Deke definitely earned his right to come back for a final season (only just 1 more year realistically) with the way he propped up the centre this season. I don't think he'll be the second option, since Adelman runs a faster moving offensive set and JakeT would be a better fit for that type of movement oriented playing style. Also, Yao needs someone to bang with over practice...
That's great news! He was one of the best backup centers in the whole league this last year. I think we need a younger C too, such as Hilton Armstrong or Channing Frye, but that will give us valuable depth. TMac could not have dominated while Yao was out without Deke. Even if he's no good, he's earned the right to play with us his final year, and hopefully win a championship with us. It all depends on Morey, and if Les will let him get us what we need ...
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2882038 "Obviously he showed last year that he could still be a force defensively and when Yao went down he was huge for them. So that's something I'd really evaluate," Adelman said. The 40-year-old Mutombo was contemplating retirement after the Houston Rockets were ousted by the Utah Jazz in the first round of the playoffs. But dinner with Hakeem Olajuwon changed all that. "To have someone like that, who I admire so much, tell me I have too much to offer to walk away meant a great deal. What Hakeem had to say really motivated me," Mutombo told Houston television station KRIV. "I'm not going to open the door for anyone else. I just built a home in Houston. The people of Houston have responded to me in a spectacular way," Mutombo said.
this is foolish. Mutombo always has a place on my Yao team if nothing else than being a great teammate and the best practice partner for Yao to learn how to be a great center. new team or not. If you don't believe Yao can dominate in the low post as part of his arsenal, then just say he is Brad Miller and let's be done with it. you are overthinking this. We are allowed 15 guys on the roster, no?
he can come back, but only to be the first person to block Oden. He can go ahead and elbow bruce bowen, too.
And once we allow V-Span to go back to Europe, that'll open up another spot. I'm just kidding. I don't think, nor hope, that Spanoulis is going back to Europe.
I think I speak for everyone here when I say I wish you were the Rockets GM. And there's absolutely no hint of sarcasm at all whatsoever.
In regards to contract for Deke. he woudl be cheap this year because of this "When a player has been in the NBA for three or more seasons, and is playing under a one-year, ten-day or rest-of-season contract, the league office actually reimburses the team for part of his salary - any amount above the minimum salary level for a two-year veteran. For example, in 2005-06 the minimum salary for a two-year veteran is $719,373, so for a ten-year veteran, with a minimum salary of $1,138,500, the league would reimburse the team $419,127. Only the two-year minimum salary is included in the team salary, not the player's full salary. They do this so teams won't shy away from signing older veterans simply because they are more expensive when filling out their last few roster spots."
nice of you to rethink that Yetti. Vet minimum contracts are pretty much freebies...to put it in simple terms. no sentimentality at all here.
With Rick Adelman only becoming Rockets coach Wednesday, Morey said the team has not entirely formed its free-agent strategy. "Dikembe was a key part of our season last year, obviously," Morey said. "We still feel like he has good basketball ahead of him. Obviously, he's a community icon. "I think in ways he can be very effective in his role. With coach Adelman, we're still having discussions on our philosophy and strategy going forward." Who out there would be better for the money? It will be really dissheartining if we bring back Bonzi and let Deke go.
No one would have confused Scot Pollard or Lawrence Funderburke with Vlade...they fit with Adelman. No one would confuse Kenny Thomas with Chris Webber...KT had one season in his first 6 where he averaged 2.0 apg...his lowest of 2 years with Adelman was 2.0 with the other being 2.9 apg. Playing uptempo from the Center spot is not a function of speed, it's a function of outlet pass and being the trailer. Deke is still a very good defensive rebounder. DaDa - With respect...you are just flat out wrong on this one.
on an unrelated note, I always wondered how many times Deke blocks Yao in practice everyday. seeing Yao get blocked consistently by guys like Brand/Okur, I'm scared to think what Deke could do to him.
Some of yall STILL dont want Deke back!!!! When Yao goes out for his annual 10-35 games you will eat crow in the worst way.
DD getting blasted hehe you guys forget what he did in that 10-15 game stretch last season he was unbelievable, had 10+r ebounds and put up some great defense why wouldn't he work with someone who knows how to use players, I wouldn't be surprised if Deke gets some extra minutes next season btw he was faster running up and down the court than yao
So did anyone forget how smooth and effective the offense got when Yao went down? (no offense to Yao) It can work and besides you're talking about a backup center anyways (with our new offense hinging on whether Yao can be more effective or not).
