I just talked to my brother-in-law over the phone. He's in Houston. I'm not. I don't know how the graphic arts business where he works has such great contacts with pro basketball players; my brother-in-law scored us great seats a couple weeks ago. He'll be fishing with Matt Bullard in a couple of weeks. That sort of thing. My brother-in-law went to lunch recently with a certain shooting guard from another Western Conference team. I want to drop the name but don't know if that's OK, so I won't. When asked about his opinions about Chris Webber's status as a free agent, Mr. Shooting Guard said that Chris is going to New York. He seemed pretty confident, as if this is common knowledge. My brother-in-law was skeptical: "How can New York pull off that trade?" "I thought the same thing, but from what I've heard, they're working it out for him to go to New York." "Why New York?" "From what I understand, that's where he wants to be. He wants to be in the spotlight." [Obviously I'm paraphrasing.] So of course my bro-in-law asked, "So what about Houston?" Mr. Shooting Guard said, "Well, Chris has looked into a couple other teams like Miami, but I know he's not going to Houston." So take it for what it's worth. This player could very well know what's going on. And it jibes with Oeilpere's semi-recent post. And with, er, whomever went to the New Jersey game and posted his game commentary and comments from those in the Rockets organization. And that other guy or gal who posted what he heard about the 3-way trade that Detroit would help facilitate. I wish I could give the player's name. If someone like Clutch says OK, then I would. It isn't gospel, what this player said; but he believes it. If Oeilpere and the Rox organization and this Shooting Guard and, er, whomever mentioned the NY-Detroit-Sacramento trade basically all post the same thing, either there's a great disinformation campaign coming from Webber's agent to throw off the scent, or..... ....we need to trade up in the draft, get Elton Brand for all our picks and Cato and Walt and a bag of chips, sign Marc Jackson, whatever. Anyway, nothing is done until it's done, but it seemed believable. ------------------ [This message has been edited by ROXTXIA (edited April 15, 2001).]
Thanks for the info. I never thought Webber would come here anyways. Was the shooting guard a good player or just an average player? I wanna take a stab at who it was. ------------------
If it's true, I'm not heartbroken. Mo, IMHO, is a good fit for this team. WHO WAS IT? Someone with Kobe's stature, or Larry Hughes? ------------------ Chris Webber at the July 28, 2001 3:00 PM news conference when he announces where he will go: "It seemed tough, but with guidance from Steve Francis, I learned my true destiny. That destiny is to play for the Houston Rockets, to bring them back to championship glory. One big man is all they need, and I believe I can fill that void. Thanks to the loyal fans in Sacramento, but Houston, Texas is where I belong."
You have my permission to give the shooting guards name the rockets WILL improve in the offseason. It might not be by getting Webber, but by this time next year they should be competing with Dallas for the 4-5 seed......assuming Webber leaves Sacramento and Utah continues to decline (slowly). Webber or not, I will be dissapointed by anything less. ------------------ Haha.. you fool! You fell victim to one of the classic blunders. The most famous is: Never get involved in a land war in Asia. Only slightly less well know is this: Never go in against a Sicilian when death is on the line!
The only Western shooting guards that I can think of that have been here of late would be Finley, Mason, Emanual Davis, and Veshon Lenard. ------------------ [This message has been edited by tacoma park legend (edited April 15, 2001).]
Since it was recent, I'm going to guess Brent Barry or Emanual Davis... On topic, the news really doesn't disappoint me as much as it may some. Webber is a great player, but for Webber's money we can patch up so many other holes, have flexibility in trades, etc. Plus you never know with Webber-- as much as he seems to change his mind he may change it again if we can get him to make a visit to Houston... ------------------ President of the Mo Taylor, Jason Collier, and draft Richard Jefferson fan club! Draftsource.net-- the premier source for draft info. Profiles, rankings, mock drafts, and more! ClutchTown.com
ROXTXIA, I was thinking the same thing on the trade with the bulls. The rockets, I think, have enough with their picks and cato to nab BRAND. That is a trade I would almost bet will go down unless rockets win the lottery. ------------------ I am an invisible man. [This message has been edited by kbm (edited April 15, 2001).]
