The Draft seems to have everyone thinking our SF problems are over So we are Left with PF and C IMO At the C Option 1: Keep Hakeem [knocks us out of free agency i think] Option 2: Lafrenz [it would have to be a trade] Option 3: Marc Jackson [Cheaper than Hakeem] What other Centers are out there and available? Option 4 [my long shot]: I know u will hate this but if he comes cheap 2~4.5 million - SABONIS! At the PF: Option 1: Get Webber [Knocks us out of Free Agency] Option 2: Resign MO Option 3: Go after Antonio Davis [seems committed to Orlando] Option 4: Dale Davis [would have to be a trade] option 5: With the draft could Gieger be available? Rocket River just throwing some things out there ------------------
You seem to have written off Nazr Muhammed (sp?)and Dikembe completely from the center list, and likewise did not include Rasheed Wallace on your PF. I think we should keep Hakeem and and Mo for now. However if Dream makes that scenario impossible, then I would love to have Dikembe, because between him and Griffen we can defend against the likes of David and Duncan as well as give the Lakers a run for their money. I still think we need one more shooter. ------------------ Our purpose in life is to find our gift, and the meaning of life is to give it away!
You seem to have written off Nazr Muhammed (sp?)and Dikembe completely from the center list, and likewise did not include Rasheed Wallace on your PF. Something tells me Rasheed might not be a good influence for Eddie. ------------------ EDDIE, EDDIE, EDDIE!!! Draftsource.net-- the premier source for draft info. Profiles, rankings, mock drafts, and more! The Mo Taylor Fan Site
Mutumbo will want WAY too much money for us to bring him in at center. ------------------ Things do not change; we change. - Henry David Thoreau
here's a list of free agents from cnnsi.com. there's quite a few fogies: unrestricted: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/news/2001/06/21/free_agents/ player option: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/news/2001/06/21/team_player_options/ my 2cents is: i really like nazr mohammed...i didnt like him all that much out of Kentucky, but he's a good role player. when he was moved to the hawks, he started put up some nice, solid numbers. calvin booth? he's restricted, not quite a nazr, but he helped put an end to the jazz' annual nonsense. my question is, how much will nazr cost?? i really have no idea. he would be my top choice (assuming he's cheaper than marc jackson AND jackson not being available). as for marc jackson, ive read in various places and what ive inferred from marc jackson's attitude is that he's not leaving golden state? ------------------ purvis was never short. [This message has been edited by PurvisShort (edited June 28, 2001).]
I'd like to see the Rockets add another guard in free agency. Say all you want about Stevie being the back up at shooting guard, but you can't go into a season with 3 guards(Moochie,Steve,Cat), assuming Shandon Anderson is not brought back. I think we also need another center, a guy like Nazr sounds great. ------------------
If we want a guard, it will have to be someone cheap, i.e. the exception. I don't like having three guards either, but somewhere the positions will be thin. We could sign a CBA player for that matter or keep Sean Colson. There are always a lot of guards available. The most important thing to do is re-sign Mo Taylor and find a center of some skill. ------------------ Little O
Jackson is the best center out there that is somewhat affordable. Hakeem is asking way too much for 30-40 games worth of play. Nazr is decent but not a long term solution at center. Rockets need to get Mo Taylor resigned. That will give them Big Mo, KT, and Griffin that can play the 4. Felipe Lopez deserves some consideration as well. He has talent and would be great off the bench. ------------------
i think nazr, for the right price, could be an answer at center long-term. the guy doesnt need touches, great work-ethic from what ive read. can anyone get the season, game by game stats on him from this past season? i remember seeing quite a few 15/10 type games from him after he got PT on the hawks. we dont need another "too" capable, mainly in the offensive categories, of a center, which of course would require more touches going his way, which would of course hinder the development of our top 4 guys (stevie, cat, mo t, eddie, possibly even t mo). point is we need a guy who does a steady job w/o throwing off the chemistry for the top 4 that will carry the team. ------------------ purvis was never short.
