No way should we give #1 (JW) to the Clips (a rival). Not unless they let go of Brand. We would be giving them the one piece of the puzzle they need. Besides Kandi is overrated and Odom is a pothead injury/suspension waiting to happen. I think all this LA trade talk is just to get some compensation from Chicago for not do it. I doubt if LA would do it but getting a player like Brand is the only way you pass up a center with Ming’s potential. IMHO!
we shouldnt be considering any trade senarios that have us aquiring another PF. i say no on brand and mcdyess. if we trade the #1 we should get either a center or a sf, or both.
Yep, Brand is the one Clip who has been a consistent performer on both sides of the ball since he has been in the league. Unless the Clips bring him into the equation (the one "sure thing" they have to offer) I would have a hard time thinking they will come up with a sufficient package. Maybe something like Odom, McInnis (have to be a S & T), #8, #12 for #1, Mooch. Or Odom, Miles, Rooks, #12 for #1, Rice. The problem to me (for the Rockets) with either trade is you are giving up as close to a sure thing (JW or Ming) for less than a sure thing (some combination of Odom + Miles or a pick no lower than 8). Again, there is no "sure thing" on the Clips not named Brand. They have to throw us the farm and take a bad contract to deal with us and not start with Brand.
I think the only way they would give up Brand is if the Rockets gave them Griffin along with the #1 pick.
Look at all the centers in the west. Now look at all the power forwards. Shaqidus is running wild on this bbs. How could you pass on a guy that avg's 37.7 min 18.2 pts11.6 reb 2.4 ast 1.0 stl 2.0 blk for a guy who could potentially be that good. In the west you need a dominant player in the frontcourt. Not necessarily at center. I'm not against drafting Ming but I would be happy if things don't workout with Ming and we ended up with Brand. Cato Brand Griffin Cat Francis Thats not a bad starting lineup.
The Clips aren't going to trade Brand. Odom is the one the Rockets are after and we have the #1 pick, those are the main pieces that would be involved in a trade with LA, not Griffin and Brand.
griffin has a great chance at being a dominent front court player. and we could trade the #1 for a star sf who rebounds and blocks. im not saying i dont like brand. ive met him before and he is one of the nicest, kindest guys youll ever see. he is a great talent. unfortunatly for us we have plenty of good players at his position. one of which will turn out to be a dominent pf.
Just what we need, more clairvoyant posters on this board. How do you know this? Let me guess from the rumors on the bbs rite?
We have a SF who rebounds and blocks. Eddie Griffin! QUOTE]Originally posted by smoothie im not saying i dont like brand. ive met him before and he is one of the nicest, kindest guys youll ever see. he is a great talent. unfortunatly for us we have plenty of good players at his position. one of which will turn out to be a dominent pf. [/QUOTE] Have the Rockets said Griffin will be a PF? I think that is more speculation on this board than anything else. Everyone thinks he is going to bulk up this off season and suddenly develop a post up game. I remember Griffin saying he was going to work on his handles and his first step so he could be a more complete SF. Don't get me wrong I consider EG as one of the big three. I wouldn’t do the deal if EG was involved. However Brand is a dominant PF now. He gets 11.2 reb and 2 blocks per game now. Not to mention 18 points per game.
Quite frankly to me we are only slightly better immeditely and in the long term at the 4 (MoT, KT, EG) than the 3 (Rice, EG, TMo, OT)--especially because their isn't a clear best position for KT or EG. I agree at center we are in even worse shape than the 3 or 4. So basically I say say we get the best front player we can, if Ming is the guy so be it if not get the most solid guy we can to help us on both ends (Brand) and then pick up a more questionable center or SF prospect (Bordchart, Marcus, Jeffries, Butler, Euro guy, etc.). Brand was traded last year for a #2 pick in a weaker draft (JW surely would have gone first if he came out last year and this year he may be bumped for that spot by Ming). Brand is an outstanding player but few people envision him a superstar (Duncan/KG or even Webber type potential--a 25/12/3 type guy), probably why the Bulls didn't do all they could to keep him happy in the long term there. Brand is close, but I would want even more for the #1 pick of this years (e.g., getting the Clips #8--Bordchart or Butler--while they get KT plus filler).
