if history has taught us anything, it's that the cc.net bbs will never run out of ludicrous trade proposals.
Then, for the grand question(s)- Since Ming is almost a done deal, what are they saying about his availability- will he be recalled at will? only during the first couple seasons? clean and clear in the US a la Tsakalidis? Anyhow, just to pick your brain a little bit more-would China want to see Wang play on the same team as Ming? Odom without losing the #1 (Ming)? Sounds nearly impossible without moving EG, Mobley, or Francis. Who else might be on that wish list behind (or ahead of) Odom?
Hey Doc.. I f this is true, who in the hell on the rockets, that the rockets are willing to give up, will the clipps take and the #15 pick in exchange for Odom, when they already have picks #8 and #12 . I could see this going down w/ the #1 pick, but for the #15 cmon.
<i>Butler won't drop to 6 let alone 15. Woods may drop with a bulked up Jeffries and more interst in Stoudamire. We Woods, Tsika or Jeffries fall If not there's always Botjan.</i> The reports on Stoudamire might not be completely accurate. Here's a blurb from ESPN Insider: <b>Speaking of Stoudemire, don't believe everything you read when it comes to teams praising certain players after workouts. There are a lot of smoke screens being set around the NBA this time of the year. Want an example? The Magic absolutely gushed over high school phenom Amare Stoudemire's workout Monday. "He's never looked like a high school player," Magic GM John Gabriel told the Orlando Sentinel. "He's mature beyond his years. He's right up there with the most physically ready-to-play-the-game underclassmen that we've ever seen. . . It's hard this early to predict where someone is going to be drafted. If things don't go well for him in the workout process, he could be there at 18, but he's of the talent to [be picked ahead] of where we are now." However, a source inside the workouts told Insider that it didn't quite play out that way. Stoudemire was lit up by Notre Dame's Ryan Humphrey for much of the workout and actually ended it early after he couldn't get his wind. The Magic weren't that impressed. </b> To me the interesting question is what the Rockets would do assuming that a good big man slips to #15 (and assuming we take Ming at #1). Do they still go SF or can they not pass up a talented big man with potential? I guess the answer would depend on how sold they are on the SF still available at #15. Do you take a Nachbar or Jefferies over a Hilario or Stoudamire? Of course, too much talent available at #15 is a great problem to have. The other point of interest (for us) is whether Nachbar will come play next year if we draft him at #15. The rookie salary slot for #15 pays $1,037 and he's suppose to have a $1M buyout for next year ($350K the following year). The Rockets are allowed to pay $350K towards his contract buyout, so he'd be liable for the remaining $650K. If that's the case, would he come here and play next year if he's only going to see <$400K after paying for the buyout? Or, would he wait until next year, when the team that drafts him is able to pay the entire buyout amount? I guess it depends on how much of a hurry he is to play in the NBA.
I would love to get Artest. He would fit this team so well. If that can't happen, they're just aren't that many defensive players out there. I would be very interested in picking up Chris Jeffries at the #15. He in the Artest mold.
What about Ron Artest? Is he a free agent? If there is one Kobe stopper (and there isnt) it would have to be Ron Artest. The guy plays some of the best defense I have ever seen. He would most definitely be worth the mid level exception. If he is not a free agent then would Indiana consider trading him? KT and 15 might be too much. A front court of Ming, Griffin and Artest would be hellacious on the defensive side.
Cha-ching!!! We got Ming!!! I haven't always been the biggest Francis fan as some of you know, but I make this statement objectively. If Francis is demanding that the Rockets don't draft Ming, then the team should seriously consider trading him. That would be the point, IMO, where he becomes too big for his britches. It's one thing to want good team chemistry by having players who are friends with each other, but it's entirely another when a 'clique' mentality takes over and great prospect, who Francis doesn't even know, is shunned in favour of friend, Cato, who is a mediocre player at best. The objective has to be winning. If being friends helps the chemistry that helps you win, all the better. If being friends stands in the way of making transactions that stand a good chance of making the team significantly better, then it's crossed the line and become a cancer, and you need to take aggressive action of some sort to stop the cancer before it spreads.
A man with outstretched arms and a beaming smile beckons lovingly for his faithful dog to come to him. The dog, tail wagging and slobbering profusely, scampers to the man. When the animal arrives at the foot of his master, the man promptly slaps him in the face. The dog, confused and hurt, whines and crawls away. Next day, the man calls for his dog again, and, like the previous day, slaps the dog in the face. The dog scurries away hurt. On the third day, the man beckons for his dog, but a funny thing happens: the dog eyes him cautiously and slowly approaches the man with a reserved and misstrusting attitude. The animal has learned from past experiences and does not wish to get hurt again. I hope you can see where I'm going with this... (Doc, if this is indeed true, and you aren't just slapping us in the face, you'll officially become my new hero.)
Thanks Doc...that's great news. I hope nachbar or Tchsk. is still around at #15. It would be awesome if there was some way that we could get Ming AND Caron...forget the pothead...Caron will be a future star in this league!
Well I guess we will take the crap shot. We either get the next big center (2-4 years from now), or one of the biggest #1 pick blounders in NBA history. I hope we can at least get an impact player with the 15th pick.
<i>The Magic weren't that impressed. </i> Intersting. Who knows what Rudy and CD think of this kid. He could be hype thanks to his big mouth. If he is talented as some say, he';; be hard to pass up on around #15. <i>The other point of interest (for us) is whether Nachbar will come play next year if we draft him at #15. The rookie salary slot for #15 pays $1,037 and he's suppose to have a $1M buyout for next year ($350K the following year). The Rockets are allowed to pay $350K towards his contract buyout, so he'd be liable for the remaining $650K. If that's the case, would he come here and play next year if he's only going to see <$400K after paying for the buyout? Or, would he wait until next year, when the team that drafts him is able to pay the entire buyout amount? I guess it depends on how much of a hurry he is to play in the NBA.</i> I don't know about Nachbar now but I won't discount him. Like I said earlier, I'm starting to become a Chirs Jeffreis convert. He would definately be there at #15 and can play defensively now for the team. He and Morris might be a perfect duo at the 3 for this offensive minded club. Jeffries is a good handler, distrubutor and plays awesome defense.
Artest has two more contracted seasons but is a qualifying offer FA next summer. Like KT, he is a real bargain... $1.9m for 2002-2003. Bring on the D!
And, as much as I hate to say it, the Rockets have a history of blowing smoke early in the draft period. "Oh, we love X." When they really had no interest in him. If they really do want to trade him, this could be a way of boosting the ante. It does seem a little early to have ironed out all the details. And they haven't worked him out yet, as far as I know. I hope they have a little more respect for their 4,000 online fans than to use us as pawns like that.
If the Rockets really wanted to boost his value, why would they use an internet BBS, and not "leak" the info to a reporter with the Chronicle?
I hope you're right Doc, cause I think Ming is perfect for us. Add in whoever falls to 15 and this could be the best Rockets draft ever.
<i>And, as much as I hate to say it, the Rockets have a history of blowing smoke early in the draft period. "Oh, we love X." When they really had no interest in him. If they really do want to trade him, this could be a way of boosting the ante. It does seem a little early to have ironed out all the details. And they haven't worked him out yet, as far as I know. I hope they have a little more respect for their 4,000 online fans than to use us as pawns like that.</i> The Rockets never worked out Eddie Griffen last year, but they still acquired him on draft day. I'm not sure if a private workout is that big of indicator.
