1. Welcome! Please take a few seconds to create your free account to post threads, make some friends, remove a few ads while surfing and much more. ClutchFans has been bringing fans together to talk Houston Sports since 1996. Join us!

Chron: TMac, Yao make Houston Attractive Free Agent Destination

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by NIKEstrad, Jul 1, 2004.

Tags:
  1. NIKEstrad

    NIKEstrad Member

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2000
    Messages:
    10,228
    Likes Received:
    4,229


    Rockets a beacon among free agents
    T-Mac, Yao make Houston attractive as destination for available guards
    By JONATHAN FEIGEN
    Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle

    Tracy McGrady couldn't wait to get on the court and then didn't wait, putting himself through a brief workout at the Toyota Center practice court.     The Rockets yearned to see how McGrady would change them. But they too will not have to wait for next season.

    With their first phone calls about free agents today, the first day teams can talk to potential signees, the Rockets will likely receive a different reception now that the league's top scorer had been paired with an All-Star center, Yao Ming.

    As Craig McKenzie, the agent for Charlie Ward, said of his client's interest: "Yes, Charlie is interested. Every (free agent) guard in the NBA is going to be interested in Houston."

    This is not a bad way to begin free-agent recruiting. But the process of filling out a team that just traded 60 percent of its starting lineup promises to be a great deal more complicated than dialing the phone number.

    There was no mystery about where the Rockets will look.

    "Obviously, when you lose three starters off a team, you have things you need to address," Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy said. "Point guard is one, and backup center is another. We'll see what presents itself. But again, it's not about having an All-Star at every position. It's about building a team that fits, and that's why we want to surround our best players with smart, serious, hard-working, tough-minded players."


    Pursuing a point
    Tyronn Lue — acquired with McGrady, Juwan Howard and Reece Gaines in this week's deal — is the only Rockets point guard under contract. The Rockets sent Mike Wilks a "tender" offer to return their rights to match any offer he receives as a restricted free agent.

    But the Rockets will be active in chasing another point guard. They go into free agency well over the salary cap but armed with a mid-level exception, expected to start at about $5 million a year, to spend, and a trade exception of $6.9 million in a sign-and-trade deal for a free agent.

    They might first, however, look into chasing point guards with vastly different styles. Derek Fisher, Troy Hudson and Ward are unrestricted free-agent point guards with experience playing with superstars. Brent Barry and Bob Sura can play either guard spot.

    With McGrady, 25, and Yao, 23, so young, the Rockets likely will seek a point guard who will not be past his prime when their best players reach theirs. But they also are likely to try to hold the line on the number of years they offer.


    It comes down to value
    "This is not just our team but every team in the NBA, when you're looking for the best player to fit what you need, but also for the best value," Van Gundy said. "There was no better value last year in the NBA than Jim Jackson. One guy may be a little bit better than another guy. But if his salary and number of years are going to throw your salary structure out of whack, you're better value may be here. You can't really know (whom they want most) until the market settles itself a bit. Where we invest our money might be where the best value is."

    The agent for Fisher, Mark Bartlestein, said the Rockets are a team he and his client "certainly will take a look at." The agent for Hudson, Bill Neff, said the trade makes the Rockets "intriguing."


    Backup center options
    Brian Skinner, Etan Thomas and Adonal Foyle might be the sort of physical and versatile players the Rockets could seek in the backup centers/forward role Kelvin Cato played, though each could be priced out of the Rockets' reach.

    But when they began recruiting today, the Rockets do have new reasons to expect to find players eager to listen.

    "We're still trying to get the best team we can to win with," Rockets general manager Carroll Dawson said. "That does not change. When somebody is a free agent, they're not a free agent for everybody. This puts us in play a little more."


    Link

    TMac already working out? Awesome. It's nice to know point guards need us as much as we need them. :)
     
    #1 NIKEstrad, Jul 1, 2004
  2. DeAleck

    DeAleck Member

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2003
    Messages:
    3,204
    Likes Received:
    224
    :D :D :D :D :D
    It feels good to be on the top, doesn't it?
     
    #2 DeAleck, Jul 1, 2004
  3. blazer_ben

    blazer_ben Rookie

    Joined:
    May 21, 2002
    Messages:
    6,652
    Likes Received:
    0
    Be part of the Dynasty!!!:D :D . Star power.
     
