Also, there is Terrence Morris. Battier has been projected around 5th just in seniors and Morris around 9th just in seniors. I would think Morris' ties to Francis would be a plus coming from Maryland. If Battier is projected 5th among seniors, that puts him 12 to 15 among overall with the rather large crop of sophomores and juniors expected to come out. Also, Yao Ming is still projected as a top 3 pick and he's from China. Then, there's the high schoolers... ------------------ "I swallowed a lot of agression...along with a lot of pizzas."
Wasn't Chris Webber unhappy playing the Center position, and wasn't this one of the reasons he underperformed early in his career? Especially playing in the West, he'd be battered. I'll see if I can find the quote, but I always thought he was happy to get away from the role playing the 5. I'm not sure how ecstatic he'd be to go back there. ------------------ "It doesn't matter. If it's the Lakers or the Spurs, I'm going to kill them." -- Cuttino "Jack" Mobley on possible playoff opponents.
Don't forget Los is a free agent next year, so he probably won't be on our bench next year. I love Battier and would do alot to get him in a Houston uniform(Cato,Walt,picks). I think Morris would be a bad pick, he's too inconsistent on the college level. Moochie will also have to be resigned. ------------------
Well then DOD, play Cato or Antonio Davis at Center and then have Mo Taylor backup the C and PF... Mo could still get 30+ minutes and pull down 2 rbg. Most people are afraid of loosing chemistry when they talk about Shandon leaving. If Shandon opts out, he's leaving on his own... i.e. he made the contractual decision. The cap space for the Rockets this summer is dedicated to luring Chris Webber, Shandon knows that. The most important chemistry elements, IMO, are retaining Moochie (if at all possible after the blow up he's had lately) and Mo Taylor, if he'll settle for a decent wage (the playoffs and his comments re: his relationship w/ Rudy make me think that he will). In fact, I think that Mobley and Steve's comments about Los and Walt are quite telling about which veterans they heed advice from. That's not to say that the Rockets don't need a defensive three or a vertically enhanced two... they just need a more affordable one. How is Vincent Yar.'s defense? Would Terrence Morris play okay d at the three? Would people be comfortable w/ Francis, Mobley and Battier? I would. IOW, bye bye Shandon, it's been real... real disappointing that you expect more than the early bird. You smother the opponent's other players for the most part... but won't the kids @ 1.5 mill/year do the same? ------------------ (===)
While both players would fit the Rockets, I'd prefer Terence Morris over Shane Battier, and Morris will likely come closer to the Milwaukee or Orlando pick. In the end, I'm not confident that Battier will be the better player. ------------------
As for potential draftees, don't get into the hype. Some players will be spotlighted and their values overrated, don't fall prey to that. ------------------ March Madness Coverage! Draftsource.net
Hmm, since the mid level exception is only about 8% higher than early bird, instant money won't be much of a factor. It'd only work with a team who already used up their mid level. OR, a team wanting to reward Shandon next year. We could sign and trade him with a 1 year deal (I think?) which would give him Big Bird, since it's a trade. There could be something preventing this that says it must be multi-year in sign and trades, or something of the sort, but if not, early bird is a minimum of 2 years-1 year earlier than if he signed a 3 year deal to big bird, right? Or for giggles, let's say Woods (or other high potential centers-Haywood, and based on height a guy like Chandler) slips into our pickings, if we were to not make the playoffs . We could then pass on Battier, and pick up Morris later on, who has that similar height for SF, great shot blocking and rebounding and 3 point stroke everyone loves. While making scenarios of losing Shandy, it begs the question: With one of the three picks, do you go for a backup guard? Or trade Kenny if you add a bench of bulk for a solid veteran backup? Or go it with 'Chise, Cat, and Mooch, with 'Chise picking up most backup 2 minutes, and Langhi or our Battier/Morris pick getting a few of them? As far as Battier, he's pretty much the only sure bet in the draft. You're getting a top tier defensive player, who can hit the open 3, and play very smart, but can't create well for himself, and is lacking blazing foot speed, I feel it won't hurt him as much as some think. He should be a decent role player who sticks around for a while. Not an all-star, but most likely a solid starter/defensive stopper. Because his potential is limited, and mostly uncovered, it hurts his value. Anywhere from late lottery to late teens pick. ------------------ "That's been a lifelong dream of mine." -Vince Carter, after laying it in on a breakaway, much to the Vancouver crowd's displeasure. [This message has been edited by NIKEstrad (edited March 19, 2001).]
