It's a great idea. I'd like to keep Mo as a backup. He seems to be friendly with Tmac and Yao.. But who can we get at the 4? Draft, or trade or sign free agent..Stromile Swift or Tyson Chandler or Kwame Brown or whoever. We'll probably have to wait til offseason..which means we won't win the championshi pthis year lol
Yeah, I don't think we can win it all this year, unless JVG pulls another Knicks which has the odds of his hair growing back out. Spend the MLE on Stromile Swift and it will be awesome to get Kwame Brown. Or take the round about way to get talent like Bobby Simmons then trade them for a pf. As always, it's not easy to get a quality big man. Or just wait for Malick Badiane. Oops, I gotta run before the anti-Badmanias get me.
I've got a great idea on how to get to two good power forwards...Fire JVG. Howard was averaging 17/7 before coming here and Mo wasn't so bad under Rudy's system either. (After all, we did extend his contract didn't we?) The problem isn't the players, the problem is the system (if that is what you want to call it. Heck under JVG's system KG would average a single-single and Kobe would be lucky to hit double digits.
I was just thinking: with the emergence of Nazr Mohammed, do you think that makes Kurt Thomas expendable? Would they take a scoring PF in Mo for Kurt? I think KT's numbers across the board are down from his career avgs (though I could be mistaken) and the Knicks probably wouldn't mind another scorer...
Kurt Thomas is actually having a very nice year. (11.3ppg, 10.1rpg, 1.0bpg, 1.1spg). That said, with his bad contract and the slow but encouraging emergence of Mike Sweetney, he could be available. Even though he's undersized, he is the same height as Howard and Mo, and he's much better in terms of defense and rebounding (good midrange shot, too). I'd like to have him.
I think the better question is not Kurt Thomas, but JEROME WILLIAMS. Kurt Thomas is preferable, but I doubt he will be moved for what we have. However how about Williams? They have Thomas starting and Sweetney and Baker off the bench. Williams is rotting on the bench or getting minimal minutes. Jerome Williams is EXACTLY the type of energy guy the Rockets need off the bench at the PF spot. Williams contract is about as bad as Howards and you can make that trade straight up. Howard is probably the overall better player, but Williams is a better FIT on the Rockets with his hustle, energy and rebounding. If I am the Rockets I see if we can make a move for Williams. Quality role player, even if over paid.
Rockets used to do that all the time in the Rudy days. They would give CBA/NBDL players a chance if we were looking to shake something up for had a void somewhere.. I am not sure JVG is willing to do that. It seems to me that JVG only trusts older players that will play in "his system". It kind of goes back to my Experience/Athelticism post about JVG (see signature). The things he is looking for might not come in the types of players he is most comfortable with. We need to find a balance there.
Deuce, Can't do it until January 5th, I think that is when 10 day contracts are allowed. JVG did it with M. Jackson last year, I am sure he would do it if he thought it would help. 14.8 rbd per game DD
Malick in on the IR after season ending shoulder surgery. Pimp, He has skills, he just would not develop them in the NBA, whereas playing in Europe he gets a chance to develop. He is only 20 years old...don't give up on him yet. DD
DD, Mark Jackson is EXACTLY the type of player JVG likes. An OLDER veteran player that he TRUSTS. That move didnt surprise me. Not the same situation as a NBDLer that is younger. I hope I am wrong, but I dont see us making that move.
Last year the Rockets got Torraye Braggs to improve our rebounding but then gave up on him and Alton Ford. I don't see them picking up anyone on a 10 day contract unless they get desperate to get a cheap rebounder off the bench.
Saleem, Taking a look at a player on a 10 day contract is a great way to do it on the cheap. Mario Elie started this way, and loads of others as well. Diamonds in the rough or late bloomers are what we are looking for. James Thomas..... DD
I dont Zo will mind coming to the Rockets playing the PF spot. Did the Raptors buy out his contact yet?
Like this guy? Francisco Elson. http://www.nba.com/playerfile/francisco_elson/index.html Never played in high school and spent four years playing in Spain before he plays in the NBA. Not to draw a game comparison between him and Badiane, just an example of basketball young players needing time to develop overseas.
Barkley couldn't jump? Are you kidding me? He was what...6'4" and could outjump players 5-6" taller than him.
One of the quickest jumpers to ever play the game. Barkley was a freak of nature a 6'5" wide body with incredible leaping ability and smarts. I wish we could find another one for our PF position. DD
I was referring more towards the Barkley that played for us. A bit older and chubbier...he could still rebound without jumping all that high. When he was young he could jump out the gym but as he got older he lost the spring in his step but still managed to get rebounds by just being in the right area and hustle.
