Um, I'm sorry if someone has mentioned this, but there's a little discrepancy here. NBA.com: "Houston trades Glen Rice, a first-round pick and additional draft consideration to Utah for John Amaechi, a 2004 second-round pick and a conditional second-round pick." ESPN.com: "The Rockets ... dealt veteran forward Glen Rice and cash to the Utah Jazz for backup center John Amaechi and a future second-round draft pick." Does this matter to those of you who think the deal stinks? What if we still have the first round pick? Why would ESPN have screwed it up?
Yeah, that was my first thought when I heard about the trade. As someone else noted though, Cato is actually better than Amaechi, but I believe Amaechi is a lot, lot cheaper than Cato which is the only logical reason I can see for the Rockets making this move. I'm expecting the Rockets to start shipping Cato around now. As for Amaechi, I believe he has actually gotten worse every season he's played in the NBA. He was actually a pretty effective role player for the Magic a few years ago before slumping into the player we all know now.
And the Houston Chronicle... no mention of a first-round pick. Sorry if I'm being stupid. "... The Rockets will also send the Jazz undisclosed 'draft considerations' and cash, and the Rockets will receive a future second-round pick." Is it possible the initial reporting was flawed? I'm not seeing any mention of a first-rounder in the new stories, but some of you may know something I don't. I'll reread the thread.
If there is no 1st rounder involved, then it's a good deal imo. I hope it is simply mistaken reporting.
I dont have it in me to be as pessimistic as you. I will reserve judgement on Griffin and Pietkowski till I see how they perform on the court in Rockets Red. Do I like the move?...no. I liked Posey alot. As for the winning vs cash argument. In my mind, there is too much at stake (worldwide attention, keeping Yao in Houston) for them to all the sudden decide that they dont care about winning. I just doesnt seem logical. Just because a bunch of diehard armchair GM/coaches have decreed that they know how to make moves and run a team better than men who do it for a living, doesnt mean I am ready to proclaim the end of the Rocket world. I have been a diehard fan thru too many bad times wirth this team to give up before I even see the product on the floor. I dont begrudge you your right to an opinion, but just because you say it doesnt mean its always true. I will wait and see.
well, this matters to me, and I already like the deal. That would make it even better. Guys, this take the whole lid off of our ability to get more players, this year, and next year. This is especially true when it comes to dealing Mobley. He is underpaid for what he does. By adding the exception, we can get other players of similar skill or talent, which has not been an option up until now, without us throwing in lesser players, or going over the salary cap, and losing tens of millions of dollars.
Interesting posts in the Kings forum. Here's the link for those that are interested: Jim Jackson to the Rockets??? http://www.kingsfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12685
according to the chron article in the locked thread No mention of a first rounder... combined with B-Bobs point about ESPN.. does that help some of you guys get your panties out of the wads they are in?
Do you expect your boss to tell you that you might be fired within the next 12 months while you're still doing important work? Do you? I'm sure management is smart enough to not disrupt morale when it's possible that they aren't sure whether they'll trade EG+Cat+$6.5M for SAR or Cato+$6.5 for Briant Grant this month or 10 months later.
Well, a bunch of diehard armchair fans were mortified when they gave Kelvin Cato a 6 year $42 million dollar contract because of a cpouple of preseason games or Moochie Norris a 6 year $18 million dollar contract. But what do we know compared to these people who do it for a living. As far as being a pessimist, I said unless they have another deal lined up this sucks. I was reserving judgment until you see CD quotes everywhere about Luxury Tax blah blah blah. Use some inductive reasoning. What does that tell you?
These are the Rockets' transactions fpr today as listed on NBA.com, which makes them official, as far as I know: "Houston trades Glen Rice, a first-round pick and additional draft consideration to Utah for John Amaechi, a 2004 second-round pick and a conditional second-round pick. Houston agrees to terms with Jim Jackson." Sorry, B-Bob, I wish you were right...
Please don't get me wrong here because I love your logic. The problem is that after reading the article in the Chronicle I don't think Les will use the 6.5 million trade exception unless we stay under the salery cap. If we trade Cat or anyone else and take back an extra 6.5 million in Salery then we will surely be over the cap and Les will surely nix the deal. If the exception is used to get us a stud forward then I will certainly say I'm wrong and proclaim CD and Les as genious. Until then I just don't hold out much hope.
Thing is..those were ther from when the first story broke...but all the sudden in future stories..it isnt there...who is right and who is wrong? RIET... I concede that they dont always make smart moves. (Cato and Mooch) but you could almost understand that they were given those contracts based on their play on the court...management couldnt know in advance that the players would soon slack off afterwards. As I said...I am not willing to make worst case assumptions at this time. Quotes can be taken out of context by reporters..that isnt uncommon...I will wait till I hear the offending phrases out of CD's mouth at the press conference before I concede your other point..(winning vs cash)
That pretty much sums up my opinion, and I'll be voicing my disgust by not buying the new Rockets jersey. Raven
If the Rockets don't trade Rice, they are going to be 5M to 7M above the luxury tax threshold this coming season. It means that the trade just saved Les 10+ million dollars. NBA is a business. Sometimes you have to worry about your wallet, that is, of course, unless you are Mark Cuban.
Again, see my posts. All the newer articles are avoiding the term "1st round draft pick." ESPN and the Chronicle both avoid that terminology. Patience. Also, I agree with the sentiment that our first round pick will probably be Collier-esque after Van Gundy gets done with this season and we aren't lottery bound. But please, let's confirm the 1st round thing before you light the management on fire.
I don't like this trade at all, it makes no sense. I really hope it's just something leading up to another more significant trade the Rockets make. I do like the acquisition of Jim Jackson though.
