Houston - FA hotspot? Lately it is sounding like Houston has become a real free agent hot spot.. w/ Tmac wanting to coming to Houston and now Fisher wanting to come here. Do you think they want to come here because of Yao? Because we have the opportunity to become a great team? The city and the tax breaks? Tmac wants to play with a big man if he chose the Spurs he would be a championship contender next year.. because of Tim Duncan. Houston will also be a contender but I dont know if it will be next year because of a few glaring holes (PF and PG) Why do you think Fisher chose us as his ideal place to play? Because of the Yao/Tmac combo? Yao alone is commanding the attention? Yao is getting better as a player but its hard to believe all these players want to come and play with him alone. He hasnt really had that breakout season yet (that all of us are waiting for) .. and no one is positive if he will.. im just curious why Houston seems to be in the paper alot lately as a hot spot for free agents. I know Tmac wants to come here and I was suprised that Fisher wanted to come here? maybe he sees a starting opportunity with the Rox and a strong young nucleus ? J
Best young star combo in the league. Starting PG role wide open for the taking. No state income tax. Evan
houston's always been a pretty attractive place for athletes..... no taxes, relatively low cost of living, huge metropolis. that's why some many of them make it their offseason home. and of course we have Yao Ming.
Houston has always been a FA hotspot. Remeber Shandon Anderson and Mo Taylor taking less money to come here, while now we might of wished they didn't they were solid FA at that time. Remember Marc Jackson (came in 2nd in the ROY voting), he wanted to come here, it wasn't becuz of the money since he asked Golden State not to match the contract. After they did, he pretty much tanked his game and stopped playing. Glad he didn't come because we might've actually done well that season and not get Yao. Also Barkley loved Houston for the clubs and Pippen wanted to come here. Les and CD, give them all the critcism you want about overpaying players and not making good decision, the bottom line is that they always made the Rox an attractive place to play. As far as the wink wink deals with SA and MoT that we had to uphold, the fact we do keep our end of the bargain goes a long way with players (and their agents) in this league as far as reputation. The tax and low property rate doesn't hurt either.
How about CWebb of the Kings wanted to play in Htown? But then again, I'm glad the rocks did'nt sign him up.
Funny, We were not a destination spot with Steve and Cat on our team, but as soon as they leave.......... Tmac and Yao....YIPEEE DD
Fisher wants to come here for a number of reasons... 1) Yao 2) McGrady 3) Yao & McGrady 3) Get back in the starting lineup. 4) JVG's system/style - JVG loves Fisher. I remember multiple interviews where JVG praised Fisher's defense and gritty play. Ultimately, it's about the opportunity.
i know fisher has expressed interest in playing here and i don't doubt others feel the same way, but as of right now a t-mac/yao combo has lured exactly ZERO free agents to the city. meanwhile just looking at the 2 posts above yours, c-webb was extremely interested in playing here and both shandon and mo(pretty significant free agents at the time) seemed to like the idea of teaming up with cat and francis. the hating sure does get carried away.
BigM, No one is hating just speaking the truth, why would you come to a team where the guards dominated the ball, and were less than average passers? Answer: You wouldn't. I think the Rocks with Yao and Tmac are a lot more attractive to players trying to win than they were with Steve and Cat. DD
Wow, so now the fans, media, coaches, GMs, Olympic Commitee, and now every single desirable free agent also hates Steve Francis too? I must say, you are one fine forensic psychoanalyst there DD.... Are you going to press for their indictment before the War Crimes Tribunal next? Might as well keep aiming high Sigmund....
