You make it sound like "Moochie" is some rare, infectious sexually transmitted disease (and I'm sure someone here will argue that that's what he is.)
I disagree. With 2 young players as our core, our PF should and will be a veteran that is savy. When/if Yao and Tracy are ready to take the team to the next level, we will need to replace Howard/Taylor with a Ho Grant/PJ Brown type of a player, but one with experience. While we might get lucky and draft a traditional bruiser PF, I think we we will get a vet to minimize the level of rookie stupid plays and to maximize Tracy's and Yao's output. Championship teams are built on stars and players that understand their roles and aren't out trying to be "the man".
I thought the "trade him for a more traditional PG was funnier." Regardless, we've heard both of those statements too many times in Houston.
There's nothing about a 32 year old with lifetime averages of 11 points and 7 boards that would make him even remotely worth 30 million dollars. And this contract was signed less than a year ago. Seriously, Isiah Thomas is an idiot as a GM.
Why screw up this team's chemistry just when they are clicking? I'd trade Mo Taylor cause he isn't playing anyways, but no way would I trade Juwan Howard.
I think you are underestimating how much of an improvement Kurt Thomas is over Howard or Taylor. He is a little better shooter, a much much better defender, and a much much better rebounder. When we're in the playoffs and Juwon Howard or Taylor aren't able to defend their man or get defensive rebounds and Yao is sitting on the bench in a crucial playoff game because of foul trouble from playing help defense on Howard or Taylors man, it's really going to hurt then to think we had a chance to trade for a player like PJ Brown or Kurt Thomas. If the Rockets have a chance to trade for a good defending and rebounding power forward and they don't do it, its gonna come back to haunt them come playoff time. I'm telling you I can already see it now.
Absolutely correct, especially considering that we now have a decent chance to going deep in the playoff even this (!) season barring an injury to TMac & Yao.
i agree with you 100%. hoever, in all fairness the hornets wanted mo and our pick for PJ. that is a little too much. Jho and our pick for KT would be great for us. then if we can trade mo for DA we would be one FA signing away from a championship run.
Howard is playing well... but he is the most vanilla PF in the league ... I don't think he would be missed
You lost me the second you said Thomas was a good shooter. Mo and Howard are good outside shooters, Thomas is Anthony Mason with a better haircut. You think Yao gets doubled now? Wait til Thomas's man leaves him unguarded. At least Padgett spreads the D. And his defense and rebounding are overrated, considering the Knicks are a bad team that neither defends nor rebounds well. Further, rebounding is not a Rockets weakness. Nor is defense. Saddling this team with a 4 year contract for a guy who's only minimally an upgrade at the PF position, and is on the wrong side of 30, is a bad move for the long term health of the franchise.
I don't think Yao/Mcgrady and a bunch of role players are enough to win a championship. That would mean Yao and Mcgrady would have to reach the level of Shaq and Kobe or Stockton and Malone or all the other great duos in NBA history. I don't think their capable of reaching that level. They need at least another star and that 3rd star will probably have to be at the 4, since the power forward position is easily the most loaded position in the West. The Rockets best bet is to wait until the summer and either draft or sign a high potential 4. The power forward position on this team needs to be young, athletic, and needs to be able to block shots and chase down loose balls and do the things that our slow immobile center is incapable of doing. Kurt Thomas does not fit that bill. He’s not athletic and he’s getting older.
Portland wants a 2/3 for SAR? OK: SAR to Clips, CM and KK. Brand to Rox, Ho, TE, Gaines. Mo to Po, fo' DA. Works, I'm happy. Everyone is happy.
I don't think that we need a star at 4. Swift and Chandler are adequate and they are really not star players IMHO.
To quote Weisass, "This is just in!" I am sure JVG would break a big smile and say "I told you so!" if he reads this article. Man, Orlando got screwed in the trade
