I thought Deke should have retired a year ago, and do think his playing days are seriously numbered...but...... After seeing all he provides in leadership in the clubhouse, and he can still ball on the defensive end..., I like having him around. Deke....one more year.....welcome back big fella. DD
Deke is a bargain. You write part of the check to his hospital instead of to him, so it doesn't count against the cap. Maybe we can hire Brian McNamee to, er, "sex" Mutombo. I hear he's great for extending Houston sports careers into their 40s. (Since that's two legal violations, I should add for the irony-impaired: JOKE.)
I agree with a lot of you...Deke is a 3rd stringer at this stage. We need a better back-up for Yao and Deke is not it. He's a good guy to have on the bench. He's good for some blocked shots and defense. However, we need a better back-up for Yao...someone with a little more versatility than Deke at this point in his career.
Wow, this guy just doesn't get old at all. I love Deke and I hope he can be as effective backup as he was in previous years
i like it unless it allows the rockets to draft a big guy and develop him with yao and deke and not put pressure on him to contribute right away. i would rather have the rockets draft and develop a big guy, than get one through the FA market because big men in the FA market are generally overpaid for their services. We could be using our MLE money to get someone to help out the PG spot or backup wing positions. I dont know who else can be out there that would help the rockets that is FA this year and would be in the rockets asking range. A big man in the draft is a needed and you cannot believe a rookie big man that is drafted late is going to come in and help right away. Deke also brings in the leadership and professionalism that is essential to the team's chemistry. How many times have we heard the players on the team admiring Deke for all that he has done for them off the court? Deke is also a huge hit with the crowd at home as well. Plus I just bought a deke jersey its going to allow me to wear it with pride for a full season Welcome back deke!
this is great news. but i still think the #1 priority in this years draft/FA market is to find Yao a backup.
DEKE is the man!!! ok, back up center is good, now to find out if franchise can make a come back, if not, we need another back up pg and we need a tall offensive minded 6th man to play the wing... miller??
Ditto! A ring might be luxurious for Rox next season unless both Yao and T-Mac are healthy in playoffs with deeper lineup. Could the Rox Crew consider having his jersey retired, bravo for Uncle Mutombo!
Um, I've read through the thread and "alot" of us think Deke is a viable option as the second string backup. I do agree we have to get a replacement for him next year and develop that player.
Perfect. Now we need to go after Diop and let Diop have a year to learn under Deke. IF Yao goes down, I'm very comfortable with Deke, Diop, Scola and Landry. This is a great chance for us to stash Deke on the bench, have him teach some lessons to some young guys, and bring him out if needed. Basically, he is superb value for money on this team.
I think he can compete with other 2nd string centers on western playoff teams. Most of them are really undersized Centers. I don't see anybody worth drafting at 25 that would be better than Deke. Maybe we get lucky and pickup a Bynum at that pick, that can be as good in 3-4 years. We still need a backup C for this season. New Orleans-Melvin Ely San Antonio-Kurt Thomas Utah-Paul Millsap Phoenix-Diaw/Brian Skinner Lakers-Bynum
our roster needs to get trimmed down. i was thinking we were gonna use our first rounder to draft a backup center, but mutombo refuses to go.
Love Mutombo, but this is not good news. The Rockets need to stop thinking PR and start thinking how they are going to compete with the elite of the West, something they clearly can not do at the present time. This team is built for the regular season schedule. In a way, they are a "tease." As long as fans buy the hype, the formula works. I don't buy it, talent wins championships, not forty something year old mascots. Hire him as an asst. coach or something, not a player. Really, this is just too obvious people.