I have mixed feelings about Webber in NY, for obvious reasons. On one hand, it's nice to ship off one franchise player to the East. Given the choice between Webber in Sacramento and Webber in NY, I think we should root for the latter since Sacramento would likely all but self-destruct unless they can get someone good for Webber. One more possible playoff spot. Could anyone see Detroit sending Stackhouse west? Don't think they could get much from NY for him, though. ------------------
Okay. First of all, i know im going to get flamed. Second, what im about to say has been said before. by nugzfan i think. third, i am a Rockets fan. This is an unbiased opinion. okay. The trade scenarios thought up on this board really annoy be sometimes. People constantly say things like "package Cato and Walt and some picks for so and so". There is a reason you are so willing to package Cato and Walt. Its because they suck. So if they suck, why would anyone else want them. Elton Brand is like the Steve Francis of the Chicago Bulls. would any of you trade Steve Francis for Shawn Bradley, Eduardo Najera and a couple of picks? HELL NO. So why would any other team trade their young superstar for crap. Now that is completely different than if a player is dissatisfied with where they are. (Pippen with us, Reef with Vancouver, etc.) Then the player can force a trade. Bring on the flames. ------------------ The next time I have meat and mashed potatoes, I think I'll put a very large blob of potatoes on my plate with just a little piece of meat. And if someone asks me why i didn't get more meat, ill just say, "Oh, you mean this?" and pull out a big piece of meat from inside the blob of potatoes, where ive hidden it. Good magic trick, huh?
kbm, how's Brand as a passer and outside shooter? I could see the Rockets doing that if they could, even though I believe they are high on Mo T and would like to re-sign him. ------------------
There were some grumblings a while ago suggesting Brand IS unhappy. But on the other hand he often says he will stick it through. Anyway, a lot of these trades arent realistic. You should try and be helpful by coming up with some realistic trades of your own for our discussion . ------------------ Haha.. you fool! You fell victim to one of the classic blunders. The most famous is: Never get involved in a land war in Asia. Only slightly less well know is this: Never go in against a Sicilian when death is on the line!
Wait, you mean trading Cato, Colson, Collier and a first round draft pick won't nab us a Tim Duncan or even a sandwich? NOOOOOOOOOO... ------------------
Nomar, Don't worry about getting flamed. When I've posted speculative trades, others have jumped all over me. I think HeyPartner even replied to another poster to "ignore this guy...he doesn't live in the real world." Or words to that effect. I wasted a half hour fashioning an angry reply but never posted it; what was the use? To an extent, he's right, anyway. And I know most, if not all, trade scenarios don't or can't happen. Do I think we can get Brand? Not entirely. I don't think the Bulls have the guts to trade him away, although they might be forced to do so if they continue to suck this hard. They have two solid players at the PF position (Fizer has really come on lately) and need to fill a lot of holes. Supposedly, the Bulls are not real high on Eddy Curry. And God knows they don't need a high schooler to spend the next four years learning to play. The players at the top of the draft, besides, say, Battier, are pretty raw. At the same time, no free agents will go there. So what do they do? You might land the Bulls' draft pick if you could get an unsatisfied player from a team needing to dump salaries for picks and/or Shandon and/or Cato (Shareef, Van Horn). Or maybe Cato has received so little playing time because Tim Floyd thinks he can make something of his former Iowa State player and Rudy didn't want the big stiff injured. And Chicago might find Jamaal Tinsley available at #12 or #13. So can we get Chicago's pick and draft Battier? (He won't last past the Top 5). Of course Fizer is also a possibility but we don't need him if we bring back Mo; we need a rebounding SF and C. By the way, someone guessed who the player is. I probably can say; it doesn't make so much difference. ------------------
