I like Tim thomas ever since he came out. He's a free agent this summer. I think he would fit in nicely at the 3 spot although he's a tweener like an Horry. He's bulked up though and he showed promises in the playoffs with the Bucks. The only area I would like for him to improve on is his rebounding, he averages about 5 rebounds in 30 minutes of play. For a 6-10 guy he should be averaging more But he avg's. about 11-15 pts, 2 assts, and like I said 5rbds. What do you guys think? ------------------ www.rocketzone.web.com
I like him, but I think the Bucks want to keep him, he wants to go back, and they can pay him a lot more than us, which his game would command from other teams as well. It's even rumored Big Dogg is on the trading block to make a starting spot for Tim T. ------------------
I had the same opinion two weeks ago, especially considering Rudy's preference of perimeter ability. A lot of people didn 't seem to like him though ------------------
I think everyone liked, and some salivated over having TT a Rocket, it is just that TT or Rashard Lewis are not really realistic free agent signees. They might (doubtfully) have been conceivable to add before the playoffs, but they have played too well for their teams not to do everything reasonable to keep them. Barring a high price trade with a high price salary slot (which might not be worth it anyway), we just can't compete with their current teams in signing these players. On the plus side, this same principle applied to us keeping Cat away from other would be stealers of him: at least it keeps the good--over the cap--teams away. ------------------
Rocketsauce: Judging a player's quickness based on his height is ridiculous. If you think Tim Thomas will slow our offense down because of his height, then you obviously have never seen Tim Thomas play. Think of him as a 6'10 guard. Sir Scarvajal: Wrong. I know you mentioned "over the cap" teams, but the Bucks have next to nothing to worry about with Tim Thomas. All they need to do is unload Big Dogg to clear the starting spot and they're set. Thomas was a 1st round draft selection, so the Bucks have now acquired his Bird Rights and can offer him more than anyone else. The Rockets on the other hand have absolutely got to be sweating it out right now, figuring that they can only offer Mobley approx $4mill and a backup spot, while someone like Chicago could offer him $6mill and a starting role [this is why I advocated trading Mobley prior to the deadline]. Totally different scenarios between Thomas and Mobes. The Bucks have nothing to worry about, while the Rockets could be in for some trouble. ------------------ "I don't care how tall the guy is, trade his ass!"
Cab, that is a good distiction about TT from Cat or Lewis for that matter (I had forgotten he was a 1st rounder). Still, I don't think we have that much to worry about as far as losing Cat, nor does Seattle with Lewis--which are very analogous situations. Both us and Seattle can use Early Birdies to offer far better salaries than any good teams (unless you call Orlando "good"--though I am sure they have bigger targets on their mind anyway). ------------------
Cabbage, I haven't had the opportunity to see TT play as much as I would like to. My point is that the Rockets offense seemed to work best with SA at the SF. Not to say that it wouldn't work with a 6'10" Sf, but Carlos played there a bit early on and things didn't go that well. TT would probably be an excellent acquisition, I would just prefer that our offseason moves be focused on our frontcourt. If Tim could be an effective PF maybe that could make us more flexible with matchups. How does he rate as a PF? ------------------
Tim Thomas G GS MPG FGM-A FG% 3PM-A 3P% FTM-A FT% OFF DEF TOT APG STL BLK TO PF PTS PPG 80 1 26.2 347-753 .461 63-182 .346 188-243 .774 1.3 2.9 4.2 1.4 59 31 129 227 945 11G GS MPG FGM-A FG% 3PM-A 3P% FTM-A FT% OFF DEF TOT APG STL BLK TO PF PTS PPG 82 82 32.9 368-778 .473 79-225 .351 194-253 .767 1.1 3.6 4.7 2.9 96 32 194 182 1009 12.3 Shandon G GS MPG FGM-A FG% 3PM-A 3P% FTM-A FT% OFF DEF TOT APG STL BLK TO PF PTS PPG 82 82 32.9 368-778 .473 79-225 .351 194-253 .767 1.1 3.6 4.7 2.9 96 32 194 182 1009 12.3 Season/Career Highs ------------------
Forgot to add Walt since he was technically our SF. G GS MPG FGM-A FG% 3PM-A 3P% FTM-A FT% OFF DEF TOT APG STL BLK TO PF PTS PPG 76 66 24.5 312-681 .458 102-261 .391 101-123 .821 0.9 3.1 4.0 2.1 49 44 113 190 827 10.9 I think that SA got most of the quality minutes though. Walt sat alot in th emiddle of the year, and didn't start to heat up until Rudy gave him time at PF & C. ------------------
