r-fan-I wouldn't want Moochie to guard the other team's PG's. He is as bad defensively as Kenny Smith was. And I don't think we'll have a great frontcourt, until Griffin develops, and we acquire a real center.
With the way things are going this summer with the Fegan's clients, I'm sure we may see an interesting sign and trade.
I looked everywhere and could find no confirmation of this. How about a link? BTW: Isn't 14.5M really high for the mooch?
I'd say they come from a combination of: (1) Francis playing SG while Mobley sits, and (2) the 3 guard line-up. I'm with anyone who believes Moochie is valuable. Where does this idea that he can't shoot come from? or can't make Hornachek/Avery Johnson style scoop layups in traffic. The guy is special in his ability to make layups from 5 feet away from the rim, just like Avery. He is our best dribbler. When he is in with Francis, he allows Francis to concentrate on scoring and run the wing in transition. Moochie has an awesome ability to breakdown defenders. The idea he is too short and can't shoot is refuted by his ability to drive. If he couldn't shoot at his height, defenders would just back off him and take away his drive....that is definitely not happening. Plus, he has been playing a lot against Jordan in the summer, according to Wed's Chronicle. Apparently he did his dribbling thing against Jordan and broke him down for a layup, and Jordan started talking to him to say he needs to get better on defense to stop Moochie. Jordan said that! according to Moochie.
Crispee, good job pointing out exactly why Moochie is a valuable piece to the Rockets puzzle. I'm willing to give Les' $14 to Mooch.
Intersting...It's true that we are discussion how Les would/should/could give his 14 M to Moochie......but that will seriously jeopardise our ability to get something going either on trade front or acquiring some guys.. Next yeay Wiz gets off our payroll and I beleive we still a small window to be under the Salary cap likely 46 M next year. THe year after when we sign Stevie (assuming Airness doesn't screw up badly), we will still getting off to last years for RIce/ maloney...and we can still be looking to add folks..... Also paying 3.5 M to back -up point doesn't make sense ( We have anyway got T Mo to take care of Steve emotional factor) when you get them dime a dozen..... How would Mobs be thinking when we gave him only 5 M!!!!
Also, just becasue Moochie shot over Airness (who may still a bit slow with his tendoninitis) doesn't mean, Moochie is great. Remember a years ago some BLOB had a few blocks in preseason games and we wrote Les' checkbook out down the drain!!!!
So is Moochie signed OR NOT??? Jesus, simple answer to a simple question... I might've missed something, but I'm just asking for a "yes/no". Anything to get off the war thoughts (they're baaad)...
treeman, There is absolutely nothing at bskball.com about this, or I have no clue how to navigate that site...lol. Why not go into their message board and ask someone why they are sourcing bskball.com.
If Moochie really puffs his fro out, it could help his defense. Kind of like a big smokescreen. Give him another year of growth... then try passing around/over the man...
Fox 26 reported last night that nothing has happened. Might have been an early leak...maybe we'll hear something today.
I posted something somewhere yesterday about this Moochie signing - Elvis sighting . I made some calls yesterday morning and the answer was that Moochie has not signed. Later in the day I had a long talk with another Greenway friend about other issues and the Mooch had not signed by then (as of last evening). It is concievable that he could be signed and traded. The Kiki/Drexler contact may even expedite that, but the plan is to sign him, or if an equitable agreement cannot be handled (Les is involved) then he will be signed and traded. The culmination of all of this is that somewhere in the mix we have to get a backup PG out of it. Some Quick Points: 1. Mooch wants to stay. 2. Les has agreed to pay a lkittle more than he really wanted to, but there is a limit. The bargaining is: Houston wants to add some years to the contract, Fegan wants to add some dollars early. 3. Player roster wise- Mooch is not the priority. Filling the 4-5 slot is. 4. Everyone is waiting for the league decision. Then Marc Jackson will sign a healthy 3-year long contract. Personal Observation: 1. Moochie wants to play here, but he is a hard nosed little guy. He was given an ultimatum two weeks ago, and he handled quite well. Didn't get rattled, just said okay whatever I let Dan handle it or something like that ... business as usual ..... Pretty cool. A lot of things happened since then, perspectives have changed for a lot of us, and the pressure of an ultimatum seems to eased on all parties ... Funny how things go. 2. Jackson is the prize. He is the focus right now. 3. The Rockets have asked several prominent owners to lobby on their behalf .... a tactic that although it is not "officially" recognized, by the league committee may help their case. May hurt it too ... who knows .... 4. Again this is based solely on personal observation but my impression after talking to several people over the last days - some very knowledgeable people ... is that the NBA will probably announce their decision within the next two days-three days. Likely be today or Monday. PS: Have not sighted Elvis.
I know I'm biased, but I don't see how the NBA could NOT award us the medical exception-- MoT's boasting notwithstanding. Can anyone offer up a justification that they could make for denying said exception?
Thanks oeilpere Great update. I just wish all of this comes true and soon. <BR><DIV ALIGN="CENTER"> <A HREF="http://clubs.lycos.com/live/events/september11.asp"> <IMG SRC="http://a1032.g.akamai.net/f/1032/81/30m/www.gamesville.lycos.com/art_gv/ribbon_small.gif" ALT="[Flag Campaign icon]" WIDTH="49" HEIGHT="86" BORDER="0" ALIGN="MIDDLE"> <BR> Support freedom</A> </DIV> <BR>
I've made a case for Moochie's value based on my honest belief in his skill. I honestly believe he can run this team in Francis's absence or in our powerful 3 guard lineup. You don't have to agree. But let's not make the argument that a backup point guard is not worth $3.5m. I agree, in general, that that is steep, but from an overall team perspective I do not think it increases team salary much. <b>The case for not sweating $3.5m</b> Sure, saving every $1m is worth bluffing Moochie, and that is what CD is obviously doing. But here is why I would blink about 2 to 3 days into camp, if need be. I would first try to get Moochie more money via a longer contract, but I would not go too far into camp without him or another *proven* backup. Right now, Francis is Mobley's backup. Because of this, we only need a backup 2 guard at the minimum salary of ~$350k. Another 2 guard will actually be third string and be on the team for one reason only, to play against Mobley on the scout team. With Moochie's ability to run the team, and Francis's ability to play SG, we do not have to spend any money on another SG. Now you can argue that there are other backup PGs who could do that, but the argument that you simply cannot pay a backup that much is missing the importance of our PG depth. It holds for some teams, but not the Rockets. We arguably have the best backcourt in the NBA, and we are designed around that. Being able to maintain that quality with only 3 players getting significant time is awesome from a financial standpoint. imo, as long as Francis is a Rocket, we need an outstanding backup. The beauty of it is that we don't need a backup for Mobley...his backup is Francis. See how that works....3 players covering 2 positions saves you money. Sure you want to save as much as possible....and that is why CD hasn't blinked, yet.
oeilpere, thanks for the update. You continue to be a great asset to this BBS. crispee, you've made a great case for the versatility and indispensableness (is that a word?) of Francis, but those thoughts would hold true about any competent backup point guard. And really, in the case of a serious injury to Mobley (which we all hope never happens) I wouldn't want Francis starting at the 2, because I think it would limit his development as a floor general and distributor of the ball.
