I don't want to agree with either side; everybody's wrong. Shandon Anderson is much better than his detractors make him out to be. He is a good defender, he is a good hustle player, and he is a class act. It's too bad he and the Rockets couldn't mesh. Rice is also still a very good player. He couldn't show it this year because of his injuries. But, he is a very good offensive player. His shooting won't get worse with age; nor will his post game. And, just because he's been injured this year does not mean that he'll be injured forever or that he is an injury-prone player. He's been fairly injury-free most of his career. With the year off, I expect him to come back strong from his last injury. Those who think he hasn't got it anymore: where did it go? He didn't play well for us because of injury. Olajuwon had the same problem and everyone said he'd lost it. Then, he got a spate of games when he was healthy and, lo and behold, he still had it. Same will be the case for Rice.
Cap room can also be used to take on extra salary in a trade. It gives alot of flexibility, allowing you to trade more easily for a high-dollar player or even be the facilitator for a three-team trade. With a mid level exception, you don't have any of those options. Hindsight being 20/20, we'd be in a better spot if we'd just let Shandon leave as a free agent.
Well, we hear those rumors every year, but the best player I can ever remember going in a deal such as the one you discussed was Cliff Robinson to Detroit last summer. I'm not saying that Cliff's a bad player, but I'm not sure what additional he brings to the table that a healthy Glen Rice wouldn't. I suppose you could do something nice with the flexibility, but I can't ever remember a precedent for it, so I guess I'm a little nervous on that. BTW, that 5 mil in cap room is if and only if Walt is not resigned. Considering his ties to the younger players and how much Rudy likes him, I'd be surprised if he isn't brought back. It wouldn't be at 5 million per season of course, but it probably will be at about the 3-4 million dollar mark, leaving you only 1-2 million under even if we never traded for Rice.
I think that a healthy Glen Rice would be a nice fit in Rockets lineup. The problem is to find a healthy Glen Rice . I just hope he will be ready for next season.
TheCat, you don't seriously think the Rockets ill pay Walt Williams 3-4Million this summer do you? I mean, we've given out some bad contracts, but that one ould really be blowing it. We can get Rodney Rogers off the bench for that much next year. Yes, he's more versatile than Walt, has a more complete game, and plays 2 postions. I'd seriously rather be under the cap than have taken Rice for Shandon. I'm not saying Rice is bad, but with some flexibility, I think Rashard Lewis or Lamar Odom would be VERY good possibilities.
