I have this feeling that RudyT is going to make a move to bring in a new PF

pooh with the truth.

 

heypee!!!



still don't believe that kt is a problem?

 

Danny Fortsan anyone?

DaDakota

 

Well, I have mentioned Kurt Thomas before. I think he can be had with Charlie Ward ( expiring contract) for Cato, KT, and Mooch. Dumping Mooch and KT is a plus. Look at Kurt Thomas's line last nite. 6 blocks. 22 pts. 24 min. Banger, can fill in at the pivot.

Maybe y'all don't like that one, but sure, you'd have to think CD is shopping right now. We don't need the PFs we have - we need a true "power" power forward to bang and bodyguard with Ming, preferably with a solid mid-range jumper. A 1995 Charles Oakley would be perfect. Think how much space Oak would create for Patrick's jumper. Now think Ming taking that jumper at 75%, or having the vision to find an even better option. Ultimately, I think that's what the big fellow needs for a running mate - not a 3pt shooter, not a finesse player, not an undersized ballhog jab and spin scrapper.

Thing is, there's not so many classic PF's available. There's Duncan (center) and Malone (old) and Garnett (sf) and Rasheed (sf) and Webber (jump shooter), and Elton Brand (bingo!) then a real falloff. Samake Walker and Gary Trent types. Danny Fortson. Ugh. Gooden and Pau Gasol are both nice, but surely not moving.

Ty Hill is a decent smaller deal.

So it remains to be seen what's out there and what it costs. Toddie, have you got a handle on the market? How about a FA list? These things play into the decision to trade now or later.

 

Rudy has shown in the past that he will trade multiple players for star caliber types. i.e. Barkley and Drexler. If a big time PF is available at the trade deadline I guarantee Rudy and CD will try to make something happen.

 

Rudys original solution was to move KT to small forward, but when Cat went down, Rice had to play there to replace Cats peremiter threat.
KT was forced back to power forward because he is better than his competition, thats why he gets the minutes. When Cat returns KT probably goes back to the 3 and only plays the 4 for situational minutes.
RudyTs job is to get the most out of the players he has..not to trade anyone.

 

Too many cooks spoil the broth...that is the Rockets problem right now...they have too many players who need the ball.

What they need are more role type players.....

I think that KT is out of here...he has value in his expiring contract and we can package a big contract with him to jettison some baggage. Moochie, Cato, or MoT etc..

DaDakota

 

When I read the chronicle article this morning I was delighted to hear that the coach (Rudy T.) is not happy and he is putting forth his positive spin on what he believes is not working out. We all know that Rudy is a good guy and will not bash his players in the media, but he will give just a hint that something better happen soon. Feel is part of coaching. You guys act like since he says he doesn't feel right then he obviously don't know what he is doing. This is not correct. Rudy is not the best with x's & O’s but he is one of the best at putting the right combination together to have chemistry build. This just shows that he is not happy with any of the power forwards. My honest take is that Rudy and Francis is not happy with Kenny. Just look at Steve’s quote,

"We've been patient for three years," Francis said. "There's nothing about a young team jelling. We have a core group of guys that have been together. If this is about jelling, we have a problem."

Rudy is going to give a mulligan to Eddie & MoT. EG is in his second year and MoT is coming back from missing an entire year on top of that his Achilles is still bothering him. Adding the fact that Kenny didn't get an extension the only reason coach has him on the floor is to keep his mouth shut and to show that he is a descent SF/PF. Well also he has been the better option of the three.

Francis, Francis, Francis

Now before you say leaders shouldn't talk in the media, look back at all of the leaders, most obvious to me is they do show their frustration in the media. I am so glad Francis stepped up to show that he has had enough of the talk about jelling, it's time something changes with the power forward/small forward spot. Look at it this way, Steve as we know likes Cuttino (I guess this is an understatement) he likes Cato, Moochie, TMo, MoT but I have never heard him say anything about Kenny.

Good things come when the leader speaks up. The squeaky wheel gets the grease as they say. Come on Rudy/CD got to do something about this problem that Rudy says he has never had.

 

Houston trades:
SF Glen Rice (9.7 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.1 apg in 27.3 minutes)
PF Maurice Taylor (7.1 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 0.9 apg in 17.9 minutes)
SG Cuttino Mobley (17.5 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 3.0 apg in 42.1 minutes)
PF Eddie Griffin (8.5 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 1.1 apg in 25.9 minutes)


Houston receives:
PF Rasheed Wallace (17.9 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 2.3 apg in 35.7 minutes)
SG Derek Anderson (13.7 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 4.1 apg in 30.9 minutes)

TRADE ACCEPTED

 

The PF situation is really a surprised development for us and for Rudy T. We thought the logjam situation at the 4 was a "good" problem. We have too much talent at one position. That's a "luxury." Now Griffin and Taylor can't find their shots. Thomas can't make the outside shots and doesn't fit in the new offense. None of the three "good" 4s are producing. And it's hurting the team.

