Do you want Latrell Sprewell on the Rockets?

I am torn on Sprewell.

One part of me says that under JVG Sprewell will be rejuvinated much like Mutombo was. That Sprewell wont be thinking about money because he will come here for the LLE and that is a known. Sprewell will play hard if for no other reason than to stick it to Minnesota. Sprewell will add some "toughness" to our lineup and be a legit 3rd scoring option.

The other part of me says that Sprewell is losing a step. Just doesnt have the quickness anymore, his outside shot is shaky and is still a chemistry threat to our team.

So I dont know. Sprewell for the LLE in terms of "cost" is a good value though. As is Derek Anderson.

Derek Anderson doesnt add the toughness, but he is less of a chemistry risk and a better outside shooter, plus is 4 years younger.

I voted "yes" in the poll, but I am split. Overall, I just want the Rockets to add more length to the 2/3 spot next to Tmac. Finley would be awesome, but Sprewell or DA for the LLE would represent a good value.

 

I said no. I don't like the guy one bit. I agree with just about every negative thign I've ever heard about him.

That said, the minute I see him holding up a Rockets jersey, he will be one of my 15 favorite players in the league. Until he goes all Scotty Pippen on us.

 

I'd much prefer Finley, who had surgery this summer and should be more productive than last year; you could sign him to 3 years and after that time he'd just be hitting Sprewell's current age.

 

If he could come in, shut his yapper, and play the role that he is supposed to play....I am cool with it.

Honestly, my first inclination is HELL NO! But he can provide some value, even at his age. He certainly was no slouch last year. But I personally don't like the guy.

Never have.

 

Only if we can't get Finley. And then it would be a tossup between him, Van Exel, Demarr, Buckner, and Anderson to me. I'd take him at the vet minimum with the league picking up part of his salary and being able to cut him loose for a little bit of nothing if something went wrong.

Is it possible to put together a vet minimum contract with incentives???? Probably not.

 

Spree for the LLE? Hell Yes. You guys are focusing way too much on the negativity. Except for last years contract fiasco, when has Spree been a cancer since joining the Knicks?

In one of his worst years of his career, he was still able to put up 13-4-4. Everyone is saying he is done and his legs are gone, the same things were said with Reggie a couple years back. This guy played 80 games last season and played the 82 games the year before, averaging 38mpg!!

Spree is obviously not the same player he once was, none of the vets are. But he is still a legitimate 3rd scorer in which we are in need. He doesn't need to put up 18ppg anymore, if he can come in and give us a solid 30-32mpg and 13-15ppg, he would be a steal.

He respects JVG and JVG respects Spree. Van Gundy won't bring in a player if he thinks it will hurt the chemistry, period. JVG probably knows Spree the best and he knows what he brings. We are sorely lacking size and athleticism in the backcourt, everyone will agree on that, Spree helps fill in both of those categories.

 

I dont want him.

 

Spree is ok. A tough player and respects JVG. But come to think of it, if he signs with us, our SG's will all be 35 yrs old...Barry and wesley. That's why I believe DA would be a better signing..

 

Its interesting that the BBS doesn't want him because of some cancer he's supposed to be but 2 of his recent ex-coaches both want him and are rumored to be where he goes next. If Flip and Jeff don't think he's a cancer what locker room BS have you dreamed up to make him into one??

 

Given the yes or no choice, I voted yes. However, I only want him on the Rockets if he's available for the LLE and a short term contract. He had some good years under Van Gundy and was well behaved in those years, so I'm really not that worried about him being a cancer. I would obviously prefer a younger, more athletic player to serve as our shooting guard/back up small forward, but for the LLE I just can't fathom us doing any better than a guy like Latrell Sprewell or Derek Anderson, both of whom have had their share of problems with their former organizations. After the acquisition of Stromile Swift, I'll be satisified with either Sprewell or Anderson for the LLE and hope that next season we can address the position long term with the MLE.

 

I trust JVG's decision. If he wants him, I want him.

 

I'm not saying he is Reggie Miller, but the same things are said about veterans their age all the time. Yet, they are still able to produce and give good production on top of that.

DD- You say Spree is done and that he isn't the same player he once was. Well of course he isn't the same player he once was, neither is Shaq, hell, even Tim Duncan isn't the same player he was 3-4 years ago. The truth is that Spree is a reliable player that can get it done. He played 82 games at 38mpg 2 seasons ago, he played 80 games last season, his minutes decreased but he still put up solid numbers.

Of course everyone has their opinion, but I trust JVG. He knows Spreewell the best and he knows what he can bring. We've heard a lot of talk about chemistry and how we need to maintain it by CD/JVG. I trust that they will make the right decision.

 

This is almost exactly how I feel.

 

This is kind of where I am too.

I trust JVG, particularly considering the moves he and CD have made. If they think that Spreewell can come in and contribute to our team, then I will back that decision 100%. JVG raves about the guy, Flip Saunders wants him in Detroit, and these are the last two guys that have coached him (with the exception of the interim coach in Minny).

That being said, I would still like to see several guys in Rox unis before Spree, the biggest name being Finley. However, if Spree is willing to take the LLE or vet minimum, that will show me that he cares more about winning than money.

 

Good poll. No way I want him.

 

I voted no BUT...

If he came cheap and JVG supported it, it would be tough to deny it.

 

I'd take Spree over DA in an instant.

I mean, let's look at it. A lot of people are assuming he'd come in and start. Who's to say he'll start?

What are the Rockets currently lacking?

A true PG and a backup SF.

Spree could provide quality minutes backing up Tracy, as Spree has experience playing SF.

 

Although there are plenty of reasons not to want a guy like Spree, the idealist in me gets excited thinking about what it could be. We would take care of our rebounding problem from last season with a starting five (Sura, Spree, T-Mac, Swift, Yao) filled with good rebounders. Also, we would be a team with something to prove. Can Tracy McGrady carry a team past the first round of the playoffs or is he just a scorer without heart? Can Yao Ming reach his potential and dominate or is he just a soft foreign player? Can Swift become more than a dunker/blocker or is he just an athletic freak? And, (you guessed it), Is Spree just a headcase with baggage or can he turn his career around and become the productive defender / third scorer for the Rockets? Although it probably wouldn't all happen like that, it could make for an amazing season.