The following may be a little far-fetched, but makes sense. The Rockets need to pry Elton Brand from the Bulls. Obviously Jerry Krause has royally screwed the Bulls with his thinking that "Players don't win championships, franchises win championships" mantra. Krause is looking for a player to not only be exciting, but be a marketable player that Chicago fans can embrace. Brand isn't flash and dash, he is just a blue-collar worker in the paint, I would be willing to trade all first-round picks this year and next year, and anyone short of Franchise and Cat. Crumbs is desperate, and I think the Rockets could definitely capitalize. Brand is a solid player who could fill the void at the four spot. (Sorry I'm a non-believer that Webber comes here), and I also think Mo will pull a Hakeem/Feagan and ask for a ludicrous amount of money. Fire away. ------------------
We made an offer for Elton Brand at the trade deadline, according to bskball; a bunch of #1 picks and Cato/Walt, I believe. But then we still need to shore up the small forward spot. I would love Brand on the team; I've seen him play (I live in Bulls country) but I don't know if we still have interest or if the Bulls have the guts to trade their (for now) franchise player and lose whatever credibility they have left. And, as mentioned, what do we do for the small forward spot? The Bulls are so horrid. But I still do this: when I think of Krause's expression at the draft. ------------------
Man is this going to be happening every day? "All of our picks for [insert star player]" Hey, Vince Carter's going to be a free agent soon, let's talk to toronto and trade all of our picks for Vince Carter. ------------------ I refuse to use smiley's in my posts, you'll just have to figure out how serious I am on your own...
Let me try this again: "I love Elton Brand as a player but we would have to give up too much to get him so we should give up on the idea of him on our team; but it's a nice dream." ------------------ [This message has been edited by ROXTXIA (edited May 21, 2001).] [This message has been edited by ROXTXIA (edited May 22, 2001).]
I hope you didn't choose to repeat yourself because of what I said because I was only referring to Novak. ------------------ I refuse to use smiley's in my posts, you'll just have to figure out how serious I am on your own...
Actually, I just came back to delete the post. I realized too late what you meant. Sorry. I edited out the rudeness (I think). I have previously advocated trading for Elton Brand; but I know the price is too steep, considering the way the Jerrys operate, especially when we can trade for someone like KVH---not perfect, but not bad, and maybe no better or worse overall than Brand---with minimal collateral damage (as Oeilpere has seemed to strongly hint: i.e., we'll still have draft picks and cap room if we go such a route). ------------------ [This message has been edited by ROXTXIA (edited May 22, 2001).]
Adding Brand to this team would obviously make it a playoof team next season. A core group of Franchise, The Cat, and Brand would scare the crap out of the rest of the league. The Rockets would also get a lot of run from the media which they desperately lack. Speaking of Jerry Krause, you see this dude in the draft show they had on NBC? How does this guy have a position as GM on a NBA team, let alone on a class organization like the Bulls. Not only has he screwed the Bulls fans but he has destroyed any chance for the Bulls to win in the near future, which is horrible considering they are in the Eastern Conference. Dude was looking pretty mad though and looks like he could also use a good diet too. he gets paid in the millions and cant even represent his team in good fashion on national TV. What a loser and thank God that we got good people in CD and Rudy. ------------------
I like Brand but I don't think we wil be able to get him even if we give all our picks.I would give the 13th pick,the 18th pick if we get it or next year's first round pick unless we have to give it to the Grizzles along with Carlos Rogers for Fizer. We could still get Morris or Tayshaun Prince as a small forward with the 22nd pick. ------------------
I like Elton Brand but you have to put into consideration what you'll have to give up gor him and the fact that he's a tree stump amongst tall trees in the western conference. He's only about 6'7" or 6'8" inches tall. Yes he does have long arms but Duncan, Garnett, Wallace, and Webber would kill him. But I do like his hussle and intensity on the boards and it does seems like he and Stevie are good friends even though Stevie should be the lone ROY. He would be a nice addition to the squad but something is telling me to keep an eye on Mo Taylor because he's still very young and has alot to learn. I think alot of people are giving up on him to early. Besides, when you'rs playing with the Clippers and losing almost every night, you don't learn much about the game (rebounding, hustling, WINNING), and I'm sure with an organization like Houston, they can groom him into a nice power forward who can already shoot the jumper and dribble like a guard. So either way I think the Rockets will have a nice power forward next year (Webber, Taylor, Brand, LaFrentz) ------------------
I did have a dream last week that we would get Brand. Not sure why, because I never really thought the chances were very relaistic. but I never really ever dream about Rocket deals...so maybe this was inserted into my head by the basketball gods.... Or maybe, I just consumed too much pizza and beer that night before going to bed... ------------------ "I didn't like jr. high when I was there. Why would I want to watch it on tv?" P. Mesku's opinion about "Survivor"