Other Notables: Anthony Mason Miami David Robinson San Antonio I'd be interested Joe Smith Detroit Clarence Weatherspoon Cleveland <--- NOT BAD! What is his price? Calvin Booth Dallas <-- dunno if he starter material but. . . Rocket RIver ------------------
PurvisShort- Here's Mohammed's stats from last season(with Atlanta): 12.3 pts. 9.0 rebs 1.0 blocks 48% from the field 76.5% free throws All in 25.6 min per game Sounds pretty good to me. ------------------
Sabony & Gieger!?!?! R U SERIOUS?!?!? Why Don't I just play Center!?!?! ------------------ www.expage.com/saveourunis
I would love to have Hakeem back, but only for a one year deal for reasonable (i.e. allows us to sign Taylor, Moochie and still have room to maneuver if something else comes along as far as trades) money. If not Hakeem, Nazr is sounding like a good alternative. But the real question is: What does he want? As for the 4...Webber would be wonderful, but again straps us for cap space. I think the worst part is...if Webb doesn't work out, we don't have Taylor anymore. Maybe Griffin moves to the 4 and we're okay, but it's a bit risky. If he does work, I think we are probably better off in the long run (assuming we come up with an answer at the 5). And just think of the trade bait.... ------------------ "What did you mean when you opened your mouth and let all our secrets out?"
Free Agents: Mo, Dream, Moochie, Shandon To be Released [as reported] - Carlos Rodgers. So what we have: PG - Steve Francis, SG - Cutinno Mobley, Sean Colson Sf - EDDIE GRIFFIN, T-Morris, Walt, bullard, Langhi PF - Kenny Thomas C - Collier, Cato 1 - 3 seems to be ok. HEYP - will this attack the zone adequately. We have Collier to stretch the zone. Assuming we resign MO and Moochie. I think we SOLID 1-4 Our *only* issue is the Center Position. QUESTION: Could Langhi find minutes at the 4? [If bullard can . . . why not Langhi] Do we need some Help at SG? without S.A. it is a little thin even with Franchise there. What about the 3 guard line up? I still think we can steal some minutes for walt at the SG. PG - moochie SG - Walt SF - morris PF - KT C - Cato [second string] AND THE BIG QUESTION: THE CENTER POSITION Rocket River ------------------
Rocket River- Isn't Sean Colson more of a point guard than a 2? And if I'm not mistaken, he's a free agent as well. Don't forget Bullard is a free agent, and with Langhi, T-Mo, and Griffin, I don't expect him to resign. Also what are the chances of Walt being traded with the log jam at the SF postion? One last thing, I saw that Jimmy Jackson is a free agent, if he doesn't command alot of money, would he be a good fit for the Rockets? I could see him backing up Cat, and he would be able to supply instant offense, just a thought. ------------------
Isn't Bullard a FA? I think Norris is a priority signing! And then Shandon could be second priority. At PF we should probably think about re-signing MoT, the 2 young SF's we now have are both good rebounders (I guess Eddie could be labeled a vicous rebounder) so they kind of make up for his deficiencies. From all indications Mo is very keen to re-sign here and IMHO we should facilitate that - he has a nice jump shot and fits pretty well in our offense. That leaves us with a real need at C - maybe Nazr is the guy we want (although indications are he will stay with Atlanta). But then again, Rudy may want to play with some slightly smaller lineups to get all our guys out there - Griffen at C with KT and TMo at the forwards, or MoT at C with Walt and Griffen, or Collier at C with Walt and KT etc etc. Pg: Francis/ Norris Sg: Mobley/ Anderson Sf: Griffen/ Morris/ Walt/ Langhi Pf: Taylor/ Thomas C : Cato/ Collier I guess if we added another C through FA one would expect Langhi to ride the IR for stretches. ------------------