What would you do with the rotation if you were Rudy (besides trading)?

 

Will is a genius. And better yet, I agree with him.

 

Toss KT into that deal and you have me convinced.

 

They kind find their jumpers at the moment, but that is the sort of thing that will pass. I wouldn't trade any of the PFs because they aren't good enough -- they are good enough. However, giving each 25 minutes a game doesn't seem like a good way to go to me. I can see a trade being justified in a 2 PF for 1 PF deal. Then, we could have a more sensible rotation. But, a 1 PF for 1 PF deal would be pointless.

 

I would not trade Mobley and EG for Rasheed Wallace. That guy is a troublemaker. What the Rockets need is a bruiser. An enforcer.

God, if only the Rockets had a magic potion that would make Mr Mean 10 years younger )

Raven

 

Forget Rasheed Wallace. The Rockets need a rough and rugged PF that can play alongside Yao that doesnt need the ball. Ive been saying since the offseason that a Griffin/Ming tandem wouldnt work b/c Griffin gets pushed around so easily in the post. I was in support of trying to move Griffin for any pick inside the top 8 in order to land Amare Stoudamire, but the Rockets somehow believed (and maybe they still do) that Griffin can work alongside Ming. Various astute hoop fans that I like to talk to from time to time outside of the Houston area to try to get an unbiased look at the Rockets from time to time held the opinion that Yao can help lead this team to great things one day, but it is important to put a tough PF alongside him. Yao needs a player in the mold of a Brian Grant, Kurt Thomas, Oakley back in the day, etc alongside him. KT is about half of that, but isnt exactly that b/c he doesnt rebound like them and tends to slow down the offensive flow.

The one player I would really like for this team to acquire is Brian Grant. I have been a huge fan of his game for a while and have read the Heat would be willing to deal him. I have no idea what they want, but one of Taylor, Cato or Rice would have to go to make the numbers work. Brian Grant rebounds and defends well along with being very good off the ball. This is the type of muscle Yao needs around him.

 

Damn, MManal, you were reading my so-called mind.

Brian Grant (the player) would be perfect for this team. I believe Riley'd trade him; he has too many overlarge contracts. I think BG's kinda lost in Miami's system, even with Zo all but retired. I also think Pat Riley's running Grant into the ground, much as he did Tim Hardaway, with his drill-drill-drill two-a-days system.

The only things about Brian Grant are: enormous contract; and how are his knees holding up?

Glen Rice + KT might do it (Glen with a next-year expiring contract, and still with a home in Miami).

One way or the other, the team needs to make a move or two, keeping Steve and Yao in mind as the team's future. Mo-T does play well with Yao, but is he the long-term answer? Can he be traded in any case? Right now, as this article indicates, our revolving door at PF is hurting the team.

And I'm glad Steve spoke up. Our chemistry is for ****, and much of that has to do simply with the pieces we have. This is one puzzle that isn't going to come together.

 

As Dakota keeps saying, "too many cooks spoil the broth". Yao Ming needs a tough enforcer like Brian Grant next to him, and Steve needs a guard that will mask his weaknesses and complement his strengths better. This does not mean that the likes of Cuttino Mobley have to be jettisoned. However, in order for this team to be effective in the long run, Cuttino's role will need to be reduced to a 30 MPG at most off the bench as an instant offense sixth man. Mobley and Taylor can be HUGE for this team in terms of instant offense off the bench in the long run. Will they be ok with it? I think Mo will, not 100% sure about Cuttino.

I hope the Rockets dont wait the entire season to rectify these problems and just stand by and do nothing. There is way too much stubborness in this forum by certain Mobley lovers that feel a Steve and Cuttino backcourt will work. Im soooooooooo glad Steve finally stepped up and said that this "give it time" approach is a bunch of BS. This team has been together a full 3 seasons now and still has the same crap problems it has always had. It is time to infuse the proper pieces into this ailing team.

 

MoT has to get back to 100% and start, KT splits time with Rice at the 3 and get only situational minutes at the 4. EddieG must get most of the minutes as the back up 4.

 

How about trading for a play-making SF?

Over the holidays, I made the mistake of watching game 7 of the '84 Finals, Lakers vs. Celtics, on ESPN Classic. Bird, McHale, Worthy, and Magic in their primes. Kareem and Parish. Cooper and DJ. Ball-movement and good shooting.

A mistake because I was reminded of what once was.

But anyway, do you realize that the Celtics didn't really have a true PG? DJ and Ainge were more combo Gs than PGs, and, in fact, 'Cornbread' Maxwell was on fire during that game with the assists, just making pass after pass.

Problem: Are there any play-making SFs, and are they available this early in the season?

 

Elton Brand is on my holiday wish-list. Francis is buds with him and he would be a perfect fit. I don't know how we would get him, but I'd give up players I really like and that have potential. (Cat, KT, Eddie... etc.) I think he'd love to sign here next year as well.

About as likely as my wife giving me a Lexus for Christmas.