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Ford includes Rox in teams that need an "overhaul"

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by Willis25, Aug 2, 2004.

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  1. Willis25

    Willis25 Contributing Member

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    I haven't seen this posted yet
    http://proxy.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=ford_chad&id=1850641

    By Chad Ford
    ESPN Insider

    The free-agent frenzy is over and a number of high-profile teams have a lot to show for it. With NBA spending at an all-time high and trades going down in frantic pace, there is a growing parity in the league that gives hope to franchises that have had little to cheer about the past few years.

    From Boston to Utah to Orlando and even Cleveland, GMs can stand up credibly after a busy summer and tell fans that hope is on the way.

    Unfortunately, not everyone can say that. A number of teams have done nothing. A few more have made only minor, lateral moves that won't likely affect the win column once the season begins.

    With all the focus the past few weeks on what teams have done in an effort to improve, it's just as instructive to look at what a handful of teams haven't done. A number of teams on the list, including the Grizzlies, Knicks and Hawks, came into the summer with high hopes. With nothing to show for it (yet), is it time to write them off or will they still make a big splash this summer?

    Insider takes a look 10 teams that still need a major overhaul this summer. Can the Mavs land Jason Kidd? With the Grizzlies finally get their hands on a big man -- Eddy Curry? Will Isiah Thomas finally make the big move he's been promising? Here's our take.

    (I skipped the Mavs, Knicks stuff)

    Houston Rockets

    Cash remaining: $5.4 million trade exception; Mid-level exception; $1.6 million exception

    Players added: Reece Gaines, Juwan Howard, Tyronn Lue, Tracy McGrady

    Players lost: Kelvin Cato (Magic), Steve Francis (Magic), Cuttino Mobley (Magic)

    Skinny: The Rockets pulled off the second-biggest trade of the summer when they swapped Francis and company for Tracy McGrady. A combo of T-Mac and Yao Ming should easily get the Rockets into the postseason next year. But you don't make a blockbuster trade like this unless your gunning for a championship. To that end, the Rockets still have a couple of major holes to fill. Losing Francis left the team very thin at the point guard position. Lue is a backup and Gaines isn't even that yet.

    So far their search for a legit, veteran point has come up empty. They flirted with Eric Snow, Derek Fisher, Brent Barry and even Mike James, but all of them committed elsewhere. There isn't an obvious solution to their problem left on the free-agent market. A guy like Charlie Ward might be serviceable, but he isn't ideal either.

    The team also has no depth at center. Yao averaged just 33 mpg last season. Who plays the other 15? The good news is that the Rockets have a huge trade exception and their full mid-level to work with. The bad news is there aren't many bigs on the market (free agent or trade) worth wasting their time on.
     
    #1 Willis25, Aug 2, 2004
  2. Gutter Snipe

    Gutter Snipe Contributing Member

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    Boy, I'm sure glad that Chad took the time to tell us what we've been discussing for the last month.
     
    #2 Gutter Snipe, Aug 2, 2004
  3. Willis25

    Willis25 Contributing Member

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    still... how is getting an average PG and a backup C fall into the category of "Major Overhaul"
     
    #3 Willis25, Aug 2, 2004
  4. Dr of Dunk

    Dr of Dunk Clutch Crew

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    Where was it stated that it was?
     
    #4 Dr of Dunk, Aug 2, 2004
  5. Nick

    Nick Contributing Member

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    The good news, chad, is not that they are "gunning" for a championship... this is not a 1 year or bust deal.

    Save that term for teams like Sacramento, who's window of opportunity is closing fast.
     
    #5 Nick, Aug 2, 2004
  6. Deuce

    Deuce Context & Nuance

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    This is the second time Chad has reported that we have a 5.4M TE instead of the widely believed 6.9 TE.

    Which is it? Glen Rice's contract was 6.9M. Did we use any of the TE in the Tmac deal?
     
