It most definitely improves us, but as things stand now this bumps Vspan back to 3rd in pecking order, DD. How does that not affect him as he's sitting in Greece with his family, trying to decide whether to ask to be released from his contract or not? Hell, if it were me, the Rockets better have guaranteed me that Rafer is gone or I would be one pissed off player.
I don't see the problem... if VSpan is good enough for the 1st or 2nd spot on the PG roster, he'll be that by playing and convincing people (coaching staff). If he's not...... well, then he's not... His problem isn't others shafting him, it's proving he can play to others... it's not like the entire planet is out to shaft VSpan.
We do not have a starting PF right now, so I don't see us making another trade for a PG. We will either go with what we have or trade some of out 74 PG's for help in other areas. In the first instance, Vspan won't play unless he is a Head-like swingman AND Head gets traded, or he becomes trade bait himself. By shafted I meant, it seems that certain representations were made to him. For valid reasons or not, those representations were not followed through on. Now Adelman call him to tell him he's part of the plan, but then goes and trades for yet ANOTHER PG, and his name has been floated as Artest trade-bait. To me, that = shafted, unless someone told him, "Rafer is being traded, you're gonna be okay."
exactly. he has no right to be pissed off that james is added...not that there is any indication that he's upset with the move. if he chooses not to at least try to prove himself then he wasn't going to become anything if given the PT.... not with that attitude anyway.
I agree with you in a perfect world, but the Rockets have a lot of $ invested in Rafer, and now James, so I don't see them having an open PG competition for the 1st 2 spots unless they trade Rafer. I'm just saying that from his standpoint, it seems like every move, inadvertent towards him as it might be, doesn't help in the choice to come back.
I agree. I think MJ plays both PG and SG, right? Plus I think the Rockets have a plan and there is a lot left in the off season before any pecking orders are decided. If Billy is still on the team come training camp in October, I believe Rick Adelman will give him a legitimate shot, and if he is good enough he will play. The Rockets management should be doing everything they can to improve the team. DD
If he proves himself to the organization and adelman, he'll play regardless of who's in position. Is it that much to ask to improve your game in the off season and compete for a spot, instead of it just being given to you? Hell, he owes it to himself to try his hardest and earn that spot. MJ also does play the 2 guard position, so that is also another possibility to get vspan some playing time. Vspan gets a clean slate with adelman, and a shot at proving himself. If he plays well, he'll have a spot. Plain and simple.
If you want to look on the bright side, consider that Adelman uses a deep rotation from the looks of it. I'm talking 9-10 players deep getting upwards of at least 10-14 mpg - this goes back to his Portland days as well. If Vspan can't crack a 10-man rotation, then it's time to just admit the guy isn't ready for primetime now and leaving him. Also, don't rule out multi-guard and small ball lineups we may employ. He's got to be willing to sacrifice like just about every other player out there did. I just don't think any NBA team that's on the cusp of battling for a Finals berth is going to stuff somebody that can help them get there in favor of a couple of million dollars. In other words, I think if Les could buy a championship for $3-$5 million right now, he would.
I don't think it necessarily hurts Billy. He has decent height, so he could spend some time playing with Mike (God, I'm glad we have him again) at the 2. He could be utilized as a playmaker while T-Mac is resting.
V-Span is only shafted if he plays worse than two other PGs on the roster. If we keep him, Rafer, Lucas and James and V-Span outplays two of the others, he'll get a rotation spot. If he sucks during his opportunities, like he did most of the time last year, he'll just get his old seat on the bench back. As it should be. If the guy can't improve very much during the off-season and show it during practices and limited minutes, screw him. If he does improve, great.
This thread presupposes that he was shafted before. He was not. He got a chance and he didn't do anything with it. He was worse than everyone but Novak.
I think Alston, James and Spanoullis are potentially complimentary. I think the guy that is on the outside looking in is JLIII.
spot on, but more importantly getting shafted usually involves having something taken away....... since when did Billy deserve to become a rotation player....... no wonder he whines about playing time with fans like this... earn it Bill
If or when rafer gets traded, that will leave about 15 to maybe 20 minutes a night for Vspan. also gotta remember that james will alternate from the 1 spot to the 2 spot during alot of games. i think a packiage of Alston and head can very well find us a solid PF. howabout rafer for pj brown?. would the bulls bite. Ithink PJ is making more then rafer so we might have to a throw in.
I can't imagine that we will go into the season with james, alston, v-span, jl3 and head all on the roster. one or two of them will most likely be shipped off. my guess though is that the 3 pgs discussed in this thread are the most likely to be retained. jl3 is really the one who gets the shaft here..he is a deep reserve pg and a career back-up. I can see him being moved for a trade exception and cash or a 2nd rounder. luther has the most trade value out of anyone else discussed. he is still on his rookie contract and could flourish in the right system. unfortunately as mentioned in a seperate thread, the signing of james most likely signals the end of his tenure as a rocket. there will be plenty of opportunties for this team to go small and have any combination of billy, mike and rafer on the court at the same time. if v-span proves he is capable I would not be suprised by a deadline deal involving rafer.
Boki is "thriving"? 9 ppg and 3 rebounds in 20 minutes of play in the horrible east? He is an average role player at best at this point. If Vspan can contribute great, but I don't expect Adelman to go into the season expecting the 50th pick in the draft to be the answer any more than JVG did. honestly with the roster in it's current form I expect Rafer to start and MJ to back him up and play about half the minutes depending on match ups and who is hot, much like Kenny Smith/Sam Cassel back in the day.
