I don't see the point in getting worked up over the musings of a player who is not 'in the loop' concerning the direction Rockets' management is going leading up to the draft.
I think that the front office should be weary of the comments Francis and Mobley make. If they don't like someone, they could shut them out on the court. If getting Odom is a possibilty, I would really think about getting him. He could make this team a playoff contender in my opinion.
Chicago won't trade Curry to move up one slot. Curry is good enough to be worth nearly the #1 alone. Don't hold your breath, unless Rudy T has dirty pictures of Jerry Krause (which is a sickening thought) or "filler" is now known as Steve Francis or Eddie Griffin. tozai-I agree. Mobley just isn't the deceitful type of person, and is a pretty blunt person. Maybe things would be different if it was Glen Rice, who tends to be more diplomatic, but this was Cat. On the center, I think Cato is a good backup, but having him as the starter and Collier as the backup doesn't cut it. If you could get a guy who could play 28-30 MPG at center with the pick(s) you could get in addition to Odom, it's something to think about. Dreamshake-I concede most of your points (Cat SAID he and Francis talked about it) except about Odom bringing the ball up. He'd be a part of the clique, so he'd be in on the game. I'd be VERY happy if Rudy replaced the 3 guard lineup with a point forward instead of TLD. Odom DOES have that capability, and he's on Steve and Cat's good side, so I could see that part happen. Odom IS an incredibly unselfish player. He averaged 12.4 FGA this year, 13.7 FGA last year, and 13.5 FGA his rookie year. For his career, he has averaged 16-7.5-5, and turns 23 this November. I'd say on the court, he IS a "proven" player. Also, we've had many discussions over this. Even if Odom is caught with weed again, it's a 5 game suspension, not a year-long suspension.
Dreamshake- Want a tissue, whining b**** a.Yea....Steve and Cuttino don't know how to run a fast break PLEASE....Yep they both have no athletic ability, no speed, no handles...Have you ever thought they never could run a fast break because Steve was the one that had to get the ****ing rebounds since the frontcourt was one of the worst in the League. If your point guard is fighting boards, it's hard to set up a fast break. Most teams have 4s and 5s getting rebounds(what a concept) and start the break that way. Also you can't run a fast break if your defense sucks and the other team always scores. b.I agree, you shouldn't trust Cuttino and Steve when it comes to building a team, that's what the front office is for. The players should still have a say though, because they are the ones playing with these players chosen. Just because Cuttino says a few words on the local news doesn't mean he changed his mind. c. "Lamar will be the one bringing the ball up the court. NO. I understand he has handling skills, but I GUARANTEE you that if Francis is on the court, he will (and should) be running the break or the offense for the most part. " I thought you said Francis didn't know what a fast break was and now you're saying he should be running it. You say Lamar has handling skills, but then you say he shouldn't run the break. Lamar is a point forward. Steve is a scoring point guard. Who would you want running the wings? Players trying to score, right? Lamar is a playmaker...I'm not saying Steve isn't but they can work well off each other d. "That Odom is going to want to get the bulk of his shots through "put backs". Please. What freaking world is Cat living on. Lamar is going to want to be a premier player who gets a max deal. Name me the Max deal players who make that kind of money on put backs. " Do you know Lamar personally? How do you know he wants to be a premiere(learn to spell) player with a max deal. Yes it's stupid to say Lamar will get all his shots on put backs, but the point Cuttino was trying to make is that Lamar is not going to demand the ball so much as to take it out of him and Steve's hands e."That Odom is a proven player. Since when? Yes I like his ability and upside, but what are you basing the fact that he "could" make up 40 losses by 7 points or less (I know Im exaggerating). Odom is one step away from a very long sit out. I promise you this. Even though Odom was busted twice for smoking, he is NOT done with it. Not yet at least. Maybe once he matures he will. " You like his ability, you see his upside,yet you have to bring up weed to discount him. NO doubt this IS a problem that needs to be addressed, but how do "promise" he is not done with it. His apology is sincere and can be taken for what it's worth, but that not a good argument for not getting him. Finally "It isnt their place to try and push the team into making deals to accomodate their wishes." You're right, but they need some imput You want to talk about disloyalty and backstabbing Mobley. Ask Mo Taylor and Kenny T how they feel about you not including them as the Current #1 and #2 options at the power foward position. Wow talk about overanalyzing, who said that just because Cuttino didn't mention them doesnt mean he doesn't backstab them Hell Steve was the one defending Cato and mentioning Mo as part of the future of the Rockets If this team can Draft Williams and use it as bait to greatly improve this team, then Im all for it. Yep, as long as for bait, not to keep Heck if they feel they needed to draft Williams, because they didnt feel comfy with Francis back and forthing on his commitment to Houston, then to be honest with you, Id agree with that too. Francis never was equivocating, he just said he wanted to make sure everyone was on the same page GOD. Not only do we have the most immature, selfish ball players on the court, we have them off the court too. This says it all. You just make assertions without much backup. I don't see where you say why Steve or Cuttino are immature and selfish. SELFISH??? They don't want to keep losing so some speculating fans can dream about a Ming Dynasty that will be far worse than expected. Immature??? What, they're not allowed to say who they would like to see on their team. I'm not saying Lamar is the cure-all. We still need a center and I don't think Ming's the answer. I'm fine with drafting Ming if we can get Odom as well. I think you're just a fan who tells his sob story about how everyone sucks and this and that BS but never has anything to back it up
Now everything is clear ! That was Francis speaking through Mobley. They know that they are going to need to change their selfish ways and there is a good chance that in two years Ming and Griffin could be the STARS of Rocketball. The Guards might loose their so called STAR STATUS. Its about time that the TEAM comes first instead of DRIBBLEMANIA.
