Funny how Rashard's comparison to Kobe sounds alot like Jerry Stackhouse a couple of years back: [ I put up half the stats he puts up, so I should make half the pay he makes] - Stackhouse (paraphrased) during his comparison of himself to Michael Jordan who made 36 million dollars that year
Well, if we hadn't traded for Glen Rice or paid Moochie the money we did, we wouldn't have to sign and trade with anyone. I think it would be very interesting development with this team. Look at the shots availible, he could come and get 14 shots per game. Is he worth the Max, I don't think so, but for 8mil a yr, i would do it. You must remember that he is 23 yrs of age! I think after we resign Francis, then if we would have to give up a Mobley with Cato , the deal can get done. Resign Torres then I think you would have the pieces in place to be a successful team. Francis,Lewis,Torres,Griffin at the 1-2-3-4 position would give this team length and atheleticism and unselfish play. Taylor,Rice,Thomas,and Morris off the bench would be role players, but the bulk of the points would come from the starters.
Why not let Terrance Morris develop instead of signing Rashard Lewis? costs less and Morris could become a better defender than rashard we don't need offense.
Assuming a 10% increase in the salary cap, which would make it $46.75 million, only the Bulls & Clippers can pay him the $10.6 million that he's wanting outright. Washington could pay him about $9.8 million. The Bulls have Mercer/Artest/Robinson & the Clippers have Odom/Miles/Maggette, so I doubt that either one of them would be interested in paying him $10.6 million. Washington only has Hamilton, so they might be interested, but my guess is that they're going to wait until the 03/04 FA class comes out. Another thing, if Seattle were to give him the $10.6 million that he wants, that'd put their signed contracts at ~ $56.2 million for just 9 players. They're currently the 7th seed for the playoffs & just 1 1/2 games from dropping into lottery contention. I also just read, that he's put another condition on resigning with Seattle. He now insists that his decision will be influenced by whether or not they keep Payton. He's obviously trying to force their hand. If Seattle gives Rashard the max & extends Payton's contract, they'll be strapped for a long time with the team as is & the bottom line is, they aren't that great a team right now. However, there are a few teams that could get down low enough, if they were to acquire some expiring contracts this year. We just happen to have $8 million in expiring contracts (Walt & Willis). If we're unwilling to consider a sign & trade for Rashard at the end of the year, then maybe we can trade Walt & Willis (before the trade deadline) to a team that would like to make a serious run at him, in exchange for a player or two that would enhance our team. After all, we're going to be over the cap for a while as well. Any ideas?
Some people are forgetting that Rashard is a great outside/3 point shooter. Something that is sorely lacking on this offense.
R u watching the games? We need as much offensive power as we can get. Those 6 min dry spells are costing us games left and rite. I know wishing for offensive players when we have Steve, Cuttino, Griffin and Kt is absurd. But....
A. Rockets Needs - We need player mix. We need more scoring options. We need a heady, aggressive forward with a wide range of skills. We need to threaten outside more. 1. Rashard gives us most of these needs. He is heady (smart) and has good game focus although he has shown some games lapses (a la Robert Horry) at times this season. 2. He has a plethora of scoring ability in his arsenal. 3. I am not as impressed with his outside game as he apparently is, however, it does show he has worked to improve his overall skill level over the last year. B. Ending Contracts, yes, but … - We will have some very limited cap space this summer. A sign and trade is much more advantageous to us. And everyone keeps bringing up ending contracts. Yes, we have ending contracts, but ….. 1. Kevin Willis may be kept another year (in a one year deal). 2. Kenny Thomas wants (maybe demands???) an indication whether he will be upped in 2003 or will he be traded. His high profile, low contract maintenance make him a prime trade commodity this year. His strong showing this season also gives him legitimacy to demand a new contract. 3. Torres will be offered a decent three year contract this summer and he will accept. He loves the Houston organization. 4. And they may have to resign Tierre Brown simply to replace Mooch (see below). Brown is a serviceable PG and has as much “excitement” potential as anyone could expect from a bench rook. C. On The Bubble - As far as the Rocket roster players who are on the bubble … 1. Terrence Morris - RT sees him (and I am not saying this is realistic or not) as a defensive stopper (a la Shandon) but with a lot more offensive upside. But clearly he needs to either be moved as an “also named” trade filler or find his niche in the Rockets game in the few minutes he is given. In short, he needs to show as much promise as Oscar or Terrence will be sent packing. 