You know Dallas is going to get ever desperate for a big man who can D up. Dallas also is never fully going to be able to use Jamison with the multitude of quality forwards they have and the fact Jamison is the one whose style fits least in their offense (better around the rim and interior cuts versus moving to spots on the perimeter to consistently nail Js). Thus Jamison from Dallas perspective seems quite expendable--even more so because Najera and probably Josh Howard will be fine as long term back-ups. As much as Cato is important right now and is doing a fine job subbing in at the 4--he still costs an awful lot of money for a 7-8-2, 30-minute, player and is really more suited for center--our most solidified position. We would lose some as a back-up center and some as a part time defensive 4 if Cato departs--hopefully Amaechi, Davis and in the future Baidaine can hold down the fort at the back-up C and as Yao gets stronger there will be less time there available anyway. So weigh that loss in back-up C and part time 4 with a legit 3rd or 4th scorer you would get in the 27 year old Jamision. Conservatively, for the forward depleted Rockets--you could expect 17 & 7 from Jamison and 45-47% shooting over 35+ minutes split between both forward positions. He also brings a lot of flexibility, you can go pretty big with him & Mo in the forward spots, or small and quick with him and JJ at the forward spots. If I look at it this way we have a lot better chance to cover most of what we would lose in Cato leaving than somehow gaining offensive support for Yao, SF and Cat like we could by acquiring a much better than above average forward in Jamison. So I am not saying pull the trigger now, but as the season progress I'd consider a deal like this. My main concern would be how Jamison would fit with Yao. Could he be really effective at getting to the rim when his guy is doubled off of and be really punishing on overcompensating defenses? Or does Jamison just not have good instincts when the ball isn't in his hands and his lack of 3 ball range would hurt the spacing? So thoughts? Jamsion for Cato & Mooch or Cato, EG + min? Would Dallas be depserate enough for an impact defensive post player to do this. Those that say you just don't trade to a rival--I saw this is nonsense. The Kings and Spurs made a trade this offseason and they are odds on going to knock one another out of the playoffs this year. The KEY rule for any trade is does it make you a better team. If you worry too much that your trade will make someone else better who you might have important games with you confine your opportunities to get better.
I don't know....sounds ok, but Jamison game is flaky at times. (and Cato's isn't?) I'm in the middle on this one.
He's got 4 more years at about $14mil per left on his contract. There is no way the Rockets will or should pay this for a 3rd or 4th scoring option.
I would worry about the defense we lose if we did this trade. Right now, we have a terrific twin tower effect. Our defense is tops in the league. If we were to get Jamison, sure we'd score more, but so would the other team. Also, doesn't Jamison prefer to play small forward. What does that do with our rotation? Can Jamison play the power forward effectively? I would be afraid to pull the trigger on this deal. Yao/Amechi Jamison/Braggs/E(lusive) Griffin Jackson/Jamison/Boki/A Griffin/Piakowski Mobley/Jackson/Piakowski Francis/Wilks
Jamison is very athletic. If JVG can turn Steve into what looks like a damn good defensive player then maybe he could do the same with Jamison. Also Jamison is someone that attacks the baord in a way that no other Rocket does. I'm not saying he would be a better rebounder than Yao or Cato but he just seems to attack the basket when he rebounds and I like that. Plus Jamison is a legit 1st option scoring threat...not that he would be the 1st option on our team but you never know. I'm kind of in the middle on this one because Cato does give us a lot of beef to go along with what has turned into a very good basketball player at the 4 and 5 spot. Jamison can not do the same things against Shaq and Duncan that Cato can. Not that Cato is going to shut those guys down but he is another big body with ability that can d-up on those two guys when Yao Ming is out.
Don't trade Cato. He has shown a lot of heart and toughness. How about Yao + Mo for Dirk. A lineup of Cato-Dirk-JJ-Mobley-SF is damn good.
Once upon a time I would have pulled this trigger. Now .... considering Jamison's salary and the way Cato is playing ... I think I'd have to pass if I were the G.M. IMO we have the shooters so defense and offensive rebounding are more important than another scorer. Come on, Yao Ming, bare those dragon teeth and bite anybody who gets in your way.
I really wouldn't do it. First of all, it'd affect our defense. Second of all, we'd be benefitting another team in our division, giving them something that they desperately need to get over the hump.
yao's current ability and potential to be one of the best centers in this league is WAY too valuable to give up. enough said.
i have always liked jamison and i think he would fit in well with the rockets. i dont know if the mavs are desperate enough for a center yet, to give up jamison. the only reason not to do the trade for the rockets is because jamison makes too much....talent wise jamison is way better than cato.
Theirs no doubt about it Jamison is a lot better player than Cato but he cant play PF against Duncan, Wallace, Garnett, and so forth and so on hes not big enough. I like Cato at foward hes got good enough speed to cover the smaller pfs but is strong enough to handle the bigger PFs. Also Jamison is going to want the ball and he can put up 25 a night but theirs all ready a lack of sharing on the rockets and with Jamison their the problems would esculate and it would be like 4 on 5 on offense with Jimmy sitting their waiting for the ball.
I guess the importance of center is overrated. The zone will greatly limit any center including Shaq. Even Dream had big problems with the double-team without the ball.
JVG already has his mindset about running the offense through our center yao. He ran that with the knicks, is running that with yao and the rox, and i dont think he has any intentions of changing the philosophy he sees best for a basketball team with a strong center.
A quick look at Jamison's contract and assist numbers and you'll immediately change your mind. We're going to pay the MAX to the 3rd scorer, and one who's an undersized PF who can't or doesn't want to pass? HELL NO. Anyone other than Yao and Steve should come her EXPECTING to pass the ball. I'd do it if they took MoT as well, and sent back Najera ad Bradley. MoT Cato for Jamison Najera Bradley THEN I'd think about it. Otherwise, no thanks. Jamison and Walker are both best suited to being main options on Eastern Conference teams.
how about this scenario? =====> Rox give up Mobley E G Boki Amaechi Moochie Norris Future draft choices =====>Heats give up Brian Grant PF Dwayne Wade PG Wade will be the point; Steve will be a 2. Grant and Cato will shared the 4 and backup Yao. Once Pike returns, Boki will not get that many minutes anyway. Miami has too many holes to fill; so it is best to create more cap room by dumping Grants' big contract all of the Rox players in this trade, as compared to Grant, are cap-friendly
