For the Rox, Maggette doesn't worth anything more than the MLE. He was an injuried prone EVERY year, I mean every year. He just not the type of players that we can count on, especially with the Yao/Tmac injury history. I think it's insane for a championship caliber team to sign him anything above $10 Million. But again, for $6-8 Mil range, he could be consider a nice 6th man. Unfortunetely, I think he dislike the 6th man role..
Battier may be a Dunleavy type of player but I doubt that Sterling would oblige him by taking Battier.
Rockets were the 2nd best defensive team in the league in the 05-06 and 04-05 seasons. That's T-Mac's Rocket career pre-Battier.
Rockets were the 2nd worst defensive team in the league before Yao's arrival. The Rockets with Yao have never been worse than being the 5th best defensive team in the league. Battier is good but not integral.
Maggette will not be a Rocket unless we were able to work out a S&T with Battier, draft picks, etc. If Maggette wants to play for a winner that badly, he would sign with the Lakers, Spurs, or Celtics before he would come here. His only real choices if he goes for the money unless of course there is a S&T is to go to Philly or back to the Clippers. I think there will be a S&T, just not with the Rockets.
The Rockets before Battier were good defensively, but not as good as they were post-Battier by a fairly significant margin. Sure, they held guys to a low FG%, but before Battier, they often did that at the cost of giving up a number of 3 pointers, and thus elevating the overall defensive TS%. After Battier, their overall rank in defesnive TS% among the league went up largely because the team was leaking less 3 pointers.
There is a big difference between 5th best or the NO.1. Battier is the guy that can bring us from the 2nd best defense team to THE BEST. If you watch the games, which I believe you do, you can notice Tmac is one step slower compare to 2-3 years ago and he can no longer guard the elite players.
The Rockets DESPERATELY need a guy like Maggette. In the playoffs when we cannot score, we NEED that guy that can get to the line. This is why I want Artest (and his defense) but Maggette would be awesome as well, I' am just worried about his injuries.
Yao is a mediocre defender at best due to his physical limitations. We are much better with Deke out there defensively. I think you underestimate Battier's defensive presence.
I know this. As long as Battier is part of the Rockets big three they will never win a championsghip.
Battier surely defense well in regular season. But I do not remember how well his defensive presence in playoffs.
Why do people say stuff like this? It is such bullcrap.... Do you think the Spurs said the same thing about Avery Johnson. The Rockets can win with Battier, they just need other players that fit. DD
That's why I wrote I would be hesitant to offer him the max. I'm not stating anything different to what you are saying.I also wrote the doctors have to look closely before the Rockets should make any decision regarding him.I don't think Elton is going to opt out anyway.
We could never afford magette, he's a lot like his teammate Tim Thomas, he'll take the paycheck even if he has to goto a place like charlotte or toronto.
Trade Jackson, Brooks, Landry (S&T for 4 mil/yr), Head for Brand Convince Maggette to sign for MLE Duhon for LLE Anthony Johnson for Vet Min Green for who cares Draft CDR Line-up: C- Yao/Mutombo/Woods PF- Brand/Scola/Harris SF- Maggette/Battier/Novak SG- McGrady/CDR/Green PG- Alston/Duhon/Johnson
pipedream Maggette is either going for the most money or the best team to get a championship Rockets have neither to entice Maggette to go here
