Fair point on my omission of Nash. But you are foolish if you have a problem with Paul's play but don't feel the same about every harden drive to the lane where he throws both hands up looking for the foul. It's part of the game.
There's no "problem" with it, but as a Rocket fan, I want to understand reasoning. If what I posted is true (and I'm speculating), it shows something deeper -- an intentionally indirect communication from the Rockets to the free agents, and perhaps some concern from the Rockets that another competitor is making some ground.
If Paul stays in LA, I would not be surprised DH signs with Atlanta and JSmith re-signs with the Hawks.
I think the luxury tax willingness is why Les is going to be part of the Dwight meeting, so Dwight gets to hear it from the guy who makes the luxury tax decision.
I hear ya on Harden driving and throwing his hands up to try and get the call... but at least drive, at least make contact.... the image of Paul jerking his head back and falling to the ground without even being touched, just sticks in my head - and I don't like it....
We need to be predatory and heres how we can do it. 1st trade: Houston sends Asik to Portland for a couple future 1st rounders or some other non current cap hit assets. This gives the Rockets ~26 million in cap room. 2nd trade: Clippers send Griffin and Jordan to the Rockets for cap space creating a trade exception for themselves. This allows the Clippers to sign Howard and keep Bledsoe. At this point they have huge trade exceptions and Bledsoe to send to Boston if they so choose. Lin / Beverly Harden / ??? Parsons / ??? Griffin / Jones Jordan / Smith Paul / Bledsoe Crawford / ??? Butler / ?? (KG?) / ?? Howard / ??? Lillard / ??? Mathews / ??? Batum / ??? Aldridge / ??? Asik / ??? The Rockets add a second all star at the cost of Asik, while picking up future assets from Portland. Clippers unite Paul and Howard and rub it all in the Lakers face. Portland gets their coveted center while maintaining extra cap room.
Griffin and Bledsoe for Howard? If true then would the Lakes not be crazy to make that deal? Are there not teams that might interest Howard who have a young talent and an expiring to try and entice an SnT? I am confident...many, certainly more than just the Rox, teams will be able to get into the discussion. So, control the narrative and get as many ducks arow row row your team to the center of the stream...
Why can't we just do a sign a trade with Lakers for Howard? Lakers Get Asik Lin T-Rob Rockets Get Howard (Puts room to sign CP3 also) BAM!! Rockets get Howard and sign CP3. Lakers get some good young promising players and also help the Lakers stay as the #1 team in LA. I don't care about Lakers, but you can't tell me Lakers wouldn't do this.
I'll go on record right now....I see no way Paul comes to Houston. I just can't see it. What I see is something with us convincing Dwight to come here and pitch him on our want to pair him with Josh Smith and Harden. Once we sign those two, we trade for a rangy wing player. I know this is a pipe dream, but landing Howard, Smith, and a sign and trade for JJ Reddick would be ridiculous. Possibly if we sign Howard and Smith, we could flip Asik for Reddick and a pick or something. I know this would be tough under the salary cap though.
I'm pretty sure the other articles were written by a writer employed by the Rockets and posted to the Rockets website, where as this a Houston Chronicle article.
