An excerpt from the Philadelphia Daily News article about the trade. What I find interesting are Larry Brown's quotes relative to what some of the Rock's fans say about KT:
If Posey can continue to slash and finish it will provide Yao with an extra target. We all saw how Rice blew the open opportunity late. Posey should help riddle that problem. But we also saw how Morris was left completely unguarded while Yao was doubled, and yet he was afraid to shoot. He was petrified. Posey is also a poor jump shooter. Posey had better be able to hit that jumper. That being said, nothing could be worse than last night. Nothing. Posey is a step up from anything I witnessed last night.
This looks like a great trade so far. Posey lives in Houston and works out with the guys in the offseason - so he should fit right in to our system as far as chemistry goes. From ESPN Posey has also played in all but 10 games possible through his first 4 seasons for Denver. So injuries shouldn't be an issue either. His points per game has increased with his PT and his defense is top notch. His only weak spot so far is his shooting which has declined since his rookie year, but like everyone said that should improve big time on the Rockets with much better looks. He is a career 80.9% FT shooter, so I think he can shoot the ball. He always seemed like a very exciting player when the Rockets played Denver and I am glad to see him coMing to Houston. KT was such a hustler - great team player. He deserves more PT and he will get it in Philly. Hopefully they don't have any snappy dogs up there! Good Luck Kenny!
I only made it to about page four, so forgive me if some of this has been said. Some people seem to think we gave up too much to get Posey. Here's how I see it. Kenny needs the ball to really impact a game; James does not. With Francis, Yao, and Mobley, I don't think we need a lot of offense from Posey. Some have also made comments about Posey's field goal percentage. Anybody checked Kenny's in awhile? He's shooting 43%, with a significant amount of that while playing power forward. I was an apologist for Kenny from the time we drafted him, but field goal percentage was never one of his strong points. We gave up one good player that was most likely gone at the end of the year who primarily plays a position at which we have a logjam. We get a player who strengthens us at both sf and sg. I'd say we did pretty well.
Now Mo's on drugs during the games? Do you have any clue how ridiculous that sounds? First of all, according to some NBA players, 60% of players in the league use pot, so this wouldn't be an exclusive thing to Mo Taylor. It would affect other players too. And, he acknowledged the mistake he made and directly claimed that he wanted to change when he found out about the suspension. When you don't get rebounds, it looks like a lack of effort to some people, but there is just as much in technique and instinct as there is hustle. He doesn't have the instinct, and no matter what kind of effort he puts in, it's hard to get that. It seems like some of you forgot how Mo played. I don't notice a bit of difference, other than the fact that his shots are off. It's not drugs, or any of that BS. It's the fact that he's missed a year and a half of basketball, and is coming off a very serious knee injury. For a lot of players, it takes a lot of time to get their rhythm and timing back. I think this trade also tells us that Mo will ride out the rest of his contract on the bench (which is probably a good thing since he can't jump over an envelope). Eddie...the time is now! We can tell Mo's next five years based on a month span in which he's been trying to come back from a serious knee injury?
This trade was necessary because of one reason. The Rockets gave another Brent Price, Kelvin Cato, idiotic contract to fat butt Mo Taylor so we had to get rid of guy who works hard because we have to play the guy who isn't earning his money. For God's sakes Mo Taylor fans, the guy was burried on the bench just last week just like Cato used to get burried on the bench last year. Did you hear Bill Walton's comments on the guy? That being said, we need a player like Posey. Now we have someone to guard Rocket killer number 1, Finley. The Mavericks are going to be our nemesis over the next few years, and every game against them Finley goes off.
It is a good trade. Gave up a tweener at 3&4 who was unhappy with contract issues and could not find overall chemistry with his team this season. Receive a true 2&3 position swingman that can backup Cat and Rice. Also plays solid D. Steve and Cat plays with him during the summers at Westside and feel they can acheive chemistry quickly. Done deal.
I agree BIG-TIME with Jeff, I like this trade, I think it worked out well 4 the roxs!!! I like Posey's game! He can score, defend, plays the 2 & 3, & he's 6' 8" tall! Enough said!
Have your ever tried to play a year after a serious knee injury? If so, my guess is that it was a little difficult to get your timing back, wasn't it?
Its just odd! How are you planing to prepare someone for next season by not giving him a chance to play?You cant expect from him in next season to play well if he hasnt touched the felling of playing ball game for months and months and besides that he has at least 4 more players in his position and about working hard on practices Gutter? You might check out some of them and see for your self if there is a chance you can actualy show something by sitting 3 quarters of practice at a side and watching others....
