[Fox 26] Rockets to Sign James White through 2009-10

Interesting, since based upon what I've read at the age Gerald Green was when he was here, White was pretty similar in terms of coachability and work ethic - he sucked. Everything I've read recently points to him having changed from what he was. The only thing that'll make him a better player is if his handles and jumpshot have improved and I don't know how his jumpshot translates from the NBDL to the NBA - there are a lot of great college shooters that can't shoot worth a lick in the NBA because they can't get separation from the defender. On the positive side, his jumper was suspect coming out of college from what I remember and he seems to at least have improved in that regard.

 

I've not seen White play at all in the NBA and the D-leage (I saw a couple of games with White when he played in Turkey) before the Minnesota-game I think it was, isn't he a Gerald Green type of player? I don't really know if it's a good idea signing him, he is one of the greatest athletes I've ever seen on the basketballcourt and if he had some skills he wouldn't have been in the D-league and he ain't getting younger...

 

It's a good news but I don't know... the whole value of this team is rising as we were performing well recently ,maybe we will lose someone next season

 

YES! james "the flight" white welcome to htown

 

white is coachable and is much more hard working and dedicated than he used to be. he's changed from being a leaper trying to play basketball to more of a basketball player, although i think he's behind wafer in terms of being a scorer and using his athleticism productively. he's brighter and more willing to learn than green was during his time here, although i think green may have the higher ceiling in terms of natural physical basketball skills.

in all likelihood, you have a replacement for von if he gets a big payday from another team in the offseason. spot minutes until he proves he can contribute in the NBA, and if he earns it maybe he joins the rotation.

 

http://blogs.chron.com/nba/2009/03/perseverance_fortitude_toughne.html

 

we really need a new shirt now

 

I like it.

The Rockets are giving James a chance and at the same time making sure that he knows that he doesn't have a guaranteed spot.

Good move by the Rockets, especially considering they don't have a first round pick next draft.

 

Let's wait to see whats capable of doing Wafer in playoffs.

 

We have time.. Next season.

 

In Morey we trust!

We won't have much opportunity to watch this kid this season. Hopefully he can develop to the point that he can make the roster next season. I wouldn't mind seeing high-light reel dunks every once in a while.

 

This is almost as exciting as when we signed Oscar Torres!

It's nice to get a guy with his kind of athleticism who apparently has learned to shoot a bit as well, especially with virtually zero risk attached.

But, looking at this as anything other than depth for next year is ridiculously premature. If come October we're talking about relying on a 27 year old who has played all of 7 NBA games to be a big piece of the rotation, things will have gone wrong this offseason.

 

You're looking at this strictly from Houston's point of view, like others are. Wafer has a say also, which is my point. If he stays here, it's not a sure thing that he'll get more or the same amount of minutes. He knows Tmac is likely to be back midway through the year. There's no way the team sits tmac if he's ready to go, even if we're top 4 with von starting (which is a big IF by the way since he's still too raw to start). No way do they miss a shot at showcasing him to trade him or at getting their money's worth. Less will not stand by and let a a healthy $20 million player play behind Wafer, unless Wafer is putting up Tmac-like numbers, which isn't likely at all. I think Wafer gets spooke by the possbility of less minutes, or even just by the possibility of the same minutes and skips town. I think other teams are willing to invest more in him than Houston. Houston may match or offer more for a one year, but that's a huge risk for him in the long term because his stock may drop if his role shrinks that year.

 

I'd like to see Pops in camp too next year with a view to joining the team in Mutombo's absence.

 

Not trying to turn this into a Tracy thread but people are acting like Tracy will come back and be the '02-'05 T-Mac again after having surgery AND not playing ball for almost a year. IT ain't happening. All you have to do is go down the list of players who had the same surgery and you'll see that the odds are much better for Tracy to come back as a shell of his former self than the opposite. And these are guys with much better work ethics than him. And again, think about the fact that he would not have played ball for near a year at best. (BTW, have you seen Darius Miles lately )

Plus, you have to think that Les has finally seen the light (and noticed the fan response) to the new style of ball. If Tracy does come back and plays significant minutes, there's a high probability that we'll be back to him being the facilitator which will be to the detriment of the team and everything that it's worked for (face it, he does need the ball in his hands in order to be effective)

As far as Wafer is concerned, you are correct in saying that it's basically his decision but if Wafer decides to leave a Rockets team that could actually be legitimate contenders for years to come for a perennial lotto team who happens to be under the cap and can offer him more dough, then good riddance to him

legend215

 

rick keeps who he knows have potential. almost.
any how i hope to see him gets more play time as well.

 

I think Morey likes his potential as a defensive terrorizer in the Trevor Ariza mold and hopefully his ability to make quick defensive rotations. After McGrady's demise we have lacked length and explosiveness coming from the 3 spot. I don't think White will ever develop a good enough handle to be a good isolation player, but he can definitely knock down open shots and play the passing lanes + contest shots on defense. We still don't know how efficiently he moves laterally but he has all the tools.

We also have no draft picks this year and it's a weak+shallow draft class compared to '08... it's a smart decision as usual.

 

Dude, paragraphs are your friend! Great substance, but way too hard to read.

 

His FT % is as good as Yao....wow. This tells me he's a good shooter. With athleticism and shooting ability...it's a deadly combination.

 

Hes good, he has a championship ring