All the talk about Fisher, Barry, Snow etc. is great, but the real answer to our point guard problem might be lurking out there just below the radar. Think about it; what do we need from a point guard? Wanted: a cost effective point guard who can play tough defense, has the ability to hit the outside shot, and can run the point efficiently if not with dazzling creativity. Familiarity with a JVG type of system an asset. Let's look at Ward. Hmmm...career 3 pt %? .366. Compares just fine with Fisher ( .368), well above Snow ( .201) and well below Barry ( .407). Plays solid D. Asst/TO ratio is about 2.5 to 1, which is better than Barry, in range with Fisher ( despite worse teammates) and less than Snow. And unlike and of the above, he's played for JVG. Not saying he's the best choice, but he's certainly not out of place, and he'll come a lot cheaper. Downside is the whole zealot thing, but I have never heard how much of a problem that really is. Still, a name not being mentioned, but well worth considering.
Sorry, but I think Ward is washed up as a starting PG. He'd be a nice backup but we already have Lue.
if lue opts out (if he can), i would pursue ward as a possible back up. but youre right, hes not a legit starter.
Who cares if Ward is 34? Mark Jackson was 39 this season and was effective off of the bench. If Ward will sign for the minimum and that Spanalitis dude isn't ready, why not?????
Ward bombed out badly here in SA this past season. Pop handed him the back up spot to Parker and Ward did so badly that they ended up playing two FA's off the street ahead of him. Even Manu spent time at point ahead of Ward. He ended up glued to the bench. It was really surprising because Pop recruited him big time to get him choose SA. It was a big disappointment. I ended up being glad he picked SA and that the Rockets had to "settle" for Mark Jackson. The times I saw Ward he looked totally done.
Les Alexander is Jewish and Charliue Ward has had a few negative things to say about the Jewish Community. I guess that means no Charlie Ward.
Macbeth, I don't think what you suggest is far-fetched. As you said JVG knows Ward and he was a bad fit in SA. If (and I hope) we have deals in place predicated upon the completion of the T-Mac trade the perspective changes. I like Juwan Howard's game and hate the length of his contract - but if the T-Wolves think he's insurance that can get them a ring - I can believe that. The pgs people mention most: Fisher and Barry would be out of the question financially if we get a better PF than Howard. If we were to do so I could hang with Wilkes starting if necessary. We may be able to scare the hell out of people next year, but right now we're not viable as a contender. The beauty of the T-mac trade is that young FA's will want to come here. But we have a two year window here as of right now. I don't want to be last year's Lakers - 2 guys and uderpaid HOF fodder taking pay cuts we couldn't beat. If we come out of this off-season with Yao and T-Mac and unproven players I could easily accept it. I say Howard stays and we get a pg that will do a good job. We get our real PF & pg soon enough.
