Starting a thread with the word Ostertag -- you better be ready for the flames. OK, that's out of the way. Looking at the free agent market, the list of big men is small. These two guys might be the best, most-realistic options. Yao averaged 32 minutes last year, leaving about 16 mpg for his backup. Vlade is 36 years old now and might welcome a backup roll, in addition, his style of play is similar to Yao's in that they are both international style big men who pass and shoot. The teams would not have to alter the style of play to get Vlade involved when he was on the court. Ostertag (insert favorite bastardization of his name here) is a big 7'2" 280 lbs body and is 31. He has played as a backup at times in his career as well and is a decent shot-blocker (career bpg 1.85) and offensive rebounder (career o-rpg 2.10). I just don't see the rockets having the bank to drop on one of the top tier bigs. Who should the Rox go after and why?
I'm pretty sure Divac doesn't want to leave the Kings. As for Ostertag, he'd be good for the vet minimum, ala Griffin last year. But I think other teams can pay him more than the Rockets are willing pay.
I don't think either would be a true help to us right now. Someone else posted something about Rebraca possibly being a good fit. He's a younger 7 footer who can help clog the lane. Never done a whole lot so should be cheap. Me personally, I'd like to get more of a hustle guy like Chris Anderson but even if I actually did see him on a FA list he probably didn't stay there long. Another that I agree with is Keon Clark. I just don't think a guy like Ostertag or Divac is really going to help us nearly as much as being able to bring in a big man that can hustle. We still need help against the quicker big men. Even though he's smaller I could handle someone like Brian Skinner as well.
Collier was out of the league until ATL picked him up. I am pretty sure that a guranteed contract for ANY amount would bring him here. I think he would be a good back-up. He is a hard worker and has a nice mid-range J.
Washed Up or Really Washed Up? I dont like any of the available back up Centers. Just get someone cheap and fill the spot when someone good becomes available instead of overpaying some medicore or washed up player.
Rebraca is older than Ostertag, but he played in Europe a few years after he was drafted. Greg said he was interested in signing with the Mavs for the league minimum. He might be willing to do the same for us. That is, if we're willing to bring him in. Don't think Vlade wants to sign with us to be a 15mpg bench player.
Vlade or Ostertag would both be interesting acquisitions. Ostertag seems to fit the plan better, but I wouldn't mind seeing Vlade.
I WOULD GO FOR VLADE. HE'S OLD BUT HE CAN STILL OUT SMART HIS OPPONENTS AND HE CAN TEACH YAO A FEW THINGS.
Oh I miss those guys. Bring back Sam Mack, Clide and Hakeem and we will have a UH reunion! But seriously folks... Vlad is the way to go. Could teach Yao a thing or two. Ostertag teaches Yao nothing except how to get into the dog house.