    #6 Deuce, Aug 2, 2004
  7. SpaceCity

    SpaceCity Contributing Member

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    Maybe it was the part of the article that says: "Insider takes a look 10 teams that still need a major overhaul this summer."

    I could be wrong. ;)
     
    #7 SpaceCity, Aug 2, 2004
  8. crash5179

    crash5179 Contributing Member

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    Glenn Rice was actually about 10 million. I think the difference between his salery and Amechie's salery is where we got the 6.9 million TE.

    Some of the exception may have been used in the T-Mac trade
     
    #8 crash5179, Aug 2, 2004
  9. HoRockets

    HoRockets Member

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    Rockets did not belong in this top 10 list. Brain fart moment for Ford I guess.
     
    #9 HoRockets, Aug 2, 2004
  10. Bobliu

    Bobliu Member

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    I do not see anything wrong with Ford's opinion. This team needs some major work in order to be a championship team. There are only two ways to get this work done:

    (1) the maturation of current players, and

    (2) trades.

    Trades probably are the more realistic ways to build up a "supporting cast" for TMac and Yao.
     
    #10 Bobliu, Aug 2, 2004
  11. Jeff Gundy

    Jeff Gundy Member

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    Here is the NBA Insider teaser that they have leading into the main article:

    Underachievers


    With all the focus the past few weeks on what teams have done to improve, it's time to look at what a handful of teams haven't done. A number of teams entered the offseason with high hopes but have very little to show for it (so far).
    Can the Mavs land Jason Kidd? With the Grizzlies finally get their hands on a big man -- Eddy Curry? Will Isiah Thomas finally make the big move he's been promising? Insider's Chad Ford examines 10 teams that still have work to do.
    Full Article
     
    #11 Jeff Gundy, Aug 2, 2004
  12. sjackson0

    sjackson0 Contributing Member

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    He (ford) just states the obvious...it get so frustrating that he is paid to report that if you "Shart" in your pants, you might want to go home and clean up...obvious

    "shart"

    The combination of a **** and fart...together...at the same time.
    see.....Along came Polly as reference.
     
    #12 sjackson0, Aug 2, 2004
  13. Willis25

    Willis25 Contributing Member

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    the only problem is, the article mixes teams that need to add some pieces to become champs (Rox, Kings, Mavs & Grizz) with teams like the Hawks and Sonics
     
    #13 Willis25, Aug 2, 2004
  14. tinman

    tinman Contributing Member
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    We need Todd Bridges and Gary Coleman
     
    #14 tinman, Aug 2, 2004
  15. MLittle577

    MLittle577 Contributing Member

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    [​IMG]

    Whacha talkin bout tinman?
     
    #15 MLittle577, Aug 2, 2004
  16. Bobliu

    Bobliu Member

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    I am not sure it is that "obvious". There are people who think that the Rox just need some minor fix and then ready for being the champions.

    An "overhual" means different things for the Rox and for the Hawks. FOr the Rox, their first "overhaul" has been completed. Al they need is a second one to build up the "supporting cast". For the teams like the Hawks, they need their first overhaul: to bring in a couple of superstars.
     
    #16 Bobliu, Aug 2, 2004
  17. Dr of Dunk

    Dr of Dunk Clutch Crew

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    Ah, I misunderstood. I assumed Watchootalkin'bout Willis was arguing the exact opposite of what he was. I thought he was thinking of Lue and Howard as the backup PG and C. :D
     
    #17 Dr of Dunk, Aug 2, 2004
  18. AroundTheWorld

    AroundTheWorld Insufferable 98er
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    DoD, admit defeat, your logic is faulty :).
     
    #18 AroundTheWorld, Aug 2, 2004
  19. AroundTheWorld

    AroundTheWorld Insufferable 98er
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    Not fair that moderators can apparently edit their posts even after the three minutes are up without showing "last edited"... :).
     
    #19 AroundTheWorld, Aug 2, 2004
  20. Willis25

    Willis25 Contributing Member

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    come on Doc...

    [​IMG]
     
    #20 Willis25, Aug 2, 2004
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