http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/chi-0604240108apr24,1,756238.story?coll=chi-sportsnew-hed Smith, the acredible scribe (scribbler) from ChiTown is at it again with made up trades -- and Rox notes. Thought the Rox notes were better than tanking, trade threads, new coach etc: Indiana's O'Neal on block? BY SAM SMITH Chicago Tribune He doesn't look or sound much like Oprah, but one of the best book clubs around is hosted by the Golden State Warriors' Adonal Foyle. The Warriors' center has a monthly gathering with about a dozen friends, though none of his teammates. This month's book was "An Open Heart - Practicing Compassion in Everyday Life," by the Dalai Lama and Nicholas Vreeland. Foyle also founded Democracy Matters, an organization dedicated to campaign finance reform. Character matters, but so do double-doubles. That's why the busiest team in the summer trade market is likely to be Golden State because it can't get a read on Foyle as an interior fixture. And though the speculative talk is about Kevin Garnett - as it is with everyone - the move many expect the Warriors to make is for Pacers forward Jermaine O'Neal. So what gets it done? Perhaps a major deal that sends O'Neal and Stephen Jackson to the Warriors while Jason Richardson, Troy Murphy and Derek Fisher are sent to the Pacers with secondary names uncertain. It's only speculation for now, but the Warriors have the most pieces to make that kind of deal, are talking openly of changes after a disappointing season and are said to covet O'Neal's low-post presence. O'Neal, who played with Warriors general manager Chris Mullin, has become estranged in Indiana. A new start back in the West may be just what O'Neal needs to re-establish his MVP credentials of a few years ago. The Pacers certainly would want him out of the conference. Expect them to first make a bid for Garnett with O'Neal. Murphy, whom the Bulls have coveted at various times, and Richardson become free of their base-year trade restrictions at the end of June, making them easier to deal. Even if the Pacers, up 1-0, get by the soft Nets, they're said to be dedicated to reshaping their roster without missing the playoffs. Getting Richardson, re-signing Peja Stojakovic and adding Murphy would give them a nice core to build around to remain competitive. They would lack a true post presence, but are said to be intent on changing their makeup with more team play. Plus, Richardson is on the verge of becoming an All-Star and they are committed to getting an All-Star talent in return for O'Neal. HOWARD'S END One of the best stories in the league has been the good health on the Houston Rockets. Well, at least, for one player, Juwan Howard. Howard went out last season with a viral heart infection, but was an ironman this season amid serious injuries to Tracy McGrady, Yao Ming and Bobby Sura. Howard, who averaged 11.8 points and 6.7 rebounds, missed just one game with the flu and one with a suspension and was one of the few non-playoff players not giving in down the stretch; he averaged 19.5 points in the last six games. Houston is said to covet a scoring small forward in the draft and would love a shot at Gonzaga's Adam Morrison. But Howard has proven his worth years after he was considered a trade throw-in. "I have a love for the game," Howard said. "Ever since I was a little boy watching the game on TV, watching some of the great players like Magic (Johnson), Larry Bird, Dr. J. (Julius Erving), Michael Jordan, those guys inspired me. Those guys continued to play hard, aggressive, and play at the top of their games when they got to my age (33). Why should I stop now? I'm going to keep working out there, showing I have a lot of fight, and be an example for some of these young guys." ILLINI UPDATE The Rockets' ironman was Illinois rookie Luther Head, the only player not to miss a game with injury. But the team has identified getting a shooting guard as its off-season priority. ... Illinois' Deron Williams outscored Chris Paul 68-63, and the Jazz won three of four games with the Hornets. In the final meeting, Williams grabbed an offensive rebound with 30 seconds to play, made the game-winning free throws, then guarded Paul as he missed two would-be game-winning shots. HAPPY TRAILS? Late for games and shootarounds, kicked out of practice, walking out before a game was over, Randolph, with more than $70 million left on his guaranteed contract, blamed Portland management for, in effect, signing him. "It's got a lot to do with the front office," Randolph said. "A lot to do with (general manager) John Nash and (president) Steve Patterson. They put this team together." Teammate and best friend Miles, who left a game last week because he wasn't playing and with $34 million left on his deal, said he wished he were a Clipper again. Said Miles: "When I got here ... they took the fun out of it. They really made me miserable. I had fun with the Clippers." In an interview with the Oregonian, Miles addressed rumors he came to practice hung over: "Yeah, you probably smelled liquor on me before. But it's not like I'm at practice drunk. I'm totally focused. I don't care if you come to practice and take a shower, once you go to practice and start sweating, it's going to come out. That doesn't mean you aren't focused or ready to practice."
