Chron ad:Rockets scramble to find a replacement for Sura

Rockets scramble to find a replacement for Sura
Team holds talks with former Nugget Bowen; ex-Net Harris also in the mix
By JONATHAN FEIGEN
Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle


A day after losing guard Bob Sura for the whole of the preseason and start of the regular season, the Rockets moved Wednesday to find a replacement.

Rockets general manager Carroll Dawson and coach Jeff Van Gundy met with former Nuggets forward Ryan Bowen at Toyota Center.

League sources said that Dawson also has spoken to the agent representing former Nets guard Lucious Harris, but that Harris is seeking a deal worth more than the Rockets can offer.

Harris, 33, has averaged 7.5 points per game in his 11-year career. He became a key reserve on the Nets' consecutive Eastern Conference championship teams, averaging a career-best 10.3 points per game in the 2002-2003 season.

Sura was expected to compete to start at point guard, but his injury might leave a greater void as a reserve defensively against shooting guards. Though Bowen has been occasionally matched up against shooting guards, at 6-foot-9 he is more of a small forward considered among the league's top defenders.

Bowen, 28, averaged 3.2 points and 2.6 rebounds in five seasons with the Nuggets.

"We have been talking for quite awhile," Bowen's agent Guy Zucker said. "At some point the conversations became more serious and we decided to have him meet Jeff and Carroll. Everybody characterized the meetings as very positive. I assume in the next two, three or four days, we'll figure things out as far as his future in Houston.

"They have serious interest in him. I talked to Ryan very briefly but he sounds very impressed with them. He enjoyed himself. There's great compatibility with Jeff and Ryan in terms of work ethic and commitment to doing what needs to be done to win. We just need a little more time."

The Heat and Timberwolves also have expressed interest in Bowen.

 

I wonder how much Harris is looking for, he would probably be the best fit.

Never really seen Ryan Bowen play, but any replacement will almost due. As long as the Rockets don't have another Pike/Griffin season. I'll be content with whoever we pick up.

 

Mannnnn, dont free agents have to pass a physical b4 signing on to the team.

 

He did pass it. The injury happened after -- when he was working out in Cleveland or somewhere.

If everything else falls through, I'd be perfectly happy bringing Juaqin Hawkins back until Sura's healthy.

 

"Other free agent veterans still drawing interest from teams include guard/forwards Dion Glover, Bryon Russell, DerMarr Johnson, Derrick Dial and Rodney White, and point guard Travis Best."

Some solid guys right there. Russell is pretty old, but he played well every opportunity that Phil gave him in LA. I remember the posters at Lg.com/net/whatever it is were practically begging Phil to play him after their losses(I specifically remember this after game 3 against us).

I think Rodney White would be an excellent signing. 6'9, versatile, athletic...we need some more young talent.

I also think Travis Best would be the best point guard on our roster if we signed him.

 

can we trade for Jason Hart from the bobcats.. he's a clear upgrade over Ward

 

Well with bowen as our 6'9" hustling white forward, where does that leave boki if his shots still off. Pagett played better than boki for most of last year. This sucks, i'd want bowen , but i want boki to do better alot more than i want bowen

 

Just our stupid luck. So i guess JVG really doesnt plan on letting Gaines get any playing time.

 

Wait, if our supposed starting PG is down for injury why are we looking at SF?

ALA

 

I agree, those are some solid names. Phil Jackson has a tendency not to play bench players or guys who aren't "his guys", so we don't know about Russell. Russell, Glover and Johnson are interesting names. Best also is intriguing, though he seems to have fallen off since leaving Indiana.

 

That's a good point, unless the Rockets were going to use Sura as a SF/SG combo with occasional PG minutes. Still, I think the Rockets need to find a PG first.

 

Just my 2 cents....

I don't believe MJax and Spanoulis have 04-05 contracts leaving the Rox with 2 roster spots to fill. Since Sura is a SG-PG and Ryan Bowen is a SF-PF, my opinion is that the Rox were intereted in Bowen before Sura's disk injury.

I've watched Bowen alot and he'd be an excellent pickup. He plays solid team D, has decent range, can play SF better than Howard, Taylor or Spoon and can play PF better than any Rockets' SF. Plus, Bowen never stops hustling. He is/was a huge fan favorite in DEN. The downside will be taking some minutes from Nachbar.

I'm a Reece Gaines fan and I'm quietly hoping Sura's misfortune leaves an open door for Gaines that Van Gundy can't close. Hopefully, Harris' asking price is too much.

 

Sorry, BR has looked old and done for three years now. There is nothing in his tank.

RW is a fine thought, if you put a gun to my head, that is.

 

Ugh. None of these guys are point guards, which is what we need. Ward is only a back-up at this point in his career. And Lue is a fringe NBA player.

Where's Tierre Brown?

 

Yeah - that would be good. Bring back the Hawk!

 

The Return of "OT"

(Oscar Torres that is...)

 

Scott Williams, Dion Glover, Travis Best, Bowen ...

these would all be solid guys to fill out the roster.

 

Does Bowen mean no Boki (court time)?

Are we to conclude that the 1, as presently constituted, is satisfactory to the coach?

 

Now maybe that's agent speak, but our interest in Bowen seems very much unrelated to Sura.

I also like Glover or Dermarr Johnson of the names listed. Johnson has an edge because of his versatility (6-9, can play both wing slots).