If he can come really cheap, maybe. Jalen is great in posting up any guards and SFs, and he's pretty smart too. We never had a guard or SF who can make the opponent to play defense, except for TMac. Therefore, all of them had full energy to jump into Yao all night long. Remember how Smash made Nash play defense and limit his effectiveness? Jalen will be out there creating mismatches all night long. My concern is, Rose could be a ball hog sometimes, although he's clutch. His 3 pointers are not consistent either, although he makes some big shots. But if he's cheap and healthy, he's got size, skills, strength, and experience, and he's definitely less headache than Bonzi, although older, why not give him a try? I just don't see him to be had for that little money.
If Jalen would come cheap, I would think you would have to add him. We've got Snyder and Battier for defense, so we can work a little bit with one-sided players that don't D up as well. Besides that, Van Gundy would have him playing better defense. And he would create mismatches on the offensive end with McGrady. Jalen's basic problem is he has always wanted to play the point and none of his teams have ever really allowed him to do that for a whole season of games. They always move him to SF or SG because of his size. In my opinion, he is a very good half court point guard offensively. He's got great skill with the basketball. And he is a very good creator for either the midrange jumper, layup, or dish offs. He knows how to facilitate. But all his coaches move him out of the point position because he is not quick enough to stay in front of smalls. To me, that is way overdone. Jalen has always used his length to defend smalls from behind. And those smalls can't even guard each other. It's just impossible. But for some reason, coaches keep trying to make Jalen do something else. So they stick him against SGs and SFs. And he isn't good at defending either one because he's mostly a finesse player with height. He uses his height at the point position to look over the defense and make his moves, including posting up those smalls. But SGs are a little bit bigger, a little stronger, and he has even more matchup problems there. I'd like to see him get a shot at playing the point position primarily, in a half court offense style, with a quality team with a couple scorers. I think he would do quite well. He'd be worth a couple million per year on a 3 year contract. Even if he came off the bench in limited minutes and special situations. Look, Rybo is gonna make $1 million this year. Deke is going to make $3 million or so this year. They'll both be lucky to get 8 minutes a game combined between them.
Yes to Jalen Rose as TMac insurance and only if he comes cheap (no more than $2.1M). He's still only 33 and never really relied on athleticism, so his age is not as critical. He still has skills, so as long as he can buy into being a role player, he's a good pick-up. Less than average defender, but not everyone has to be a lockdown guy. Jon Barry was no stalwart on D. Actually, I think he'd be a better fit than Bonzi and he won't necessarily be an obstacle for developing the young guys. I'd still start Kirk Snyder and have Jalen coming off the bench at the 2 and 3.
Also, it's good to have a couple of guys at his stage of career. He's made his money, is looking to win big, and can still contribute. He was a crucial part of those Indiana teams in the late 90's that went pretty far. Versatile as heck and, like jopatmc mentioned, causing all kinds of matchup problems. This could be a good thing!
I remember THAT game. I still remember the look I gave him after undercutting me. I was out for weeks. F*CK Jalen Rose. Sincerely,
I don't care if Jalen pays the Rockets for the priviledge to ball in Houston, I don't want him on this team. He has never played D his entire career, not for ANY of his coaches, not on ANY team, and it's not about to change when he gets older and slower. He also hasn't been on a winning team for years so forget about the "TMac insurance". His +/- were negative with bad teams in both NY and Toronto last year. He is going to suck if asked to do anything. He is no more TMac insurance than Derek Anderson or Rick Brunson was. Maybe with better shooting, but even worse D. Playing Jalen=losing. Any roster spot or minutes wasted on Jalen should be given to Snyder, Head, Battier, Hayes, etc instead. These guys have a better chance of making something happen with those minute. Even if Snyder, Head, and Hayes don't win any more than loser Jalen does, I'd still rather develop the young guys. If not Bonzi, then who? Then nobody unless you find someone useful rather than some old broken down ballhog. Give the kids a chance. That's why DA got shipped. Give the kids to chance. Now if you insist on signing some vet swingmen to make yourself feel better about losing out on Bonzi, I'd rather sign Doug Christie. He says he is healthy. He is old, but a smart player who at least tries on defense. If healthy, he can also run the offense as well as any other big guard out there. Besides, you get Jackie Christie to add to the toughness in the stands.
Seeing as we are talking about other prospects, what are the thoughts on Penny and Kareem Rush? If the price is right of course...
That's a great idea. Someone needs to find and bump that thread. As far as I see, the Bonzi Wells talk is tilting towards the rambling trade discussion more than ever.
I remember Rose being given the assignment the majority of the time in 98-2000 Bulls Pacers games. No one is going to stop MJ but at time he did ok, and considering he was the Pacers main defensive choice to guard Jordan, they obviously thought he could D up. But ... that was then , this is 2006 and i'm not interested on seeing him join us if he does become available. I'm sure someone will take him on board though. He's a solid vet and could bring alot off the bench and in the locker room for any number of teams.
First of all, we can't afford his overpriced ass and more importantly..Even if he is a "JVG guy" (That phrase makes me cringe) I don't see anything that he could give us that we don't already have.
I agree, a JVG guy does scare me too. JVG guys: slow, hard working, under skilled, and waaaaayyy over priced. WOW, 1000!!
