I figured Brooks was leaving one way or the other so they might as well get something. Dragic is a good young point guard plus a pick is included. Battier is not part of the Rockets plans anymore since they're rebuilding so why not take a chance on Thabeet. The Rockets got a pick out of that deal as well. I give it a B- overall, good not great.
http://thehasbeenssports.com/2011/02/24/the-top-5-nba-deadline-deals/ That's my response :grin: Check #5.
...maybe you watch different games than I do but Battier was looking like an average defender this year. It's clear he lost a step. He's obviously still smart which has it's value but what is a smart veteran leader going to do with this roster? It's a waste of his talents. Let him go to a real contender after this offseason(Memphis suddenly thinks they are a contender this year by the way). ....I don't think there was a market for a difference making star here anyway - you can't hold that against Morey. Melo was the only one and he wasn't going to sign an extension anywhere but NY. Deron would have been nice but no way we were going to top what NJ offer - they overpaid because few teams could give up all the assets they have from being the worlds worst team.
To add to what I said in my blog, I don't see how you turn those 2 trades into first-rounders, especially the Battier/Smith trade. Morey has become magic at doing things like that and I expect us to have a great draft in June. All-in-all, it was a solid day for the Rockets.
Still can't believe people don't like the AB deal. Dragic is as good as AB and less one-dimensional. He's having a down year, but so is AB. I don't think we sold low at all -- we got equal value for Brooks if not more. Some of you were just fooled into thinking AB was going to be a star after his good year last year, but someone had to fill the stat sheet on that team.
Agree - I don't see people banging down his door to do an S&T in the lockout-threatened offseason either.
....I still think this whole thing gets turned around with just one star - no matter how we get him(trade, FA, draft). If we get a mega star, not only will we be instantly a playoff team, but we will be attractive for other players. If Dwight somehow ended up here, it could all change very quickly. I think of this as a plug and play contender - add star and watch them go. When it finally happens, don't say I didn't tell you so.
Also, not that it's of any importance, but I just saw that the Battier/Thabeet trade updated to include DeMarre Carroll? Can anybody confirm this?
I've never been without Battier. Lived in Memphis for a few years. I was there when they drafted him. He got traded to Houston within months of me moving back to town. Tearful to see him go, but not possible to turn down a 1st rounder PLUS a 7'3" Tanzanian who didn't start playing ball till he was 15. Sound familiar? He's never going to be Dream, but he's at least a terrific fly-swatter. Also, another well-spoken, quality person added to the franchise. HTML: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fMp86xrlWc Also, getting a 1st rounder and the Slovenian White Chocolate for Brooks is superb deal. Check your stats... the franchise is at its best when we have a token Eastern European on the roster.
Not trading CLee for Asik saved him from getting an F. Morey is a good hitter, but he struck out today.
