop Novak (or trade him for money/future picks) and move Snyder or Head to the inactive. Or we could somehow deal Head or Snyder.
Like this kid a lot. Wish he was playing on our Summerleague team right now. We are obviously not giving up on Landry or Novak, so there's two spots right there. Morey was talking about how we are close to resigning Hayes, so there's another spot. Scola is on a plane right now, so there's another spot. That's 4 spots at the 4, not including Butler (we'll call him a 5), and Harris (who is impressing in summer league). I think we could get away with carrying 5 pfs (assuming at least 2 are on the IR). It would come down to Harris. Is he a better option than Harris? I think he is. He certainly has more upside. Don't see the Rockets scoping him up off waivers though. I'd love it, but I just don't see it.
If you post an online article, we require that you post a link to the article... http://bbs.clutchfans.net/faq.php?faq=faq_etq#faq_faq_etq_postarticle I'll edit this one. Thanks.
Wouldn't do any of those things. As I explained, Head is the best shooter on the team, and one of the best in the league. Novak has bulked up and although I support sending him to the D-League, I would not give him up for nothing. He seems to be the kind of player who works hard off the court. Moving Snyder is an option, but as explained above, he may be great fit for Adelman's system. He shot well before last season, is athletic as hell, and strong enough to slash and get to the basket effectively. What would Francis bring to this team? His only skill is that his quickness allows him to get to the basket on isolation plays, and don't forget he's 30 so we really don't know if he has the athleticism/quickness he used to have. The decline of Francis materialized because he has not improved any part of his game since his second season, and he's 30 now.
I would love to have Johnson too which maybe if we clear some of the dead weight we can do it. However I really see a need for a guy like Harris on this team mainly because he can play the 3 and the 4 if need be. I am really excited about finding him a spot on this roster although he may never see minutes, he would be good insurance in case of injuries to the 3 or 4 spot. I think the 3 spot is pretty deep(Tmac, Battier, Bonzi, and Snyder can play there) though so its a tough call as to who would be more valuable on this team. I might have to lean to Johnson because of his ability to block shots. If he can improve on his solid numbers last season as a starting PF(7.5 Pts, 5.7 Rebs., 1.1 blocks in 20.11 min.) I would even consider if to compete with Hayes as the backup PF cause we could really use his height, athleticism, and shot blocking ability. I'm not sure about his basketball IQ though and if he can make "winning basketball plays" like Chuck. Either way he would be a nice addition if we can clear some roster room.
To further this thought: How intelligent is he? Can he pass the ball? Move without it? Slide to open space? We need smart players on the new Rockets guys who think without the ball. DD
Alexander Johnson is a nice prospect. He looked pretty good in the summer leagues. I wouldn't mind adding him, but the way the roster is shaping up now, I am not so sure. In terms of a Rockets fit, if we are going to add another 4/5 type player, I would rather someone that is more of a veteran. I think someone like PJ Brown would be a better choice. He is smart and has a medium range jumper and can play in Adelman's system right now backing up Yao at C and playing some PF minutes if need be.
I remember liking what I saw from this kid in a game or too, but also that he had no consistentcy. I'd still take him over someone like Novak, who has contributed less to nothing to date.
IMHO: I think we have enough sfs. IMHO, Battier and T-mac are both small forwards, and at this stage in his career, so is Bonzi (he should play at least 50% of his time at the 3). I don't think we need any more tweener 3/4s. Johnson is nothing special in the height department, but he's a true 4. Personally, I think having Hayes and Harris on the roster is a bit redundant. They are both undersized, high-energy players that rebound and play defense. As much as I like Harris (and I really do), I'd rather grab another prototypical 4 prospect, like Johnson, for cheap. Kid's got a lot of talent. Why the Grizz waived this kid, I have no idea! I guess the Logo is not making the decisions over there anymore. Has he officially left the Grizz GM post?
