I envision Eddie developing into a Cliff Robinson type on this team. Like Robinson, he seems so much more comfortable facing the basket than when he has his back-to-the-basket. Which is why I don't think he'll ever be another J.O'Neal or R.Wallace. Had the Rockets not gotten Yao, I would kind of be dissapointed. BUT now that we do have Yao, a Clifford Robinson type is a perfect fit. Once Eddie works on that shooting form, he's going to be a deadly outside shooter. He's already a decent shooter now, even with his terrible shooting form. In time I think he'll be automatic from 15-18 feet and good from behind the arc. This will stretch out the defense and allow Yao, Steve, and Cat to work inside.
Oh my God, Sane. That team would dominate. But do you think the Rockets management ever makes any changes? Sure...the major change will be waiving Tito Maddox. But WHOOO. ELTON BRAND IS ONLY 23 YEARS OLD?!? Forget what I said. Elton would own. Toni Kukoc for Kelvin Cato!!! Perfect! Toni Kukoc is just like Elton Brand...maybe better....a better shooter for sure. A good role player. Cato will have to leave...Kukoc would be sweet with Yao and Francis. BUT...isn't the owner of the Bucks trying to sell the franchise? He won't want Cato's happy contract. It doesn't seem to me like Mobley is unhappy. But in another thread....yes. Please get rid of Mobley. And then sign Lamar Odom!!! Glen Rice and a pick for Derek Anderson and Jeff McInnis. Well you must be kidding. I don't know why anyone would want Glen Rice. But I surely want Derek Anderson and Jeff McInnis!! McInnis..they might give up since he doesn't get to play anyway. Derek Anderson would be great...good replacement for Mobley. But would never happen. Unless we gave them a first round draft pick... Posey can leave. Steve Francis/Jeff McInnis/Moochie Norris Derek Anderson/Francis/Odom Lamar Odom/Toni Kukoc/Bostjan Nachbar/Terence Morris Elton Brand/Toni Kukoc Yao Ming/Moochie Nrris. We wouldn't even need Toni Kukoc! That would be an awesome team... But we would be way over the luxury tax limit. Only if we had Mark Cuban..
i sincerely believe that eddie griffin is a budding superstar...even though he hasn't shown the ability and potential that he has, i think its due largely to the fact that he's not the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd option like how he was at seton hall....i must admit though that he has an ugly shot and that he has to change it in the offseason if he is to make dramatic improvements. But he does show flashes...eveybody must agree with that its just that we have too of expectations for a 20 year old guy!
Kukoc for Cato - If they are, in fact, selling, then I doubt they would make this trade too. But then again, maybe they'll have sold already and new managent will want to win. Who knows? Rice and a pick for Anderson + McInnis - McInnis doesn't play anyway, while they have Stoudamire and Daniels too. A budding Qyntel Woods and a overpriced Bonzi Wells means that Anderson is the odd man out. His assist and asst-TO ratio numbers are amazing, same goes for McInnis in extended minutes. Working with Saboniscan only be a plus. On the Brand trade, I doubt the Clippers would do it, and it's doubtful he'll move this summer unless he'sdesperate to not play in LA, in which case, Falk can get ANYTHING done. We have some nice trade bait this summer, and some incompatible pieces. There will SURELY be changes, and Rockets trading history backs me up too. This team just doesn't seem to ever click long enough. We need a team that's on the same page, a team with vets and young players, a team with an inside outside game, and a team that has players with team-oriented goals. That team I put together sends shivers down my spine. So well-structured, and has EVERYTHING a team needs. Also, I think our cap numbers are below luxury tax if all those trades are made.
Well Anderson is the odd man out. But if we gave up Glen Rice, who would be our veteran/s? Maybe they would just want our pick... I'm sorry. I said Toni Kukoc is just like Elton Brand...I meant like Lamar Odom. Toni Kukoc would be good. I guess he would be our veteran!!! Hmm...even without the Brand trade. Steve Francis/Jeff McInnis/Moochie Norris Derek Anderson/Cuttino Mobley/Juaquin Hawkins Toni Kukoc/Bostjan Nachbar/Terence Morris Eddie Griffin/Maurice Taylor Yao Ming/Tito Maddox Even without the Elton Brand trade, those other trades would improve us greatly. They are pretty realistic...but I don't think Les Alexander would ever do that. And financially...well if the Rockets were serious...it does look over the cap a little bit...I'll do some research!
