Orlando Is Cutting Hunter

KALIKULI · Jul 30, 2004

Originally posted by AstroRocket
There is no good reason not to sign a 7 foot shot blocker for cheap. Especially one that dropped 15, 9, & 2 on us last year.
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Straight up!!!

Rockets2K · Jul 30, 2004

good way to determine whether this kid has any possibilities....everyone that has the games taped, pull out that gae and watch what he does exclusively.....dont watch all the other stuff on the court...just watch Hunter....

I think there are a few here that can reliably scout the guy and see if he shows any flashes of ability that wouldnt be apparent at first glance.

its funny this came up...I actually have the 2 Magic games from last season already pulled out to watch..funny how things work out.

AstroRocket · Jul 30, 2004

Originally posted by silent j
Why is he worth the gamble in your eyes, but not the Cavaliers who ARE PAYING HIM OVER $1,000,000 NOT TO PLAY? If he had the potential that you think he has, why wouldn't the Cav's keep him if they are paying him anyway?

Big freaking deal he scored 15 points on us last year, Yao was
tired that night, I'm sure. If you look back through the years, I'm sure a lot of scrubs scored 15 points at one time or another in thier career.

That said, I really don't know much about the kid, I just know in a league that is practically devoid of quality 7 footers, you don't pay a 7 footer a million not to play if he has any upside at all.

j
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It seems like more of a 'wink wink' deal to me. Hunter agreed to sign so that the trade could be made, and in return, Cleveland waived him so he could be a free agent.

EDIT. After re-reading the first post of this thread, I see that the article says this outright.

According to Hunter's agent, Mark Bartelstein, the release was agreed to prior to the trade. To make the deal work and match salaries, Hunter had to sign a three-year contract. The final two years of the deal weren't guaranteed and the Cavaliers are just responsible for the first year. His take for being a Cavalier for a few days: about $1 million.
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Hunter wasn't waived because he was a bad player. He was waived because Cleveland agreed to it before the deal, so he would help them to make the trade work.

Therefore, I reiterate my previous assertions that we should pick him up for cheap. I still see no good reason not to.

okierock · Jul 30, 2004

The fact that he forced the release to complete the trade says to me that he's a smart kid or has a smart agent. It also says to me that he thinks he can get some bigger money by being a free agent right now. Maybe he won't come cheap. If thats the case then no thanks.

The one good thing about Hunter is the Rockets have four guys they can talk to in TMac, Gaines, Lue and Howard, about things like; work ethic, attitude, potential, that all know the guy and have played with him. I think if management gets good feedback from these guys then they will make the right decision.

forchette49 · Jul 30, 2004

Right on Astro! Way to read in between the lines! I was thinking the same thing after reading that... plus the stats above on J. O'Neal at 22-23 were interesting too. Can't wait to have him in a Rockets jersey, he's the guy I was hoping would be included in the original TMac deal anyway...

P.S. So glad Osterag snuffed the Rocs deal, he'd be alright under Yao, I just can't root for someone like that ya know? Ugly game!

Sane · Jul 30, 2004

Listen, if he brings his career average to Houston, that's perfectly fine with me.

I'm not even asking for improvement. JVG and Ewing will take care of some kinks.

But aside from that, I'm just asking him to do exactly what he did the last two seasons: score a few points, grab a few rebounds, block a shot, and hit more than half of his shots. All in 13 minutes.

That's all we need.

The minutes available are 13-15 behind Yao, and NONE at PF.

The reason Cleveland is cutting him is because they have Diop at backup C and he's probably better than Hunter.

krosfyah · Jul 30, 2004

Originally posted by silent j
Why is he worth the gamble in your eyes, but not the Cavaliers who ARE PAYING HIM OVER $1,000,000 NOT TO PLAY? If he had the potential that you think he has, why wouldn't the Cav's keep him if they are paying him anyway?...
j
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Roster spots. Cleveland already has Diop and Ilguskas. 1mil is relatively easy to eat. The roster spot is obiously more important to them than the cash. Keeping a guy on the roster w/ no chance of playing is only taking a spot for somebody.

He is 23.
He is a 7 footer
He is cheap
He can rebound
He is available
He can block shots
He can rebound
He has potential

NO BRAINER!!!

He might not be the final answer for us but that is okay. You don't build Rome in a day. If we can pick him up and he plays well under JVG, then he'll have great trade value as a 7 footer. If he doesn't play well, it isn't the end of the world.

If the Rox go into this season standing pat (I doubt we will, we'll still use the TE), it isn't the end of the world. We'll still be competative. Lets wait and find the next Mobley, Jim Jackson, or Mario Elie...and Hunter might be just that.

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Orlando Is Cutting Hunter

KALIKULI Contributing Member

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