This is something I've been pondering about lately.... Just how much do you think Landry will demand on the free agent market next summer? Can you imagine one of these teams with lots of cap space offering him 10-12 million? I really like Carl Landry, but with his big year and the open contracts of Scola and Lowry, I'd be surprised if the Rockets keep all three. (And I personally think we have to find a way to keep Lowry, who will also be offered a starting gig and a big raise elsewhere.) Add to that the facts that the Rockets "little" front line struggles when we play teams with long, athletic bigs and that we have a significant need for an athletic shot blocker this year and beyond... With all that in mind, I ask the question: Can we afford to keep Carl Landry or would we be better off sending him out in a trade with TMAC that could land us some talent at the 2 and some shot blocking help down low? To me, I guess it depends on how much it will cost to retain his and Scola's services next year because as much as I like those two, I think a combination of someone like a Tyrus Thomas (athletic shot blocker, rebounder) and Scola (outside shooting to mesh with Yao) would be excellent too...
Landry's contract is up next year so we don't have to worry about that for now, and the fact that you're even thinking of comparing Landry to Tyrus Thomas speaks a great deal about your basketball knowledge. We'll trade Landry if we have a good deal, as no one on this team but Yao is untradeable. That said, I highly doubt we'll get rid of him, and I would say him and Budinger are our two most valuable assets for now.
No to Tyrus Thomas. His basketball IQ is way too low to play in RA's system (or any other system). He's very Stromile Swift-y. He's got more talent, but I get the same kind of vibe from him. But I do agree with you on Landry. I think it would be best to sell-high with him. He's at his ceiling right now, and you know his agent will try to stick it to us after the last round of negotiations.
The question is, who would you rather have? Carl or Luis? Luis pros: Just knows how to play the game Footwork is amazing for a PF Hustle, Hustle, Hustle Lots more "Luis Scola Wig Nights" to come? Luis cons: Guy is 29, hitting 30 in April. Never seems to get out of the 12 points, 8 rebounds mold (good numbers, but could stand to do a bit better (16/10 would be nice)) Jump shots are inconsistent (one day he's on fire, next ice cold) Carl pros: "Gimme DAT!" GREAT in the fourth quarters Shot selection is pretty darn good Plays VERY well with Lowry (both lead the bench brigade) Carl cons: Rebounds...he is severely lacking in this department. Hasn't started an NBA game (only when someone was injured, he started, I believe) Undersized PF (Wiki lists him at 6'9", but he seems more like 6'7") With all this being said, I would take Carl over Luis, even though Luis has more experience playing basketball, and more accolades. Luis is pushing 30, while Landry is 26. IMO, there is lots of potential for Landry, while Luis, as good as he is, will probably stay in this same mold for the rest of his career.
I honestly don't know whom they should keep. Luis is a better overall player, and Landry a better offensive player. Luis is a better rebounder, passer, defender and overall hustler. Carl is a much better one on one scorer. Honestly, it just depends on the team you are going to be building....Landry is a great scorer off the bench, but is not good enough on defense to start. I might keep Luis, as he probably won't be demanding as big a contract but will help you win in more ways than Carl will. DD
landry has been our best player this year plus his attitude is great for this team. i would trade everyone else besides Landry. i think he's our one true untouchable.
Try to keep both Scola and Landry. I think the combination of the two of them matches up favorably with > 80 % of all teams at the PF position. That said, if we could use a player to get us a real star (or someone with the potential to be a "game-changer"), it would be Landry. If we had to use Landry to get someone like Rubio, I would at least think about it.
Good points. Like I said, for me, it depends how much it costs to keep Landry and how long he will keep his explosiveness, which is what his game is built on. Don't get me wrong. I'm not itching to trade Landry. In fact, I like him a lot (and was hesitant to start this thread because I like him so much). He brings an interior game to the team that is desperately needed this year with Yao out and his points off the bench and fourth quarter performance would be very hard to replace any year... But when thinking about the long term, I have to wonder. How much do people think it will cost to resign Carl Landry?
That is why i tend to think scola is tradeable. Landry goes into his final year of his contract next year. I Like scola but it's a no brainer to keep landry. Eventually Landry is getting a strating spot on somebody's team i just hope it's ours and not somebody else.
I can't even imagine seeing ANY of these Rockets in another uniform. Ok, Cook and Taylor, and Ariza maybe, but that's all.
I disagree, he plays very good position defense, steals the ball by going around people on post entry passes, and is an excellent rebounder and good at sealing his man off on defense. While he is not long and athletic, he is very heady and smart, and uses angles well on offense and defense. Carl can score and is quick...but once he loses that quickness advantage does he have the skills to adjust his game? I don't honeslty know the answer to that.... DD
I wonder what he was like in college. Landry could stand to learn a few defensive skills from Hayes, actually. Hayes causes chaos in the paint, sometimes slapping away the ball and stealing it. Landry might focus a little too much on his offense (much like Stoudemire probably does), so that's why that defensive intensity isn't always there. But Carl could be good on defense when he wants to. I know its only one play, but remember GM 3 of the '08 playoffs against the Jazz, when he not only blocked Deron's shot, but he had the smarts to pass it back into Scola? That's what Carl Landry could be.
I don't think you can keep both scola and landry. If we sign scola then I think landry is gone, He will be too expensive.