2. Mooch - Better stick Moochie on that list too. He is a tradable commodity, despite our “dribble” complaints teams would have high expectations of him as a serviceable PG. On the Rockets end, IMHO CD would not hesitate adding him in a multi-player deal and because most receiving teams know just exactly what they are getting in him, he would be an easily accepted as such. 3. Cato – As much as we all, and that certainly includes me, ragged on his ass over the last several months, he has shown a greater desire this year than ever before and IMHO may have improved his overall league rep two-fold since last year. He is far more aggressive this year, and I mean not “stupid” aggressive (he’s not reaching in as much, he shouldering on the box-out and not hip-bump and grabbing) he looks a lot more comfortable, and he plays within our sysytem much more consistently he also looks happier. All of this is not lost on the scouts. 4. Maurice Taylor – IMHO, unless something intriguing is in the offing, MoTay will be given his chance to shine in a Rocket uniform next season. But … and this is a big but … if a deal which included Rashard Lewis or McDyess or even Steve Smith were put together, … Maurice Taylor could solve many team puzzles … both CD and RT would include him in a heart beat. Especially if he gets in a week or two of games before the season ends and shows his moves with some strength and regularity. Misconceptions and Advantages 1. I read a lot of what I call "obscene phone caller"-type comments from "gidee (heheheheh)with anticipation" posters and mainstream media describing Houston as being owed picks (that's plural) and an excellent opportunity for a lottery pick ( that's a single) this year. Well, we have obligations for several picks in the coming years with some stiff obligations this coming draft. Relax. Any picks we get will be used to satisfy obligations, or parlayed into a bone-crushing multi-team deal where CD will attempt to unload some chaff, pick up a key player and improve the roster. Note: we will not be harnessed by any key player contract squabbles this year. No hold outs or ransom demands. This will not be a repeat of last summer. 2. The absolute biggest advantage we have right now is that despite any moves that we make or not make ... we will ostensibly end the season in the same direction we have been heading. However, and this is the advantage ... some teams need to tweak and adjust their roster right now to make a favorable impression, a couple baby steps or a giant leap while heading into the playoff prelude. Our next season may very well rest on what moves are made within the next week or so. Essentially we have teams coming to us right now, but the ball and the advantrage are in our court. On my wish list is: 1. Unload Mooch. Sorry, but we can right a wrong here and still be ahead of the trade game for next summer. There have been inquiries and he has been sought within the last month. 2. I doubt our ending contracts would be a primary target for any trades at this juncture of the year, but definitely if given the chance ... including Walt as a secondary "add-on" on any deal would make me very, very happy. Okay so I am a hedonist and enjoy fanciful self-pleasure. But it is as doable now as anytime previous thsi year. 3. Dear Rudy: - I am not advocationg tanking by any stretch of the imagination, but now is the time to start playing Terrence Morris more. Oscar more. Get Jason Collier in there. Hell, get long tall Sally Langhi some more minutes also. If we want to sell them or are waiting for them to show some stuff ... nows the time. I will take even money that the eventual outcome will be unchanged as far as wins and losses are concerned.
OP, Great stuff as always. I've got a couple of questions for you. 1) I read a while back that Willis said he wanted to play another 2-3 years. Do you feel that he would accept a one year deal or would he insist on a 2-3 year deal & if so, would the Rockets consider that an option? 2) During the trade inquiries, have any players of note been offered to us that you know of? 3) You mentioned McDyess & Steve Smith, has there been any inquiries (either on our part or their team's parts) as to their availability? Also, what would the Rockets do with Rice if Smith or Rashard were made available to us? Would they go with 2 veteran SF's? 4) Is Rudy still enamored with Langhi or is there a problem behind the scenes that the fans can't see? 5) Is Collier still in the long term plans?
opie-We seem to be conflicting on our draft pick situation. I have us owing a pick to Memphis (Francis), and a 2nd rounder to Denver/Milwaukee (K. Willis-I forget which team gets the pick). The 2nd rounder is this year's and no problem. To my understanding, the Memphis pick is lotto protected this year, but not for next year. Meanwhile, we are owed a 1st and a 2nd this year as long as Toronto (Hakeem S/T) isn't in the lottery, and also owed by Chicago either 2 2nds, or 1 1st (Bryce Drew.) We used the Mirsad Turkcan pick to pick up Morris. I see us in the plus side of draft picks. If I'm understanding you correctly, do you mean that if we plan on not resigning Kenny, he'll be traded by this trade deadline? Great stuff, as always.
