[Ch.2] Derek Anderson says Rockets his No.1 choice

I don't know whether to feel good or bad about DA on the Rockets. I know his salary and contract length would be of minimal impact should he continue to be hurt alot or if his play sucks.

But I get this real uneasy feeling that this guy is going to be trouble in the locker room. Even before things went sour here in SA in contract negotiations, there were whispers that he was not the "good guy" he comes off as in interviews, where he loves to reference the "loyalty" motto he claims to live by. They SnT'ed to Portland, getting him the money he wanted, but those same rumors kept surfacing with the Blazers.

This guy talks a great game, but off camera seems to have a sour attitude at the slightest thing that doesn't go his way. He seems to take any little thing as a sign of disrespect. What if JVG doesn't start him? What if he only gets 15 mins? What if he only gets 5 shots? What if...?

 

DA's comments sound a lot like what Swift said after his meeting with the Rockets...let's hope the outcome is the same.

If we do get him for the LLE, chalk this up as a great offseason in my book. While DA doesn't fit exactly what we need, he's a very versatile player that can play the 1, 2, or 3, and when healthy adds athleticism that we need very badly. I don't know how his shot has been recently, but I remember his year in San Antonio he shot pretty well from long range. A healthy Derek Andersen for the LLE is better for us than Stoudemire, Sprewell, Van Exel, or even Finley (for what he would have costed).

 

I think this also is my only remaining concern about DA. IIRC, he whined publicly about his lack of playing time or something. I hope JVG is telling him upfront that given the depth we already have in the backcourt, DA's going to have to earn his minutes the old-fashioned way.

Since it would only be a small two-year deal though, we could always ship him off for peanuts if he starts complaining. Heck, a 2 for 1 of DA and Mike James at the trade deadline could even land us a quality, somewhat overpaid point like Daniels or Brent Barry.

 

Juwan has two more years on his contract, it's around $5-6 million more, and the major concern about his health. Mo only has two years left on his contract including this upcoming season.

 

What other teams are after him. I think its good that we are going after him right now because once the Finley sweepstake is over in Miami, teams like Denver, PHX would love to pick DA up. I would be happy if DA turns into a player like wesley( Defensive player and takes open shots) and not into a team chemistry problem.

 

That is true. I don't see it happening however. It did happen with Moochie though.

 

We are going to kick ass next year! Woohoo!

 

Rockets make their case with Anderson
Versatile guard to weigh options, decide next week
By JONATHAN FEIGEN
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle


Months after he thought he would become a member of the Rockets, Derek Anderson finally made it to Toyota Center on Thursday with a chance to make it home.

Anderson, a free agent who wanted and expected to be sent to the Rockets in a February trade, visited with Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy and other Rockets officials on Thursday as the Rockets sought the versatile guard for their last roster spot.

"I think it went real well," Anderson said. "They were real upfront and honest with me and that's what I wanted."

Anderson's agent Tony Dutt said Anderson would consider his options over the weekend and choose a team next week. Anderson is also considering the Heat, Lakers, Pistons and Timberwolves, with the Rockets, Heat and Lakers considered the front-runners.

The Heat have also pursued Michael Finley and the Pistons could be close to a deal with Latrell Sprewell.

"It went well," Dutt said. "At this point, we're going to take the next couple of days, look at all our options and make a decision next week. We have to talk about everything said to him by everybody, put it all in perspective and make a decision."

When Anderson became a free agent Aug. 3, he seemed out of the Rockets' range with the Lakers holding their full mid-level exception of $5 million.

Over the salary cap, the Rockets can only offer their $1.67 million salary-cap exception. But the Lakers reportedly have offered only half their exception, and Anderson has seemed to be searching for a fit as much as the richest contract.

"Derek has been pretty clear that the situation, the minutes and the opportunity would take precedence over money," Dutt said.


Closer than it looks
The NBA formula to be used in Anderson's situation could bring the Rockets' and Lakers' offers even closer.

Because Anderson had a guaranteed contract when the Trail Blazers made him a free agent by releasing him in a luxury tax amnesty move, a portion of his new contract will be deducted from the Blazers' $18.84 million obligation.

When applying the league's formula in such situations, the Rockets' likely offer would earn Anderson $1,155,974 beyond the money still owed him by the Blazers. If the Lakers offer $2.5 million, he would actually earn just $1,570,874 in addition to his Portland salary.

The Lakers, who also could look at former Philadelphia guard Aaron McKie, could offer Anderson a more defined role as a point guard in the triangle offense.

The Heat and Rockets have more depth in the backcourt, but Dwyane Wade is entrenched as the shooting guard in Miami. The Rockets' shooting guards, David Wesley and Jon Barry, are 34- and 36-years-old, respectively, and are signed only through next season.

