The moral of my message is basically that people need to stop acting like everything is OK and that the problems will fix itself.
I'm on the other side. I think they will have a pretty good record, once they get it all sorted out. Nevertheless, I am all for the Rox picking up a really good player such as Iguodala.
Very true 1 Thu, Nov 2, 2006 San Antonio Spurs L 91 97 0 1 L 1 2 Sat, Nov 4, 2006 @ Houston Rockets L 76 107 0 2 L 2 3 Mon, Nov 6, 2006 Golden State Warriors L 104 107 0 3 L 3 4 Wed, Nov 8, 2006 @ Los Angeles Clippers L 85 103 0 4 L 4 Those were thier 4 losses and to worse oppenents than who we've lost to.
Dividing everyone up into "role players" and "superstars" is such an oversimplified way of breaking down what a team needs to win. There are players who are in between -- who are better than most role players, but not able to regularly dominate a game like Kobe Bryant. Iggy is one of those. In terms of defense, he's a "superstar"-level talent. He has his strengths offensively, too, and can give a team more overall on the offensive end than most other players. The point is, what specific skills and traits can a player bring to a team, and are those skills and traits what that particular team needs? Evaluating a player for a team is much more nuanced than "role player" versus "superstar."
Over the last year with all the rumors regarding AI, I was open to a possible trade to land him. While I know AI would help make the Rockets better defensively, I just don't think it's what the Rockets need right now to really take that step forward. If the Rockets were to make a trade it would have to be for a legit game changer, a stud scorer or premier point guard that would make everyone better. This team needs a guy that will lead on the court not only vocally but by his play. Iguodala is not that guy, he's a very solid player but is overpaid. I understand when things are bad, bringing in something new and shiny looks sexy, this is not the answer IMO.
Question is: who fits your bill that is available and/or wants to play in Houston? The short answer: no one... We are not realistically going to land Carmelo, Kobe, Granger, Paul, etc. anytime soon... Regardless, it would likely take everything we got to get them interested (i.e. AB, Martin, Bud and then some). After that we would need to acquire pieces around such a star to build a contender which may prove difficult and take time. Guys like Iggy are much easier to obtain and as someone else stated he is more than an average role player. If we made a trade like Battier, Hill and pick(s) for Iggy it is a clear upgrade now for our starting lineup... His salary is a negative but that should make it such that we would not have to give up as much talent to get him... I am not saying that getting Iggy is definitely going to solidify this team instantly, but I definitely think he would get us closer. What realistic other players can we try and acquire? and will they actually be an upgrade?
Oh, you know DM was on the phone right after that. "Hey, I want you to know that I support you in your time of need. A strained Achilles tendon, well, we all know, the player starts favoring that one leg, he tries to play on it, hurts himself more, next thing you know it, he stumbles on the stairs, and his career is finished! Being the swell guy I am, and having all these assets that we can't put on the floor at one time, I want to offer you Jared Jeffries for AI, straight up, and I will include at no extra charge, a signed doctor's statement that JJ does not have a strained Achilles tendon, and I do mean, in EITHER LEG! And hey, I might be able to talk the owner into this.. I just might be able to get Les to agree to throw in a 2015 2nd-rounder.. Keep this to yourself, though, I don't want to piss Less off.. I'm going to tell him you really weren't buying the straight-up JJ for AI deal..
I would be hesitant giving up a first round pick for AI. Everyone is so quick to want to make a deal. I never said anyone was available right now, so why make a deal just to make one. If the Rockets give up Battier, Hill and a first round pick or two they better be getting superstar talent in return. I like Iggy but not enough to part with the picks and Hill. Stay patient with the picks and quite frankly (can't believe I'm saying this) stay patient with Hill, I think the light is starting to come on. My point is, if the Rockets rid themselves of all their assests they won't have enough if someone they covet does become available. All this being said, if the Rockets could get Iguodala for far less I would do it, just wouldn't do it exhausting all their assets.
Then apparently you aren't paying attention. Why would you give up your starting point guard when your back-up is struggling to find the court with back issues? Ish looks solid, but Lowry having injury issues puts a halt to trading Brooks.
Hornets contact 76ers about Iguodala: http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/21368/hornets-not-resting-on-laurels
You bring AI on board with the idea of putting him alongside of AB and Martin. He could be perfect alongside those guys as he is good penetrator, passer and defender. That being said, bringing on AI is going all in for the next couple years. So you probably keep Battier for leadership. This means Chase goes out in the deal. Budinger+Jeffries+Taylor+Patterson+2012 first rounder is steep but I would love that deal. Yao/Hill/Miller Scola/Hayes/Hill AI/Battier/Taylor Martin/Lee/Taylor Brooks/Lowry
He is one of those 2-way players we need and him on the wing with his play making ability surrounded with scorers suits his style and ability to shine. If we can get him for a large coke and and a bag of peanuts and last nights table scraps i'm all for it.
Philly doesnt need wing players, they need a center and maybe a PG. Jeffries + Lowry + Bud might be something to look at. I know they would want Hill, but man we really need him. Brooks / Ish Martin / Lee Iggy / Battier Scola / Hayes Yao / Hill Doesn't solve our defense problem but is another upgrade offensively. Getting Iggy however makes Martin expendable in a Melo trade.