Rocketsauce: quote: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I really think the key to our success is going to have to be in our quickness. 6'10" SF, regardless of his quickness, will tend to slow our offense down. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Judging a player's quickness based on his height is ridiculous. If you think Tim Thomas will slow our offense down because of his height, then you obviously have never seen Tim Thomas play. Think of him as a 6'10 guard. --- You hit that one right Cabbage. Man, you gotta see Thomas play before you make any assumptions. Tim can get up and down with just about anyone and he's a great finisher(he rack it hard). If you watched him play at the 3 while he was in Phily you know what I mean. He also comes with a descent outside jumper. ------------------ www.rocketzone.web.com
If you are judging his quickness by his ability to jump and run the court then we are talking about two different things. Cato is quick but I think he would slow our offense down at SF. I have seen TT play and I think he lacks the passing, defensive positioning, and first step that Shandon has. I posted the stats because I've seen him play and I don't think he could bring anymore to the position than we already have. Certainly not worth changing our current frontcourt lineup. But hey that's my opinion and I've been wrong plenty of times, and I respect Cabbage and his obvious knowledge of Basketball. I would just prefer that the Rockets concentrate on their frontcourt. ------------------
If you are judging his quickness by his ability to jump and run the court then we are talking about two different things. Cato is quick but I think he would slow our offense down at SF. I have seen TT play and I think he lacks the passing, defensive positioning, and first step that Shandon has. I posted the stats because I've seen him play and I don't think he could bring anymore to the position than we already have. Certainly not worth changing our current frontcourt lineup. But hey that's my opinion and I've been wrong plenty of times, and I respect Cabbage and his obvious knowledge of Basketball. I would just prefer that the Rockets concentrate on their frontcourt. ------------------
If you propose that he play the 3 then I don't like it. I prefer using a smaller backcourt and looking for a little more size and rebounding from the PF & C. We have Carlos to create matchup problems off the bench. I really think the key to our success is going to have to be in our quickness. 6'10" SF, regardless of his quickness, will tend to slow our offense down. ------------------
I've been pushing for Tim Thomas since before the lock out. He's not a star, and if he asks for too much money, then forget it. But, I like him for his versatility and height. ------------------ I have a dream.........his name's Hakeem.
Our chances of getting Thomas are as good as our chances of moving up to get the 1st overall pick in this year's draft. ------------------ "Foul, dammit, foul"--loyal Rocket fan
Let's try this from a differnt angle. What scenario would have to take place for us to get him (trade, FA Signing)? What would we have to pay him? Would you all prefer to have Rashard? Can he average more than 12points and 4.2 rebounds. I would love to take on every athletic 6'10" guy in the league but where are our needs? We only have so many dollars and I would prefer to have a ballhandler like Lewis who can bring the ball up the court. I don't care how quickTT is, he can't run the break(once again, my opinion). We have enough finishers. Is TT a defensive stopper? I've seen him play some and nothing stood out. His numbers certainly don't show it. How will we get SA, CM, SF, & TT on the court at the same time? Trust me when I say I'm open to this idea, I just am not seeing the benefits. Please answer my questions and enlighten me. ------------------
I would certainly rather have Rashard. His potential is WAY greater than Tims. I just think that Thomas would fit in perfect. He can run the floor with any of our Rockets. He's not a spectacular player but that's not what is all about. It's about getting the players that best fit the system and that will help compliment our backcourt. When I proposed the idea of Tim Thomas, I was assuming that the Rox would get a big man in the draft( I guess I should have mentioned that). ------------------ www.rocketzone.web.com
