I contend that Rox are not too far from contending. Look at our record, and the top teams we have beaten. However, we can not wait 6-7 years for a PF to emerge. Make the trade to better the team. EG and picks for Brand, and the ROX team will be more consistent, with a established PF to fight against the Dirks, Wallaces, in the western conference. At least it would not be a total mismatch.
EG will equal EB in @2-3 years. Should Rox wait? Sac is too tough for this year, Mavs, too. The Lakes for three. If Rox were in the Least -- they are not -- make it for sure. But... But what?
I agree with you 100%!!!!!!!!!!!! i mentioned this in some of my other threads.. I will cut and paste my main points here later but basically, if not Brand, we should at least get a servicible PF that can somewhat defend and rebound... A defense oriented, rebound, dirty work type guy...
Here is some of the breakdowns of the guys he faced this year. With their NORMAL averages and when they play us. Gasol NORMAL- 17.5, 8.7 US- 29, 12 Difference, 11.5 more pts and 3.3 more boards MALONE NORMAL- 19.4, 8.2 US- 31, 9 Difference, 11.6, .8 AMARE (I am leaving the first game out since it was the beginning of the season and he wasn't the starter) Normal- 13.2, 9.4 US- 29, 13 Difference- 15.8, 3.6 Garnett Normal- 22,13 US- 26, 14 Difference 4, 1 There are others but I think this will give you the point. Keep in mind that there FG% were also alot higher than normal but I didnt track it because it takes too much time. Some will argue that Eddie was not the ONLY one that guarded these guys during the game but this is a pretty telling indication that at this point in time, he can not defend Western Conference PFs and that we need help...
Holy cow. Elton Brand has more threads about him around here than Yao does. I nominate we make one of these threads a sticky so people like artificial wont feel compelled to start a new thread about Elton Brand every week.
I would make the trade for Brand in a hearbeat. Eddie is a good, good player with a bright future. But Brand has a killer tenacity about him that EG just doesn't have. I don't think it is something you can teach him either. When he is cutting to the basket and gets the ball on the move, he is afraid to go up and dunk it over someone. We need someone who will bang, be aggressive. Brand would bring that to the table each and every night.
Then that would make Mobley...the 4th option? Hmmm, I'm not sure how well that would work. Right now we need more solid role players, not more go-to guys. Brand can do the little things but he would demand the ball at times. maybe if we trade mobley for him...
I think your contendtions are off just a wee-bit. You are not giving the young vulture enough time to scour. Give Griffin a little more time to astablish himself in the paint, and you will see the hunger that lies within this kid. I think next year he will become the hunter, and not the hunted. Go Griffin!!
The Rockets should not make trades like this right now. They need to wait until Yao can finally handle 35-40 minutes per game w/o fatigue problems. That's not going to happen this year. If he can do so next year and the Rockets are a serious contender, then I wouldn't mind making trades that morgage the future for a chance at a ring.
This year (to me anyway) is about establishing a foundation and getting back to the playoffs. We shouldn't talk championships around here for at least another year or 2. By then, EG will be about 20 pounds heavier and an established PF. Last year EG was just another 3-point shooter and we all complained he couldn't play inside. This year, no more 3's and lot's more blocked shots. He's getting better every year. Wait until NEXT year. I see him as the next Jermaine O'Neal.
Although I still DO NOT want to trade away (all things being perfect), acquiring Elton Brand will be the only reason I will let Eddy go. This is contigent on resigning Elton for multiple years. Elton is a solid pro - a consumate team player. Though he is undersized, he somehow manages to find a way to score and rank high in blocked shots per game and rebounds. But will the Clips want to add another "project" PF when they already have at least 2 in the former Mariland Kid and Ely? Well it will be interesting to see what the Rockets will come trade deadline (my guess is nothing). Rudy is a loyalist and a faithful guy, I doubt if he will be willing to pull the trigger on Eddy the kid that was considered a steal withing the organization only 2 draft days ago (of course acquiring and resigning Elton will be considered a steal as well - a great steal if I must add).