I live in Bulss country as well and I think (as anyone would) that Brand would be a fabulous addition. The point that may be of contention is who would be better, Brand or Webber? (of course this all assumes alot - I am not arguing what can happen, but only what I think should happen if it could) I would take Brand over Webber in a second. Brand is much tougher and I think his upside down the road is just as high, if not higher, that Webber's. Also, he is not a big whiner like Webber - he really plays tough all the time no matter what his situation is. Plus, I think he would probably fit in better with Steve and Cat, really supplementing their game with the raw toughness that we have lacked ever since Barkley retired. Don't get me wrong, Webber would be great too, of course. But given the choice, I would go with Brand. . . . . OK -- now I'm awake, and I just had the strangest dream... ------------------
I think Brand would be a better fit for the team, than Webber would. Brand plays his heart out every time he plays. All he wants to do is win. Brand and Francis are friends, and there is longer window of opportunity to win. If Brand came to the Rockets, he would probably be a 20/10 guy. Like I said, its definitely a long shot, but I would really love to see Brand on the Rockets. ------------------
Dude its not going to happen. Put your blunt down and go to bed. ------------------ "We make more, but we spend more." Patrick Ewing
I know Elton Brand is undersized, but he is too good of a player for the Rockes not to look at. As for the question of what to do about a small forward, I know it sounds weird, but Langhi most likely will be starting if the Wiz is traded, (which I think he will be because he is a free agent next season). If the Rockets can't get Brand. LaFrentz would be next on my list, but I don't want the Rockets to have anything to do with KVH. By the way, it was great to see Krause's expression when he got the fourth pick. I know in trading Brand, the Bulls would be saying they made the wrong choice. but rather sooner, now than later. Brand is attainable, and pretty soon the price for him won't be as steep, as time trickles toward Brand's impending free agency, Krause gets a little more desperate. ------------------
Plato, for a man with a wise name, you're not very wise. Chris Webber is within the top 3 big men in the whole NBA. He runs the court extremely well, has a nice outside touch, passes the ball, play good defense as long as he's not guarding Shaq, and rebound. Though this is not really a basketball term, but Webber is a 5-tool player. As long as we keep our current team intact, he is THE difference maker. Elton Brand leads the lackluster Bulls in scoring and rebounding, but put him in the west, and he's no better than Vinny B of today. ------------------ Louisville Rockets my ass
Chicago is not likely to trade us Brand for anything less than Francis. They may consider trading us Fizer. ------------------
Plato, for a man with a wise name, you're not very wise. Chris Webber is within the top 3 big men in the whole NBA. He runs the court extremely well, has a nice outside touch, passes the ball, play good defense as long as he's not guarding Shaq, and rebound. Though this is not really a basketball term, but Webber is a 5-tool player. As long as we keep our current team intact, he is THE difference maker. Elton Brand leads the lackluster Bulls in scoring and rebounding, but put him in the west, and he's no better than Vinny B of today. ----------------------------------- Actually Plato is the wise one here...Brand has only played 2 seasons and still has a lot of basketball left in him. Brand, along with Francis and Mobley could all reach their full potential and dominate the league for years. Brand is also a workaholic in great condition. Webber, on the other hand, will be going into his ninth season and is also getting a little chubby it seems. For the next year or two Webber will most likely be better than Brand, but in 3 years Brand will be the superstar. Also, Brand would be just as effective in the west, probably more so than Webber. Brand likes to bang and crash the boards, while Webber seems to prefer bricking 18 footers against Robert Horry. If possible the Rockets should take Brand over Webber for sure. ------------------
It all comes down to see how Brand did against teams such as Lakers, Spurs, Utah and Portland........ lets see : vs. Utah ....18 Nov. Brand 23 pts 8 rebs (team high on both catagories) vs. Lakers 19 Nov. Brand 17pts 15 rebs..team high in rebounds vs. Spurs Dec 19.. Brand 23pts 5 rebs ..team high in scoring. vs. Spurs Dec 28 ...scores 22 pts 6 rebs vs. Portland Jan. 23.. scores 29pts 8 rbs.. vs. Portland Jan. 30.. scores 18pts 12 rbs. vs. La Lakers Apr. 5 ..scores 17pts 7 rbs. vs. Utah Apr. 13 ......scores 10pts 5 rbs. NOTE: I noticed as I looked at all this stats that Brand led in team high rebs quite a few times .... the dude can rebound like crazy... and score... this helps me think that he can hang in the west... ------------------ My blood is made of Rocket fuel !
I'm not really crazy about Webber. I know he's great and would instantly make us a playoff team, but he is also old in comparison to the rest of our team (excluding Dream, Bullard, and Walt, of course). I'd rather have Brand, but I think thats even less likely than getting Webber, at least for now. It is my personal opinion that we're not going to seriously compete for a few more years. I think our team as a whole is just too young. I'd rather wait for Brand's rookie contract to run out and make a run at him than betting the farm on Webber. ------------------ "I have no regrets except that I wasn't up to keep Randy from getting on that plane." --Ozzy Osbourne on guitarist Randy Rhodes [This message has been edited by Lynus302 (edited May 24, 2001).]
Yes, Brand is a very good player. But his numbers are so inflated. He has much worse rebounding/Scoring support than Franchise, so he has to pick up the slack. With a good team, I would expect to see his numbers drip down to about 16, 7(Maybe 8) ------------------ Never Underestimate the Heart of a Champion
