We all know that the Rockets have never been shy about gambling with their moves (Barkley, Clyde, etc.). We also know that fan interest overall (with the exception of members of this BBS of course!) is lackluster at best. We also know that the team is moving into a new arena with MANY unsold luxury suites and are desperate to rekindle fan interest. Finally, we know that our power forward play left a lot to be desired. With all of these variables under consideration, I found the following blurb in the Chronicle very interesting: Mourning show -- Now that Alonzo Mourning has been cleared by his doctors to play next season, barring any downturn in his kidney disease, he should be one of the most sought-after free agents, if he is willing to sign a mid-level exception contract. Mourning would be ideal for a team that he does not have to carry that either needs short-term help (the Lakers?) or a role model with muscle (the Rockets?). He could be a second free-agent addition for the Spurs. The Heat must let Mourning go. But first, they must try to keep him. If the Heat renounces their rights to Mourning, it would fall under the salary cap, and they would have between $5 and $7 million of spending money. But by retaining its rights to Mourning, Miami would keep its mid-level exception and $1.5 million exception and have a chance to deal Mourning in a sign and trade.
yeah zo is really one heck of a soldier. but, i would hate him see in the rocs lineup coz he will just act as a back-up for yao ming. and i would hate a talent like him will just be a back-up. coz if we move yao to the 2nd center, it will affect yao's developement and we might not see another "Dream".
zo's main asset is that he's a good defender. and he's a decent shooter. used to see him take outside shots a lot. his teams sometime performed better when he didn't play for whatever reason. probably because he took so many shots and missed a lot. so i'm not exactly sure how useful he would be. but he could probably be of some help teaching eddie griffin how to build muscle and play defense.
and if I remember correctly, wasn't Dream the 2nd center with someone named Ralph? Didn't seem to stunt his growth.
semantics...either way, it didn't hurt either player is what I was getting at. Having someone to beat the crap out of anyone that touches Yao would be a good thing (as long as 'Zo doesn't throw any of those punch/slap things). We need an enforcer in the paint. Yao needs some protection. Zo could be that guy.
ummm.....actually it could be argued that it did hurt Ralph moving to PF. I don't know if Zo is going to have the speed to match up with PFs (Nowitski, Webber, etc), but he couldn't be any worse there than anything we have right now.
zo wont have a problem matching up with any 4s except garnett and dirk. webber is not fast anymore, and he is more than happy to settle for the outside j nowadays.
This is the free agent that is at the top of my wish list. I think if we can get him for the mid level exception, possibly keep either MoT or EG (as in one not traded) then I like our PF situation. Having the muscle that Zo would bring would be huge!
Maybe a three way sign and trade that would bring Zo and Miami's first to the Rockets? If T-Wolves involved, maybe find a way to get KG as well. Stevie, MoTay, PJ & Eddie Jones to Wolves. Altho I'd hate to lose Stevie, gotta give up big to get big. Griff, Rice, Mooch, Cato, Cat & Sczerbiak to Miami. Zo, KG & Miami's first to Houston. Pursue JKidd in FA. And "no thanks" to Van Gundy. Would rather have Brown or Cleamons.
Seems to me like Zo could be the steal of this off season's free agent crop and, like I mentioned in my initial post, solves many of our current problems. This signing, coupled with a trade for a PG with size and good defense (Griffin/Cato for Payton anyone?) should signal the end of the Rocks' lottery days!
that would be good. instead of grif, let's try trading MoT and CATO for PAYTON. YAO/ZO ZO/GRIFFIN/TMO J-POSE/RICE STEVIE/CAT PAYTON/MOOCH
Guys there is no way in hades that the Rockets will let Mourning play on their team. Back in the day they nixed a Robert Horry, Matt Bullard for Sean Elliot trade because Elliot had the same condition as Zo. They will not take the risk. DD
Very interesting poind DD - great analogy! I just happen to think that the potential upside in this case is so much higher that they may at least consider it. Time will tell!
The Heat would never let Zo go for nothing. Zo would want to start anyway. Other teams that need a big man like Phoenix or NY would offer a better deal than the Rockets. Big men w/ skillz don't come along too often. Even in Zo's condition he is better than a lot of other current Nba centers out there. It would be nice.
