[Done Deal] Rockets dealing Juwan Howard for Mike James

I really think people are being too negative regarding the James trade...

He is a clear upgrade over Rafer. Even in his "bad" season at minny he was better than Rafer.

I think he will be more than happy if he gets Rafer's shot attempts and time on the ball so I dont think he'll create problems...And he will keep defenses more honest...

So he's not at the level of Parker or Nash but we also have 2 guys named T-Mac and Yao...

This year , the Rox spent the majority of the time with T-Mac and Yao double teamed being dared to fire off 3 pt shots with Rafer/Head/Battier... Head did well but streaky...Rafer was terrible and Battier was covered more hence didn't take that many....

Do you guys really think that defenses are gonna play us like that with Mike James on the floor? Would Mike James have missed on all those drives that Rafer did?

I really believe that Mike James being on the floor will free the Rox much more this year....

 

Very good post. Mike James maybe isn't a star but that deal was so good for us. A lot of people says it hurts us but the don't know anythink about Rockets. We know what we need cause we're watchin' every game. I also think Mike James would knock down all that wide open positions that Rafer's got. He would probably drive more...Of course you better wanna leave Rafer open than Mike cause he's better shooter. He maybe didn't have the best season but don't you remember Mike James in Raptors' uniform? He'd had 20 PPG and on of the best % for 3 in the leauge. That means something.

Anyway that was a good trade for us no question. Juwan did have some good games but generally that was a good move. We can be sure about one thing that's not all. Now we have full summer left. I can't wait

But the most excitin' thig for me in new coach. If we had had Jeff Van Gundy I wouldn't have been so excited. You play that type of basketball that your coach wants. JVG wanted defense... I just can't wait until the offseason starts, until I see T-Mac runnin' the court and new faces in our team. I'm sure it will be perfect ofseason. But remember: Adelman is the main change!

 

What the heck?! Did our GM not read this before committing to sign James?!

 

Yep, I'm sure Morey is reading RealGM forums for consultation, in which case, I seriously suspect our next trade will be Yao for DHoward.

Because, ya know, them RealGM guys really know how to run a team.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6YQHFOniaw&mode=related&search=

Check out the 3:00 mark. Interesting...

 

If you pause it at 2:58 you'll see that as soon as the shot leaves Mike James hand and he's about to land, Juwan raises his elbow and turns to box out for the rebound catching James a bit so upon landing James pushes him in the back a little bit....Juwan makes a big deal of it...

 

Why does everyone think this trade was made to package James in another deal? Its not going to happen, at least not during the off season. I believe there is a waiting period for trading players that just got traded. Also, I highly doubt the Rockets would trade for James, bring him in with a press conference with the coach and owner talking about how much he can help, and then trade him again. James is pretty much a lock to be a Rocket. The chances of him getting packed in a trade in the off season is very slim.

 

I can hardly remember Juwan's blocks ...His D...

 

LOL

 

I predict he will be at least as productive as Stromile Swift was for us

 

Mike James averaged 20+ on a garbage team. This dude has a huge ego and if things dont go his way he's gonna throw a fit. If he had rafer alston's attitude we'd be fine, but he's a hothead. I see him jacking a buncha shot when he should be feeding yao or TMAC. I just dont think this is going to work all that well.

 

But maybe his job will be like Bobby Jackson's was, to come off the bench and score....which suits him to a tee....IMO.

DD

 

I said in my post why did the trade so early? I am okay with Justin Reed as filler or throw in for salary match.

No team want Mike James contract except the Rockets. So, the Rockets can wait to see if there're other options after July 1st. Why the Rockets always like this kind of 2-3 years rental that get nothing back at the end?

With trade kicker (althought it doesnt count against cap), it's 7 millions per for 3 year for Mike James which is highly overpaid against James' productions. Earl Boykins has the same numbers and is a FA and his contract last season is just 3 mil. Mo Williams has the same numbers and he is a FA and is younger and more upsides and the Rockets can try for MLE. There are options.

But I mean whatever, Mike James is already a Rocket.

 

well at this point all we can do is speculate. but I would venture a guess the james trade is a precursor to a bigger move which will land us a PF.

the timing of the trade is definitely interesting. the fact it took place before the draft leaves their options open to acquire a PF.

worst case scenario, we re-sign chuck, draft a PF and battier sees more minutes at the 4.

 

or minnesota were the only team in the league willing to trade for jho.

 

actually when this thread was made, i went on espn trade machine, to see if the one on one trade would work. it actualy did. i'm pretty sure, from the interview with morey, that morey wanted reed. and minnesota didn't need him and traded him with james.

 

Question: Two years ago when Mike was here in Houston. When Bobby Sura was out of the line-up, Mike James averaged 18.8 PPG as a starter. Do you think if we start him this season, could give us any where near that production (15-18 PPG)? Or is that asking for too much?

 

I'll define production as the starting 1 getting the team deep into the p/o's. I could care less if mj (or Rafe or VSpan or or or) score 18 with 8 dimes or 10 and 5 if the Ws pile up...into June.

 

if he plays the PG position and has the ball more in his hands than TMac, why not? I know that with Adelman we could get three or four players to average 20 plus points....So with Mac and Yao, there will be one or two other players who will be crossing the 20PPG line next year...My guess is the PG who gets the most minutes and probably a nice addition like Lewis or Artest, I would not call the Bibby trade yet as not possible

 

I'm also seriously concerned about his attitude. I think someone put up a youtube video of a Mike James post game interview about how good he is and he's improved and stuff, but to be honest, that video only made clear just how cocky he is. I would've been much happier if the Knicks cut Francis and we picked him up, because I think Francis can take coming off the bench better.

Still, Mike James is a clear improvement over Rafer. If he starts jacking up shots and bricking every one, we can put Rafer in. The main problem I'm worried about is how James will take being benched, but more than likely, it won't be a problem.

Another concern I have is how long we can hold on to him. If we got Francis, he would likely stay for the rest of his career, but the problem with Francis is he's been getting worse while James' numbers have improved. James is probably going to be asking for superstar level money in three years or so, and I don't think we can or should pay him that. So we need to win NOW with Mike James or look for a young PG that will stay and develop throughout the rest of the McGrady-Yao era.