I want to clariy one thing: I DO NOT want to have sexual relations with that man! As for his age, I don't think that's a good benchmark for salary. If he is performing at a level worthy of more than the vet minimum, then he should be paid according to his value. My opinion is that his value is higher than the vet minimum. Not much higher, mind you.....but certainly more than 1.2 mil.
I say if the Rockets feel that Butler is the Backup Center of the Future, let him play. Young guy out of high school that went undrafted, however impressed enough to get a contract in the NBA. Impressed enough to get a 3 year contract with the Spurs. Obviously this guy is doing something right. Deke just doesn't fit the Role needed. Deke can't shoot the ball from the outside, he isn't a good passer, and he isn't going to be running on the fast break. It's hard to see him go, or to even pull against him if he joins another team, but Adelman know what type of a team he is running. If JVG was still coach, Mutumbo would have been signed a month ago. You need youth, energy, and ability in your backups.
We don't want to end up like the Timberwolves and lose our draft picks for the next 3 years for going around the CBA.
Adelman's offense is not "fastbreak basketball". remember that and never discount Adelman again. BTW, when you are trying to argue why Deke is valuable to Rockets, you don't mention any offense. just not wise., Deke and offense are irrelevent.
We're already well over the salary cap; that's not the issue. We could offer Deke a max contract if we wanted to, but every penny of that contract will count towards the team salary in terms of the luxury tax. Every dollar over the 67 million tax limit will result in a dollar for dollar tax as well as exclusion from revenue sharing. Veteran minimum contracts don't count against the luxury tax at all. Someone earlier said that only 800k counted, but I was under the assumption that it was completely exempt. Giving Deke that extra million would cost Les drastically more, about four million more. You can call Les cheap, but most owners avoid luxury tax like the plague so he's not alone.
I used a variety of terms in my original post to descibe a running style offense....not just "fastbreak." So next time you quote someone, be sure to quote the entire post...or rather, read the entire post. I can mention Mutombo and offense whenever I please, but thanks for setting guidelines for me. The argument, I believe, is that you believe he doesn't fit the "run and gun" style of basketball that Adelman is going to play. Run and gun implies offense, correct? See post number 67 in this thread for reference.
I think he is worth more than that. His defense is awesome n players are actually scared to play him inside. He is a better rebounder n shot blocker than Yao n i think we can still use him n he can make a difference.
He was phenomanal for a short period last year especially for a man well past his prime It was well known that if Mutombo was to come back again to the Rockets that he would only be paid the Vets Minimum. The Houston Rockets is a business and we must accept this!
very disappointing news. I hope that he will come back, I also believe we should offer him whatever we can -- if it means 2m to bring him back that's what I would do. if yao goes down, I don't think butler + no one is going to be very effective. we do have very strong rebounding guards (francis / wells) but, I don't ever want to bet on that. not to mention, he deserves it -- I think he has 1 year left in him. I want him to retire as a rocket on his terms (and hopefully win a title).
there's going to be a time when deke's age comes into play. he had a resurgence for about a month and a half last year but he clearly wore down by season's end. it's possible that if yao remains healthy that deke can give you a quality 10 minutes here and there, but it's also possible he aged over the offseason. remember 2 years ago when wesley and barry had strong seasons only to come back the next year and look twice their age. deke's not timeless, and while i'd be very happy with getting him back at the veteran's minimum, i have no problem with les not wanting to dip into luxury tax land for him, if that's what the problem is.
I get the feeling that the Rockets don't want to sign Deke and want to start molding Butler. However, they don't want to be one's validating that; and are porbably hoping if they give deke a low enough offer he will leave. It seems like a Les thing to do.
Les should have the team offer him the vet minimum and then privately donate $1 million to his hospital fund. Problem solved. {Edit} NOTE TO SELF: Read the full thread before posting. D'OH!
If the Rocks really don't think Deke fits Adelman's system, why not pay him to be an assistant at a salary he deserves? Keeps him in the game, doesn't affect the LT or the cap, and gets the money to his charities. And Les could make a very handsome donation to Deke's hospital, without worrying about tampering.
1. I think Dikembe may still be effective, but you are certainly taking a chance with his age. Particularly, even if he's great at 10-12 mpg, if Yao has to miss games again, would he be able to last 30 mpg like last season? He was pretty worn down by the time Yao returned (this was one big reason for the Jake trade). Morey has talked about age and health potential being factors to consider in evaluating players. He also clearly doesn't trust Jackie Butler's readiness, I think he might prefer to get a younger backup C who can play heavier minutes for longer if needed. (Again... Jeff Foster's name comes to mind). 2. if Luxury tax is implicated, given the rules, paying Dikembe an extra $600K may result in an actual financial impact of several times that in terms of a) salary the league pays for vet min players b) luxury tax and 3)distribution of tax to teams under the threshold. Les may be willing to pay $750k for Dikembe, but effectively paying $2-3 million for Dikembe-- and probably still wanting/needing another reliable backup C-- may not be a good business decision in his (or Morey's) mind. 3.
First of all, Deke is a great man. BUT, I dont think we really need him this year. Playoff spot is no longer our prime target, with or w/o Deke we are gonna be one of the top 4 seeds in the west. Also, he did little in last playoffs, I dont think 1 year older Deke would perform much better this time. He knows C's pipe dream and wont go there. I am pretty sure he will retire soon.
