I was hoping for a player that could dribble and create, Ariza is not a good shooter/dribbled/creator. We better be doing more because Ariza is not worth that money, IMO DD
DD, what FA was available for MLE money that had your criteria that we missed out on? I see Ariza more as a Battier replacement. Maybe we move Battier or Tmac or someone else for the type of player you are suggesting. Maybe Morey is thinking "two moves ahead" instead of looking at each move by itself.
I'm in favor of the signing but not the amount of $ paid. Ariza is a glue guy, in the same ilk as Battier, Posey, Bell, Bowen, Fox, etc. These are guys are are important pieces to any any team, yes, but are also not a limited resource, which makes their value low from a salary standpoint. Ariza has below average handles and has never been a focal point on any team he's been on. Now, maybe he's ready to blossom right now and become a guy who can lead a team. Not as a 1st option for sore, but maybe as a 2nd or 3rd option. I doubt it seriously, since all I've seen from him is spot up 3s at a low %, open court dunks, and above average defense. I think he's a bit of a reach based on "potential" to improve areas in his game that i don't think will ever improve...
rick adelman's offense doesnt need that many dribblers and creators. He needs slashers and cutters which is what he got with ariza.
Exactly. It's the MLE. At least the upside is he is young and has a chance to grow, which sometimes with MLE signings isn't always the case. It's very rare that a team can hit a true home run with the MLE like Detroit did with Chauncy or Orlando did with Hedo. We aren't going to add "dynamic players" via the MLE. That happens with Trades and more likely hitting home runs via Draft picks.
I think I heard free agents can't officially sign contracts until July 8. Is that correct? And is there a deadline by which FAs must sign before the coming season-- or are rosters subject to change all the way up to the playoff roster deadline?
for different reasons, yes. Von is a better scorer, but that's all he can do. At least for now. I keep telling folks, DM is still building the team around Yao, until he knows 100% Yao is gone. He had to prepare for both scenerio's. Ariza is a glue guy who will replace Shane soon or later. Honest I don't think we will be doing any more trades till mid-season unless we get something fantistic for Tmac.
Actually I'd be much more inclined to think Battier's gonna be trade real soon. Battier's probably long gone when the season starts. No TMac No Yao wats his defense gonna do rotting in Houston??? trading him is good for him and good for the rockets. battier brooks for rudy outlaw bayless. get it done morey
That is why I said there better be something else. Because to me Ariza is another Battier.....just a little different variety. It is the same thing I HATED about last year with Battier and Artest.....we need someone that brings a different style from the Wing position. It is also why I think us letting Von go is a major mistake. My opinion Deuce is why spend the MLE at all, with Yao being up in the air.... DD
we need to build up young talent. without a good foundation which star is gonna sign with us in 2010??? And now it allows us to trade Battier for good wing players. If Ariza wasn't signed then there would be a big gaping whole at SF once we traded him. I guessed we signed him so other pieces can be traded away. who doesn't like getting players without having to give up anything??? a good player as well, too
I believe most of the guys that you mentioned. SF's who are considered good defenders get around MLE money, especially if they can hit an open shot and aren't old as dirt.
I agree, but this extreme turnover is a little disconcerting....chemistry is a fleeting thing.... I hope Morey knows what he is doing...I know he can crunch numbers, but chemistry and leadership are not on a spread sheet. DD
I really haven't seen much of him except in the playoffs where at times he was impressive. He is young, long, athletic; three things the team needs. Not ecstatic, but guardedly optimistic. We'll see. I think letting Von Wafer go is a mistake. I agree with his agent, his aggressiveness and offensive explosion was contagious. A work in progress, yes, but tons of potential. You can teach defense, but not athleticism.
Their seemed noninterest in Von Wafer leads me to believe that he was a bigger distraction than contributor, which means he must have been a fairly impressive pain in the ass.