    #3 blazer_ben, Jul 1, 2004
  4. RocksMillenium

    RocksMillenium Member

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2000
    Messages:
    10,018
    Likes Received:
    508
    Yes it is DeAleck! Thanks for the article NIKE, man T-Mac is pumped! Now we can just sit back and have our pick of the litter. I've heard people say this PG and that PG isn't Van Gundy's type of PG but I'm not sure. It's not like JVG wants a slow-it-down PG, he just wants a PG that can control the tempo of the game. Troy Hudson would be nice, could you imagine a backcourt of Hudson and T-Mac? And Hudson can score like crazy, is clutch, and steps up in the playoffs. He's kind of like Sam Cassell in that regard. Brian Skinner, Etan Thomas and Adonal Foyle? I used to like Foyle, he is a great shot-blocker and rebounder, but last time I saw him he looked out of shape. I wouldn't mind the Rockets scooping up Skinner, though Thomas wouldn't be a bad fall back. Hudson and Skinner, and trade Pike for Ollie, if that's still on. That gives you depth and quality role-players. But no matter who the Rockets choose it should more then fill the Rockets needs. Man I'm pumped up! :)
     
    #4 RocksMillenium, Jul 1, 2004
  5. RocksMillenium

    RocksMillenium Member

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2000
    Messages:
    10,018
    Likes Received:
    508
    On a side note, it's good to see that Weisbrod was right about McGrady. His reputation proceeded him so much that he has made the Rockets attractive to FAs, especially FA PGs. He sure isn't a superstar is he? :rolleyes:
     
    #5 RocksMillenium, Jul 1, 2004
  6. Man

    Man Member

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2003
    Messages:
    2,945
    Likes Received:
    13
    Thanks for bolding those certain statements..I read the whole thing.
    Tmac already worked out!!! woohoo lol
    It's nice to see all these agents saying their players are interested I guess.
    I hope Wilks will remain a Rocket for next season..I'm wondering how much a tender offer is.
    Hmm..I want to become a sports agent. :p

    I'm still excited!!

    NAME/Lue/Wilks
    T-Mac/
    Jimmy/Nachbar/Griffin
    Howard/Taylor/Spoon
    Yao/

    Derek Fisher and Troy Hudson both would be good.
    Brent Barry and Bob Sura..I don't know much about Bob Sura but Barry would be good being able to play 3 positions..but can he play defense?
    Brian Skinner, Etan Thomas and Adonal Foyle all sound fine.

    I would like to get either Derek or Troy, Bruce Bowen, and one of the 3 for backup center.

    Will we be able to contend? I think so...

    YAO AND TMAC DYNASTY! Go Rockets!
     
    #6 Man, Jul 1, 2004
  7. blazer_ben

    blazer_ben Rookie

    Joined:
    May 21, 2002
    Messages:
    6,652
    Likes Received:
    0
    My Ideal Lineup


    PG:Barry/Ollie/Lue

    SG:T-MAC/Boki

    SF:JJ/A griffin/boki

    PF:Howard/Taylor

    C:Yao/Skinner
     
    #7 blazer_ben, Jul 1, 2004
  8. Rockets2K

    Rockets2K Clutch Crew

    Joined:
    Mar 22, 2000
    Messages:
    18,050
    Likes Received:
    1,271
    couple of problems I see in your scenario.

    1) Barry doesnt even know the meaning of the word 'defense'....definitely NOT a VG style player...wouldnt mind him in a Pike style role...but I highly doubt he would accept that.

    2) I dont know how VG is gonna play it....but if JJ doesnt start at the 2...he will be behind TM at that position.

    3) I am still very uncomfortable with the Howard/Mo staffing at the 4..godz I wish we could find a good all around 4...but will hold my opinion till I see Howard play under VG and to see if the reports of Mo working hard to improve this offseason are true.

    4) I like Skinner....wonder why feigen thinks we cant afford him?
     
    #8 Rockets2K, Jul 1, 2004
  9. Darrinlane

    Darrinlane Member

    Joined:
    Jun 21, 2002
    Messages:
    580
    Likes Received:
    1
    WOW...can't believe that we actually got 2000 fans to show up for a press C. This is a football town. I just wish that I had enough $ to be able to show up(live south..as in Lake Jackson)


    It hurts me deeply that I was attending UH the year ESPN put us on the all-time crap list:mad: I went to every painful game tho:(
     
    #9 Darrinlane, Jul 1, 2004
  10. xiki

    xiki Member

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2002
    Messages:
    17,851
    Likes Received:
    3,197
    An interesting result from the trade taking place BEFORE free agency kicked in means that a player knows who, of major consequence, is here.

    With superstars names being bandied about in trade talk from coast to coast, and nation to nation (Oh, Canada), there is no question what the Rox are able to offer.

    This is a sweet benefit for the Good Guys.
     
    #10 xiki, Jul 1, 2004
  11. alaskansnowman

    alaskansnowman Member

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 1999
    Messages:
    1,961
    Likes Received:
    9
    We need a point guard that knows how to pass, create shots for his teammates, and control the tempo. We do not need a score first pg like Hudson. We already have 2 stars not to mention strong compliments in Howard, Taylor, and Jackson that need shots. The pg must be ABLE to hit the shot, but that should not be his first instinct.
     
    #11 alaskansnowman, Jul 1, 2004
  12. VesceySux

    VesceySux World Champion Lurker
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2001
    Messages:
    7,552
    Likes Received:
    234


    Oh, Feigen, stop stealing my BBS material. :D

    Arroyo it is! :)
     
    #12 VesceySux, Jul 1, 2004
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)

Share This Page