That all makes sense assuming our top priority is to keep our best players. But if that was our top priority, why the hell did we just let Artest, a better player than Battier, walk without making any effort to resign him?
Battier for Deandre Jordan and a future protected 1st. Why? That would give the rox cap room in terms of a trade exception and a young developing center. Resign Von, sign Barnes to a lle as backup and fill the roster with cheap talent.
Everyone on the lakers board is screaming out of joy on the 'steal'. But really if you were to review the playoffs, Artest wasn't the best defender on the court. He couldn't keep up with his man, both Roy and Kobe. Battier put more effort and work into it and outperformed Artest on the defensive end. I like Battier's leadership skills, and I wouldn't just give away our best defender for nothing.
Darn you and your Amare teasings... It would be nice, though. I would feel comfortable with that lineup, all things considered...
Yao will be back, Scola will be back... are these the best players ? Artest is not better than Battier in my book.
They play the position quite similarly in a lot of ways, as I pointed out. I never said they were the same player, but to say they aren't even remotely similar is simply misinformed. That was my whole point.
you have Jordan manlove of DD proportions, and the salaries don't match Von isn't coming back either, barnes too old for morey's future plans
Signing Barnes as a backup is fine and doesn't ruin Morey's future plans. Backups rarely are part of future plans unless they were lottery picks. Barnes is a good player considering how cheap he is.
They fail to see the time bomb that is Artest on a team with Kobe... Artest likes touches... Kobe needs his... they both need touches... this will not work. I can't wait for the drama.
Honestly, Artest wants to win so badly that I really don't think he'll complain. He supposedly didn't complain about being a 6th man for us, so I doubt he'll care that he can't shoot 20 times a game as long as LA is winning. He'll complain about touches only if LA somehow sucks and he isn't getting the ball.
barnes will just take minutes away from the young guys who I'd rather get the playing time. it's not like barnes will make a difference anyways.
We don't have the LLE either this year. Barnes could have been a Von Wafer replacement for a low price if we had a healthy team,but there is no place for him now.
Let`s see: Ron has no contract and is not likley to sign one with the Rockets. Yeah Ariza is definitley Battiers replacement... Stop hating on the Batt-Man. I`d take him over Ron every day.
Now is the time to steal Rudy Fernandez back from Portland. Battier for Rudy/Webster I think Portland might be inclined to bite on that. They've talked to the Rockets multiple off-seasons about Shane; we all know how much they want him. Then, they were considering Travis Outlaw in a Shane deal. With the possible arrival of Hedo and Rudy being ticked off, this might be the perfect time to steal what could be a great player.
Memphis is under the cap big time, so they don't have to match. Just like when nuggetts gave away camby who was and is a better player, the rox should give away shane and get the young center in return. I just think a move ahead in terms of players. The rox already have the Brooks and Ariza in place. If they trade shane for jordan which would give them a te or cap capspace, that's broooks,ariza,and jordan all under 24. If they continue to pursue amare and resign Von, that's all 4 starters under 24and 1 26 yr old starter. Not only that, they would have a great cap situation.
I am still holding on to the dream we can get an Amare or Bosh and be right back in the mix when Yao is healthy. Noose me up I guess.
any ideas on how we acquire a center? i'm more concerned with the fact we don't have a center on our roster sans foot fractures
Agree...The money can work if we do Battier/Landry for Rudy and Outlaw, this would make us young, long and athletic. Lets assume we sign Oberto(YUCK) Oberto/Hayes/Dorsey Scola/Outlaw Ariza/Fernandez/Budinger TMAC(Trade)/White/Barry/Taylor Brooks/Lowry Now throw in Yao when he returns...RELOAD complete!
