Players That Won't Be Traded

MoT is gone as soon as we can get him out of here.

He's playing 28 minutes, while Cato is playing around 30. It's not like these guys are getting worn out, Weatherspoon was brought here TO PLAY.

Only way to get this done IMO is to package him with Mobley, or with the trade exception and take 2 bad contracts or 3 decent contracts back.

 

Disagree. Unless a true superstar becomes available, MoT stays IMO. His points are critical and his rebounding is not just improved but above average. Weatherspoon is good for short stints but he gets his shots blocked very easily. His rebounding is scarcely better than Taylor's. Again, IMO, the only factor making MoT expendable is the progress of Alton Ford.

IMO, the only players who need to sweat are JJ, Pike, Boki and Griffin.

 

I understand, ricerocket, but I use IMO because I am not an insider. However, I did provide reasons for my opinion.

 

I agree, MoT has been one of our more consistent scorers and is providing it coming off the bench. Finding a guy that can give you 13-14ppg off the bench is hard in the NBA, he is a good spark when the offense has trouble (which the Rockets have).

Even though JVG might like Cato more, I think Cato has more trade value than MoT. I have league pass and mostly see the other teams telecast, the commentators always talk about Cato's improvement and seemed to be quite impressed themselves. I like our team right now, but another team could easily offer a nice deal for the service of Cato. A lot of teams are still looking for Centers, in which Cato looks pretty good.

 

I agree with you, but IMO JVG disagrees with US. You and I may not like Spoon, and we may both like MoT, but the same can't be said about JVG.

Spoon will play, and that will take away from Mo's minutes more than anyone else. This wasn't a financial deal, it's clear that JVG wanted this.

Also, MoT averages around 7 rebounds per 40 minutes. That is not average, much less above average. It's not even improved. Look at his previous seasons, and calculate them on a per minute basis, you'll get eye-poppingly similar numbers.

Again, I think we should keep MoT, but bringing in Spoon is a definite sign that we're unhappy with our PF production.

JJ won't go anywhere because he's our only veteran. Plus, he's the only player who can play any defense at SF. Griffin can't be traded for now, he hasn't played. Boki is definitely available IMO, while Pike is running out of time to get consistent.

 

Good points, but let me clarify my assertions that MoT is improving. If you look at the past 10 games, he has really been going after the boards. I am no expert but I believe I am seeing JVG's instruction at work of late. I must leave but it would be instructive to see what his average in the past 10 games is. Also, in the games I have watched he seems to get some very key boards.

 

There are only two tradable players on the teams, Cato and Cat. Both just happen to be Van Gundy’s two favorite and are Knick type players. They are the two best defenders on the team and bring a lot of hustle and heart. Plus, they really are the only players that have shown any improvement this season.

The three players that are least Van Gundy-like are Yao, Steve, and Taylor. Yao and Taylor are soft big men. Steve is not known for his defense and smart decisions. All 3 are untradeable. Yao and Steve because they're the cornerstones. Taylor because no one wants that contract.

That pretty much leaves only JJ and Pike. And no team is going to give squat for those two.

 

hey guys,

can you guys please comment more on pike...

frankly, i am disappointed in him this season...

i thought we brought him in under the premises that he was a sharpshooter...

he is shooting .361 percent and it shows...

not to mention all his shots are wide open looks set up by our offense

 

I had Pike on my fantasy basketball teams off and on the past few seasons, and it was strange because he seemed quite streaky, almost going by a certain rhythm - would suck the first couple months of the season, then all of a sudden start having 27 pts, 5 three-pointers, 5 rebs, 4 assists games, and that over a streak of five to seven games. Then he would cool off again.

But generally, it seemed like he became better as the season went on.

So perhaps there is hope that this will happen soon.

 

Yao Ming is untradeable because we have the Chinese national uniforms.

 

Any backup making as much as Taylor is tradeable, assuming someone will take on that contract, regardless of whether or not his rebounding has improved from below average to average...and I like Taylor.

 

Man, cat aint goin no where.... keep on dreaming. He's playing great team ball, making all his shots, and is a very cheap player; I suggest you change your signature.

Shawn

 

I was going to take your advice on these matters, then I saw YOUR signature. So I changed my mind.

 

Well im going for a ROX player not trying to get them traded?? Hmm maybe you need to re-think your philosophy.. You gota support the home team man!

 

Cat is the only consistant player on the rockets this year and our best defender. So he isn't going any where.

 

Man I just had the best Rocket daydream. JVG teaching Cato how to consistently hit the midrange jumper and develop a hook shot.

 

A lot of good points here. But I still have a question for you, who you want to get for trading Yao?

 

No sense argueing the strenghs and weaknesses of Mo vs. Cato; I think we all know what those are. Instead let's talk about value,

Mo is coming off a very serious injury and is really just now starting to look like the player we signed to that contract. Mo's value is climbing and will continue to do so as long as he remains healthy. On the other hand, I think Cato's ceiling has been reached, I don't see him improving much more and with the need around the league for center help I think we package Cato and the trade exemption for a really nice player.