If you're not part of the posse, you don't get the ball. Odom would be part of the posse, and hopefully it sounds like Cat has taken Griffin into the inner circle. Note: my posse speculations are just that. I hope I am being paranoid about it, but doesn't that inner clique look, smell and feel real. Of course, if it gets big enough (Steve, Cat, Moochie, Cato, Griffin(?), Walt(?) and TMo -- is Wilcox in the equation), it doesn't matter anymore. The team within the team IS the team.
I don't think they would give up Curry either, but I do think they would be very willing to give up someone like Jamal Crawford in order to assure that they get Williams. The Rockets can then send Crawford to the Clippers, who are in desperate need of a point guard, for Odom.
I'd hardly consider his part in drafting Morris as precedence for concern, Mango; how the Rockets' approach the #1 pick is slightly different than a random selection in the crapshoot that is the 2nd round. Does it even matter if they truly do favor a package featuring Odom to Ming? You and aelliot have both pointed out the logical impossibilities of an internal revolt on Francis' part....and that's assuming that that hearsay is even legitimate....Mobley has no hand in what the Rockets do....so how is this anything more than irrelevant dissidance? Dealing with the Clippers is an issue within itself with me though- I in no way want to hand them Jason Williams without setting them back in the process, which I don't see as possible.
The American Heritage dic.tion.ar.y of The English Language premier- First in status or importance; principal or chief. premiere- The first public performance. (French, first. See PREMIER) tranquilo, cuate.
I don't see where you say why Steve or Cuttino are immature and selfish. SELFISH??? They don't want to keep losing so some speculating fans can dream about a Ming Dynasty that will be far worse than expected. Exactly, Cat and Steve want to win, how can you bash them for giving their take? Just because their wishes conflict with your wishes to get Ming doesn't justify an irrational tirade of bashing our two stars.
no brains... Cat wanting Odom probably has a lot to do with them being friends. It's more of the "chemistry" building nonsense we've had before. Odom with his drug issues isn't worth the #1 pick straight up. If he is out one night lighting up with MoFat and tests positive he's out what a year? Geez...
tpl, Are public pronouncements by players done: 1) In the belief that they have management's ear? 2) To sway the sentiment of the public to their side/position? 3) As a trial balloon by management to test the resolve of other NBA teams in trade negotiations? 4) Other? Mango
ugh...somebody put a muzzle on the Cat! I suppose if the Rockets have to make a trade, Odom is probably the best one we have. However, I would NOT want Olowokandi included. No reason to be paying that stick in the mud a huge contract. I would rather have Odom and both of their first round picks, or Odom and their 8th pick this year and one unconditional first round pick next season. If we get the 8th and 12th, I would then want the best combination of the following players who would eventually play the five position for us. I rate them: 1.) Wilcox 2.) Stoudamire 3.) Hilario 4.)Borchardt. With the 8th and 12th pick, take the best combination of those four players. ...but, I'm still Pro-Ming.
Basically, I guess the best way to look at it is....Would you take Odom as your #1 pick??? Whatever happened to picking up R. Lewis?
Mango, You think too highly of them if you believe they're aware of such means to an end. If you want an example where such a machination may be in action, look no further than the announcement of Francis being out longer than expected......maybe the Rockets are trying to squeeze out a first rounder from the Bulls for the Bryce Drew obligation by threatening to draft Williams in light of recent developments? I'd be more inclined to believe such a scenario than the one involving Francis/Mobley.
tozai...havent watched a whole lot of the Francis Mobley show the last few years have you? You know what...Its not even worth a response. Obviously your to used to being punked on the b**** bbs boards like ESPN so you have to find a new place to post your garbage. And thats about what your post totaled. 2 minutes of wated time, and alot of wasted internet space. When you post, try to to actually post something that at least hold a similance of believability. Otherwise....the ESPN boards await.
Couldn't agree more DC. I really really really don't see what the big fascination with Kandi is. Playing good for a portion of the season in his contract year does not make him a significant upgrade from Cato. I would much rather have pick(s) than Kandi.
