http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1815327 Thursday, June 3, 2004 I have been saying for a year, this is a natural: Al Harrington - Cat Associated Press INDIANAPOLIS -- After a disappointing loss to the more experienced Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference finals, Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said he expects some changes to be made. "Right now, I don't think this team will be back in its exact form next year," Carlisle said Thursday. "There will be some changes, either through free agency and the draft or the possibility of trades. There's going to be some things that are going to be different." Exactly who stays and who goes remains to be seen. The biggest speculation centers on forward Al Harrington, who had a breakout season as the Pacers' top reserve and sometimes starter. Harrington, though, has expressed a strong interest in being a regular starter and may be reluctant to accept a similar role next season. Carlisle said he may be consulted in that and other personnel decisions, but ultimately it's up to team president Larry Bird and CEO Donnie Walsh. "If there is the opportunity for him to be a starter here, that would be great," Carlisle said of Harrington. "And if there isn't, then it may be time for him to move on to another team. Those are decisions that are going to be made by Larry and Donnie." Bird and Walsh met with players individually on Wednesday to discuss their situations with the team. After Tuesday's loss in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals, Bird said he and Walsh would take some time to evaluate the team before making any moves via trade or free agency. Harrington's youth, affordable contract and considerable talent make him an attractive commodity that could yield the outside shooter or big man the Pacers covet. Moving him also would help alleviate a surplus of small forwards -- including Harrington, Ron Artest and Jonathan Bender -- on the roster. "This has been kind of an unbalanced roster," Carlisle said. "There's a glut of guys at the small forward spot and there haven't been a lot of minutes." Backup point guard Kenny Anderson is expected to head elsewhere for more playing time and Carlisle said he wants Jamison Brewer, the team's only other free agent, to return. Jermaine O'Neal, who will skip the Olympics in Athens to allow a slightly torn ligament in his left knee to heal, said after the loss to Detroit that he expected some changes. "It's a strange world in professional sports," O'Neal said. "Teams make changes. I've learned to handle what I can handle and that's just basketball. I'm going to let Larry and Donnie and our owners handle the movement part." The first opportunity for the Pacers to add to the team comes on June 24, when they will have the 29th pick in the draft. In addition to any roster changes, Carlisle also views this summer as important for the team to continue the momentum of a successful season that included a franchise-record 61 wins. At a news conference Thursday, it was clear that Carlisle has a sense of urgency heading into his first summer with the Pacers. "We're going to be very proactive with really attacking this summer to get ourselves as ready as we possibly can for next October," Carlisle said. "That's where our next opportunity begins, officially." But if you ask Carlisle, preparation for redeeming themselves and making the next step to the NBA Finals has already begun. "The work started yesterday," Carlisle said. "It's going to be a busy summer."
Al for Cato won't work, salary-wise. And Al is SF, trading Cat for him makes sense because JJ is naturally a SG. The point is whether Indy wants Cat, who has some issues in his game.
I would trade Cat or Cato for him because he’s still young and has so much potential, but there are a few things that worry me. He plays a little too recklessly and he’s very inconsistent. But I think the Rocket sorely need a star forward and Harrington could provide that. The West is just so packed full of all-star forwards (Duncan, Garnett, Peja, Melo, etc.) and it’s very difficult to compete when the Rockets are getting killed in the front-court every night.
I don't know about that. Cat's a good on-ball defender and is a nice scoring option. Seems like the perfect fit for a team that got eaten up by Rip Hamilton and couldn't get the ball in the basket during the Detroit series. I don't know if Indy wants Cat or not, but they should.
Wait a second. His pros rely on "young potential", and his cons on "inconsistency and recklessness". Yet you refer to him as a "star forward"? Steve Francis ring a bell?
Who else is bidding? Will Cat be enough? Sure, pull that trigger. I like Harpring better, though. He shoots better and plays smarter.
