I look at the Rocket's roster and see so many role players with huge contracts. If I was Les, I would wonder what the hell has Rudy and CD been doing with my checkbook. I know hindsight is 20/20, however, can anyone justify giving Cato, Taylor and Moochie almost 100 million dollars? At the time, what was the thinking? 1. Cato was an underachiever and anyone who saw him knew that his range was 3 feet. 2. Taylor has always been a terrible rebounder and defender. With all of the great PFs in the Western conference, why didn't the Rockets try to get a banger at that position? 3. Moochie! What did they see to in him to give him 20M? Guys like Moochie are a dime a dozen. Why 20M?
1. Cato during that preseason when we acquired him was playing like Olajuwon did on defense. He was a defensive machine that was avereraging like 6 blocks and 10 rebounds a game. One game he had 10 blocks in. When the Rockets signed him to an extension for that price it looked like a steal. Then we got to know the real Cato. 2. I believe we signed Taylor to a one year deal in the promise that we would sign him to a bigger contract after that one expired. The Rockets had to do it or they would lose their credibility on signing future players the same way. 3. A terrible signing. The Rockets completely bent over and gave into Moochie's agent. There was absolutly no reason to sign Moochie to any more than a three year deal.
Yeah those are terrible contracts, I have said it many times. Over 100m for 3 role players! Especially consider this: Keon Clark earned 2-3m a year less than Cato. Peja earned 1-2m a year less than Taylor. Bobby Jackson earned 1-2m a year less than Moochie. That's a reason our team was so weak. Those 3 contracts set the Houston Rockets basketball back for at least 5-6 years.
Beats me, I gave up trying to figure this out. They gave Cato big bucks and then all you heard was how he was "unmotivated". He didn't perk up until Ming showed up and he realized that he had better start playing. Taylor's defensive liabilities were well known but he could have been much improved with good coaching which he did not get here. For example, look at what's happened to Malik Rose in SA under Popovich. He's playing the way MT should playing here. Moochie? This team has a legacy of falling in love with and throwing major bucks at small guards that never amount to much. We could actually start a new thread on just this subject alone. I recall them doing the same thing with a guard in the 1970's named Rudy White. He was paid big bucks and was always hurt and never really made an impact. The list is long and disheartening: Rudy White, Slick Watts, Sleepy Floyd and on and on and on... Moochie's just the latest name to add to that list.
These contracts have not set Houston Rockets basketball back, period. Were they the smartest deals around? No way. But Cato earned his pay this year, and I can't believe how some of you don't remember how good Maurice Taylor looked in the 2nd half of his first season as a Rocket, after finding his niche. Plus he was young and eager to improve. It's not Mo's or the Rockets fault that he injured his achilles tendon playing a pickup game shortly afterwards. It's just bad luck. As far as Moochie goes, he wasn't nearly this bad his first couple of seasons as a Rocket, but this year he regressed big time after he got paid. But you are Les, you arent winning, and you arent filling up the seats, and Moochie's helter-skelter style makes him a fan favorite. What do you do? I'll say Cato isnt overpaid either, not considering the going rate for any guy 7 feet or taller in free agency. The Rockets have to hope he keeps it up until his contract expires is all. Even with these 3 contracts, the Rockets future is as bright as any in the league. And that is because we have a very good front office, who seized the moment to get Francis and Griffin, drafted Cuttino Mobley in the 2nd round, and made smart picks of Yao and Boki(who will break out next year) this draft. Plus trading Thomas for Posey was very astute And you know what? We did it without having to tank like Denver or Cleveland, and the Pistons are fortunate to be in the east, a conference right now the Rockets could win. Bottom line: these contracts aren't the greatest in the world, but they sure arent the death knell to the Rockets chances of being a championship contender soon.