Good press for Juwan = awesomeness. He's a fan favorite. Any team other than the rockets would be lucky to have him, so someone get it done. Woulda been cool not to mention needing a replacement at sg right after the Luther note though.
So what exactly is he suggesting here? That since the Rockets want a scoring SG/SF like Morrison that's obviously out of our range at #8, that we could use Howard as trade bait to move up to the #2 pick? Is he suggesting Chicago has interest in bringing Howard home?
What's to make sense of? Juwan used to be a small forward, puts up small forward numbers, and is inspired by guys who can play small forward. I don't think it's that hard to connect the dots. Juwan must be traded to a team that can use his potential to the fullest. Too many great wing players here. We'll all miss you Juwan.
Rephrase as: Darius Miles and Zach Randolph are the richest and most petulant children in any league.
T-Mac at two may not be the best idea. I really don't see the Rockets wanting morrison, when we need PF's and if we moved up in the lottery there are 3 good ones waiting to be picked.
We have almost 12 million tied up in our 4 spot with no starting SG or backup SF and you want us to draft a PF with a high pick?
TMac essentially plays the 2 on the offensive end anyways. He comes from the top and our SG plays on the sidelines for the most part. The only problem with getting a 3 is can the guy switch off defensively and cover smaller, quicker 2 guards and save McGrady the energy. That's why we had Wesley in the lineup was because of the quickness factor. If you look at our defense, the significant weakness we had last year was the perimeter guys. They either outquicked Rafer and whoever, or they posted up Wesley, or they shot the 3 ball over Wesley. That's why I think a player with the skillset of say....Miles..would possibly fit here. He gives you the defensive length and quickness to deter 3 point shooters, or the post-up, and he's long enough to be able to recover if beat off the dribble by a shorter SG. And we wouldn't need him bombing at the 3 point line if he was playing the 3 offensively. The midrange baseline game would be great with McGrady coming from the top. That's why I think Morrison would be a great fit offensively. Just don't think he's got the footspeed though to stay close to the SGs in this league. We need a guy that can defend 2s.
12 million or not, our PF situation is wholly inadequate. So is our SG postion. We should be taking the best player avaliable at either of those positions.
When he and Miller played with the Magic, T-Mac was the 2. The 2/3 on most teams are pretty much wing players. Basically they're the same spot. T-Mac can play the 2 if the Rox get a player who is similar at the "3". If the Rox get Childress,Deng,Nocioni,Woods or whomever else, T-Mac plays the 2 or he defends the 2 which he can do. I hate it when people say he cant defend or play the 2 which is crap. Why not? He's quick,long and when he wants to can shut down anyone, ask Jerry Stackhouse what happens when T-Mac locks down. This Rox team had their defense compromised alot because teams posted up Wesley and head alot. Most times the 6'6 guys get clean looks because the guy against him is 6'1. That should be the Rox priority to get bigger in the backcourt. They need to look to the teams they'll have to compete for the title, not just the playoffs.
I agree to some extent. I think Shelden would be a good role player for the Rockets, but not with Howard and Stromile on the roster. The Rockets would be idiots to have all three on their roster, considering the money we have tied into them. We don't have a starting 2 guard at this moment, and have Ryan Bowen backing up Tmac. Considering Tmac's back trouble, I'd rather pick up a wing player in the draft. Shelden ain't gonna do much for us if his outside threat is RyBo.
I don't think it's a situation where people think he can't defend the two. They don't want him defending the two because he's such an integral part of the offense. We all know he can lock people down, but you're going to lose something on the other end. Pippen always had the tougher defensive cover and Jordan got the other guy. It's about saving your guy for the finish and later on the playoffs. Kobe was a much better defender when he could rest for 3 quarters with Shaq there to carry the offensive load, now that he has to bust his butt for 4 he's not nearly as good defensively, he's average now.