Anderson, 31, has averaged 13.1 points on 41.1-percent shooting and 34.3-percent 3-point shooting in eight seasons with the Cavaliers, Spurs, Clippers and Trail Blazers.


Versatility draws interest
Anderson's ability to play three positions and to contribute either as a guard to initiate or finish offense drew the Rockets' attention long enough for Anderson, 6-5, 196, to notice and to say he felt appreciated.

"That (a trade to Houston) was the situation that was supposed to happen," Anderson said. "Portland didn't do it for whatever reason. Maybe it will all work out the same, but I was ready to come (to Houston)..

"It's a good time, but a little bit (stressful). It will be a good time soon, hopefully. I felt real comfortable. I think they felt comfortable with me. Loyalty is my thing. Hopefully, it will all work out."

 

Shouldn't be a problem.

Injuries have kept DA at less than 100%, otherwise, he wouldn't be available. And that should keep him relatively humble.

He does know we looked into trading Mo for him at the trade deadline. Either we balked at the last minute or Portland actually counted the overpaid PF's already on their roster at the time.

All will be well (said Pollyanna).

 

is derek anderson a great shooter or is david wesley better?
id want someone really athletic at the 2 or a pure shooter like wesley person to fill the spot. we had a chance to get DA last yr and werent too thrilled at the chance.
is DA really that much of an upgrade over DA?

 

unless someone offers him more than his portland contract, which is definitely not happening, isn't the money he ends up with exactly the same anywhere he goes? there's no double dipping. sounds like he's going to be here.

 

wrong.

 

he gets a certain percentage of the new contract money in addition to his old contract money. the rest of the new contract money is payed to portland.

 

I'm just wondering if Anderson is really a difference maker for us. I kind of doubt it. Someone to round out the roster...ok...but is he going to put us over the hump? Doubtful.

 

I couldn't agree more...... he's a nice player and a good addition but you're right he won't put us over the hump. He's always been a solid player when healthy but he's no Spree or Finley that's for sure.

 

I agree with you except that he will take some minutes away from Wesley which should help him out, considering he ran out of gas at the end of the year with all the minutes JVG was feeding him and he should be able to help big time against the teams that have tall SG's that can post Wesley up but won't find that so easy against DA. The Rox are at the point they need players to round the roster out. He'll come cheap and its a good move forward for this team.

DA can also play a little 3, which if they want to give McGrady a rest and play a small lineup, he'll fit in there too. Also if Sura needs some time off DA can also play a bit at the 1. He's not a difference maker by himself but he helps fill holes and he's a versatile sub.

As for the cancer angle on some of the guys who may be available for the Rox including DA, I think all of these guys are older pro's, who will walk into this locker room and fit right in. All of these guys have been in situations where walking into a happy and carefree one should rejuvenate the attitude again. What player in this league didn't see the camraderie on this team last year and won't want to be here to fit in with it.

 

at this point this is going to be the best we can do on the free agency market. I say we take it and run, he is still young enough to be on the tail end of his prime and if he only has 1 good year next year he is on the books for less than 2 million, a very easy number to swallow for the Rox.

 

DA is equal to DA.

 

Things are looking good with getting Derek Anderson. I think he will be a great addition to the team!

I think he was just stuck in a bad situation in Portland and here in Houston will have a more defined role. Plus I think Tmac/Yao will make Anderson a better player.

Anderson adds athelticism and height to the 2guard spot which is something we really need. Plus he is a great passer. For a SG he has high assist numbers. Another plus is Anderson probably would be a good "Post Passer" to Yao which I think is a huge plus to this team.

Our guards would be Sura/James and then Anderson/Wesley. Then you have Barry backing up the 3 spot. And that leaves Head out in the cold. Basically allowing Head to learn at his own pace and not be thrown into a tough situation.

What's great about Anderson is his versitility. He can play 3 positions. Same with Sura. So if the team has some injuries we have some depth and some options.

And I think Anderson will fit in "chemistrywise" on the team. He wont rock the boat which is important!

Guys, we could be on the verge of adding Swift, Anderson and Head to this roster and really only losing Spoon/Padgett. I would say that would be a fantastic offseason.

Plus we still have the Wesley/Ward/Mooch/Baker expiring contracts which we can hold onto until the trade deadline to add another quality player.

 

I was looking at stats just now and it occurred to me that you should look at him as David Wesley of four years ago. They're pretty much the same statistical player, but Anderson's younger and four inches taller. And what addition does everyone point to as the difference maker for us after the bad start last year?