I see mixed reactions from the Buck forum mentioned earlier, which is to be expected. Some of the Bucks fans say, "Hey, you're getting rid of a good outside shooter for a nobody and 2nd rounders" Others say, "Cool you're clearing up cap space for Redd, obtaining a potential player and adding young prospects for the future". I tend to lean to the first quote. James will be a great guy off the bench. I hope he molds into Gundy's system fast. He'll certainly have optimal time to do so, while Sura is healing. I wished that Gaines turned out to be a better player, but am excited to see James suit up in a Rockets jersey.
Well the guy is under 30 so that's a pleasent change from most of the last two years mid season acquisition. Especially since I was expecting to see John Starks being signed as Sura's replacement. Anyone know if James played for the Knicks?
This proves James's worth as a bench guy when Sura comes back (from nba.com story): Among NBA players without a start, he trails only Seattle’s Vladimir Radmanovic in scoring average. rockets.com story Of course, that will change with our next game.
This is what Nikestrad(he knows about the cap stuff) posted on page 4: This is pretty much our last chance to use the TE anyway. It expires a year after the TMac trade, which is before free agency. The only other time we can use it is really draft day and around that area (like the TMac trade). Basically, the MLE and the draft are the avenues the Rockets have to filling PF in the future and they kept their 1st round pick this year in the trade. Plus with James they can focus their attention to PF in the offseason. This is a great move, all the way.
Well, after today, that TE is worth nothing since it would expire as soon as the offseason really starts. It wouldn't have allowed us to get a PF or anybody for that matter. We got what we could with it to fill a bigger need right now.
CD deserves a lot of credit for using the TE wisely and not only getting James but also getting Gaines off the team. I wish Reece well with the Bucks but he wasn't fitting at all with us.
I thought the TE expired a year from the T-mac trade....didnt that occur AFTER free agency began. Iam not saying this is a bad trade or anything (i really like the move) but iam just trying to understand exactly when it expired.
Free Agency starts on July 1st. The Rockets traded for TMac at the end of June(29th). Therefore, the TE expires right before free agency begins.
Something else that works in James' favor: The Rockets don't play again until Sunday so at least he can get a couple of practices in under his belt before then.
Congrats to CD for not jumping the gun in December to get James but get Wesley instead, and now, when we're really in dire need of it, still getting James anyway. We have 3 days to practice with James, so hopefully that'll net a modicum of chemistry. For the first three quarters of last night's game, I couldn't help thinking how we'd have a steady ten point lead on the Spurs had Sura been there, and I think the game would have been at least within grasp in the last few minutes. CD really put a band aid on the situation fast, and I'm thrilled. Now we have a top 5 backup point guard once Sura gets back, and that'll really shift the p.t. for T-Mac and everyone other guard beneficially. We also won't EVER have to see Strickland, or even worse, Juwan, dribble the ball up the court for us anymore. I think we can take the next three, though it'll be a dogfight with the Bulls and Wiz, and Sura should be back and (hopefully) healthy by then. Nice news to wake up to!
Not to be rude, but I think a majority of posters on this board probably feel more comfortable about their knowledge of the NBA and TE's, considering most of us actually know who Mike James is.
I'm happy with this, as long as we dont give away anyone other than Cward and Mo I will be happy with the team for this year...I like that CD didnt shoot us in the foot by looking for a point when every other GM knew that we needed one bad and try to highball us into tossing in a firstrounder... GREAT JOB CD!!!
