If it's been posted, lock this thread up. http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/3174730 Mutombo likes mentoring Yao; Barry says he'll re-sign or retire By MEGAN MANFULL Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle Dikembe Mutombo joked that he was having a great day Monday except for the fact he no longer had a job. Jon Barry and Ryan Bowen also emptied their Toyota Center lockers with no notion of where they would unpack in the fall. The veterans are all free agents this summer but already have narrowed down their favorite destination. Each wants to return to the Rockets next season and is simply waiting to hear if he will be wanted. Mutombo, 38, will be the most sought after of the trio. After a superb season off the bench for the Rockets, Mutombo likely will attract more lucrative offers and even starting jobs from other teams. However, Mutombo said neither of those will be major factors in his final decision. After one season with the Rockets, Mutombo said he feels a new obligation in his career that is pulling him toward returning to Houston next season. "I was telling the coach in the one-on-one meeting that I would love to come back because I enjoy the competition I have with Yao Ming," Mutombo said. "I also feel I'm making a difference in someone else's life, which is Yao, by giving him the strength, the energy and the courage to learn how to compete every day with other guys of his size. "I think that is the primary reason I want to come back." While Mutombo is drawn by Yao, it is Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy who has Barry wishing he was only a rookie. After playing for eight teams over the past 13 seasons, Barry, 35, no longer wants to relocate his family and start over. Barry said he will retire if the Rockets choose not to sign him for next season. "If I don't return here, I would think I'm not playing anymore," said Barry, who averaged seven points and shot 43 percent from 3-point range in 53 games with the Rockets. "But if they want me back here, I'd love to come back and play for Coach. I had a great experience with him. I learned more in these four months about the game than I learned my whole life. I really enjoyed playing here." Bowen, who signed with the Rockets right before training camp last fall and brought the type of attitude and worth ethic Van Gundy loves, also hopes to return. "Say what you want about minutes and scoring, I felt a bigger part of this team than in past years," said Bowen, who spent five seasons in Denver. "I think I really fit in."
ahhh...... how cute! Deke and Barry will be back, Bowen i'm not too sure of... although he could definitely be re-signed for real cheap, so why not?
Yao/Deke = the most productive center position in the league Jon Barry = a very cost efficient choice for the rox Bowen = even more cost efficient, but needs to develop some shooting touch this summer
I think Barry is a must sign, because every team needs a sharp shooter and an energy player off the bench, he fits the bill, and can be had for real cheap. Besides he is a wonderful locker room presence, the guys on the team absolutely love him. Deke is the most important player to resign not just to play for us, but if Ewing ever leaves, I would like Deke to be signed on the team's staff to help out Yao. Yao's drastic improvement in the latter part this year on defense should be entirely credited to Deke, and the simple fact that Deke can actually play against Yao in practice and teach him all his defensive tricks is priceless for this team, because it leads to the development of our most important asset in Yao. So having Deke is not just to play in games, but most importantly his presence around Yao is very important/crucial to his development. Ewing is not the reason behind Yao's improvements, I credit it all to Deke.
Or if more coaches, coaching staffs, and organizations allowed the players to feel the way these guys do. Somebody forward this to Sam Smith.
One of the big problems is headcount - we only get 15 spots and if that PG from Greece is ready and our draft pick is ready that means two people have to go. We can cut Braggs to get to 14, then there is Vinny & Mooche on the bench (spoon at least gets a few minutes) and, of course, Charlie Ward stinking up the IR...!
i just hope we don't become the NBA's graveyard again, i kinda liked it when we were the youngest team in the league
yeah, we need a nice balance. Tracy Yao Deke Barry Wesley (iffy on this one) I think those are the people that NEED to be back. I think the rest fill in with young and experienced. It'll be VERY interesting to see how it plays out, down to the trade deadline.
i'm expecting Patrick Ewing to bolt to NY, so Deke will definately resign and also help coach Yao... Barry will come cheap, so I don't see why we won't sign him... Bowen, I doubt will come back, especially w/ our roster really loaded already, I expect JVG to bring in some young players.... if we could now drop moochie, ward, weatherspoon and baker's contracts...... that would free up some room for our #1 pick and maybe others.... I won't be surprised if we try to trade for a 2nd rd pick....the draft is sooo deep this yr.... So it's gonna be an interesting offseason
barry was one of the better 3-point shooters in the leauge and was our biggest energy spark off the bench. deke was the best back-up center in the league and who knows how invaluable he is to yao ming. i'd sign him for that alone. i think it's a no-brainer that we get both these guys back. i'd be very mad if we didn't unless there's another "splash" in the works. as for bowen, how could you not like this guy? he's not someone who makes or breaks a team but if we have space he's proven to be someone who can be effective no matter how little pt he gets.
I'd like to sign back all three, but ....: Bowen - Why not? He'll be cheap, and we have our backup for T-Mac. No reason not to sign the guy. Deke - I don't have to say anything, just look at the way the guy played. Barry? This is a tough one. I cringe every time he pushes the ball up the court. He definately turns the ball over way too much, but he was probably our best 3pt. shooter last year. He can't defend half as well as Wesley either. With Wesley and Padget, not to mention James, I don't see a reason to resign him. However, if we get rid of one of those guys (maybe in a trade), we definately need him back on this team. He could be a real cap saver if we trade for someone big in the off-season. He would replace the perimeter shooting we loose if James or Wesley, or Padget gets moved, and for cheap too. I think he's a tough player, who is a good lockerroom guy. I suspect his future depends on wether we move one of those three guys.
Guys what is the Media talking about in terms of Deke getting Starter Salary for the way he played? Granted during the times he played he was exceptionally good but he played back-up min. And he himself said he cant play more than 1 or two quarters. Do we have a chance of siging the guy after the Media ( ESPN, Radio) said teams might be willing to give him a starter job??
I love these vets with all my heart. But we cannot ignore the fact that we need more speed, more athletism, and younger players if we want to move up a level. Let's see if CD can transform this team smoothly to be ready for a title run.
which is why we should be glad they have zo. outside of miami, i can't imagine any better situation for deke where he's on a really good team and is needed to be a great 15 minute backup for a good center. i could care less if they bring bowen back since he was most effective with zero playing time, but barry and deke should definitely be back unless someone just throws crazy money at deke.
