This article is why I'd be curious to see what SAR could do here with a better supporting cast. He seemingly has the right attitude. I also think we need to significantly up grade our forward spots. We have a backup center as our starting 4 and a 2 guard as our 3. Both have played well, but I think both positions could use upgrading. I am not saying to get rid of either guy. I'd actually like to use JJ as our 2 with a good 3-point shooting 3, and move Cato back to the backup 5 spot. Add SAR as our 4, and I think our team would improve dramatically.
I am not sure SAR is undersized, I believe he is 6'9". He may not be as built as Malone but I don't think that is needed. MoT isn't undersized either - 6'9" and about 255. He does play smaller at times though. I also think that adding SAR wouldn't negatively affect our fast break. It should improve it. He is a good rebounder which should allow SF and Cat to get out and run rather than hang around the paint looking for boards.
I find it humorous that you constantly bash a 6'3" point guard for not taking a Western Conference team to the playoffs when he has been the only all-star caliber player on his team and has two winning seasons under his belt, yet you are dying to sign a 6'8" powerforward in the Eastern Conference who can't help his team to a winning season.
Sorry, don't like the trade. Jamison is a overprice tweener. He doesn't play defense and isn't that effective without the ball. Let's not forget he makes MAX money. You think the rockets can afford to max out Francis, Jamison, and Yao? I don't think that's doable. For the people that like this trade, you guys should really check out the Warriors Boards and see what they think about Jamison. You'll get laughed off the board. Don't get me wrong, he's a good player but he's not worth max money. He'll be in the Keith Van Horn situation where he's expected to perform like a Max money player but doesn't quite live up to it. As a counter trade, I think we can get Rasheed Wallace for Cato + a Draft Pick.
Yup, you got me on that one, peter. I am sure you remembered it well considering that I talked about it before you registered here. Maybe, that is what drove you out of lurking. Abdur-Rahim has an infinitely higher level of basketball intelligence than Francis - anyone can see that, well maybe except you. He just hasn't been surrounded by players that give him a chance to win unless you think guys like Bryant Reeves and Theo Ratliff are world-beaters. But that is what I love about you, peter - posts like these. You think that you are real cute when you post tripe like this, but it shows that you like your hero, Francis, don't get it.
And what players have Francis been surrounded by to make the playoffs in the Western Conference? Yes, Shandon Anderson, Cuttino Mobley, Mo Taylor, Kelvin Cato, should make the playoffs. How about that world beater Eddie Griffin. Yes, I can see the greatness of the Rockets, so many all-stars. Its all Francis's fault, and of course, in the weak West, this team should win 55 games.
Cliched and predictable response. Too bad that a team's success is usually dictated by the point guard or center. Last time I checked, Francis is (or tries to be) a point guard. Abdur-Rahim is not a center nor a point guard, peter. Also, he doesn't have a *cool* nickname like "Franchise", maybe that is why you don't think too much of him. Funny how a player nicknamed "Franchise" is not expected by you to be a leader and help a team into the playoffs. I am done arguing with you and your tripe - keep living in that dream world that Francis is a great PG. Too bad you are not an NBA gm because the Rockets could make out with a kings' ransom in peddling "Franchise" to you, lol.
Yes, Bird was a great Center. MJ was a great point guard. Duncan is a great point guard. Besides Isiah, what point guard has been the best player on a championship team? You don't even make valid points. Keep dreaming to have a 6'8" player who can't even when more than 35 games in the oh so tough eastern conference while bashing a player with winning seasons under his belt. You look foolish and its funny.
Well, let's see here - Bird played with 2 other players in the top 50 of all-time in McHale and Parrish and was pretty much a "point forward", but ooh, you got me on that one because of a technicality. Jordan might as well been the point guard because the offense ran through him and he was the leader out there. Funny how the Bulls never won anything when he was doing it all like your hero Francis has been trying to do. Only when Pippen developed, did MJ realize that basketball is a team game. Duncan has never won anything without David Robinson and of his 2 championships, you can make the case that one of them should at least have an asterik because of the lockout-shortened season. And even though, Bill Russell was the best player on the old Celtics team, ever hear of Bob Cousy, peter or was he before your time? That was a leader or how about Magic Johnson. Like duh he was the best player on the Lakers championship teams of the '80s. But thanks for such easy questions to answer. And you have been making valid points?? LMAO. I am betting you wouldn't even answer this: Why is Francis nicknamed the "Franchise", peter? Isn't he supposed to be the leader of this team?? I guess I am naive and everything, but I thought a player nicknamed "The Franchise" implies that he is to lead that team to greatness in the playoffs. What's that you say? He has yet to lead that team in the playoffs?? And he has been in the league now going on for 4 seasons?? Hmm, makes perfect sense to me why he got his nickname. But keep asking me more questions, peter, about other great point guards on championship teams and we will see who looks foolish and clueless.