This move is EXTREMELY solid. Kenny Thomas lacked purpose on this team- if the last 2 games of DOMINATING opponents on the glass, KT's rebounding is not an improvement on this team at the 4/5 position. Offensively, he wasn't coexisting to well with Yao, and there's no need to go into more black hole. EG is the future of the 4 position for the Rockets, and Mo is the roleplayer off the bench. Even last night, I don't think O'Neal "went off". He scored most of his points at the line, and the Rockets didn't send EG any help stopping him. O'Neal is a damn good player- the Rockets shut down everyone else (except Artest), and held him under 50%. I'll take it. This team lacked a guy they can put on the premiere SGs/SFs of the world. Hawkins simply wasn't enough on the offensive end to get him minutes. Someone mentioned Posey as a poor man's Artest...I'd agree- he's a hoss defender with some offensive skills. If this team gets an open court game going more-and with the way we're dominating the glass, we should be-Posey can finish as good as anyone on the team, possibly with the exception of Steve and Cat. We already know he's a gym rat, and works out in Houston (which is more incentive for him to sign here). As far as KT's versatility of playing to the 3- anyone want to argue that an undersized 4 playing out of position at the 3 is a better defender than James Posey? Think of Posey in terms Hawkins- except he's bigger, younger, and has a lot more skills on the offensive end. Posey's %s are down because he's playing in Denver- they have a couple of teenage rookies that are probably 3 years away, Juwan Howard, and the rest are scrubs. No doubt Philly came away like kings in this trade, but the Rockets definitely made out. To clear up any confusion: James Posey and Kenny Thomas are in the EXACT SAME contract situation. Posey makes slightly more money because he was drafted 5 slots higher, but both will be restricted free agents. We can resign Posey to any amount, and match any offers he's given if we so desire.
I never liked Kenny because I guess he never liked the Rocket, but best wishes Kenny Thomas and do your thing in Philly. Welcome to your new home James!!!!
Now I know cause Mo T wasn´t playing. Rudy-T was "offering" Thomas. It´s a so good trade, we need defense at small for. position and he can score, he run the court and that would be more fastbreaks (with Rice ...). He can be a great player for this team He is 25 years like the other rockets and he fit perfectly in Houston. Good luck KT . Soon you will be All-Star ___________________________ Sorry if you don´t understand me. I don´t speak english well for now. ¡aupa gasolll! vamos memphis, apor los playoffs!
All of you that are shedding tears becasue KT is gone are really not looking into the future at all for this team. The Rockets couldn't continue with 3 legit PF's...and I have no doubt that Kenny would've left at season's end. Honestly, do you really think he would've stuck around to share minutes with two other people, or be forced to play SF? KT was a hard worker, sure. He's a classic example of an overachiever...but that's why he doesn't fit on the Rockets. His offensive game is totally different from what we're trying to do now. Over the past few weeks, I remember watching the ball go down to him, with everyone standing around watching, while he holds the ball trying to make his move. He really didn't have that much of a post up game...it was more catch the ball 15 feet out and spin his way to the basket. He was good at that, but we don't need it anymore. Posey comes in and gives us defensive help, and a great backup SG. Hopefully this will mean the eternal end of the 3-guard lineup of Moochie, Steve, and Cat. Now, the downside of this deal. Boki will be pulling splinters out of his ass for the rest of the season, and T-Mo is buried once again...I thought TMo was doing a pretty decent job so far. It does keep Rice off the floor when we need stops...I couldn't help but think of Posey when I saw Ron Artest fly by Glen for that slam last night. The worst part is that this may end Hawkins chance with the Rockets. Posey is basically J-Hawk with better offense. Hawkins will probably end up like Torres and be cut next year in training camp...or else he'll stick around for a couple of years and sign elsewhere ala Langhi. Overall, this deal helps the Rockets short and long-term.
The ROX! just made a great move, IMO, when you consider that Posey can guard Finley like white on rice. I complained about KT being ineffective against the Mavs a while back, and Rudy and CD turned KT who just wasn't as effective against long teams (mavs, t-blazers, t-wolves, spurs, etc.) as he was against other undersized pf's, into a defensive STUD who will make a huge difference. Imagine mad max at 6'8", what a HUGE trade!!! Props to the Rox! Good luck to KT, I appreciated his hustle and dirty work, but just didn't see him as a mid or long-term solution.
My hat's off to you, MemphisX, for having the nads to keep your signature. You wear it proudly, like Hester Prynne's scarlet letter.
Now if we could just dump Mooch on someone and sign JON BARRY!!!!! I think Barry would look great on this team. The guy is unselfish, can shoot, pass, and has seemed like a great influence on his teammates in Sac and Detroit. Give us Barry!
Ok, if you are going to defend the guy, at least know that the serious injury he suffered was a torn achilles. When you are 6'10 and 280+lbs, it is a lack of effort. Are you forgetting the entire offseason when he swallowed the Astrohall instead of working out? He stink before the injury and he stinks even more now...the only thing he has going for him is that he can use the rehab as an excuse.
