Ummm... actually, if you'll just read, analysts regualarly fault Spree for failing to recognize teammates, especially big men, who presented superior options to his own ball massaging and jacking. Spree is supremely arrogant, and blind to his failings. That's true no matter where he's played. He plays hard, but he plays selfish. Spree is not a "giver". We could use some toughness, but Spree is a cancer when he kills team ball to get his, and he's easily baited into a jack contest. He is a loser in any mental contest.
maybe your right on all points. From us having his equal, to him not complementing the team. But, don't you think a midseason package of Howard/Spree@LLE would be able to bring something in return?
Signing Spree (even at the LLE) with the idea of packaging him in a midseason trade together with JH is crazy. First of all, we should sign players who can make us better, not so we can trade them 5 months later. Secondly, what team would be braindead enough to give up anything worthwhile for two aging players who do not have expiring contracts? Man, this Spree talk is going into the twilight zone.
how tall are you? Cause that one went right over your head. I'm talking about putting yourself in a position to succeed. With a player like Sprewell at the LLE, there are multiple positive outcomes with limited negative ones. Spre + Juwan was just an example to get the noggin thinking about different scenarios of what could happen if a Spree experiment failed. You get Spree for what he could add to the team. You get Spree for the fact that at the LLE he is an absolute steal. You get Spree because his first year in Minny (o yeah, that was only two years ago) he proved how valuable he can be on a playoff team. Everything else happens because of circumstance. One last thing, then I'm done with this. Are GM's more willing to give a guy like Sprewell another shot if he fails with the Rockets this season, or a guy like Antonio Daniels if he were to fail with us this season? I think you can figure out which way I would answer this.
Didn't our beloved T-mac admit to "tanking" it when he was on the Magic prior to being traded here? Sure, I agree, that Spree "had" attitude problems last year and didn't try his hardest and you mix that in with aging and skills declining he's not as hot of a commodotiy as oh say when the Wolves first got him. However, if this guy is willing to accept our LLE its because he wants to come here. I'd take a motivated Spree over DA any day and hell at the stages of their careers right now I'd even take a motivated Spree over Finley, simply based on the fact that he can do more things. The bottom line is that it boils down to "motivation". I'm sure JVG knows best in dealing with the Spree issue. If he signs with us I'll be ecstatic because I know its for all the right reasons if he doesn't it wasn't meant to be.
Sprewell's problem isn't motivation. He always plays hard, and he always plays mean. His problem is that he'll be 35 next season, and his skills and athleticism are rapidly declining. He's just not that good anymore, guys. He's a shadow of a shadow of his former self. It's unrealistic to think that he'll magically become the player he was 5 years ago.
The bottom line is that it boils down to "motivation". I'm sure JVG knows best in dealing with the Spree issue. If he signs with us I'll be ecstatic because I know its for all the right reasons if he doesn't it wasn't meant to be.[/QUOTE] JVG ain't no punk!!! If Sprewell doesn't produce, good trade bait, especially with LLE. I don't think CD would take it either. IMO, Sprewell knows this teams potential, and can be a great role player! Alright spot up shooter, but can he still penetrate as easily as he use to.
I understood what you meant. But if the Spree experiments fails, as you say, he will have no trade value at all, even at the LLE. Putting him into a package would be doing US a favor, not the other team. The only way he is an "absolute steal" is if he blends into the team, performs well and adds something. That isn't a given. Spree was 33 two years ago. He will be 35 in 2 weeks. Many players decline quite a lot in that age range. He's lost tread on the tires. If Spree fails this season, with the Rox or anyone else, he will have no more shots. He's done. No more chances. No other team will want him. Too old. It's cruel when players that rely so much on athleticism slow down. I know the LLE is low risk. But he will likely be worse, not better, than last year (.414 FG, .327 3PT and another step slower). I'm going to follow him next year wherever he plays.
Are you sure age is the only issue you have with Spree? I agree 35 is no spring chicken but he can still contribute and I'm pretty confident I can say last years disastrous season was atleast 75% due to not giving a damn and the other due to skills declining and other various factors. Besides, Spree has been durable throughout most of his career and I know he can play a solid 20-25 mins a night. I highly doubt we're trying to play him 35+ a night considering how deep we are. Our own Dikembe who is 39 (so he says) some odd years old looked great last season and could start for a lot of teams. Even Jon Barry who's what 36 or so still has game. I agree, Spree is for sure not a long term solution but who really is in this league? Anything can happen. Where I think a player like Spree can help the most is in the playoffs.
We don't have a tall two guard the tall sgs in the playoffs, we don't have a quality backup 3, we don't have enough players who can create their own shot, we don't have players except Mutombo with deep playoff experience, we don't have a legit starting shooting guard, we don't have a proven 3rd scorer. Latrel Sprewell can provide all those plus fire, determination and leadership. He would be a steal at LLE. As for his magnified baggage, if you want a player of Sprewell's still significant game at LLE, you have to take baggage. If you don't want to take baggage, you won't get much value at LLE. Finley and DA are other LLE options but they also have respective negatives. Also, do you think Flip Saunders and JVG want cancers on their team? Do you think they don't know anything better than the anti-Spree crowd? Spree's definite positives outweighs the possible negatives he brings to the table. IMHO the Rockets should get him at the LLE.
if putting spree on the floor will give t-mac a little rest (just five min a game) he would be a steal at the LLE. I don't care if he has lost a step or two. He doesn't need to be Spree of old on this team: all we need from spree is to back up the two or the three. I have been against the signing of spree for the MLE . . . for the LLE, however . . . thats like buying T-Mac 4 - 6 min a game. I am all for that. All of this being said . . . DA would be a steal at the LLE, so would Gary P, Michael Fin, Der Johns . . . we have to remember, we are talking about the LLE. How many teams have the ability to draw players who would take the LLE just for the opportunity to contribute. If we get anyone but a walking stiff for the LLE, I would be uber happy. out.
Well, whatever I said and whatever I contradicted, screw it all. DA will be signed soon and this thread can be locked up or put to rest.
The thing that amuses me the most are statements like: "I would sign him, but not for LLE", "he isn't worth LLE",... Let the bussiness men decide what he is worth, we should rather discuss whether or not he is worth coming here or playnig time he'd get.
Well I hope this doesn't happen, but I wouldn't be surprised if it did go down. Van Gundy has a thing for former players, it seems. If Sprewell would sign for the LLE and accept his role, whatever that is, it probably wouldn't be a bad thing for the Rockets. Yet I don't see that happening. No, I am not psychic like Ms. Cleo, but there is something about the guy that makes me feel that you can't trust him.
"snob rocket fan" hey that's a new one on me. hmm..let's see. a slob rocket fan a boob rocket fan. a knob rocket fan a freak rocket fan a bob rocket fan a corn cob rocket fan a ny rocket fan a phillie dog rocket fan a...god please end summer quickly........................
I don't know jcmedia, some of those don't sound to bad.... What does it take to become a phillie dog rocket fan? And can one hold out to become a phillie chesesteak rocket fan?
