If the NBA was like MLB (no cap) how much would Les spend? Would he be offering Swift more than the MLE? Would he be like Steinbrenner or more like Drayton? I think Cuban and the Mavs would be more like the evil empire, and the Rockets would be kind of like the Astros, above average but not at the upper echelon of spenders. What's your take?
Les would spend about 65-70 million Swift would get his 9 mil a year. More like Drayton. And yes, the rockets would be like the Astros, not the evil empire. Mavs would spend, but they'd still have no shot at the title.
I'd be very reluctant to give Swift 9 mil/yr, but I agree that Les and CD might do it if they could. If anyone gives Swift 9 mil/yr; I think its more likely they would be feeling like we did about Mo Taylor.
Les is averse to the luxury tax, he won't offer anything to SS that would cause him to pay more luxury tax. Do not pass go, do not collect $200
I think Les would spend the money where needed. He had no problems in the past paying Hakeem, Barkley, Clyde, then Pippen. He wasn't shy on overpaying our crappy point guards those years either. Les knows the super stars put the butts in the stands. He wouldn't let talent go over a paycheck like Drayton, but he wouldn't spend his money stupidly like a Steinbreiner. With all the people that want to come to Houston, with no cap, i think we'd be a real contender almost every year.
from rkh-dog: In the past I would agree with you, but for the first time even Feigen has hinted we may go into luxury tax territory for the right guy. And I think the NBA landscape has changed much in the last fer years. Mistakes galore, I know, but the new CBA suggests there's yet more money to go around. How in hell can Phoenix pay Johnson with Amare, Nash and Marion on the roster? The only answer I can come up with is that the luxury tax is now becoming just another way to do business if you think you can make more money. Les has Yao who's mere presence inflates the value of his team. In addition he's been living in Houston (for the first time) for about a year and I think he's learned a few things about the average Rox fan. There's no one out there now I'd like us to break the bank on, but we might well be in luxury tax territory soon.
Uncle Drayton and Mark Cuban both have a lot more money than Les. I've no doubt that Les wants to compete, but he's not going to pull out all the stops. He's very much like Drayton that way. But Drayton has a lot more money, so what's his excuse?
IF rockets don't land a pf, badiane steps up as a capable player. Do the Rockets have enough cap space next season to resign Yao and offer Kirk Hinrich a near max contract?
I was under the impression that Les was one of the less wealthy owners. The NBA salary cap, though I don't like salary caps in general, is good for Houston. And if you have to have one, better the NBA's than the NFL's. The hard cap causes too many cuts of players that you want on your team.
Steinbrenner bought the Yankees for 14 million bucks and they are now worth a billion plus. Not sure if that's 'stupid' spending.
Don't be too sure about the Mavs. There is a new sheriff in charge and his name is Avery Johnson. Unlike his predesessor, Don Nelson, he believes in playing defense. Under him, the Mavs are being remade into a team that will play more like San Antonio and not like Sacremento. That fact alone coupled with their talent base and owner's willingess to do what it takes is a real cause for concern for the Rockets. The West is getting tougher.
That is waht makes you scratch your head about ole' Uncle D....He could buy and sell Cuban, Les, and Steibrenner COMBINED. His net worth has DOUBLED since he owened the Stro's/
OK I am not sure of the source - but sometime last year one of the finacial sports trade magazine rated the net worth of NBA owners. Les Alexander came in dead last. Apparently, the Rockets are the best asset he owns. This may be why he is so adverse to the luxury tax.
Err...I can understand not wanting to spend MILLIONS of dollars on what's supposed to be a revenue producing asset. Just because many owners treat their teams as toys rather than assets...doesnt' mean any individual owner is obligated to do so. Sure, it's better than fans - but his position is easy to understand.
Absolutely, I'm not saying he should spend his money like it's going out of style, but throwing the cash around for the right person will pay-off. Look at McNair, he spent the money that was needed and didn't try and shoestring the Texans
Isn't Les THE poorest owner in the NBA? I remember his worth was barely more than the value of the Rockets. So don't expect him to spend like Cuban.
Hasn't Les said he's interested in purchasing an NHL team once they got their financial problems in order? Well they pretty much did and a lot of the franchises will come fairly cheap at the moment, but we're still talking about a hell of a lot of money.
Nobody could say buying the Yankees for 14 million was a bad investment, infact the guy should win the pulitzer prize for that move and get an honorary degree from Harvard. But when you're blowing over a couple hundred million a year on overpaid old players that don't produce, that's what i consider 'stupid' spending. I know the boss makes it all back and much more, but if you gave the Stros an extra 100 million to play around with, we'd be in dynasty mode right now. Oh well, back to basketball!
