[CHRON] Solomon says something nice for a change

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/solomon/7085367.html
This could be a fun week for Rockets fans.

It could, and most likely will, turn out to be much ado about nothing.

But the Rockets would not be serving their many followers well if they didn't do all they could to entice Toronto Raptors free-agent-to-be Chris Bosh to don Rockets red. If that means adding a second big-contract All-Star, then so be it.

The Rockets have coveted Bosh for a long time. It is easy to understand why.

Since drafting Yao Ming No. 1 eight years ago, the Rockets have started at power forward the likes of an offensively limited Chuck Hayes, a defensively limited Luis Scola, a young Eddie Griffin, an aging Juwan Howard, and, well, supply your own description of Kelvin Cato.

If you combined the best qualities of those players, you could have the ideal player to put next to Yao.

Basically, that is what you have in Chris Bosh. Hence the long-standing crush.

The Rockets' desire for Bosh might not be obsessive, but it is such a strong fixation that despite the odds against the two coming together, the organization is keeping hope alive that Bosh will choose it over other suitors.

As of Monday night, various people have told assorted media that Bosh is destined for Chicago, New York, Miami or Los Angeles.

As of yet, no one has reported that Bosh is leaning toward, or even considering, signing with Houston.

But you can't tell the Rockets they are out of the mix.

While the Bulls, Heat and Knicks are likely to be ringing the doorbell on Bosh's front porch late Wednesday night when NBA teams officially are allowed to talk to free agents, the Rockets will be at the side of his house peeking through a bathroom window.

Hey, the man eventually has to go, right?

Although a team can win this race without anyone's considering it even in the running over the last couple of months, if the Rockets make a connection with Bosh, it would be among of the slickest moves in NBA free-agency history.

The organization believes it can be done. The Rockets wouldn't make a pitch if they didn't believe. You won't see them spend much time on LeBron James.

Don't put too much stock in the fan caravan traveling around the country supporting the Rockets' bid for free agents. It won't hurt, but it is more a PR stunt than a recruiting tool.

No need to jump gun
The Chronicle's Jonathan Feigen reported that the top trump card in the Rockets' hand — aside from offering Bosh an opportunity to play next to a legitimate big man - is their willingness to go after Atlanta free-agent All-Star guard Joe Johnson.

While other teams have cleared cap space for the Bosh move, the Rockets might have gone about business in a much smarter way.

No need in gutting your roster until you know you can catch the big fish. Remember, the Rockets still have to convince Bosh and Johnson that this is the place to be.

And since a player can make more money by re-signing with his current team and then getting traded, as opposed to signing with a new team as a free agent, teams that have quality pieces for sign-and-trade deals should merit consideration.

To deal for a max-contract guy in a sign-and-trade, the Rockets have to give up a combination of players who make a little more than $13 million in salary.

That could be any two of Shane Battier, Trevor Ariza and Jared Jeffries. Or Kevin Martin and just about anybody else on the roster.

Would adding Bosh and Johnson be worth moving Battier, Ariza, Martin, and Jordan Hill or Chase Buddinger (and probably a draft pick or two)?

Sounds like a lot, especially since the Rockets love Martin's offensive skills and they have such high hopes for the development of Hill and Buddinger.

The reason to make moves for Bosh and Johnson is to put together a squad that could be in the mix for a championship.

This may surprise you, but despite the age difference, giving up Battier would be far more painful than shipping off Ariza, though I suspect that Ariza could be all he could be as the sixth wheel on a team with Yao, Bosh, Johnson, Luis Scola and Aaron Brooks.

If you're trying to turn a team with five starters most of whom never have played together into a championship contender, Battier's leadership would be invaluable.

This would be one of those times Battier isn't overrated.

Obviously the Rockets already have a general idea of what it would take to pull off the sign-and-trades.

It almost doesn't matter who the Rockets move. With such a deep roster, even being asked to give up Scola (a free agent) or Brooks, the team's best players last season, wouldn't be deal-breaking requests.

Roster needs upgrade
As is - or as they hope will be, based on Yao's health, which might be the deal-breaker for Bosh and Johnson - the Rockets see themselves as a middle-of-the-pack playoff squad.

Depending on health and matchups, anything could happen, but they wouldn't be favored against the best teams in the Western Conference.

Bring Bosh and Johnson here and, with a healthy Yao, the Rockets should be listed among the best in the West.

No reason to be afraid to take a leap for two All-Stars. Even if it is an incredible leap that few believe can be made.

jerome.solomon@chron.com

 

same here