Then again... Les Cheap b*stard Alexander matches up on Poz and we are in front of Grizz. I hated the Pisskowski signing then, I hate it now. The guy is totally useless. I hope Leslie chokes on the $2 mil that he saved...
DS, my feeling is that Grizz will offer Stro a contract starting at $6mil per, thus taking out any MLE plays. He would either have to take it or there will be a sign and trade. I don't see any of the teams with cap room go after him. $6M per for Stro would be a bargain, considering that we are paying $8M per for MoT.
No to mention that, as of this moment, they've gotten more out of their coaching change than we have.
Do you think they would match a 6 year deal at around 40 million (probably full MLE contract next year)? Not sure Swift is worth it, but like I said the Rockets have to be in risk taking mode given limited picks or assets. Memphis x, others thoughts???
And now they say TD might miss his next game too...CRAP! This is going to suck if he doesn't play the Mavs and Grizz this weekend.... In other news, good news, The hawks just beat the Lakers. EDIT: Geez! The Kinks have 60pts and the second quarter isn't even over yet!
I have seen a lot of teams pondering getting Stro for the MLE. It ain't happening. No way. No how. He has a $5.9 million qualifier for next season. I do know some people in the Grizz organization and the rumblings are that Pau Gasol will be used to bring in a big time superstar like T Mac, Kobe, Pierce, or Ray Allen all of which should be available at some point this offseason. Swift will be inserted into his spot. The Grizz people think Stro will be cheaper than Pau long term with very similar results. The big difference between the Grizzlies and the Rockets: more than likely we are at or very near our ceiling and w/o modification would slip back into the lottery next season. The Rockets are probably closer to the lower end of what they are capable of and could probaly get homecourt next season as the team currently is with just adding a MLE type player.
At least Phoenix fell out of the picture early. Also with Minnesota's first-round jinx, I would be more than happy to be in a 7 game series with the Timberwolves.
So I would rather we play against Champion-defender than a team who had been kicked out of the first round consistently last 7 years.
let's not over glorify this victory I mean TD was not there and they won by 1 Have we played the Spurs without TD? Rocket River
If the Grizz are looking to move Gasol I think they could get Ray Allen or Paul Pierce. I dont think they could get T-mac or Kobe. I would think the Sonics would jump all over a Ray Allen for Pau Gasol deal. As a Rockets fan of course I would hate that because I am hoping we can get Allen for Francis. I think Gasol in the East on Boston, he would do really well. He might even be an all star in the east.
I think taking risks is how the Rockets are in their current predicament. Do you think more risks will get them out again? Trading for Griffin was risky. Signing Taylor and Cato to long-term deals was risky. For the better part, these gambles didn't pay off. Is signing yet another promising but unproven forward to a long-term deal the model we want to continue to folllow? I think if we're impatient about winning, swing for the fences like that. But, to ensure long-term success, we're likely better off playing it conservatively and not pick up too much salary that goes beyond the '06-'07 offseason, when most of our contracts expire.
Memphis, all of those are SGs. With Bonzi, Poz, Mike Miller and Dahntay Jones, it seems like you'll have serious glut there...
I disagree on a couple of fronts. We have taken some bad risks, but they were with our own players for the most part (Cato/MoT/Mooch). We also took some good risks too, signing Mobley to a long term deal, trading an excellent young somewhat proven NBA 2 guard (MD), Othella and some future picks for a rookie (Francis). I liked the KT-Posey deal pretty well too given the players were pretty equal except the Rockets had better 4 depth. Funny thing was the James Posey (at only 24 mil) was low risk deal compared to many others (MoT, Cato, Mooch were far more out of proportion to what they had shown in the league), yet we passed on it. Further, we have clear holes in the line-up right now and down the line, foremost the 4 spot, but also the 3 spot and 1 spot (seeing as how are best 3 guards are all more suited as 2s than anything). I don't think you win in this league waiting for cap space, by and large the best teams over the last few years (Lakers, Kings, Nets, Pacers, Wolves, Mavs) keep the good players they have, acquire good players when they get the chance via trades/MLE and never needed cap space to do it. The one lone exception was the Spurs, and even with TD locked away and a full max contract available they were not able to bring in tremendous assets last offseason. They actually got into a position to win their rings like the others--keeping their good players, smallish FA signings (MLE or less), trades and drafts. Of course the Rockets have given away a lot of their mid range draft picks also where there is some hope you find a KT, Cassell or Mobley. Basically the Rockets don't have much hope in terms of picks and limited realisticly useful capspace for some time unless they don't sign anyone again except Yao (I don't like this strategy of only committed to one player--I don't think it has worked for the Spurs either and they were coming off a ring season). IMO they are left with being super aggressive with MLE deals and trades (e.g., Francis).
I don't see how they can expect similar results. Gasol is younger and much better than Swift. I am not sure Swift will be worth a 6/year 40 some mil $ contract. I would be interested in a 3 way deal with Francis going somewhere east and Gasol landing in Houston. Yao/Gasol would be a little soft, but they would have a lot going for them too. Than the Rockets could use the MLE for a guy like Arroyo (part of MLE) or Barry (all of MLE).
And let's be blunt, this is because of 1 thing, the Rockets lucking into the #1 pick last year. Memphis has done better (moving up to land Gasol, signing Posey, trading for Wells) with decisions requiring any level of organizational committment or forethought over the last few years.
A Gasol for Allen swap makes sense for both teams. Like Deuce, I hope that doesn't happen though because I'm convinced that a Steve for Allen trade this summer would be a good move for us. I can't say I'm happy that the Griz are doing well, but they deserve all the credit for their play this year.
There is a 7 month difference in age. Gasol is better offensively but Swift is a much better rebounder and defender. Swift is also more advanced on offense than most people think. 6years/$40 million? Yeah he will easily earn that money given 30+ minutes a night. There is no way in hell Jerry West is going to be involved in any trade that establishes a front line of Yao Ming and Pau Gasol unless Yao comes our way.
The Grizz run and Rockets don't therefore they outscore opponets by putting up points. While the Rockets grind it out every game with defense and points are hard to come by and it helps a lot that the Grizz run a 10 man rotation.
