Swopa gets to enjoy more Marc Jackson That left Indiana and Houston. Indiana apparently realized the futility of making what's known as the maximum mid-level exception offer of $4.5 million to Jackson because the Warriors could simply match it. And Houston, which lost center Hakeem Olajuwon, doesn't even have the mid-level exception because the Rockets are under the salary cap. According to Houston General Manager Carroll Dawson, the team wants to use its available money to re-sign its own players. ``We've been talking with them, but I told them there was no way we could get that done, unfortunately,'' Dawson said Tuesday. ``We don't have the means or the roster place to put Mark. ``I've got to sign some players and there isn't enough money to get Mark, too.'' Really curious statement. A.) The Rockets really believe in Cato B.) Marc Jackson is asking for too much, and CD used the "we don't have the money" line C.) The author spelled Marc Jackson's name wrong 4 times in the article D.) Matt Bullard is going to be renamed Max Bullard
Someone tell me if this is correct: In order to become a "restricted" free agent, Golden state must make a qualifying offer to Jackson first. Usually, this offer is a low ball contract, knowing that the player will end up with more money. So if Jackson does not get any offers at all, is he forced to play under the qualifying offer amount? Sucks to be Marc Jackson right now.
CD probably doesn't want to end up like GSW with Dampier & Foyle tying up 9 mil then adding 4.5 for Jackson. That equals 13.5 mil for the center position. If I were a GM I would offer Jackson the 4.5 exception for Jackson at least and see what happens. I think it forces GSW to maybe pay more than they wanted for him and if we get him he can contribute to our team. At the very least he is a tradeable commodity.
So is Cd saying our roster is officially set and that the we're a Cato sore thumb away from having Matt Bullard as our seasoned center?
I don't understand why the put so much stock into anderson and norris. People talk about proven, but the only thing they have proved is they're both bench players. When eddie gets his game down, you want see that small ball line up with norris,cat, and stevie. I remember seeing it last year against Sacramento. I remember Peja just facing up from 15ft and firing uncontested shots over Mobley. That lineup doesn't work against quality players. I don't understand why CD wouldn't want to add a quality big man like Marc seeing the conference in which we play. I'd would rather have more big bodies at my exposure than to have a roster full of 2's and 3's in the west.
I think the really curious part of CD's statement is the part where he says the Rockets don't have "the roster place" for Jackson. Didn't we just loose our starting center from last season? Wouldn't that create a "roster place"? I'm getting this sick feeling from last season when I watched our defense absolutely shredded when KT or Bull was playing center. Please, please, please let Eddie develop quickly.
Our team defense sucked. It'll suck again. I can't understand no roster spot. After CD came back, he must have went to rehab.
Well we do need a center, whether it's Marc Jackson or somebody else. The comment of "we don't have any roster place", struck me as odd. If the Rockets are signing Jelani McCoy I wouldn't mind that at all. He's another young, athletic player who is a shot-blocker with upside. Maybe a change of scenery can jumpstart him. A platoon of McCoy, Cato and Collier would be serviceable, and could be pretty good if Cato and McCoy live up to, or close to their potential. I was getting nervous about having to over pay Marc Jackson. Jackson for cheap is a no-brainer right now. Jackson for a long-term deal or 4 to 5 million a year doesn't make sense.
Of course, if Walt has already been earmarked for the Wizards, landing us Jahidi White, (here, I'm repeating my own hope of filling our void in the middle) then we would have no need for Marc Jackson. Of course, CD can't blurt this out just yet. White's partial BYC in September means other bodies have to be swapped about; and we can't pretend to have replaced our beloved old dog (Dream) with a new puppy (White, whomever) without allowing a proper "grief period." Soon, CD can take off the black armband and get us the center we need.
Maybe the Rockets plan on running a zone most of the time, and figure the zone will cover their defensive liabilities. That is the only thing I can figure.
Interpretation: We really want you but won't agree to your asking price. However, if you could get GSW to agree to a sign & trade, then we could work something out....... Oh wait, this isn't a Doc Rocket cryptic message.
