And that my friends is T-Mac wants to come to Houston in the first place. I think it was pretty fortunate that Yao happened to explode versus the Magic in that one game. If he played subpar in that matchup then I don't know if T-Mac would be so high on Houston. T-Mac got to see first hand how good a player that Yao can be and those first hand experiences can be very impressionable. Definitely some great timing by Yao on that one.
Please tell me you are lying to yourself, because if you are not then I'd recommend it. Now, being of Spanish decent I have to say that Pau (that name screams wuss) is the biggest cry baby in the NBA. At least Yao has mean streaks in him, but even when Pau tries to yell after a dunk he's still a wuss. Pau is a nice player but not a franchise player. Go to Jerry West and see if he would trade Pau for Yao. He'd be shipping his Castellian ass out of Memphis faster than the Spanish losing in the Eurocup tournament.
What do you guys think of the Rockets going after Theo Ratliff? I think we could pry him away from the Blazers by using the TE & he's in his last year. He'd be a nice backup to Yao and could even play PF with Yao in the lineup. Those two would clog up the middle quite effectively in my opinion.
i would LOVE to have ratliff on this team as backup C. But i think he wants lots of money, and besides, how is yao supposed to get pissed and get techs if ratliff is on our team?
Memphis had a better record this past year, but... 2003 Memphis record: 28-54 2003 Houston record: 43-39 2002 Memphis record: 23-59 2002 Houston record: 28-54 Oops. I guess 1 out of 3 (with Gasol on your team) isn't too bad.
Yeah, he's had injuries in the past, but he did play a full season last year. The guy is making a good amount of money, but he's in the last year of his contract. I'd love if the Rockets could some how pry him and Darius Miles from the Blazers. Looking at their salary cap situation it looks like they'll have a lot of big contracts off the books next year. I think the Rockets should also look into a combo of Dalembert/Snow or talk to the Wizards about Etan Thomas. I think Mo Taylor, outside of his contract, is an attractive prospect seeing that he can give a team 10 PPG off the bench. We need to use this TE to get the most out of it, even if it means eating a contract for a couple of years.
The Blazers are enamoured with Ratliff, he was a huge part of their later playoff push last season. It'll probably take the TE, a decent player (one closer to a Mobley level than a Taylor level), and a future first rounders to bring him over here. I'd just wait a year and pursue him in free agency.
restricted free agents Etan Thomas or Chirs Mihm trade Taylor for any servicable center like J. James or K. Booth (even overpaid cause Mo's contract is even worse than those) Howard should be our 6th man provids some scoring off the bench like Taylor did last year.
We will see. 4 years ago every GM would have taken Vince Carter over T Mac. All I know is what I see in games. Yao and Pau are comparable players. I don't think Memphis would have been a better team with Yao instead of Pau. However, this will be settled in a few years. Francis>J Will Mobely>Mike Miller Jackson>=Posey (according to you guys ) Cato=Swift Yao???Pau...hmmm
It's not really which team has better players but which team actually plays better and that has alot to do with coaching, chemistry and all that junk...see the Utah Jazz
So what's the buzz in Grizzlie Land about the Swift situation, MemphisX? Don't you guys expect someone to make a run at him? Any idea about what's going down there? Hey, we all know you've got a good team. (finally!) But, as was mentioned by ROXTXIA, you've got some players to sign to extensions, some logjams in spots, and a lot of solid guys, but no "superstars." Is West hoping for lightning to strike, ala Detroit, in the West? Unlikely, don't you think? Anything you can share with us? We might be looking at some of your guys with our MLE and trade exception. And I imagine we're not the only one possibly eyeing Swift. I won't comment on your Yao "thoughts." (in the interest of maintaining a civil discussion )
I am honestly not sure Swift is worth it (maybe 40/60 he does not meets expectations), but I'd offer a full maxed out MLE (like 6 year 45 million) deal to force Memphis hand if no one else goes after him. If Memphis matches as X thinks, so be it, but don't let them get a bargain price. At least I would do so (go after Swift) unless Brent Barry or Camby will take our MLE for 3 years or so, who are one of a few possible MLE guys who would seem to fit even better. I feel kind of sorry for West/Memphis. They have done a great job with their picks for the most part and moves. But honestly they don't have a Yao (Gasol doesn't have near the presence on either end to the modestly objective observer) or Tmac, and we might have both. That negates a host of quesitionable moves by the Rockets and solid moves by the Grizz. Among them include letting Posey go to them for only an MLE, who was, and will be, a fine player for them at decent value. And yes, I would love to have Posey still, where him/JJ man the SF (don't care who starts) and play back-up SG minutes to McGrady--what defense and wing coverage they could bring. But oh well, that is done and Memphis pulled one on us there. But landing Tmac makes the last season and halfs bumbles and screw ups extrodinarily minor--and that is the bottom line.
Only problem is, gee whiz, that could hold us up for 15 days, if the question is too strong in favor of a Grizz match for it. (Besides, they might need SS in a Shaq deal.)
No I agree it is a risk, and if Barry or Camby (URFA) are up for a 2-3 or 3-4 year MLE deals respectively I'd say why bother with Swift and take care of a pressing need with a vet you are confident that he can fill that role. Another alternative to Swift is a 3 or 4 year MLE deal with Etan Thomas. A tougher player, but one with less upside. If that is more likely to go through (not matched by the Wiz) than I guess forget the Swift attempt as well. But outside of Barry, Camby, Swift or Etan Thomas I don't see good candidates for the MLE. The rest of the guys I like are only worth the 2 mil exemption or their vet min, or are simply completely unrealistic for an MLE to land (Sheed, Manu, etc). So you can play around with Swift or Thomas if the other two URFA candidates (Camby, Barry) are not in the picture. If the MLE is not used early in the FA season then you can use a part of it later if the oppertunnity presents itself (e.g., JJ last year).
A couple of questions: What money will be used to sign the (presumed new starting point) Fisher? How will the (presumed) 20+ mil of 4s be resolved? Mo may have value, but look at his contract. Howard has value. Spoon is a good guy to have on the roster. [Answer: resolution cannot occur without either taking back another bad contract or combining with TE.] What happens to roster of 4s if EG actually does come back? How can the back up 5 be ignored with some/all of the MLE?
i can answer two of these 1.) Mid Level Exception, probably looking at 3/4 of it for Fisher 2.) he's not coming back so no need to worry