Eh budding superstar? Griffin isn't even a solid PF yet, you're talking about superstardom? And I don't think the reason he hasn't shown his ability is due to that he's not a offensive option. I mean he's shooting like 39% so he really didn't deserve more shots. And most of them right now were wide open shots. I just couldn't imagine how bad his % would be if his every shot's covered. I am not hating the guy but he has too many things (strength, shooting form, post moves, defensive awareness, passing, ball handling) to work on before he can become a legit starter on a playoffs team let alone becoming a superstar. And I am not very sure he can suddenly get all of those things I mentioned.
OKAY. I made a big mistake. I'm not finished researching...but the Milwaukee trade could be very possible if they offered it. I thought Kelvin Cato made a heck of a lot of money. He is making $6,696,000 this year and his contract goes through 2005-06. TONI KUKOC is making...$8,822,182!!!! this year!!! And his contract expires after 2003-04. So...Milwaukee could accept the trade. They really need a center inside. And we really need a shooter and...well Toni Kukoc!
Also Glen Rice is making $9,200,000 this year and will play one more season in 2003-04. Derek Anderson is EARNING $7,144,500 this season and this contract goes through 2006-07. Jeff McInnis is making $3,000,000. But this is his last season. It was a 1 year deal. So he is free... If we made those two changes...our team would be very solid. Mo Taylor is almost back to what he used to be. And everybody will be depending on Eddie Griffin to improve in everything!!! Patience...
Why would we trade for kukoc? I'm not a big fan of him and I have an aversion to players who made their names when they played with Michael Jordan. This team is young, let's keep it that way.
I don't know if Sane was being sarcastic or not... But Toni Kukoc is 34 years old. We need a veteran who can guide our team. He is a pretty good shooter. He is shooting 37% from behind the arc. We need a good shooter. He would give our team size at the forward position...he is old yes. But I like him. I guess we would trade Kelvin Cato because he will not be getting much playing time with the Rockets next season since Yao Ming is here. He and Eddie would be good friends! But we would be losing a lot of emotion and excitement if Cato left... The only thing I don't understand is Toni Kukoc shoots 67% from the free throw line?
Ok my time to defend my man!!! 1st of all the guy is 20 YEARS OLD so let him grow up a lil bit! can the guy 1st be LEGALLY over age! 2nd the guy was considered a #1 pick so there must have been a reason why he was projected so high!! BUT I do have to agree that if by the time of his 4th year BY THE MOST we do have to let him go!
Eddie kind of reminds me of the Hawks Ratliff. Gives you blocks and rebounds, not too developed in the low-post.
Good comparison, but the big difference -- Ratliff is soo much bigger/stronger. And that should obviously be expected given the age difference and time each player has put in the league. Lord knows I sure hope Eddie doesn't have the injury troubles of Ratliff, though!
Hmm, according to nba.com Theo Ratliff is 6'10" 230lbs and Eddie Griffin is 6'10" 232lbs. Well, I guess in presence you notice Ratliff more because he's been in the league more and has held the highest blocking average one season. One day I hope Eddie can do that with Yao being 2nd or vice-versa. One thing Eddie has is the better bricks off any jump shot pretty much! Either I hope he starts making them or else gets some arc in that shot.
Thanks for that, Dreamland. I didn't realize Ratliff and Eddie are virtually the same size. Just looking @ the two, though, it seems that Theo has more muscular build. Probably just a mind thing,though, as you said b/c of each players NBA experience and the fact that Ratliff has somewhat of a track record as GREAT defensive player (shot blocker).
Cato's been in the league for 6 years or more now, and his #1 move coming into the NBA was his explosive drive to the basket. Tell it lke it is. Trading for Kukoc has its advanatages. First of all, the fact that he's 34 means that he can't play many minutes, which is pefect, since we have 2 budding SF's playing behind him. The aside from that, he's a pure shooter, a great passer, and has veteran experience, including RINGS. He also brings nice size, and his contract expires afetr next season, so there's nothing to worry about. LittleY, Without the Brand trade, you have Mobley, ANderson and Francis fighting for time at the 3. Maybe we can package Mobley and MoT for something? I like my scenarios, and would throw in whatever needed aside from Yao and Francis to make that team become a reality. Vets: Kukoc, Anderson, McInnis Semi-vets: Francis, FA (minimum) pickup Brand and Ming can be considered "veterans" too from the way they play, they talk, they carry themselves, they think...Those guys are very mature... Please Rockets, blow up the team this summer, and make the team fit Francis and Yao to a T.
