Oeilpere, what's with.......

OP,
Would you say that the strategy you describe could explain why the Rockets seem to have reressed in certain areas of the game? Are they focusing in on certain things to the detriment of others?

 

I really don't see those players as dead weight any longer. However, I would agree that the Rockets signed those players for perhaps 2 years too long. I could see them as part of a deal this summer.

 

Sorry for the late comebacks, I've just got a new job and its killing me in preparation for the move. I also have to move closer to Houston soon. Very busy weeks ahead.



In answer to questions -


1. Nike: I don’t think they would take Duke’s Williams in the number one spot. Or any number one spot. As I noted, I think they will trade away number one so fast that it would cornrow Mooch’s testicles.


2. Hottoddie: IMHO, they would take the best deal of : (A) #1 for two first rounders, one of which would be in the top 13 range, and possibly couple that with a trade to unload some of our contract weight and probably get a player in return – or –(B) they would trade #1 outright for a lower first rounder (to meet some obligations) and a premiere player. That’s my guess. (When I say trade, I mean draft then trade the rights - it seems the easiest way to go these days.)


3. Hottoddie: I don’t think Ming is there at the first call. I think he could have threatened for that a year ago against Brown, Chandler and Curry, and maybe even two years ago in that draft ... but this year there's a whack of PG and fundamentally sound aggressive midsize guys out there. That is the league's need areas at this draft. Ming will still go early because there are not that many big guys to pick from. But the Rocket’s organization have (or will have) several inexperienced or rookie/sophmore players starting (or at first sub) next year. They can’t afford another key role to be filled with another rook "learning his trade". I think Ming is out as far as the Rocket 's aspirations go.


4. Doc Bob: I think that RT and CD have decided either formally or by circumstances, to go with relatively the same guys they have now. They are trying to get some consistency in play and uniformity in rotation. That’s the mission. I think everything else has taken a backseat.


5. Nike: Having said that (#4 above), I doubt they would pass up on any opportunity to build for next year with a solid addition. But IMHO they have some high criteria for the definition of "solid" and "addition". For example: Jalen Rose’s name keeps coming up. On the surface it would seem to be a good move, if presented but I doubt RT/CD would opt in that direction. That is not an area they need to change. What do you do? Move Steve’s spot for Jalen's? Will not happen and you defeat the purpose anyway. We don't need another isolation player, or aggressive driver, or perimeter flex position. Move Mooch for him? Even if we agree that Mooch could easily be sacrificed, it’s still not possible. It would cost much, much more than Moochie and that’s what confounds the problem. You gain a player that plays essentially the same Guard game as Steve and lose Mooch plus someone else, a pick, and now we have chaos again. (Now if we are talking a minimal outlay of Mooch and say, a filler for someone like Tony Parker or John Stockton – I would jump all over it. But that ain’t going to happen either,is it?)

I doubt they will get what they want by trade deadline, because of who we have to offer, but mainly because it upsets our first directive – play the roster to develop consistency and firm up the rotation.


6. MuMu: Those are the players that seem to keep popping up aren’t they? I doubt very seriously whether Steve, Mobes, Griffin will ever be discussed in trade, but frankly everyone else can be had for some price.
(a) I still maintain that MoTay will be here next season. He will be given the opportunity to play his way out of the roster first. (Barring any blockbuster deals.) So I think he is out of the equation. If anyone goes to the games watch Maurice there shagging balls, yelling and mingling. He wants to be here next year. He is involved. the team sees that.
(b) Mooch and KT and Cato seem the obvious casualties.
(c) Hangers on like Langhi, and Collier are easy fodder.
(d) Rice would be dropped IF he could ever be included in a deal. Unloading him and his sticks would be a godsend. IMHO,he would be the prime candidate for a deal that combines a trade of our Number #1 pick (if we were lucky enough to get that nod), only if Rice went in the package. That's expensive but doable.
(e) TMo is expensive - in terms of draft picks versus production – (he cost us a future first rounder). Compare his rookie production with Jo Jo or Jefferson or Tinsley. He could be "expensive" due to this cost to acquire or he could be "expensive" because if we unload him now, he may haunt the hell out of us for 14 years of allstar play. An expensive lesson in patience, maybe. That in itself, may prevent his trade at this stage of his development.
(f) Who is left? Walt - well, he is gone by default (either TMo or Walt and IMHO TMo gets the spot - no contest). Maybe Walt as a gratuitous sign and trade. Maybe just let him walk. Who knows? Who cares,right? (The only wrinkle in all of that, is that the younger guys, specifically Steve and Mobes, look up to Walt's leadership.)
(g) Willis be kept for the same reasons we wanted him this year.
(h) There’s no one left.


