Ray Allen is one of the most overrated players in the NBA. In fact, he shares one trait in common with most of the players mentioned as available - a history of playing on losing teams. Make that 2 traits - he doesn't play much defense, either.
I wouldn't call the last 3 Sonics teams "losing" teams. They're not exactly the Clippers, they're always on the brink of the playoffs despite have no post presence. He also made the Eastern Finals with Milwaukee I believe and made the playoffs the following season.
Just to add, he also only played 56 games this season, skewing his numbers and lowering his value for the team. I think that speaks a little bit louder than 2% higher FG average, .1 lower assist/to ratio and whatever chincy little insignificant stats you can scrounge up.
33 - 49 36 - 46 28 - 22 42 - 40 52 - 30 41 - 41 40 - 42 37 - 45 These are the records of the teams Ray Allen has played for in his career. The 52-30 team that went to the EC Finals seems to be the abberation, given the rest of his career. 3 winning seasons out of 8 years, 307 - 315 overall.
I think Brand with maybe a 3 way with Iverson makes a ton of sense. Then you take all or part of the MLE for a vet PG. Makes sense for the Clips too. Brand does not have the offensive game to be a lead star like the Clips and every team Brand has been on has needed him to me (why his teams always suck). Plus the Clips have Wilcox (lots of potential) and other young servicable C/PFs to give PT too. While it is pretty much proven Brand can't be a #1 guy to build a top notch team around, Brand might be an exceptional #2 man however. Rebounding, defense, toughness and adequate offensive game for a 2nd option. Marion is similar (ideal #2 man), but all things be equal an 3 is easier to get via FA than a 4 is.
If we go for the guards, the one I like most is Vince Carter . I just feel his game & demeanor will fit Yao better than T-Mac.
Wasn't your namesake. . . on that 52 win team? You know. . they guy that just dropped 40+ I want these players. 1. McGrady 2. Brandy those would be most exciting . .. eveyrone else is just a shuffle Rocket River
I just don't see how Ray Allen is overrated. He's a pure shooter who's had to meld his game into something more like VC/TMac/other slashing guards. He is not real good at that, but with Yao, he will be able to focus on spotting up and hitting the bomb, not having to run around and create for himself. He's a decent passer from the SG position, a decent boarder, and being that he is usually the primary option on his team, pretty good at not turning the ball over. I would take just about anybody on that list minus AI, SAR, Stack, Terry, Chandler, and Big Z.
that's very astute Sane. Seriously, a lot of people are caught up by numbers, but numbers can be deceiving depending on how they are gotten. I also agree with you on Allan Houston. He would also help out the Rockets, A LOT, but he almost never gets any rebounds and gets very few assists, talk about your one-dimensional player. I actually think you'd be hard pressed to find people who get fewer rebounds per 48 than Houston... earl boykins maybe?
Trade French Fries, to coin a phrase from another poster, plus trade exception to the Clipps for Brand and anybody else on there roster. Then sign Brent Barry. Then it's..............OVER!
Well, injury is always a concern for any players, especially those like to drive to the hoop. TMac has been battling all kind of injuries this season, same with AI. With Yao along his side, I don't think Carter needs to take as much load as he does now, which in turns will reduce his chance to get injuried.
Rashard on the hot seat? I'd love it if we would pick him up. Would an underpaid Jim Jackson, plus the trade exception, be enough to get him? Brand would be sweet, too.
Vince and Yao are actually good friends. Vince made a trip to Hong Kong and China this summer, and him and Yao were able to hang out. They played one-on-one for the kids, someone had pics up on the BBS. I think VC and Yao would be a nice duo, VC can shoot the ball well off the pick and we all know about his driving ability. Only thing is Vince's injuries. Allen, Brand, Marion, T-Mac, would all be fantastic playing alongside Yao. Brand is injury prone, Sonics probably won't trade Allen, Marion is untouchable. So that leaves T-Mac, interesting....
Also he doesnt seem to have the heart. Anyways In the Tmac threat I put up a possible, but not probable scenario that i would loooove to see happen. We are able to trade for Tmac since orlando will not have alot of options. Tmac doesnt want to play on a losing team which means it will be hard for the magic to trade for young and cheap talent and the magic want equal talent in return. The way I see it the Rockets could pull a coupe if we were able to trade Francis for Tmac straigtup or we throw in mobley or another 1rst rounder. I rather we keep mobley and put him on the bench. So after we acquire tmac houston would be a pretty good team on paper, all we need now is a pg. Enter Brent Barry once he realizes yao + tmac = ring. Now this would be giving us a starting 5 of Yao Cato Tmac JJ(if mobley is gone) BBarry. With Cat, MoT and pike off the bench. Would the rockets not be the most dangerous 3 point team in the league with 3 dead eye shooters. JJ and Barry are + 40% from down town. And with Yao kicking it out we would have so many good looks.
The question isn't who fits with Yao or who do we have to give up to get them. But....Which of those guys wants to play for JVG? Every single one of those players (except for Brand) are offensive machines, thats what got them the fame. Everyone knows that JVG is all defense, grind it out, boring, basketball. T-Mac could very well look at Steve's numbers and be like "hell no." Houston, we have a problem....FAs would be attracted to Rudy, Yao, and Steve, but a big FA could straight up say "No" to JVG. Everyone knows the style of b-ball JVG plays and its not the style that any of those guys on the list play or want to play, period.
Major consideration- All players must be compatible with Yao Mings development. If the player is starting Point Guard he must be able to play defence and be a pass first playmaker with a high Basketball IQ. WE already have enough players already on our present Roster that dont fit this criteria.
I dont know if it will benefit us to trade Steve in the offseason, he is the heart and soul of the rockets. What the Rockets really need is a tall athletic power forward that is an offensive threat...something kind of like Mo Taylor and a Cato put together. When Cato is out there, NOBODY bothers guarding him, even if he is 8 feet away from the basket...that is how much he sucks on offense. Our depth as a team with tall players is horrible outside Yao...our tallest players on the bench is Mo Taylor at 6'9"!! Somehow we gotta find a good 6'11" power forward that can block shots and be a scorer to start for us. Next is lookin for a legitamate backup at the 3.....JJ cant be doing these mintutes for much longer and Nachbar doesnt look ready. Either that or find a better small forward and bring JJ off the bench. Lastly, Cat has to come off the bench as a spark sort of like a Bobby Jackson. Now that is the agenda for the Rockets after this season is over.