In the limited time he has played, he has definitely looked like a player that will be a star in the future. Not the 1st or 2nd star of a championship team, but a solid 3rd star. Kind of a James Worthy to Magic and Kareem. And as reckless and inconsistent as Steve may be, he is still a star player.
Pull the trigger? Hm, I don't share that logic, considering what someone said about Al Harrington being young and having "potential", among other things. I'd rather keep Cat, who last season showed he can learn and mature. Who ended up being one of our best defensive players on the team, and who played Kobe(who I believe was the only Laker truely awake and in playoff mode throughout the first round) in playoff competition exceptionally well on both ends of the court.
That's a tough one. Cat is valuable. He can play like a knucklehead, but he plays decent D, has a quick first step, has that outside shot working, and his contract is niiiiiiice. But doesn't he have an opt-out clause after next year? Whatever team he goes to would face his impending free agency.....maybe? Harrington is a bit of a tweener. I like his game; and he has height at the 3. Just not the outside shot. Depends on what JVG wants, I suppose. I wonder about the validity of trade deadline rumors when we were looking into getting Austin Croshere. (If Peter Vecsey reported it, I apologize, but I don't think he did.) Croshere showed he's still valuable, he just needs minutes. 6'9", 245 lbs, can shoot the 3, plays decent D, so you could put him anywhere in the frontcourt. We could work a trade with Indiana that nets us the size and outside shooting we need, while retaining Steve Francis; but it would likely cost us Cat and/or Cato.
Exactly. I wasn't refuting your proclamation that Al Harrington is a star. My point was, that although Steve is a star, his style of play and reckless inconsistency aren't something you'd want on this Rocket's team. It just doesn't improve anything on our team. So, I'm wondering if Al, being the "star" that he is or the "potential" of being a star that he has, with all his recklessness and inconsistency that you worry about. Will be something that could be of benefit to this current Rocket's team more than Cat (excluding Steve of course)?
Indy had no one to go to at the 2 (or 1, for that matter) when Reg - gie was cold or tired or just plain old. Cat would be perfect for their situation, IMO. AH would start at the 3 and JJ at the 2 -- unless that #1 wearing lad from MagicLand found his way to RocketVille.
Cat for Harrington makes the Rockets a poorer shooting perimeter team. I'd be weary of it. I'd do Harrington for Taylor though (plus whatever to make it work)
I don't think Indy would do it. Reggie will be back next year, and he is still a team leader so I doubt he will be benched. Also, Fred Jones has really improved his shooting, especially in the last post-season series. I wouldn't be surprised to see him eventually replace Reggie as the starter in a couple of years. I'd love to get Harrington, I think he's gonna be a star. But, I'm not sure we've got what they're looking for. Cato might do it...I think Center will be their target position. If not, look for them to dump him for a bad contract and a lottery pick.
Cat for Harrington won't be enough. Pacers are going to get a lot of offers for him, he is still a young player that has a lot of skills. He would be an ideal SF for this team, little too small for PF. Cat/Cato (or MoT)/2nd round pick for Harrington, Croshere.
How about this trade? Houston sends Mobley/Cato to Indiana. Houston sends our next available #1 pick to Seattle. Indiana sends Tinsley/Pollard to Houston. Indiana sends Harrington/Croshere/#1 pick (#29) to Seattle. Seattle sends Rashard/Murray to Houston. Seattle sends James/Daniels to Indiana. We'd fill our needs at SF, PG, replace Mobley with JJ, & have Murray coming off the bench. We could then trade Francis for a star PF.
Nice. Seattle would need some convincing, but it's still a good deal. I was thinking Mobley/Cato for Pollard/Harrington, then Harrington/TE for Rashard/Daniels could work too, right?
I don't see Harrington as a SF on this team. Not unless we have a Troy Murphy or Eddie Griffin type at PF (i.e. - someone who can shoot the 3) I'd rather play Al at PF, if he can defend low post decently.
