With all the Sheed trades floating around, I'm sure we could throw in Qyntel for next to nothing. He's technically not a head case yet...just because he's on the blazers doesn't mean he's going to start toking it up. Even if he does, he'll fit right in with MoT or EG. Tierre Brown- this guy http://www.nba.com/playerfile/tierre_brown/index.html?nav=page I am the president of the Tierre Brown fan club. Member total- 1. He was the best backup PG on this team (behind the Energizer Scotty Brooks, of course). And though he might have gotten romped by Stevie, I know for a fact that he was able to take Mooch at the practices...though, admittedly that is not saying anything. Honestly, though, he was a solid backup when given the minutes. He was doing rather well on the Raptors summer league squad. What amazed me most was the fact that he gave a sh*t, unlike some of the other Rockets. He would always come to play. So...yes, I am a serious fan of a benchwarmer who was released by the Rockets.
verse - Let's take a head count - Steve, Cat, Griffin, Taylor, Yao, Pike. That's 6. Let's add necessary backups where Steve Smith can not play...Cato - C, Moochie - PG - that's 8. Admittedly, I have not mentioned a true SF therefore.... 1) If the Rockets retain Glen Rice they have 3 SF's - Rice, Nachbar, & Hawkins...not counting when Moochie is at PG and SF plays the 2 with Cat at the 3. This has been about 8-12 mpg. 2) If the Rockets package Rice (it is IMO unliklely Rice can be moved with another large contract such as Taylor or Cato), then it is almost a surety that one of the players coming to the Rockets is a true SF. Probably not a star, but a quality role player. Now...please explain why the Rockets would tied up $2+m for three years for the 9th or 10th player in the rotation when they won't pay $4.9m per year for a starter (Posey)? In your own words "...steve smith is in no position to demand rotation minutes on anyone's roster.". I'm sorry, but I fail to see anything positive considering that: 1) Smith will be 34 yo by the end of the 03-04 season. 2) Adding Smith take's PT from Nachbar. 3) Smith is a redundant skill to Rice and Piatkowski. 4) Smith hasn't played starters minutes since Portland in 00-01 and would be a liabilty as a Rockets starter IMO. Vet minimum for 1 year to fill the roster - OK. Multilple years- NO!
Isn't Steve Smith nearly 50 years old? Seems like it was waaaay back in the early 90's when he was considered a prolific sharp shooter.
Steve Smith has already stated that he would love to finish his career in Atlanta ,the team that hosted his most productive years. Detroit was the other possibility because of his uncle by marraige(Joe Dumars) and the fact of that being his Hometown.
For those of you who don't know Steve Smith started 18 games last year and 75 of the 76 games the year before for the high ranking contending spurs. Adding to what Verse said,he also didn't start that much last season because he was coming off of a knee injry and surgery last offseason. He is 6'-8" and has averaged .472 and .331 in three point shooting the last two seasons. His skills are similar to Rices but he is a bit more mobile and athletic. He is also alot cheaper and a good vet. team player. As far as Boki he has shown noone ANYTHING to say he is ready for real min. If he plays well give them to him but do not say we will sink or swim at that position because he is our best or only option. Rice will miss some time and cannot play many min. We complained we didn't have enough shooters to comp. Steves and Yao's game and now we want to add more nonshooters.