The problem with these contracts is not the amount but the length. How long has Matt Maloney's contract counted against us? You should never give a role player a guaranteed 6 year deal. That's ridiculous.
the real question is "maloney or moochie". weve still got that guy under contract. all he is doing is living the high life w/ booze and hookers (pure here-say) on the rockets dime. lets force him to return and play again. at the least, it will motivate moochie to play better so that he can keep his job.
you know jo, that is just crazy enough that it just might work. Let me think about it some more as soon as I come down from this acid trip. sincerely, les alexander
i have figured out a way to unload a couple bad contracts and strengthen our 1 and 4 spots. i posted this in another thread, but its so genius that i had to re-post it. Houston trades: SF Glen Rice (9.0 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.1 apg in 24.7 minutes) PG Moochie Norris (4.3 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 2.4 apg in 16.8 minutes) Houston receives: PF Tim Duncan (23.3 ppg, 12.9 rpg, 3.9 apg in 39.3 minutes) PG Tony Parker (15.5 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 5.3 apg in 33.8 minutes) Change in team outlook: +25.5 ppg, +11.1 rpg, and +5.7 apg. San Antonio trades: PF Tim Duncan (23.3 ppg, 12.9 rpg, 3.9 apg in 39.3 minutes) PG Tony Parker (15.5 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 5.3 apg in 33.8 minutes) San Antonio receives: SF Glen Rice (9.0 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.1 apg in 62 games) PG Moochie Norris (4.3 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 2.4 apg in 82 games) Change in team outlook: -25.5 ppg, -11.1 rpg, and -5.7 apg. TRADE ACCEPTED Due to Houston and San Antonio being over the cap, the 15% trade rule is invoked. Houston and San Antonio had to be no more than 115% plus $100,000 of the salary given out for the trade to be accepted, which did happen here. This trade satisfies the provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. this trade would be great for us b/c it would give us the hard nosed power forward that this team seriously lacks and would give us the point guard that would allow us to finally shelve francis like we did matt maloney. san antonio would do this b/c they get two overpaid, veteran back-ups who can provide piss poor passing and streaky outisde shooting.
first: you guys do know that Mooch actually held out for more money. Let me repeat,mooochie,actually had the nerve to not go to training camp until he got more than what the rockets originally offered. If you guys could remember that,then why the hell are their so many rocket fans that like mooch? Oh yea,I forgot,he has cute cuddly hair. God you guys are suckers. second: there is no such thing as hindsight 2020 if your talented and know what you are doing any body that uses the excuse 20/20 is an idiot. I knew in advance,so why didnt you,or the scouts,or rudy? I get paid nothing to know to not sign moochie,and rudy gets 5 million. Luckiest guy on earth I tell you. Even his cancer is a blessing in disguise,now he can use that as an excuse to remain head coach.
Just remember. All the Rox players are expendable. Except Francis and Yao....Ah......take a deep breath.....Now, don't you feel better? Cato. I'm not that upset with. He's been tenacious this year (rebounding and blocks). But Moochie came to camp FAT, and didn't lose the weight like I thought he should. Rice has done well. But he's still out of shape. They better dedicate themselves next year or they will get the axe.
Hedo Turkoglu makes less than Moochie Norris, Maurice Taylor, Glen Rice, Kelvin Cato, Eddie Griffin....except he's better than them. OH WELL. These horrible contracts. There has to be a good one coming up... like signing Posey for 1 million.
I don't know about everyone else, but I cringed at the signings of Mo Taylor and Moochie Norris. I didn't like either of them even when they were playing for cheap.
Me too, especially the Moochie Norris signing. There was absolutely no team that would come close to paying him that much money. In MoTaylor's case, it was a situation where they felt the contract could either be a steal, or he would be at least average. I personally felt he could never be a starter, therefore he shouldn't be making starter's money.
It's just horrible decison making. I mean, the Griffin drafting is defensible- he was high on everyone's lists and he had nice college stats. Even getting Cato made sense, since we had to get rid of Pippen and we needed a big man. But those 2 just don't make sense. I'd like to know what they were thinking. Did they really think Moochie and Mo were hard to replace?