I think the two key factors in deciding between Battier or Morris for me are 1) who will be better able to guard NBA 3s? 2) Who is the better long-range shooter? Other factors are rebounding, passing, and maybe blocking shots since they both have some size for the position. ------------------
Come on guys! We all know that Rudy is going to draft someone we never heard of with our draft picks. What I've been seeing on a few websites is Battier going in the top ten and Morris projected in late first to early second. ------------------
I have always been one of Shandon's biggest supporters from the moment we acquired him. However, at this point he is an offensive liability. Although he smothers his defensive assignment, when he is on the floor you are essentually playing 4 on 5 basketball. I cringe when he puts the ball on the floor or attempts a jumpshot. He is a turnover waiting to happen. This hurts me deeply to say all this because the man took so much less to come to Houston, but we have to face reality. We can find a defensive stopgap at a much lower price. The big dilemma here is whether or not you stab the guy on the back by cutting him free. I hope to God he doesn't hold the Rockets hostage by opting out and looking for the immediate deal because at this point, he's not worth it. I'd pay him the next year through Bird Rights because at that point the salary cap won't matter. Our team will already be set. But if Shandon opts out, you let him go. You just cannot afford to kill your cap on an offensive liability. Cato and Taylor are interchangeable at the '5' spot. Cato's performance against San Antonio gave me hope. I'm not looking for numbers, just take up space and stay on your feet. As far as Shane Battier, he's an ideal fit for this team. Doesn't need the ball to score, but can score. He can shoot the three and he has a very high basketball IQ. He's a four-guy so he's ready to step in and contribute now. We are ready to win now. We will be that good by next year. A 4 man rotation of KT, Webber, Taylor, and Cato would give us depth and flexibility up front. I would trade Thomas to move up and re-up Bullard. Battier with Francis, Mobley, and Norris is very formidable.
I just think we need a long-term solution at the three and Shandon really isn't it. If he truly wants more than the early bird exception as his agent said, he won't be here because no way he gets more $$$ than Cuttino. Ultimately, if we had a very good three, we could simply re-sign Taylor, see how Cato pans out or try to get someone like Marc Jackson to play defense and rebound. Beyond that, it is really just a matter of filling out the role players on our bench and allowing the nucleus to grow as is. ------------------ "I swallowed a lot of agression...along with a lot of pizzas."
I wonder about Shandon. Coming here for less money was admirable, and he's a really decent guy. But we need a taller 3 if possible, athletic, yes, defensive-minded. Terrence would fit the bill if we can't land Battier. I'm not saying I want to lose Shandon, but if we can sign and trade him, where would we send him? He would prefer a playoff team of course, but maybe with him and, say, Cato, maybe a team can reach the playoffs. We know he wants to be in an urban market. New Jersey needs a 2 and a 5. Would Cato and Shandon get Van Horn if Van Horn could get us Webber (and still have cap space for Mo or, say, Marc Jackson?) Would Shandon tolerate going to Atlanta with Cato (hometown)? What team needs a defensive-minded 2/3 with decent-if-not-great offensive capabilities? (Although Shandon might perform better well in a team w/o another dominating 2-guard, let alone a dominating 2 and point.) In my mind, it might involve a 3-way deal. But who? ------------------
Rogers won't be back and no way Webber will play the 5 for a full season. ------------------ President of the Steve Francis, Jamal Crawford,Larry Hughes, and Charles Woodson fan club.
I have liked the idea of trading Cato for LaFrentz and letting Raef man the 5 and sign Webber for the 4 and fill the 3 through the draft. If Shandon wants more money, that's cool but he can't expect to make more than Mobley. Mo Taylor, if his ego and agent don't get in the way would be great as the first big man off the bench. I like Taylor more than Kenny Thomas, so if we had to, we could get rid of Thomas. ------------------
I am against Mo staying if it means giving up Shandon. Mo brings nothing to the table defensively and with Webber, Mobley, and Francis already here offensive PFs are not that important. Webber also has to play out of position just to get Mo on the floor. You are therefore limiting Webber's prowess, especially when he goes up against Shaq and Duncan. Shandon to me is also a mentor for Steve and Cuttino, helping them to improve their one glaring weakness defense. The rockets also lose their respect among free agents if Shandon is not offered a Fatter contract. You all may place the blame on Shandon if you want to but really it is the rockets who will look bad. Shandon signed for much less to come here, so no one should fault him for looking for a better contract. KBM ------------------ I am an invisible man.
It is possible that Shandon could become a much more important player if he were on a different team, but I doubt it. I think that our hopes for Shandon were probably a little too high. Based on obvious facts that I don't need to explain he is our short term starting SF when he was supposed to be our long term starting SG (with Cuttino as his backup). The question is.... Is Shandon going to admit that he could be a more valuable player as sixth man for a good playoff team in the future or will he insist on being a starter for an average, possibly playoff team? In my opinion Shandon's best possible claim to fame is as the sixth man for the World Champion Houston Rockets.
I agree with Docter R.....Shandon would have to accept a bench position to help out the team. He is a scrappy player, does all the dirty work, is role with the Jazz was perfect for him. He is just a role player, kind of like Mario Elie. JBIIRockets ------------------ You can put it on the BOARD.......YESSSSSSSSS! Chicago White Sox Announcer Ken Harrelson
I say we just keep the team we have now and start worrying about Steve's contract in 2002.If he goes im going with him.I just dont want Shandon to leave.I know he makes mistakes,but he'l recover.Common lets give this guy a chance.He's finally happy since he's starting and not coming off the bench for Stocky. If he commits 20 TO's before the season's over will just have to trade him. ------------------ At guard 6'3 from Maryland number 3 Steve Francis!!!!
