...or at least fall out of the playing rotation. TMO has shown enough that he deserves to be our primary backup at the 3. We already have Rice for offense so bringing Walt in the game does little. TMO, on the other hand, will bring energy, defense, and rebounding off the bench. (Not to mention that he is our 3 of the future.) I wouldn't mind keeping Walt, but I don't see how he would get any minutes unless Rice gets injured or TMO's role is decreased. Personally, I think we have plenty of offensive options. What we need is for Griffin, TMO, and Torres to get playing time and bring the D. I can't wait for Tuesday.
I agree with you that T-Mo should be our primary backup to Rice,but Walt could be valuable to us if anyone goes down or when rookies like T-Mo or Torres go into a slump.
I agree Walt is a good insurince policy if Rice can't play. But he will be a free agent and if he is not willing to take a huge pay cut we will not resign him. He makes 5m this year. His true value will be in a trade to a team who needs cap room next year or a good outside shooter this year, 40% 3pt last year. The question is if Rice gets hurt who fills in with out Walt? First option is T Morris. He is a rook but seems ready. Then who comes of the bench, Langi? I guess he should get playing time to see what he is worth. Or we could go to a three guard line up. Another question is if we trade Walt what do you trade for, a young player, another vet, draft picks, or a bigman? With the emergance of EG, Colliors value becomes less and less to this team, so do you add his over 1 million dollar contract to a trade? Do we need draft picks that will make us younger and more inexperienced or do we get young vets with some nba tome or older vets with old fasion nba know how? Rudy has a lot of options but if he makes a trade he should do now so the new player has time to fit in with this team. Chemisty is important.
As I stated in another spot, I think KT is more suited for the 3 now that he has slimmed down and is quicker. So if Rice went down, I think you would see KT and TMO sharing time at the three (assuming Wiz is traded) and EG/Willis at the 4.
Next season the Rocks may have to let Walt go to a team that could use him more. For the moment though, he not only is a sure fire shooter who can come into the game at any moment and score but the main option behind Glen. A Glen Rice that has been dealing with health problem and is still a question mark. Of course Wiz doesn't just bring his offense to the table, but his experience within the system, experience in the league, and most importantly he has been in clutch situations during the regular and post season. Now for a team that is aiming for the playoffs that kind of veteran leadership is invaluable, especially for a core makeup centered upon youth. As everyone knows, the league is a business, so for that reason alone it wouldn't surprise me if Houston did deal him, but this team could have much more success with Walt as opposed to without.
Absolutely! However, when the time comes, the Rockets should get some value for Walt either through a trade early in 2002 or a summertime S&T. Since our draft choice belongs to the Griz and our other #1 (from the Raptors) will be in the high 20s, we either need to get a lottery rank draft choice or somebody like Brad Miller from Chicago. Maybe the Rockets can get a rules change so we can play six men at a time, a center, power forward, two small forwards, a shooting guard and a point guard. Then I say "Keep Walt."
As I stated earlier, I can see Walt's value as an 11th or 12th man off the bench - someone who could step in if an injury occurred. But I am curious, how will the Wiz respond to that. Will his demotion create chemistry problems? Using Langhi/KT as the third small forward option, on the other hand, would not create those problems. I am also curious what we would get for Walt. In another thread, Doc Rocket refers to possible plans to pick up another big man, but do we really need that. I might just be happier with draft picks instead.
Walt needs to be kept until we know that Tmo can handle playing in real games.... Walt has played better than anyone else as the SF so even though TMO has played real well, Walt should start in front of him IMO.
Having Walt in the rosters add depth on the team, He can shoot from 3 point range, although I don't think he is a great defender but I guess Rudy looking on Walt as an offensive assault and not on the defensive side.
Yes, based on his preseason showing, Tmo has definitely beaten Walt out for a rotation spot, in the same way that Dan Langhi did last season.
I agree as well. Walt is one of those guys that have quickly fade out. I having seen this guy hit a three sence way back last season. I just hope we can pull out a trade and get a better younger player. I don't hate Walt, but it would be best for the Rockets.
Its amazing the TMO has one good game and its so long walt williams!! sometimes you people crack me up Walts a good shooter and rudy is very loyal who those who stick around and do not complain....hint hint
It's amazing to me that people could project the Rockets for a mid-level playoff spot, and at the same time want to play a 2nd-round draft pick ahead of a proven performer. If a game was on the line, would you rather have a 2nd-round draft pick on the floor, or Walt? It's a no-brainer.
I don't have anything against Walt, but he is inconsistent offensively and a defensive liability. I would not want him on the floor during crunch time. (As a matter of fact, I don't remember seeing Walt on the floor at the end of too many games last year.) Besides, even if we kept Walt he would not be playing in those situations now. That's what we have Rice for. On the other hand, I can see games where we are ahead and would want a defensive presence like TMO on the court. Just my two-cents worth...
Exactly! We're talking about a veteran who fit into this team, gets along with this team, knows what the coach wants, can shoot and score for this team, and is in the last year of his contract. What is the negative about this? <b>I would not want him on the floor during crunch time. (As a matter of fact, I don't remember seeing Walt on the floor at the end of too many games last year.) </b> Walt Williams was hitting some big shots for Portland during their conference finals run a few years ago. He was playing the same role he is playing now, and he was considered "inconsistent" at the time. Sometimes players play better in the playoffs under pressure, see Mario, Horry, Fisher, and so forth. It just happens, maybe he gets better shots since teams don't consider him a threat, but he hits. Would you guys want Terrence Morris or Eddie Griffin on the court in crunch time? These are rookies struggling with their shot right now. We have 3 veterans who can come in and hit a big shot, Willis, Rice, and Walt. They've been in the big show under pressure and have performed. Definitely keep Walt for fire power off the bench.
Hey man, Cuttino earned that spot, I don't care if Walt was picked in the top 10 or not. And if Shandon was here his 2nd round ass would start over Walt too. Oh wait, what was the question...
How about Walt & Cato to Milwaukee for Tim Thomas? Rockets 1. Francis/Norris/Brown* 2. Mobley/Torres 3. Rice/Morris/Langhi 4. T.Thomas/Griffin/K.Thomas/Taylor* 5. Willis/Nwanko/Collier* Bucks 1. Cassell/Alston/Hart* 2. Allen/Redd 3. Robinson/Williams 4. Mason/Caffey/Ham 5. Johnson/Cato/Pryzbilla/Radojevic*
If you were the Bucks, and you stole Thomas from 76ers, would you just give him away. i think Glenn will be traded before thomas. Tim is going to play the 3 for them but its not enough room for the both of them now that Mason was added for 4 yrs.