In summary -

What it comes down to is:
(1) a good lottery draft pick, (2) Mooch’s, KT’s, Cato’s availability for trade, (3) being able to open up the three spot by moving Rice, and (4) a marginal cap space.

- against -

(1) a need for a more dominant center , (2) a comfortable old-school, dishing-crazy, control PG who is not a defensive sieve, to compliment Steve’s aggressive game, and (3) a threatening three who will produce effectively as a starter or early sub.

 

After reading my reply post, I wanted to add two more alternatives (" ... what more stuff to read ...."). Please keep in mind there will not be a test at the end.

What would definitively change the Rocket’s direction completely, and yet maybe grab some success where we seem to have been struggling?

1. Getting a premiere “stay at home” PG (a la Stockton) or a very, very talented controlling PG (a la Parker,Tinsley) and moving Steve to the two while Mobes taking a seat as sixth man. That takes advantage of the explosiveness of Steve's game and eliminates his most glaring defiency (controlling the game and distributing the ball).

2. Moving Griffin to the three spot as he (IMHO,anyway) is closer to the traditional 3-4 than the 4-5 position anyway. This covers our three position more than adequately and eliminates the friction of constantly juggling PT with the 4 spot.

Notwithstanding the fact that I think the league and the industry are getting less and less “position label conscious” in the forward spots (he’s a center, he’s a power forward, etc) every year – this move may in fact be more of blending Griffin’s game with MoTay’s game. By definition they do not have to be mutually exclusive to one another. I guess I am saying I could live with Griffin and Maurice playing both forward positions at as many minutes as they could carry. To hell with the labels and stop looking for a starting three, we have one in Griffin.

 

We could also, god willing if we happen to get a great draft pick, trade it to Vancouver for the one we owe them and perhaps take Stromile Swift off their hands. We could even include Cato and could get Lorenzen Wright who was having a monster season b/f his injury. Just some thoughts, since our interior defense stinks right now.

 

Oeilepere, is there any hope within the orginization, that Rice can come in and contribute next year to be our Sf, or is he out the door at the first opportunity possible.

 

The political correct sentiment is that he will be a Rocket next year, and he will be fully healed from everything old (plantar fascitis) and new (patellar tear). He will be great, wonderful, and a asset to the team.


But, in all truth, he would be added to any trade that would move him - if given the opportunity. I would not hold my breath for many (or any) opportunities of that occuring though.

 

OP,

You mentioned that if the Rockets acquired a "stay at home" PG who passes first that they might move Steve to the 2 guard. I would absolutely LOVE this move, if it happened. But since Steve was so adamant about playing PG when he was drafted (the whole Vancouver incident), would he be willing to be moved to the shooting guard? Or would he throw a fit and sprint to Washington when his contract is up? Has his mindset in this regard changed at all in his time here in Houston?

I love your posts. Thanks for the info.

 

OP:

Is the brass seriously considering any hypothetical moves to get Stockton? That would have to include Mooch, picks, and maybe fodder, right?

Just the thought of Stockton in a Rockets uni gives me the shivers. I can't tell if they're good or bad shivers... Is this under any serious consideration? Or just a hypothetical "what-if"?

Thanks.

 

OP,

While this is an ask question thread.

Noone has asked about Keon Clark since the Hakeem trade. What are the chances the Rox could catch Keon Clark in the free agent market? Do they think he is too much like EG or can they work together in the 4, 5 spots?

I would rather spend money on Keon Clark rather than any other FA including Rashard Lewis.

 

Would eric snow fill the pass 1st pg type, because i just heard that philly may move him at the deadline, i guess im afraid of his injuries and how much does he make. This was mentioned on the best damn sports show period update.

 

I know this idea was mentioned in another thread, but how available is Jalen Rose? I think he would be a perfect fit for our team... do you think our lottery pick, KT, Walt, and a little more could get it done? I know many will dismiss that as unrealistic, but a top 6 draft pick has a lot of value these days. Jalen wants to play PG, from Indiana reports, and though he's not a controlling type, he could do very well at giving Steve some freedom to play off the ball on offense. You wouldn't have to move Cat to 6th man, either, since Rose can matchup with any 3 in the league defensively.

 

Pops:

Forgive me if you have already discussed this, but realistically, what would the Rockets have to do to get Rashard Lewis? Also, how in the world did John Stockton's name come up? Also, I'm a little curious to see if the Rockets would be interested in Jermaine O'Neal, Al Harrington (even though he's hurt), and Jeff Foster. I would imagine that probably none of those guys would be available or their asking price is too high.