I think the Rockets have to look at how did Nazr play against Western conference teams? The Eastern conference is weak when it comes to centers. And since he didn't get significant playing time till after the Mutombo trade its hard to tell how he will fare against Shaq, Duncan, Robinson and other bigger centers of the West. ------------------
(All stats were retrieved off of www.nba.com )...for credit purposes Ok in a nutshell, I don't think Shandon, Cato and Kenny Thomas will be with us next year. I would have included Walt but I have a feeling he'll still be here. It's not that I hope he stays, it's just that the Rockets don't HAVE to ship him off since he will become a free agent next season. There is no since in taking on more salary unless it's for someone who can help. Ok, starting in the back court, I don't think Shandon will be back and I don't think he is what the team needs anymore. For one thing, his SF spot is gone, another is that he'll be a back up now and he may ask for too much $$$ just to be 2nd fiddle to Mobley. On this team now, we have better penetrators and we have better shooters than him. He could be ideal as a defensive stopper, but yet again, not at the money he is asking for. In my opinion, I think a better fit for the backup role would be Fred Hoiberg. I know, he isn't exactly young but he is a good shooter to spread the zone out and he does intangilbes and he doesn't turn the ball over much either. He is someone who isn't flashy, and may help u win some games w/ his play. Here are his stats: ============================================= Fred Hoiberg | 20 Position: G Born: 10/15/72 Height: 6-5 / 1,96 Weight: 210 lbs. / 95,3 kg. College - Iowa State '95 (YEAR) (TEAM) (G) (GS) (MPG) (FG%) (3P%) (FT%) (OFF) (DEF) (RPG) (APG) (SPG) (BPG) (TO) (PF) (PPG) 95-96 IND 15 1 5.7 .421 .333 .833 .30 .30 .60 .5 .40 .07 .4 .80 2.1 96-97 IND 47 0 12.2 .429 .414 .792 .30 1.40 1.70 .9 .57 .13 .47 1.10 4.8 97-98 IND 65 1 13.4 .383 .376 .855 .20 1.70 1.90 .7 .62 .05 .34 1.60 4.0 98-99 IND 12 0 7.3 .286 .111 1.000 .20 .80 .90 .3 .00 .00 .25 .90 1.6 99-00 CHI 31 11 27.3 .387 .340 .908 .20 3.30 3.50 2.7 1.29 .06 1.39 2.10 9.0 00-01 CHI 74 37 30.4 .438 .412 .866 .30 3.90 4.20 3.6 1.32 .16 1.00 2.10 9.1 Career 244 50 19.3 .413 .387 .859 .30 2.40 2.60 1.8 .86 .10 .70 1.60 6.1 *** Ranks #14 in the NBA in Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage(0.412) Ranks #13 in the NBA in Free-Throw Percentage(0.866) Ranks #9 in the NBA in Assists Per Turnover(3.55) Ranks #2 in the NBA in Steals Per Turnover(1.32) ============================================= We definitely need to shore up the center spot. I love Hakeem very much and appreciate what he has done for the Rockets, but that was all in the past and he has been compensated well for it. What's he's doing now is selfish and is putting the Rockets in a bad position. The Rockets are stuck "inbetween a rock and a hard place" as the old cliche goes. They as well as the fans want Hakeem to retire as a Rocket. But he is now like 37/38 yrs old, is injury prone, is wanting too much money, and would be keeping a spot away from a possible building block on our team. No one in contention for the playoffs has enough money to sign him to what he is allegedly demanding from us. It would be a little bit of a safer bet if he wasn't as old and injury prone, but personally I would not want to sign him to a multi-year/multi-million $ deal and him only be able to play half the season. That's bad management and I think the Rockets know that and are trying their best to hold out. In a perfect world, Hakeem would retire and save himself and the Rockets pain by not coming back. The next best thing would be for him to except a 1 year deal for what the Rockets are offering. CD and Les will not totally rip off an icon so he would still earn a pretty penny. He would also have to take a reserve roll. From what he showed when motivated and happy last season is that he can still play in spurts. What better way to maximize those spurts