FROM DAVID ALDRIDGE'S CHAT 3/4/04 http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=4899 J.R. (Pittsburgh, PA): Last night's game should help silence the few remaining Yao doubters. However, it also illustrated the need for some major overhauls in the Rockets backcourt (I'd trade francis and mobley). Who would you consider an ideal backcourt to complement Yao, based on playmaking, scoring, and defensive skills? David Aldridge: (2:08 PM ET ) Eric Snow and Ray Allen. ( I wanted David to elaborate more on this answer, but he was just matter of fact about it...) Kunlun Yao (Beijing, China): Do you think that Francis will be traded during the off season? I feel that he does not get along well with Yao. They thrive in different playing enviroments. Yao is more effective in the half court game, but Francis needs a team that runs and plays a fast paced offense. What do you think? David Aldridge: (2:16 PM ET ) I think once Steve's base year expires this summer, the Rockets will explore trading him.
It only makes sense. The Rockets have underachieved for years. Steve's numbers were decent last night but in this case Aldridge is right (especially since Snow and Allen are two players I would love to acquire). Of course it's dreamcasting. Hopefully we'll make something good out of this mess, once the summer arrives. Philly wanted to trade Snow for Cuttino, and Iverson wants out. If you could parlay Cuttino into Snow and Francis-Iverson-Allen, that'd be a real coup. And then we still need to address the 3, but that's another issue.
You still need to address the 3 AND the 4. With the exception of Yao and Jackson(you I believe is best coming off the bench) the whole foundation of the team needs to be addressed.
LOL, thank you David Aldridge for suggesting MY trade proposal for the 2004 Rockets Offseason (Dreamcasting for Ray Allen, Rasheed Wallace)! LOL
Say no to Eric Snow. He's getting older with a terrible jumpshot,you can say the same about Steve but we've all seen before that Steve can make jumpers consistanly except for this season.
Why do we need a 3 and a 4 . . . once steve is gone should that not settle all of our issues? I mean honestly the 3 position is the best it has been since pippen left JJ ain't all world but he better IMO than Rice and Walt Cato and Mo T are not as good as KT and MO T but they ain't worlds worse Yao is better than last year and better than Cato My Point is .. . for all the people dogging Steve for not making the playoffs THEN TO SAY .. . .well we need some forwards is hypocritical Because if these FORWARDS are not gonna cut it for yao if they are gonna be the reasons we don;t progess now Who can Steve be whole accountable in the past when we actually had WORSE forwards then? Rocket River
It's a shame DA didn't work out the deals for those two fellows. If Allen goes on the block expect bidding to be high while Snow could be had for cap space IMO. This is allowing for Allen's high contract now and after opt out and Snow's effectiveness vs his long and expensive contract. Anyone for Alvin Williams? Kobe?
Not to take anything away from you, and you certainly did the most detailed post to give reasons for why you think it makes sense, but it has been suggested several times here during the past few months... I agree that Ray Allen should be the perfect guy to play with Yao Ming...a guy who can play off the ball but a good passer, a very high percentage three-point shooter...sounds good. The only thing that bothers me about Ray Allen is that I have repeatedly read quotes from him about teammates which were rather negative, and somehow he was involved in everything going wrong in Milwaukee...
I'd prefer the Rockets go after Brand, but Ray Allen would be my second choice. He's getting older though, and he wants a max deal. I shudder to imagine the Rockets paying Ray Allen max money, when he's in his 30s, and on the down side of his career. Raven
I also question the choice of Snow. If he had any semblance of a shot, it would be different, but the guy is an offensive liability now. With zone, you can't have complete non-shooters on the court now, even if you pair them with Ray Allen. Otherwise, no one would be talking about upgrading the 4-spot (i.e. - because Cato can't shoot)
If the Rockets Management have come to the end of their Rope and desire some major changes at the end of the current season, a quick fix is not in the best interest of the Team. If we are now building arround Yao Ming [23yrs], then we should consider players that might be arround to play and develop with our Center for years to come. As much as I would just love to see Ray Alen on the Rockets Roster, he might only have a limited number of years left as a top flight player. I would realy like to see Richard come back home and a Point Guard much younger than Eric Snow, one with an open mind that might adapt his style to fit JVGs plans. I was suprised how savvy Mo Tay was when guarding Shaq especially compared to Calvin Catos efforts. Mo might have a place on the new JVG Team and needs to be called upon to play defence more often.
I believe this is in the mind of the Rockets' management. The Austin Croshere trade proposal was going to address this.
Life2def, I'd take Eric Snow's career .432 shooting percentage and 3.2 to 1 assist to turnover ratio in a heartbeat over Steve Francis. If he got rid of Steve Francis and Mobley for Ray Allen and Eric Snow somehow (3 team trade, cash, what the f'ever it takes), we'd be better off. I don't know how many Sixers and, in the past, Sonics games you've watched, but Eric Snow is a good half-court point guard. P1st, S2nd
