And what exactly do the nugs have to offer for Mobes? Outside of Melo, nothing. Magic already have their pf of the future, so they certainly don't need Nene. Nugs are sunk. Unless of course they go JJ + 1st rounder for Nene. That is the only way they can salvage their season.
For someone who has railed on Francis for not passing the ball to Yao, you need to go look at the thread about McGrady saying Kobe doesn’t know how good he had it playing with a big man in the GARM. Mobley has some comments about the subject, and lets just say Mobley isn’t all disappointed about being shipped out of Houston. He’s not coming back judging from his comments.
For someone who often defends Mobley and Franics comments as being "blown out of proportion," I am surprised you take his comments so seriously. You should cut him some slack, he is just talking emotionally. Remember, he played his heart out when Hakeem and Yao were here. He is the kind of guy that will play hard no matter who is on the team. Don't be so hard on him.
"He gets to do more now that he's not with Shaq," Mobley said. "It's kind of like Steve (Francis) and I were with Yao in Houston. You never know when you're going to be given that freedom when you are playing with a big man. I think it's harder to guard Kobe now. When Shaq was getting the ball, you had some rest periods. But now you have to stay ready because Kobe is going to be attacking all the time." I don't how you come to that conclusion but bottom line is he’s not coming back here.
Well, you guys have stopped attacking me and have turned on each other, so I must change that. I stand by my statement. First, let's look at what we'd have to give up for him. To make it work cap wise, we'd send Nene and Skita for Cat. Not worth it in my opinion. Cat's a ballhog (IMO) and we already have one player that has to have the ball in Melo. Yeah, Cat's a decent shooter, but not enough to open up our offense completely. I'm under the impression that his contract goes through next year, which would kill cap space this summer for us (reportedly, we could have up to $8 mil in room to spend). If I'm wrong like a few of you think, then we'd be giving up a player with great potential in Nene for a rental. The make-up of the Nugs this year is not enough to win a championship, so why do that? Besides, if you watched us last night without Nene and Camby, you realize why we need so much depth up front. For crying out loud, Skita got serious minutes (in his defense, he didn't completely suck though). To those bashing the K-Mart signing, you're forgetting the fact that we tried to get Ginobili first. When it became obvious he was re-upping in SA, we moved on to K-Mart. What were we supposed to do there? Just let the cap room sit for ANOTHER summer? Give me a break. You can hate K-Mart's attitude (lord knows that it scares the living hell out of me....we gave $95 mil to someone who's' certifiably insane), but he has been one of our best players this season already and his intensity has certainly helped the team at times. If Vo was still healthy, it would be a moot point discussing this because we would not have the intense desire for outside shooting that we do now. Watching us in the playoffs against MN, it was obvious that our biggest problem wasn't shooting, it was mental toughness. K-Mart's insanity gives us that. Feel free to return to the "Mobley is great", "Mobley sucks" argument. Hell, feel free to throw in a "Nuggets suck" if you desire. I've explained my sentiment here.
If yall are looking for a spot up shooter to open up the defense, then Cat's the wrong target. He's at his best driving to the basket. And he's a solid, though undersized, defensive 2. If I were you guys I'd go after a more pure shooter and forget about Mobes. He doesn't fit your needs.
Not only are you psychic and can predict future team transactions and signings, but you can also read Cuttino's mind. Cuttino is just complimenting Kobe. What is he going to say, that the Lakers suck without Shaq and Kobe can kiss the playoffs goodbye this year? It's true, but he's not going to say it. He is just giving it a positive spin. For some reason you are mad I like Cuttino but not Steve.
Kenyon Martin: 34.9 mpg, 12.7 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 46.8% FG% Maurice Taylor: 27.4 mpg, 11.0 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 49.3% FG% Performing like Mo Taylor+defense isn't exactly "one of our best players" type material.
Cat would be a good p/u for the Nugs, but at what cost? Nene + Skita may = too much. But, a rental? No. Cat would stay with a new deal. If traded he'll get re-upped by the acquiring team. The 'fact' that Kiki is looking in that direction hardly means a deal is imminent, in fact splitting up Stevie and Cat would be interesting to see as a 'spectator'. Nugs have a good team with the built in advantage of rarified air. Coop will do a good job with your boys.
I can read Cuttino's mind. "It has to do with not hurting Steve's feelings." Okay Kettle As far as what else is he going to say, Oh I don’t know, how about complimenting your ex teammate instead of saying his game restricted his freedom.
It doesn't seem like playing with Shaq has very much negatively affected Dwyane Wade's performance so far...
Why would he compliment Yao when the question had nothing to do with Yao? The question was about Kobe. By the way it was a joke about Steve. I guess you aren't psychic.
My bad dude, I really didn’t want to make this into a Steve argument I just know you felt that Steve couldn’t play with Yao, and I while Mobley had a better time adjusting, I really don’t think he would want to come back here. Not only that, he gave the Rockets a good deal to be here and they traded him. I just don’t see it.
I know that many of us keep saying that, and I also think that it was a good deal compared to many other players' contracts, but do we have any evidence that he had any higher offers? If not, could it be that he didn't really "give the Rockets a good deal", but just took the best offer he had?
Let's be more succinct: Cat's a ballhog (IMO) and we already have one in Melo. Cat has a player option which he'd be crazy not to decline. He's amazingly underpaid, he'll be 29 y/o (in his prime and looking for one last contract) and he'll opt out. This would be a great player to try and sign with that cap room you're talking about. Martin's got passion, which is great (and sorely lacking in Houston w/o Francis). He's also a system player that depended on Kidd for his shot. Giving him the max will haunt Denver for some time. Honestly and truly. I don't think anyone hates his attitude or questions his passion. But if mental toughness is what you're lacking, I don't know that a powder keg like Martin is what you go after. Ask pacertom about how much Artest added in his last playoff run. PS - your problem is shooting. That and Carmelo's refusal to play within a team concept. It won't be long before his teammates call him out (again). Evan
I am pretty sure that Toronto offered him a big contract that he turned down to stay with the Rox. Something like 7 or 8 mil per IIRC.
In reotrospect, you probably should have waited for the cheaper Kenyon Martin - Carlos Boozer, but you couldn't have known about him. The Nuggets are in a tough situation. IMO, the problem is Carmello. He's pretty much an exact replica of the Steve Francis problem. Unless he changes his attitude, he will eventually get shipped somewhere where his numbers improve but he'll never win it all. Like the Rockets, though, the Nuggets would have to risk the possibility that the problem wasn't with Francis or Melo, but with the sytems, and they will excel elsewhere. Could the Nuggets get Vince Carter for Melo? Peja Stojakovich?
