Call Detroit's Bluff - Sign Amir Johnson

I'd like to make him spend some money to keep the guy. See if we can call his bluff. The fact that he's a good judge of talent is a plus in Johnson's favor. Let's see if there's any there, there.

(damn it, I thought I could squeeze another "there" into that sentence! )

 

I wouldn't mind that either, but what if the other viable options at PF get snatched up while we wait for the Pistons who would no doubt take the full amount of time to "decide" whether or not they wanted to keep him?

 

He's a dirty work kind of guy like Hayes, but he has legit 4 size. His per 40min numbers are impeccable. You can check him out on NBATV right now.

 

Sometimes you have to take a chance. It's not like there are a host of great choices out there that we're likely to miss out on.

 

The FA market is really shabby. So I wouldn't mind gambling a little on Johnson or Blantch.

I would think at worst we could trade for another vet 4 for expiriing contracts (Donyell Marshall) just as good as the vet MLE options (Joe Smith, Webber, PJ Brown)--we could do this whether we get Johnson or not, since Johnson is doubtfull to be anything more than 15-20 minute guy next year (if that) and we could use another vet.

 

I'm just going to reiterate that Justin Williams is perfect for the Rockets. He has been a beast in this game. He really is a 6'10" Chuck Hayes with athleticism and shot blocking ability. If you guys get a chance you should tune into this summer league game on NBATV.

 

Thanks for the info.All the more reason for the Kings not to give him up IMO.

 

That's why I put the idea in this thread. It would be the same situation as Amir Johnson. You offer him more than Sacramento would be willing to match.

 

I see your point.How far do you think the Kings will go to keep him?
It appears that the Pistons might match Amir to the entire MLE if needed.
Amir is my 1st choice,but I think Justin Williams is an interesting player as well. He seems to have a soft touch around the basket and is tall.

 

Williams has potential as a defensive minded 5/4, but that 37% FT shooting is a huge limitation. At this point seems like a poor mans Diop/Cato. Hayes by comparison is a much more skilled shooter and refined offensive PF--and that is saying something.

Johnson or Blatche would seem to have more of a likelihood of providing PF help.

 

And that's the box the Rockets now find themselves stuck in because they simply don't have the years to spare to do this with the current Yao-McGrady model. If they stick with this model - a team built around those two - then they have 2 maybe 3 years to get this right.

Many true believers happen to feel this way. I just don't see how they could have beaten Utah. When that series tightened up after the Rockets went up 2 games, it was Utah who dug down deep and clawed their way back while it was the Rockets withered under the pressure starting with the disappearance of Mr. "It's On Me". Utah was able to exploit the flaws in this team's makeup - flaws which are still there in spite of Morey's "efforts".

I have to disagree. You take this team as presently constituted with the trade and draft and it still won't be able to get by Utah who appear to have helped themselves more than have the Rockets so far. Adelman was brought on board to make them look prettier on offense so the "faithful" will come out to the TC and spend money. I view this as more of a marketing move than an actual basketball one. I'm not all that sold on Adelman as I watched his Sacramento teams fall short time after time. I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt as far as his tenure here but I don't expect him to be much more than what he is which is an OK NBA coach.

 

Yep, the team with a five point lead with three minutes left in the 4th quarter of game 7 had no chance to beat Utah. And how has Utah improved more than the Rockets? By adding Morris Almond?

Your negativity, formerly annoying, is quite hilarious at this point.

 

RM95, let me say this again slowly so you'll understand: If you want to believe in the Rockets' company line, then by all means go ahead and drink all of the red koolaid you can swallow. You are entitled to your belief in the new Rockets regime and I respect your opinion. But please allow me the right to retain my skpetcism about what I've seen and heard so far because that is my right as well. If you are this intolerant of the opinions of others then why exactly do you participate in the discussions here?

 

If I'm going to read something idiotic like we had no chance to beat Utah...when we were up five with three minutes left, I'm not going to let that pass without comment. It makes no sense and it's a completely absurd opinion.

And again, who has Utah added that makes their offseason better than the Rockets, who not only added a proven scorer, but another proven player who we should've had last season?

I'm sorry if I like to actually wait to see tangible results of something before I bash it incessantly. The draft was certainly questionable, but I'm not going to b**** and moan and b**** and moan in every post when the first game is still four months away.

 

The issue at hand is not whether or not they had a chance because that they did. The true issue is what happened during those 3 minutes. In your words please explain why did the Rockets fall apart and what has been done to correct this? That's what I am focusing on here. That's not being negative but I can see now that you no longer care to engage in a real discussion but instead only want to hurl insults at those who do not agree with your position.

 

I would say they lacked a consistent third scorer and added at least one.

 

I hate to get in between your p'ing match, but Utah's loss of Fisher has to hurt more than adding Almond. But, the summer is young.

 

I hope you are right DD

 

Yes, they had no bench, no rebounding, no killer instinct, no floor leader, no chance......