I'll put it like this. If Jeff Van Gundy wants Latrell on our team, then I do as well. I support our coaches decisions, not our supersensitive, doomsday people that cry over the slightest thing. Last year the poll was whether or not the Rockets should fire Jeff Van Gundy, it seems the polls are staying on par with the past ones. Fan approval over basketball trust and logic.
Hmmm... Barkley was always getting into trouble during his career. He spit on a fan (a little girl, no less) and most of you had no problem with HIM becoming a Rocket. Personally, I think Barkley has less class than Sprewell -- but he was a much better player and can be entertaining in front of a camera, something Latrell lacks. T-Mac sulked his way through an entire season. So did Sam Cassell. Francis put his attending a football game above his team. Even an exemplary figure like Hakeem managed to pull a cloud of gloomy funk down around his team when he didn't get his way, salary-wise. My point? These guys are not perfect. Spree lost his temper at the hands of the NBA's version of Bobby Knight and tried to physically intimidate his coach. He hasn't had any similar incidents with anyone since. Cut him some slack. As for the "feed my family" comment, name one jock who hasn't made a stupid comment at some point. Had Spree not already been wearing the "malcontent" label, nobody would've noticed. I'll put my faith in JVG at this point. Based on the player moves we made in mid-season, it's pretty obvious he knows what he's doing. If he gives the thumbs-up to Spree, I'm fine with it.
I just hope he's using the side of his brain that brought in Wesely, Barry and James - not the side that thought Charlie Ward could be the answer at point.
I find it very hard to believe that Latrell Sprewell would accept a bench role quietly. Secondly, I just don't see where he fits here. Yes, he is better than Wesley, but the guy is not a good spot up 3 pt shooter like Wesley. And unless you find a complete PG in the next 2 months via trade, you will have to play Spree and Sura on the floor at the same time for long stretches. And that lineup would not be able to capitalize on the double teams for T-Mac/Yao. The Rockets guards have to do 3 things well: protect the ball, hit open jumpers, and play defense. Wesley does 2 of these things well, Spree does maybe one at this point. Sprewell just is a square peg trying to fit into a round hole on this team in my opinion. If you want a slasher, find someone who doesn't think he should be a starter.
Anyone who gives a damn about the character of the players has to vote against Sprewell. You can't rationalize your way around it. I don't give a flip how annoying PJ Carlisemo is. I don't care whether Sprewell was just attempting to negotiate with The T'Wolves. His actions in choking his coach were completley inappropriate. In any other context, he'd have been tried for assault. And his comments about "feeding his family" betray the mind of an egomaniac with absolutely no sense of awareness but with an overweening sense of entitlement. The guy is slime. I don't ordinarily care all that much about character. Whether a guy is a great person...or ordinary...or even a bit selfish...is irrelevant to me when it comes time for the Rockets to sign them. But there's a line - and Sprewell is over that line. Never. I'll boo him no matter what jersey he wears.
If finley is impossible to pick up then I would not mind looking to get spree. I have had doubts on JVG's decisions before and I have eaten crow for it. I was against trading Jim Jackson at first to get wesley but look how well we did in the season as soon as that trade was made. I hope if we get spree it will be in a sign and trade where we can work out a deal to maybe steal some servicable parts to our team as well. JVG knows what he is doing. If spree is on his list of players to acquire I will trust his decision... if not... ship him and a bag of potato chips to another team later through the season.
Haven, if Latrell was such a malcontent while playing with the Timberwolves, in the same year that Flip Saunders was fired, why does Flip Saunders want Latrell to play for him with the Pistons this year? Use some sense dude.
There should be an option that reads "only if we are shunned by every other decent player first, AND he comes for the LLE."
Unfortunately, you failed to address my actual argument. I'm not asserting he's a cancer. I'm not asserting he's a "malcontent." My argument is that he's a bad person. Plenty of people with terrible ethics are charming and collegial. Sprewell's actions are beyond the degree that a reasonably decent person could just "blunder" into. It's not chemistry I'm concerned about. I merely prefer not to patronize slime.
He makes us older and less athletic. So I'm gonna go with no. Although ... I dunno, maybe he could pick up 10-12 backing up TMac.
congratulations haven, you have proved to me unequivocally that you are the perfect man, unblemished in character and quite merciful. We should all take after your unquestioned morality because you are a man without fault. All hail to Haven!
I rather have Finley, but since that is less likely, think of this you guys. Eventhough I'm not a real big fan of Spree myself, however he's better than Wesley. Other than T-Mac and Mike James no one can't go to the hole. Spree's aggressiveness puts more pressure on the opposition. Plus his defense and size is another advantage compared to Wesley. Also, keep in mind he would be a 3rd or 4th option (looking at 10-15 ppg), can't beat that with a LLE salary. Another thing is, if his age is a concern, how about if he plays 20-25 minutes a game. He could somewhat platoon with Sura/M. James/Wesley/Barry for the other 20+ minutes. That's what Deke was doing with Yao because his foul trouble and J.Howard will do the same with Swift. The age issue is usually a problem if you're on the court for a long period of time. Don't forget the future of the Rockets. While Wesley making good money being his last year, if we get Spree for 2 years for the LLE, and Ward, Barry, Wesley, and Spoon's contract coming of the books next year, We would have this lineup for the following year. With this lineup and the extra money we should be able to get a couple of young/quality players (PG/SG). If we do that, look at our bench, it would contan Deke, J.Howard, Spree (if we get a SG), Sura and/or James (if we get a PG). All of these guys can play at least 15 solid minutes! Man, we can be 10 deep! PG - Sura/James/Head SG - Spree SF - T-Mac/Bowen PF - Swift/J.Howard C - Yao/Deke Last thing, many people are concern with Spree and chemisry! As long as the team is winning, chemistry will be just fine, it only becomes a problem when you start losing or if you're Terrell Owens. Just win, baby!
I'm not so sure Spree would even consider Houston being that the Rockets' $1.6 million they have to offer would probably offend him and not allow him to feed his family... that was a classic...up there with AI's "Practice man!"
Barkley didn't just spit on a little girl, he also threw a guy out of a bar. Ron Artest attacked people under provocation. I can't fathom guys on moral high horses would put on a straight face and say "we don't want them at the LLE because they beat up people.". It's really not about morality, nor ability(a 13,4,4 player at LLE, are you kidding me?) ,chemistry(ya think Spree can lead his team to the Finals as a cancer?).It's about having a sense of superiority over Spree. Spree said stupid things like millions of dollars can't feed my family, which made fans who can't make a few millions dollars in their lifetime feel inferior. Now the chance has come for them to diss him back. I'm not saying every one thinks this way, just there's an air of ultra stringent standard on Spree. Barkley and Artest retaliated people, but unlike Spree, they didn't slap on so many fan's faces. Let's just get over the stupid remark and move on. Spree didn't mean to hurt anyone.
Great point. I also think Dan Dickau could be a very good point guard playing alongside Yao and T-mac. Unfortunately, CD and company don't lobby for him as hard as should be.
