Lampe in Houston!!!!!!! I cannot believe it. My only countryman in a league plays now in my favourite team! This trade is perfect: old guy hardly getting any minutes for a prospect + we get trade exception. CD proved one more time how well he does his job. I bet in 1-2 yrs time Lampe get a PF starting spot on Rockets. There were some gossips, I've heard concerning draft. Lampe had apparently chosen an agent who was not a top sport agent. Everybody said he'll definetly get a lottery spot, so he thought he doesn't need one of these elite agents, who obviously charge exorbitantly much for their work. It was said that there were some dirty stuff going out there. This story about FIBA sending message at a draft day is so unbelievable - it's suspicious. I bet there were some black PR and someone paid for it. Business is business and these elite agents obviously don't like competition... There were this weird beginning, then some injuries. But all in all, guy can play. Especially playing in Phoenix, he showed some nice flashes of what he can. He got some nice summerleague games at the beginning of this season, but then unfortunately he got injured. Giving up Moochie and getting exception, is like a steal!
rockets.com haven't reported any of these yet the trade was so insignificant that no one bothered to interview CD or VG
This is actually a pretty good deal for the Rox. I saw the Lampe scouting reports when he was drafted by the Knicks and at the time he was supposed to be the "franchise center" of the future -- a title so dubiously given to Eddy Curry recently. He seems like a kid full of talent. Big body. Eager to learn. FORGET CENTER. I think he could be the power forward we are looking for. theSAGE
Thank you for putting this trade in the proper light. Another deck chair just got moved around on the good ship Houston (Titanic) Rockets. He may suck but he can't suck as bad as Zan Tabak...can he???
Let's not go crazy. There's a reason he's on his 4th team and never gets any court time. And how can you know if he's eager to learn. He could just as easily be coasting on an NBA salary. If he can develop into a decent backup big man then I'd be delighted. If not then ehh, whatever.
Actually, the label of "worst player who ever played in Rox uniform" should belong to Rudy White but why must we nit-pic over mere details...
Rockets send Norris to Hornets for center Lampe OKLAHOMA CITY — The Rockets traded point guard Moochie Norris to the New Orleans Hornets on Monday for center Maciej Lampe. The Hornets needed a point guard after starter Chris Paul and backup Speedy Claxton were injured Wednesday against Seattle. Claxton returned from a mild concussion, and Paul is expected back soon after missing games because of bruised ribs. "We just felt we needed three point guards," Hornets coach Byron Scott said before Monday's game against the Washington Wizards. "We've shown in a few games (that Paul has missed) that we needed that extra ball-handler. Moochie is more insurance than anything." Scott said he normally kept three point guards on the roster. He said he thought Norris would arrive in Oklahoma City in time to suit up Monday. Norris was averaging 2.2 points and one assist in 29 games with the Rockets, his fourth team in eight NBA seasons. Lampe, who played a total of 15 minutes in two appearances with the Hornets this season, had been hampered by back spasms and a left foot injury. Paul didn't suit up Monday, the third straight game he's missed. Scott also said he thought Paul would be unavailable for the Hornets' game Wednesday against Portland. Scott didn't know if Paul would be sufficiently healed to participate in activities surrounding the All-Star Game.
hi M_Cable, The reason why I am hopeful the Rox will keep Lampe is b/c I honestly believe he is a good fit on this team. On his previous teams (Knicks, New Orleans), Lampe was never in a position to succeed. There was no development. There was no coaching. No system. But here on the Rox, JVG works pretty well with big bodies and getting them to fit in his system. Take Mutombo for example. When he went to Philly he struggled for no fault of his own. Even on the Nuggets, the system wasn't quite right. But he found a new calling here on the Rox. I think Lampe, should he stay, will likewise fit his role very well as Yao's understudy. My two cents. theSAGE
Na, I think once Moochie passes his physical sometime tomorrow, Lampe is a goner. I just think they wanted to get rid of Moochie's roster spot and contract. Lampe was crap they gave us in exchange instead of giving us a 2nd rounder for him. So, think if it that way. They would rather give up this "young, potential good" big man instead of a crappy pick.
The more I think of it, the more you are right ^ Lampe is probably going. Either waived or traded (I highly doubt that will happen). We needed to clear up some space, and get rid of a large contract, all of which could signal a large move coming? Or just adding more young players?
I can relate to your feeling. But, I just don't think he will stay long. He is injury-prone, which is big NO for Rockets. Sorry man, enjoy the moments though.
is lampe still injured? according to CD a couple of weeks back, you can't trade injured players. i guess lampe, is cleared to play. CD: We’ve been trying to fill some holes, but it’s been real hard to do because you can’t trade injured players. http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/Carroll_Dawson_Addresses_Media-167670-822.html
He was just making a point that other teams will generally not want injured players in return making it hard to do anything. Remember, they waited until Bogans was cleared to play from the Bobcats' doctors before they pulled thr trigger on that deal. Injured players can be traded. If you remember, Jamal Mashburn was traded last season without ever playing a game because of his knees.
I don't know if Van Gundy is interested in developing a "project" type player at this point in the season. More likely, he'll be cut or kept on the inactive list. Maybe Jon Barry can take advantage of it and play a role for the team in the second half of the season.
Maybe he has grown a few inches since then. After all, he is only 21 this year. Edit: He is listed as Forward though. So he can still be a small forward.