than against another teams bench big men. Hakeeem would still be able to dominate them consistently. If that is the case we would hopefully have gotten rid of Cato in favor of one of these following players: ============================================= Raef LaFrentz | 45 Position: F Born: 05/29/76 Height: 6-11 / 2,11 Weight: 240 lbs. / 108,9 kg. College - Kansas '98 YEAR TEAM G GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% OFF DEF RPG APG SPG BPG TO PF PPG 98-99 DEN 12 12 32.3 .457 .387 .750 2.80 4.80 7.60 .7 .75 1.42 .75 3.20 13.8 99-00 DEN 81 80 30.1 .446 .328 .686 2.10 5.80 7.90 1.2 .52 2.22 1.19 3.60 12.4 00-01 DEN 78 74 31.5 .477 .367 .698 2.20 5.60 7.80 1.4 .47 2.64 1.24 3.70 12.9 Career 171 166 30.9 .460 .348 .698 2.20 5.60 7.80 1.2 .51 2.36 1.18 3.60 12.7 *** Ranks #7 in the NBA in Blocks Per Game(2.64) Ranks #3 in the NBA in Blocks(206.0) Ranks #5 in the NBA in Blocks Per 48 Minutes(4.02) ============================================= Brad Miller | 40 Position: C Born: 04/12/76 Height: 7-0 / 2,13 Weight: 261 lbs. / 118,4 kg. College - Purdue '98 YEAR TEAM G GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% OFF DEF RPG APG SPG BPG TO PF PPG 98-99 CHA 38 0 12.3 .565 .500 .794 .90 2.20 3.10 .6 .24 .47 .84 1.70 6.3 99-00 CHA 55 4 17.5 .461 .000 .785 2.10 3.30 5.30 .8 .42 .64 .87 2.00 7.7 00-01 CHI 57 45 25.2 .435 .200 .743 2.50 4.80 7.40 1.9 .58 .67 1.28 3.10 8.9 Career 150 49 19.1 .466 .222 .769 1.90 3.60 5.50 1.2 .43 .61 1.02 2.30 7.8 ============================================= Nazr Mohammed | 2 Position: C Born: 09/05/77 Height: 6-10 / 2,08 Weight: 240 lbs. / 108,9 kg. College - Kentucky '99 YEAR TEAM G GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% OFF DEF RPG APG SPG BPG TO PF PPG 98-99 PHI 26 0 4.7 .357 .000 .571 .70 .70 1.40 .1 .19 .15 .46 .80 1.6 99-00 PHI 28 3 6.8 .389 .000 .545 .60 1.20 1.80 .1 .14 .43 .64 1.00 1.9 00-01 PHI 30 3 6.5 .466 .000 .500 .60 1.20 1.80 .1 .20 .23 .30 1.30 3.2 00-01 ATL 28 19 25.6 .480 .000 .765 3.50 5.50 9.00 .6 .82 1.00 1.96 2.60 12.3 Career 112 25 10.9 .456 .000 .669 1.30 2.20 3.50 .2 .34 .46 .84 1.50 4.8 ============================================= Marc Jackson | 44 Position: C Born: 01/16/75 Height: 6-10 / 2,08 Weight: 270 lbs. / 122,5 kg. College - Temple '98 YEAR TEAM G GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% OFF DEF RPG APG SPG BPG TO PF PPG 00-01 GSW 48 35 29.4 .467 .217 .802 2.50 5.00 7.50 1.2 .71 .56 1.94 2.90 13.2 ============================================= Almost done. I mentioned Kenny Thomas up there as my belief that he may not be w/ the team. I remember Oeilpere saying that Kenny has improved beyond what the expected from him. Even w/ that, he is undersized and doesn't do the things that are mostly needed on this team coming from a reserve PF. I think Jerome Williams should take his spot as the PF/SF off the bench. No, Williams doesn't have as much range as Kenny, but that doesn't matter if Kenny is content to throw up 3's all day. Kenny is also a good rebounder for his size, but not as good as 9.6 rbg that Williams had in 00/01. Williams is a big hustle guy and would come in handy since we don't have too many blue collar guys on this team. See Philadelphia. They would not have been in the finals if it wasn't for their blue collar players. Also, J-Dub is an east coast guy and that seems to be a trend we're heading towards so I'm sure Francis, Mobley, Moochie, Griffin already are friends w/ Williams. His stats are: ============================================= Jerome Williams | 13 Position: F Born: 05/10/73 Height: 6-9 / 2,06 Weight: 206 lbs. / 93,4 kg. College - Georgetown '96 YEAR TEAM G GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% OFF DEF RPG APG SPG BPG TO PF PPG 96-97 DET 33 0 5.4 .392 .000 .529 .70 .80 1.50 .2 .39 .03 .39 .50 1.5 97-98 DET 77 3 16.9 .524 .000 .651 2.20 2.70 4.90 .6 .66 .13 .78 1.90 5.3 98-99 DET 50 10 23.1 .500 .000 .673 3.20 3.80 7.00 .5 1.26 .14 .82 2.20 7.1 99-00 DET 82 1 25.6 .564 .000 .616 3.40 6.20 9.60 .8 1.16 .26 1.28 2.40 8.4 00-01 TOR 26 0 14.5 .516 .000 .778 1.30 2.70 4.00 .5 .69 .38 .62 1.70 5.0 00-01 DET 33 2 24.4 .438 .000 .722 3.00 5.50 8.40 1.0 1.18 .30 1.42 2.50 7.3 ***Ranked 9th in the NBA in rebounds per game (9.6) in 1999-2000 Registered a team-high 23 double-doubles in 1999-2000 off the bench Snared a career-high 21 rebounds against the Charlotte Hornets on 12/26/99 ============================================= These are players that I think can round out the Rockets roster. All of the aformentioned players are relatively young and don't demand the ball so they should be able to exist in the Rockets offense. I remember Rudy saying yesterday after the draft that they were seeking defense, outside shooting and shot blocking. He then said that he didn't expect it to come from 1 guy, referring to Griffin. Each of these players I mentioned have at least one of the 3 characteristics that Rudy wants on this team. Some of ya'll may come up w/ a better back up SG but Hoiberg is entering free agency from the lowly bulls and would want a change of scenery. He's not flashy but will help out definitely. He is a role player so he probably wouldn't cost much at all. At center, I think Raef is the best possibility. He has very good defensive stats. One of the top shot blockers and is no slouch in rebounding. Besides, w/ Francis and Griffin crashing the boards as well, we don't need a "Rodman like" rebounder now. He won't be able to stop the likes of Shaq, Duncan, Robinson, Mourning, but not many can. He will cause mismatches b/c of his outside shooting as well. I believe Raef's contract runs for 2 more years w/ an option for 1 of them I believe. I'm sure the Rockets would like to resign him for what he brings to the team and b/c of the lack of quality centers in the NBA as well. I'm not sure on Mohammed and Jackson. I'm not too impressed w/ their games from what I have seen...which isn't very much. It must be brought up that Nazr finally started to earn his paycheck in his contract year. Granted he didn't get much play time at all, it's just that his situation reminds me too much of Cato's so I can't help but shy away from him. With Jackson, he's a bit undersized for a C and didn't put up any defensive numbers. That's what this team needs is a defensive minded center who won't back down to his man and will prevent the little guys from coming in and scoring and pump faking u in the air *couCATOgh* Chicago is rumored to by trying to move Brad Miller. He probably should be a back up, but as a back up, he would dominate all of the other back ups. Hard nosed player who Rudy has liked in the past and has only gotten better since then. And Jerome Williams may not be the best PF available either but he does intangibles and would probably really enjoy playing w/ his buds and would probably not demand too much money either. One more thing. Our building blocks are pretty young, and after shoring up the SF in the draft (hopefully), I don't think Rudy covets draft picks as much as he did the past couple of seasons. He's now trying to fill holes and I think he can use Cato, K. Thomas and Walt and the draft picks (ours and owed) to get rid of the pieces that don't fit to get some that do. This is a very exciting time for us right now. Once we get the pieces in place, it will take a little time to gel and mature, but when we reach our potential, we could become a dynasty. Go Rockets. *****I know this is a long post but I hope it spurred some more thought in what the Rockets could use this offseason to fill the holes we have. ------------------
Rudy seemed to have a sh*teating grin on his face. I believe that he feels we are definetly on he right track. We'll see how these new rules work. If we can zone up...a ton of beef may not be necessary in the post. ------------------
