<i>When did I say Mo was a better fit than Dirk Nowitzki? </i> See this thread: http://bbs.clutchcity.net/php3/showthread.php?s=&threadid=11614&perpage=30&pagenumber=4 Timing stated: <i>On this list of West Power Forwards Mo would probably rank anywhere from dead last to, on a charitable day, second or third from dead last. Dallas Mavericks - Nowitzki Denver Nuggets - McDyess Minnesota Timberwolves - KG San Antonio Spurs - Duncan Utah Jazz - Malone Vancouver Grizzlies - Shareef until trade completed Golden State Warriors - Jamison Los Angeles Clippers - Miles Los Angeles Lakers - Grant Phoenix Suns - Googs Portland Trail Blazers -Rasheed Sacramento Kings - Webber Seattle SuperSonics - Baker</i> Your reply was "The only PF's on that list that would be better on the Rockets are: Duncan, McDyess, Webber, Brand, Malone, Garnett, and Jamison".
Well, I probably discounted Dirk Nowitzki from that list because he doesn't even play power forward for the Mavs... Juwan Howard does.
<i>Also, the contracts argument isn't very valid... KT is still on his rookie contract, and the Rockets can't pay him more. I'm sure he'll get around 4 mil per season when he's a free agent. P.S. Taylor and Eddie compliment each other so well they they could play the 4 and 3, or the 4 and 5.</i> Why isn't it valid? Thomas and Taylor put up pretty comparable stats last year. The Rockets believed that Griffin was their PF of the future. They knew that they could resign Thomas much cheaper than what Taylor was asking. So why resign Taylor for big bucks? Why does it matter what Kenny Thomas will make next year? We're talking about their ability to sign somebody last summer. Kenny was already under contract, if they hadn't resigned Taylor, then we could have used that money on a center. We signed Taylor for $6.5M this year. We could have signed Marc Jackson for just over $4.5M. I would have rather had Jackson, Thomas and Griffin than Taylor,Griffin and Thomas. With Jackson, we would have gotten some help at the 5 instead of 3 players at the PF spot and saved $2M in salary. As far as Taylor and Griffin playing together, that's not a certainty. We've never seen either one of them try to guard a small forward. I don't think Taylor has the foot speed to guard 3s and I don't want my best shot blocker and rebounder (Griffin)chasing guys on the perimeter. I want Griffin to hang as close to the paint as possible. I also don't think that either of them are going to be able to play center on a regular basis. Instead of loading up on guys that play the same position, I would have preferred to see us strengthen the center spot.
<i>Well, I probably discounted Dirk Nowitzki from that list because he doesn't even play power forward for the Mavs... Juwan Howard does.</i> Let's see, you said: "Vancouver's starting power forward is Swift... Shareef is an SF. Miles is an SF too, Brand is at PF Rasheed is a maniac. The only PF's on that list that would be better on the Rockets are: Duncan, McDyess, Webber, Brand, Malone, Garnett, and Jamison." Seems you discounted Abdur-Rahim for not being a PF and Miles for not being a PF, but you didn't discount Nowitzki. Besides, it doesn't matter if Nowitzki is playing PG for the Mavs, he would still be a better PF for the Rockets. SAR was a SF for Vancouver, but he's now a PF for Atlanta. The last few games, Nowitzki has actually started at center. What does it matter where a guy played on other teams?
Look, I don't know how it will work out defensively, and while I suspect EG can play center, again I don't know. What I do know is that Griffin and Taylor should compliment each other very well, based on their talents. They both compensate for each others weaknesses. No, I don't know if it will turn out that way on the floor, but obviously the Rocketes feel that it will, since they gave Mo that contract. As for Kenny's contract, I thought you meant "why is Mo getting this much more money if he's not miles ahead". I was simply stating that it's impossible for the Rockets to give KT what he's worth cause of the rookie contract scale. On Dirk, I have no idea why I didn't mention him, but he is a spectacular player. A few months ago, I remember posting that it would be difficult to choose between him and Francis. Dirk will be very, very special... I know Mo Taylor is not that kind of player.
<i>No, I don't know if it will turn out that way on the floor, but obviously the Rocketes feel that it will, since they gave Mo that contract. </i> The Rockets also thought that giving Kelvin Cato a $42M contract and giving Maloney 7 years of guaranteed money were good ideas.
Yep... they make mistakes, just like everyone. But the positive things CD and Rudy have done do outweigh the negatives such as Cato, Maloney, and Quitten. It's not a sure thing, but I'll take my chances with their judgment.
Wow, this thread was D.O.A after like the tenth post. Thomas is a good player, he rebounds well, and he has good post moves, but his finishing is sporadic. He has problems with the more versatile PFs in the league on defense, but he has quick hands. Taylor is also a good player, he is a below-average rebounder at best, but offensively he is a talented player. I think Taylor fits this offense better than Thomas, primarily because of his vastly superior jumper, but Thomas is a great palyer to have coming off the bench, and making spot starts. He is a luxury not to be thrown away. So, its all good, now, everyone, hug and makeup.
