I didn't know this thread was about who the better player was... Brooks or Lowry. It's about whether Lowry might leave for a starting job, if he can be enticed with a salary that Morey wouldn't match (the MLE might be that number). The Lakers were mentioned as a possibilty by Mr. Clutch, Stedd, myself and others. I don't think we really have to revisit the "Brooks/Lowry/Who should start?" melodrama. I think AB has answered that question with his play. Kyle has proven his value by the play of the Rockets while he was out. Anyway, we can see if LA is hurt during the playoffs at the point guard spot and whether events prove or disprove the idea of Lowry as an asset next season at that position, from their point of view.
It was simply a response to a previous poster who accused people who support Brooks starting of only doing so because he scores more points, while ignoring how effeciently Lowry scores his.
Yeah, not sure Philly's in position to add more payroll when they're not really even close to contention. I don't know what Morey's number on Lowry is. But I think it may be more than what we think. If Les is trully on board with going over the luxury tax line, then Lowry can be used as trade bait. Why let an asset go for free when you get something for him? Morey is a shrewd guy. And unless someone offers insane money(thinking a 5-year deal starting at $7+ mil), you can always match and deal him later.
I would hate for this team to lose Lowry, I think he compliments Brooks very well. They both have their strengths and weaknesses, neither is the complete package. If this team were to lose Lowry they would need to replace his strengths in a big way, and I don't think its easy to replace what he brings.
My guess would be that all things equal, Morey values Lowry higher than any other GM in the league. The only way I see Lowry leaving is if some team gets desperate and offers ridiculous money (like your example). It's also possible that he takes the qualifying offer and looks for a starting gig after this season--but this may risk a good chunk of income if the player market becomes depressed by new salary restrictions.
Scola also plays every game, he's a durable non-injury prone player you can depend on. They ought to have an effective game stat where they take the # of games that a player misses because of injury and factor that into their playing stats. Guys like Elton Brand and Eddie Curry who are over paid now would be ridiculously over valued. I bet Philly and NY would love a do over and be able to sign Scola to a 5yr 40M deal.
Scola is a 7-10 million a year player, his will drag out some......hopefully he won't do a one year tender, but I think both he and Lowry might be forced to do that because of Yao's situation. DD
I think we should part with Lowry. I'd rather us save cap room for 2011. This is particularly true if Carmelo Anthony gets knocked out before the WC playoffs. If he keeps getting knocked out, it might tempt him to jump ship in 2011 as he increasing will desire a ring. By 2011 - we'll know what Yao will be - a lot cheaper that's for sure. And you have Anthony up there with a more polished Hill, and all of a sudden, Scola becomes tradable. Heck, everyone becomes tradable. You keep Yao, you keep Brooks, you go for Anthony, and you fill in the rest with good solid role players. We'll be stuck with Ariza but that's ok since Battier will be gone by then. CBud will have improved and probably a solid contributor...and we might be stuck with Martin so hopefully he's healthy (or maybe you package him with Scola for a defensive minded shooting guard that can hit the 3 point shot).
unless we are getting CP3 in return, keeping Lowry is a no brainer. Brooks can't man the ship, he will need lowry at times.
lowry featured in most of the rockets's best 5-man lineups this year. brooks and lowry on the court together best pairing. with martin now on board taking over brook's role. could lowry take over the starter role? who knows maybe they either, bring in llull or take back tj ford as a deadweight contract to be lowry's backup, ie if they use brooks as a trade chip?
Closer to ten than seven and can you imagine what his haul would have been three years ago? Those were crazy times, crazy times.
Wake up. No Franchise player at their prime has been signed as a FA since Shaq, which is 15 years ago. And you want to part with Lowry just for that nearly 0% opportunity.
I agree if he was 25 or so. The international players hurt themselves by staying over there so long. Manu and andres came over just in time and it paid off. Scola stayed 2 yrs too long and it wil hurt him. I think morey is going to do what morey do and wait and see what is offered vs giving the guy a solid offer. Someone is going to offer him at least mle and somebody might offer him 7m. The per year isn't the problem as much as the years.
This is not about Brooks vs Lowry. Brooks is our starter and the better player, BUT...are Brooks' uptempo style, below average defense, and low assist % reliable in the playoffs when the pace drastically slows? Lowry's strengths are a nice complement to his weaknesss (believe it or not, Brooks isn't perfect). You can actually argue that Lowry's foul-drawing abilities are even MORE valuable in the playoffs since fouls drawn become a rarer commodity. And please stop calling the ability to get to the line a "gimmick." It is something highly valued by Morey. I'll go ahead and agree with Morey on this one. Why do you think he loves Kevin Martin so much?
I guess you didn't watch the playoffs last year. In the playoffs, its about making shots under pressure. Thats something brooks can do and lowry can't. I do think on the right team lowry is a starter. Philly comes to mind because they have play finishers. Lowry needs the ball in his hands to utitilze what he does best. He's pretty much like rafer in that way. Having the ball out of his hands and playing reciever is not his strong suite. Give him finishers and you will have a very good guard.
What are you talking about? Morey and (especially) Les would be jumping for joy if this happened. The Rockets still retain bird rights next year, and unless the CBA changes dramatically, we should still be able to offer them the most money if we wished. The new CBA would also likely lower the contract length, which is likely to hinder Lowry in his chances at driving up the price. If the Rockets really wanted to avoid them taking the Qualifying offer, they'd have given both players extension offers already like with Yao. Morey's sitting on his ass because he's very willing to have both play on the Qualifying Offer.
I guess Morey didn't watch the playoffs. Someone tell him the playoffs is about making shots under pressure and guys who get to the line a lot like Lowry and Martin are worthless.
I wonder how well players that draw a lot of fouls do when the fouls are not called in the playoffs. Kyle Lowry and Kevin Martin's playoff stats are both worse than their regular season stats. Drawing fouls is great, when they are called. DD
Morey is talking about regular season and winning enough games to have a top record. In the playoffs, the game is tougher and the whistles are fewer unless you're a superstar. The physicality requires you to make shot. Did you watch the playoffs. lowry did nothing last year while brooks was dictating alignments.