 

In case u missed it Cat, this was posted by Oeilpere on the first page:

"For example: Jalen Rose’s name keeps coming up. On the surface it would seem to be a good move, if presented but I doubt RT/CD would opt in that direction. That is not an area they need to change. What do you do? Move Steve’s spot for Jalen's? Will not happen and you defeat the purpose anyway. We don't need another isolation player, or aggressive driver, or perimeter flex position. Move Mooch for him? Even if we agree that Mooch could easily be sacrificed, it’s still not possible. It would cost much, much more than Moochie and that’s what confounds the problem. You gain a player that plays essentially the same Guard game as Steve and lose Mooch plus someone else, a pick, and now we have chaos again."

 

Answer a couple of questions:

1. Stockton – I have no idea if he is being considered for anything. I was using him as probably the quintessential PG in tha category I was referencing. (Dang that sounds snotty doesn’t it?) I mean he was mentioned only to make my point, not that he is a player that is being sought by the Rockets. I will say however, IMHO I think both Stockton and Malone will not be in a Utah uni next year.

2. Jalen Rose – He is seeking a trade and was getting very verbal. He has been quashed a little lately with the same old management answers “we’ve met and Jalen and I have come to an understanding” and “I have no immediate plans to seek a trade for Jalen Rose”. On Jalen’s side he would surely like to go to the Kings with his homey, but they don’t have a spot for him there. IMHO, they will attempt to unload before the deadline, but he won’t be going unless a very secure puzzle piece is offered. I previously posted an answer to what I thought of as his future in a Rocket uni.

3. Jermaine O’Neal – We have no spot for him. He wants to play as a power forward and has expressed his hatred in the past for playing the center pivot. In the East he has relented somewhat, but he would buck and scream if he had to return to the West at the five. Rockets were interested in him at one time. I recall in the Pippen trade he was a player they tried to unload. He was aware of it, and was favorable of that move then. Now I have not heard of the Rockets either seeking him or the Pacers wanting him to go. Harrington is out of the question, according to the Rockets people I talk to.

4. Eric Snow – I would definitely put him in there with a PG that would help us enormously talent-wise. He brings an excellent “different” PG look and would fit very nice in place of Mooch. But his health is a major question mark as noted. IMHO, he is in trouble because he has been overworked in the past. He needs heal time. The plus side is that he may be a softer gamble for us, because we could afford to get him (he definitely is on the block) now, and keep him in wraps for twenty of the remaining games. This would presumably cost us Mooch, but it would allow Tierre some much-needed time. The big picture: Eric Snow, is available, has questionable health, and would cost us Mooch but the biggest stumbling block – he may not be an easy sell to Les right now.

5. Keon Clark – Sorry,partner, but anyone who would rather have Keon Clark right now instead of Rashard Lewis has to question his own sanity. Rashard Lewis is all that … and more. Keon has great show, displays excellent talent and hustle. It’s easy to see why CD wanted him earlier this year. But Keon is playing his best ball right now. Some may even say he is playing above himself. With any luck it will continue, but I would guess this is as goodas he will ever get. Rashard Lewis on the other hand, hasn’t even begun to show is best stuff yet. He has miles of talent expansion in front of him.

Cheers all.

 

Better yet, can we trade Cato for Raef?

 

Hottoddie:

"... If Denver made it known he was available before the trade deadline, would the Rockets make a push for him? If so, what would they be willing to give up?... "

The last I heard about R LaF from anyone was a long time ago and frankly I wouldn't trust myself to even repeat some of it.

But, that being said - RT likes him, some say he reminds RT of himself years ago. CD actively tried to get some "numbers and bodiess" on the discussion board the last time but Denver was hesitant. I hear they are less hesitant now.

My gut feeling is NVE, Dice, and R LaF will all be gone by next year. My feeling also is, that probably the Nuggets will not try to push these three to other teams directions with any vigor or make any major moves anytime soon. Mainly because if they start the trading now, they will implode and everyone goes. I think they lost their chance. (Example: Picture Nick the quick waking up some morning and Dice is sitting in Phoenix. NVE would go nuts. Now you got an untradeable PG who is bad n mouthing you all over the media. Wait - that's kinda what they got now. Oh well, I stand by my point.)

I think Denver lost most of it's optimal opportunity to unload any of these guys and still have the Nuggets solidly reimbursed in the exchange. Dice's situation is obvious, as he is not well now. NVE would have been better traded just after he shot strongly out of the chute (early). And Raef, could have had some decent return when he had pursuers hanging all over him.

IMHO, Denver shot it's self in the foot. Again.

And, no Nugzfan (and other emotionally disturbed Denver hard asses) I don't need you tell me how much all those drugs in the sixties have fried my brain!

PS - The Rockets are basically watching offers but concentrating on getting the roster roated with some consistency and promoting execution from the court.

That's a handful right there. Trades are not a big priority unless something absolutely drops in their lap.


Cheers.