I think we won't see any moves until mid season, maybe even closer to the trade deadline. You can't just keep moving pices around without stopping to see how theyplay together. I think they will wait and see how the pieces they have acquired workout. Also, closer to the TD is when the expiring contracts of Bowen and Deke will peak in trade value. They, not Head or J-Ho could be our most valuable assets. I would love to get a good back-up 4/5 (Jeff Foster), but I think if you look at Battier as the starter at the 4 and think Hayes will get anything close to significant minutes (15?), then Juwon becomes that legit back-up 4/5. I don't think he can be considered a better than average starting 4, but maybe an average back-up at the 4/5.
Those Chuck Norris jokes finally making their way to australia, huh? And they say the internet makes us a global community. I expect a deal to come around after teams have been in training camp for a bit and have a better idea of what they hava nd what they might need. As it is now you can really only judge teams by whats on paper. A few weeks of practice will show teams their needs.
yeah the chuck norris phenomena has made it in oz. good point raised about the TD and expiring contracts, although it wouldnt suprise me if we still traded a guy like luther at the TD and kept the 'van gundy players'
Sssshhhh......don't give Jerry West any idea on our need, because he'd somehow manage to swap Stro for Shane Battier.
Personally, I would like to see Houston sign Keith Van Horn with the remaining part of the MLE ($2,100,000). Van Horn would be a good backup 3/4 and spread the floor for Yao, Novak isn't quite ready for that role yet. Also, I would like to see the Rockets sign Kelvin Cato to the minimum (about $1.2 million for Cato), so that the team can have some more help at C, and even a big body to defend the low post against PF's if needed.
Wow, this might be the most ridiculous post I have ever seen. You suggest that we need stability, but support that claim by saying we should trade 9 of the remaining 14 we have on the roster. Huh? As far as the other suggestions are concerned, I am not a fan of trading Head at all because he is productive, cheap, and has plenty of upside. The same should be said for Hayes and Snyder. The rookies all have talent and come inexpensively. I think the trade exception will be used by the start of the season, but where it is used may depend on how the coaches feel about the progress of our backcourt. Can Sura make it back healthy and contribute 15-20 mpg off the bench? If not, can Head play some one or will Spanoulis be ready to give us some solid minutes at either guard position? Does McGrady want to contribute at the two and do we want him there at all? Once some of those questions are answered--and they may be now for all we know--then that TE can be used to find a solid rotational player at the one, two, or four. From there, we will see who is expendable, who other teams might want, and what we can get in return. But I tend to agree that this roster will be in flux throughout the season.
Nah, Chuck Norris won't consent to join the Rockets, he's too busy doing......erm, nobody knows, only Chuck Norris knows.
I don't think we're done making moves. I still think we'll sign another back up big man who can play at the PF/C position. We definitely need one, since Deke is as old as the hills. I wouldn't mind us picking up Van Horn and Cato. I think that while we're somewhat unproven at the guard spots we're good there as far as depth goes. We're good in the front court but need to add depth... so. I'm feeling more and more comfortable with starting Battier at the Pf spot, even though I'd prefer he start at SF with McGrady at the SG. I just don't think McGrady can play the SG position however. Plus if Battier was starting at the SF spot we'd have to start Howard at the 4... and no one wants that. I think our team is overall better off with snyder or head (or someone) starting at SG, T-Mac at the SF, and Battier at the PF spot. Battier is a bit undersized for the PF spot, but playing with the Rockets I think he could emerge as a top 10 PF in the league. I think his averages at the end of the year will be in the 14ppg, 7.5 rpg, 2.5 apg range, and the bulk of his impact won't be felt soley in numbers. He's gonna open up the floor for T-mac and Yao, and give those guys more opportunity to score and make big plays. That is something the Rockets have lacked since Yao and T-mac first got together. Now that they have it... we've got a shot at a title. We just need to add some depth.
van horn mite be okay, but don't we need a bit of muscle down low? van horn and, wait for it....fortson. seriously.
I agree with most of your post about Battier, especially the fact that a lot of his impact won't be reflected in his individual stats, but if he does avg 14, 7.5, 2.5 will he really be one of top 10 PF's? Elton Brand, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, Dirk Nowitzki, Pau Gasol, Amare Stoudemire, Jermaine O'Neal, Dwight Howard, Chris Bosh, Emeka Okafor... Which one of those would you put him clearly ahead of. You would even have to question a second group of Rasheed Wallace, Lamar Odom, Antawn Jamison, Al Harrington. PF might be the toughest position league wide right now. He's going to have to get closer to 18 and 9 to crack the top 10
Wow! And what would anyone trade for Bowen and his expiring contract? Um, one of the other team's mascots? And Deke? Our only legitimate 5-10 min backup for Yao. Still I do not see other teams falling over themselves to get Deke for much of any value. I know, maybe if we packaged Bowen and Deke together we could get um, err I'm not sure. Maybe you have thought this through and have some suggestions of what other teams would send our way in exchange for a blind Hawkeye and a gentle giant somewhere around 40 years of age? A late 2nd round draft pick and some cash? The two GM's could go to McDonalds and eat for a week..... Now if you tell me either of them could be part of a larger deal as a salary balancer, esp. Bowen it is possible.
Ouch is that my butt that hurts so bad. Actually I just saw them as pieces to a deal which could bring some value. I don't see anyone falling all over themselves to get Head or Howard, but Head and a couple fo expirings might bring a decent back-up 4/5 which is what we need more than anything IMO. The fact that they may be two of our most valuable trade assets speaks more to our lack of real trade assets than it does to how "special" they are. I really wasn't trying to inflate their value. Then again, Isaiah Thomas would probably take Matt Maloney right now if his contract would come off the books.
I havea slightly different take on the situstion:- We need a legitimate Starting Power Forward and back up center. Many do not agree with me, yet some do. Only time will tell .