I hope webber goes to NY, it is whay I have expecterd all along. I also hope that they use Houston in the 3 way. I hope that for our involvement we end up getting Kurt Thomas. I would even take on a player like childs or LJ or some other non stud. as long as we lose Cato shandon and Walt. hell add in collier. I definately want Kurt though. idealy i think we go after SAR. powerforwards are dima a dozen in this leage. I think we already have 2 Very capable PFs already on our team Mo, KT whatever, all this webber talk is getting annoying ------------------ Hanta-Force Paintball www.hanta-force.com
Actually when Brand was asked about being dead last in the NBA with the bulls he said that a person can only try something for so long and didn't seem all that happy there and this was recently. Also he does keep in touch with Steve "The Recruiter" Francis and last time we played the bulls Steve said He, Cat and Brand had dinner together, but they really wouldn't talk about the bulls because it brings Brand down. Take that for what it's worth. ------------------
The only way we'd be able to get Brand is if we win the lottery. Then, and probably only then, would something be workable. Fizer would be an interesting possibility. I hope Krause has figured out that Fizer demands PT, and isn't an SF. Fizer or Brand should be moved. No Webber, no problem. This team is winning 50 next year. Keep a close watch on how Rasheed Wallace, Jamison, Reef are feeling in their places, as well as a McDyess, Ratliff, or Antoine Walker if you're feeling lucky. KVH seems like a lock to be moved, and Rudy T also does have a tie with Vin Baker from the Olympics. With our cap room, we can make things happen. Disgruntled stars will be our market. A Croshere or Lafrentz should be attainable if we want. Kurt Thomas would be a nice fit here if we don't get a "star" PF. He can stick a 15 footer, and is very physical. ------------------ "That's been a lifelong dream of mine." -Vince Carter, after laying it in on a breakaway, much to the Vancouver crowd's displeasure. [This message has been edited by NIKEstrad (edited April 15, 2001).]
Nomar, I am not so sure three first round picks and cato would not be enough to nap brand. You may be underestimating how valuable first round picks are. Remember we gave up much less for steve francis. The reason I think it is a fair trade is chicago is in a major rebuilding stage and they can afford to groom these first round picks whereas the rockets are ready to win now. Relativist, How important is a passing pf to you? Or one that can shoot outside jumpers with range? I like brand for his rebounding and play underneath the basket. ------------------ I am an invisible man. [This message has been edited by kbm (edited April 15, 2001).]
Well, the only way the Bulls will trade Brand is if he straight up demands one, because they have made it clear that they want to keep him and add a few veterans to help win some more games. He would be nice, but I don't think it's going to happen. And about this SG and Webber, I'm not really buying it. Things can change so rapidly, so I'm not really believing anything until July or so. BTW, I think the SG is Emanuel Davis...since he has Houston ties and all. One guy I think the Rockets should look into pursuing is Vin Baker. I know, he is playing like a slacker and isn't looking too good right now in Seattle, but I think Rudy and co. can bring out the best of him. Rudy coached him on the Dream Team, so he has ties with him. Remember, when Vin Baker was in Milwaukee he was an all-star, and played very well. Seattle has brought out the worst in him, but the Rockets could turn him back around. Of course, it would take a sign and trade, and we'd probably have to give up picks, but it is probably worth it. ------------------
Brent Barry is a logical guess. Hmm..maybe this sg wanted a Rocket fan to feel disappointed ? Or Chris is lying to everybody. I'll never say never, cuz I think once Chris evaluates all his options, we may look alot better. Personally, I don't think the Knicks would win it all even with Webber. I also agree that we could do other things with the money that would help the team to the same degree that signing C-webb would have. Boy, all this trouble because Antonio McDyess didn't want to come here. ------------------ "norm, would you like to buy an indian scalp ? This deal isn't gonna make or break me Norm, so don't jerk me around." Harry Carey "Norm, if I had a mohawk scalp, I wouldn't be sitting here talking to you."