Who nickname Francis Franchise, I didn't, I've never called him Franchise on this site, so what's the friggin point, your argument comes down to this team should be in the playoffs because of a nickname some writers gave Francis. Yeah, that' valid. Lets see, you imply that we need SAR, a player who hasn't led his team to more than 35 wins in the East. I point out your hypocrisy because of your constantly bashing Francis who has had a far better career in terms of wins in a tougher conference. Then you try to claim that Francis has played with superior talent, a point you couldn't even defend after I refuted it. So then you claim that point guards usually dictate teams' success, another point refuted. So now your argument comes down to a nickname that sports writers have given Francis and he hasn't lived up to. So after being proven wrong at every step, you want to argue about nicknames. Okay. Why is Air Jordan called Air Jordan when he can't really fly? Why is Charles Barkley called the Round Mound of Rebound when he's not really round? Why is Magic called Magic when he isn't a magician? Your point is silly. And when you can find a post where I have called Francis Franchise, please point it to me.
Uh, dude, how many times do I post in this forum?? I have posted more in this thread because of you calling me out than I have in the month, but yet in your little world, I am always bashing Francis?? LOL Yes, I will admit that I am critical of him. I don't see him being a smart basketball player. The guy is not a point guard. Period. He is an exceptional athlete, but he has no leadership abilities. Yes, you are correct with your technicalities, peter, but anyone with a high school education knows what "implies" mean and your posts to me are "implying" that you feel Francis is a better leader than SAR. Hey, more power to you but I disagree. He SHOULD be a better leader because he the position he plays is the QB of the team. But he has consistently struggled in that capacity. If the Rockets make the playoffs, don't worry - I will be one of the first ones to eat crow here. You latch onto one thing and then you run with it - fine. But I really have work to do, believe it or not. "Constantly bashing Francis" - rofl. Hey Clutch, can you run some stats and show peter the percentage of posts that I have on this site in regards to the Hangout, Fantasy Forum, Feedback, and GARM? Especially in the last 6 months?? For some reason, he won't believe me but maybe he will believe you.
This is a BAD trade for both team. First, Jamison is not a MAX player. There is no way any team would pay him that much money today. Even the r****ded Warriors management didn't want to do that, but had no other choice. Jamison is a good player, a great offensive player, but not a FRANCHISE player who command MAX contract. He would be an upgrade over Cato, but you just don't pay that much money for an above average production. Second, Cato doesn't fit with the Dallars. On the surface, it looks & sounds good because defense & rebounding are the areas Cato could help them the most. But the truth is Cato doesn't fit the Mavs style. The Mavs offense requires every single player to be able to dribble and shoot, make plays for the other players, Cato doesn't even know any of that. On defense, the Mavs do it by commit, the Zone. They switch defenders all the time, Cato would be killed when match up with SF. The Rockets' main problem is floor leadership, ball movement. It's nice to have a better PF, but that's not the first priority. --daoshi
Manny, I don't want you to think I'm singling you out, there are a lot of negative posts about Francis. I understand people's fustration, especially when he's been labeled the *Franchise*. But I've learned to ignore most of the negativity. I didn't even respond to your thread about Francis being able to be a championship point guard. But I do get a little peeved when people who are Francis critics all of sudden want losers like SAR or Brand or whoever on this team. Someone made a thread about trading Vince Carter for Francis. I would do that in a NY minute. The same about a thread on trading McGrady for Francis. But SAR or Brand for Francis, when one guy can't stay healthy and doesn't win and the other can't even win in the Eastern Conference. That tends to bother me. Especially from someone like yourself, whose main criticism is Francis isn't a winner. At least be consistant.
That is fair enough, pgabriel. I probably (well, not probably but did) get bent out of shape too much with your post. We'll just have to agree to disagree on SAR. I think he has just had bad luck in being in some sh!tty organizations. I mean let's face it - the Hawks are a mess and the Grizzle wasn't much better pre-Jerry West. But I see where you are coming from as well. But I do appreciate your posts as they made me post in the GARM more than I have had in a long time.
Manny, I agree with your comments on SAR. I think he has had some bad luck. I talked about him more in another thread. SAR is a solid player, but I dont think he should be the first option for any team. I look at him more as a complimentary player, a 2nd or 3rd option. Ditto for Brand. I think Brand is more of a 2nd option.
Jamison wouldn't fit into JVG's style........ I know it's painful to watch us on offense, but it will come together. Steve's stats are down, but I keep hearing he is happy. Yao is really the issue. I don't think he has gotten better. What happened to this great center who passed as well as Bill Walton and could shoot like none other?? All I know, is that the past 2 games, when Yao was in at the end, we screwed up our last possessions (vs Den and Sea). But XMas day, Yao out, and we were on freakin fire, even with Kobe and Shaq and the Glove on the floor. This is not just a coincidence...... ......anyone else see this??????????
