http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=240313019 against the Magic, and he shot 9 of 10 overall. Ray Allen played very well too. Brent Barry also had 10 assists. Brent Barry is the MVP of the Sonics. He makes that team go. With the assumption that Steve stays and Cuttino opts out of his contract after next year, Brent Barry would be a nice fit for the Rockets considering his passing and shooting skills would dramatically upgrade the offense.
Barry will turn 33 during the 2004-05 season and Barry's agent is already on record that he wants a 4 year deal for at least the MLE. I for one would be hesitant or at least look at other options.
If we resolve the PF situation and keep our guards, I'd sign Barry for four years at the MLE. He's a quality guy to have around and his strengths fit our team's needs. The only problem with Barry is his suspect defense, but he's the type of guy who does what the coaches ask of him.
Considering he has played in Los Angeles, he might accept a 3 year deal to play for the Lakers. The same thing for the Spurs especially if Ginobli tries to jam them up for a really big deal. Those are the two inside-out teams at championship-caliber level with a need for a 3 point shooter. Rockets may just want to get Charlie Ward who will be probably getting the veteran minimum.
If the Rockets wouldn't sign James Posey to MLE monies, would they sign Barry to the same monies, especially considering his age? I doubt it. Would the Rockets be hesitant to take on Barry considering things so far haven't worked out with Pike? Things to think about.
Yes, I am thinking Charlie Ward may come to the Rockets. He's probably Van Gundy's favorite ex-Knick, so that will be a large factor. I see Brent Barry going to the Spurs or Lakers with the Lakers being the frontrunner especially if Kobe or Payton leaves.
If you have a superstar combo guard at point, you have to pair him with another combo guard in the backcourt. Mobley should have been that guard. Smart enough to make the right passes and creative enough to mix the scoring with the distribution. Unfortunatly, he lazed his way into a career as a glorified Anthony Peeler. Very disappointing. Barry is a criminally underrated player, but he can drift when he's bored. He could be the perfect player for Steve to run with, but I worry about his age and how he'd react to JVG (after BB's stint under Riles in 1998).
Barry tonight .... 9 of 14 from the field and 7 of 11 from three-point range. 28 points, 9 assists, 6 boards, 2 steals. Granted it was against the Hawks, but he's been putting up terrific numbers all season. If he seeks a 4 year, $20 million deal, I see no reason not to pursue him. Even if you don't believe the Rockets should move any of their guards, they need a guy like this and they need him to start. You pick who else you want to start, Francis or Mobley and at what position, but give me Barry ... please. I mean I was boasting the other day about how well Cuttino shoots from the field against the East.... 45%. Barry shoots better than that from 22 feet out (46.3%) for the year (and did I mention he can pass and run the break?).
He'll get more than the deal he supposedly said he'll take. I hope it's not Seattle or Denver. He's a JVG-guy all the way. I agree, go for him!
CD will go after whomever JVG directs him to target. CD will be effective in his pursuit, but he will be pursuing JVG's desired player(s).
Barry is everything this team needs...a great outside shooter, he can run a fastbreak (something the Rockets completely lack since the loss of James Posey), and he can run at PG if needed. I hope CD and Jeff do everything they can to bring this guy in. Then tell Cuttino to come off the bench, and if he doesn't like it ship him out. Unfortunately, I have a feeling there will be plenty of offers for Barry, and the bids will probably increase. I don't know if the Rockets are willing to get into a bidding war for him.
I watched a fair amount of the Sonics/Hawks game last night and Allen and Barry were just awesome. I am jealous....just take a look at Barry's and Allen's numbers last night (admittedly it was against the Hawks). R. Allen: 7-15FG - 2-6 3PTR - 11-12FT - 10RBS - 4AST -- 27pts B. Barry: 9-14FG - 7-11 3PTR - 3-3FT - 6RBS - 9AST -- 28pts Also, they COMBINED for only 2 turnovers, Barry had 2 of them and Allen and none. Francis for Ray Allen, Barry with the MLE, and Rasheed Wallace with our 6.9 T.E. Barry, Wilkes Allen, Mobley Jackson/Pike Wallace/Taylor Yao/Cato Sigh, that team would be deadly! Who would you leave open to double down on Yao?
deuce that is my dream team. no im not kidding i would be really really happy with that. we can only wish.
This roster would depend on Yao a lot to create open shots for the outside shooters, but that is ultimately how this team will win a championship. Look at the Kings. Look at who creates shots for Bibby and Peja.
Deuce - I'm definitely with you.... I love your thinking. Unfortunately I think it's too perfect, almost like a best case scenario in each case. The questions I would have about it are this: - Would Seattle go for Francis for Allen? I think it's something they could go for considering they dumped Payton when his contract was expiring and got a younger "star" in the process, with a couple more years on his contract. Would be similar here. Given Seattle's more of a gunning team without a post presence, Francis could be a good fit there (though this plan would strip Seattle of two of their gunners ). But, if they knew they were losing Brent Barry for nothing as well? - Would Barry choose Houston? I think a lot of people are going to come after him. He'd probably want to start somewhere. - Would Rasheed choose Houston? We lose Francis - is he a draw for Rasheed in this instance? I know Mobley would be a draw and so will Yao, but playing for Van Gundy is definitely not one for a guy like 'Sheed. We may be able to offer more cash, but given how he's playing, I think other teams will get in to this scene - especially the post-starved East (as well as Detroit themselves). - Would Mobley be happy coming off the bench? I'd love to have Mobley as THE Sixth Man, getting 30+ minutes a night... I don't know if he'd be willing to do that at all. His starting guard buddy traded and he goes to the bench. Would be viewed as a step down in his career possibly, though it would certainly make us deadly. Overall, we absolutely, positively have to add depth. There are too many one-dimensional players on the bench .... or liabilities on the offensive end. Your lineup can run and pass, gives us a much better fit in the backcourt and at the four and adds much needed depth (Cato, Mobley, Taylor make us a very good and solid 8-deep). Right now Francis, Mobley and Jackson are playing WAAAY too many minutes. Most importantly in your lineup, our starting 1, 2 and 3 would be shooting 46.3%, 42.8% and 40.2% respectively from three-point range and you'd be able to bring in another long-range bombing specialist in Piatkowski who isn't even in the top 8 core. That's just plain sick.
Maybe the rockets could throw in a cato and francis for allen and maybe booth because the sonics need alot of help in the frontcourt. I dont think a francis for allen by itself will do it for the sonics.
