Atlanta enters the Mike James sweepstakes (UPDATE: Hawks sign Claxton)

Atlanta is who I'm afraid of. But they haven't been directly linked with James yet. This article is just speculation. All the same, I'll be highly relieved if Speedy Claxton signs with the Hawks.

 

Either way we're in trouble : if he wants money he goes to ATL, if he wants a shot at a ring immediately, he goes to the Mavs. The best way to spin it if you're a Rockets fan is if you want a chance at a lot of playing time and a possible shot at a ring, go with the Rockets.

 

I dunno, he has expressed that it has nothing to do with money and how much he would love to be back in Houston. Those are two reasons to be optimistic if you want James back.

 

That's just talk. If Atlanta opens the bank for James, he's gone. Hopefully they go with Speedy or Banks.

 

Hasn't he also expressed how he wants to get paid? I believe it was last year.

 

Considering at this point we really have no alternative option to salvage our roster besides Mike James and that the Battier trade has deplete what little depth we already had, you would think Le$ would at least open his stingy wallet for a 4yr deal instead of the same 3yr Dallas is offering.

 

Completely agree. The rox front office has backed their collective braintrust (read: asses) into the corner to where we're competing for now with Battier. If we don't pull a desparately needed scorer like James, then it all goes for nothing because we'd have no chance to compete without a 3rd option. And there aren't a whole lot avaliable on our budget.

 

how would the dallas news say that we offered him a 3 year deal when james himself has said there hasnt been a offer from the rockets yet?

atlanta may have gone there but i think james wants to play on a winning team, sure he has a ring but he was a third string pg on that pistons team that saw little minutes in the finals

 

I guess that's what James meant when he wanted the Rockets to "meet him half way." He wants a 5 year deal, they want three, and he would settle for four.

 

So we are only offering the same as Dallas?

For a ring,Dallas is closer to it than Houston.

For money,Atlanta can give much more.

"Win-Now"?

Show the proof!

 

Word is Mike James might be involved in the Shane Battier - g@y trade so we might land him and keep the MLE.

 

We are just flat out clueless and stupid if we don't give into James' request of a deal lasting longer than three years.

As of now, NOTHING separates us or makes Houston more attractive of a destination over Dallas. We're essentially offering the same deal, if he's smart and wants to win then he should choose the Mavericks.

If we wants the most money but doesn't care about winning then clearly he should choose the Hawks. This is a move I don't think he wants considering at his age he probably doesn't want to be part of a rebuilding effort like the one he just escaped in Toronto.

Which brings us to Houston. Sure, his family is in Houston and sure he has stated he would LIKE to come back, but the fact of the matter is he's one of the top players in the free agency market and unless we pony up and do something so simple as extending the length of the offer as a positive gesture, we're going to find ourselves panicking and scratching our heads when he signs with another team and we're going back to the drawing board on such a limited budget.

.....I can't believe this is even an issue. Like we haven't had FARRRR worse contracts for FARRRRRRRR worse players on much longer deals on our payroll before?!?!

If "winning now" is a priority then this is a no-brainer.

Les, CD, JVG and Morey: DO THE RIGHT THING!!!!!!

 

Mike James has his ring already when he was playing for Pistons. I think money will weight more in this comparison but there should be another factor: he wants to be recognised, he wants to be an All-Star! I believe he did gain a lot of recognition in this fans board therefore someone should ask him to read the posts here frequently. As for the All-Star appearance, I guess the words from T Mac would help?

 

If we can't get James the next person to go after should be Claxton even though he can't shoot from the 3 point line because he is probably the next best option out there. James is obviously a better scorer who can pass as well and he has the advantage of having played with us.
A 4 year deal shouldn't be bad for the team because his last year could be used as an expiring contract if he isn't doing well.

 

Remember, David Givens wanted to sign with the Texans but the Titans came up with a llittle bigger package and so he went there.

Moulds is a consolation prize, but I don't see a consolation prize in Claxton et al that would be as satisfying.

 

If we could take Mike James, should he start or come from the bench? I would be happy with Mike, but I would prefer Alston, Mac, Battier starting back court and Mike as a 6th man.

 

I don 't think James is coming back as a 6th man ... he wants to be the starting PG! I think it 's better if Alston is the back up PG, James winners mentality is too important if he is starting PG.

 

i think mike james comes here to start simply because i don't see him accepting a 6th man role. i remember he made the comments last year in toronto how he was a little put off that when bob sura came back he got pushed to the bench even though he had been doing well starting.

it probably doesn't matter cause he'd get the same amount of minutes and play most if not all 4th quarters anyways. i see him and rafer getting a lot of time together depending on the team.