I like Rashard, but I think you guys are overvaluing him a little bit. He's a very good player, and a good fit for this team-- good shooter, moves without the ball, plays defense, has height, etc. However, I don't see him ever becoming a star. He'll be a very good player, but not worth Mo Taylor and a lottery pick. Maybe Mo and Terrence Morris, but a lotto pick and Mo Taylor is giving too much. OP, Out of curiousity, why did you mention Steve Smith's name? Do you really think we'd be interested in him? It just seems a bit strange... he brings the same strengths to the table as Rice, who has similar strengths to Walt, etc. It would be nice to have a little diversity.
I dont really understand why S.A. would be looking to deal Steve Smith and, more confusingly, why the Rocket's managment would want him???
Rashard is much better than Mo Taylor. Much better. Mo and a lottery pick would be a fantastic deal, imho.
The Cat, My guess would be that Smith is more consistent than Walt & he's healthy, as opposed to Rice. I assume that Rice will have a full recovery & be ready to pay dividends next year, but there's no guarantee of that. By the way Smith is shooting 49% from the field & 57% from 3 pt land. With those kind of numbers, I would imagine that it'd take something special to sweet talk them out of him, but who knows.
From Det the Threat: It all depends on where the lottery pick is. If it is a top 6 then I would say no. I guess it's all about who the rockets want in the draft and when they would be available.
A couple of things on Steve Smith ... 1. His name was mentioned not as a spiked filler to boost my argument, but the fact that he has been bandied around by several peolple in the industry lately. That usually signifies that he is being shopped or someone is discontented (Management or player) It also sometimes means that they want to do something(trade-wise) and are feeling out the market. I was in San Antonio on business this past week and Steve Smith name came up often. Interestingly he has had a lot of local,regional and national press lately. Frankly, as I may have mentioned before, the Spurs have very short sight when it comes to players. They do not draft well (this year was a blatant and surprising exception) and they have shown little patience of with anyone except Tim Duncan (and let's face it he doesn't fall off his game enough to require attentive patience). 2. Anyone who thinks (eh,Cat?) that Smith is on par or an also-ran to the likes of Walt Wiulliams has obviously missed some of Steve Smith's game. Steve has faster pursuit and a much more rounded defense than Walt the Wizbang, and his consistentcy with the rock in his hands is leaps and bounds above anything Walt has had for the last four or five years. 3. The key to Rice is that we have to get him involved, get him into some gameplans that will exploit his outside game (even as a threat and not even the first option) and get him healthy. That being said, if both Rice and Smith were here - Rice would have to split with Smith or even take a seat in a 30 minute starting spot for Smith. Rice's al-around game is limited by a number of factors. He doesn't bring tyhe same things to the table. 4. On the negative side Smith tends to be silient at times. I guess it saysd he needs to be apppreciated from game to game to play to his potential. I mean, he can't be allowed to languish behind others as the third or fourth option, or get passed over on strategy (gameday court plan) despite him egtting stuck with possible mismatches. He has to be involved, and be given the ball inside/outside, perimeter rim, pivot/flex in the middle, etc.... and his game expands. He moves well enough, but he doesn't force his man to cover him and doesn't seem to attract anyone if he doesn't have the ball. 5. In relation to #4 - One of the most glaring examples of Popovich's style, and the main thing that must irritates the hell out of players is how Coach Pop closes his bench down. Closes starters possessions down and doesn't expand the game over all five guys on the floor. I guess I mean he doesn't allow them to earn their game. Only recently has he opened his roster up a bit. It just may be that he has lost Smith in the meantime, and Steve is looking over the fence at other opportunities.
Pops, I like Steve Smith, and I agree he's a lot better than Walt. However, he, Rice, and Walt all three bring about the same strengths to the table, even though the degree of strength is different. I still have a lot of hope for Rice when he's healthy, and I don't really see Steve Smith doing that many things that a healthy Glen Rice can't do. Smith is a good post player for a swingman, but Rice's most effective time this season was playing in the post. In fact, I'm surprised we didn't utilize it more. Smith has a great outside stroke, but Glen does too when he's in rhythm. I know Steve is putting up some incredible FG % numbers this year, but don't forget that he's playing with the Spurs. When you have both Duncan and Robinson inside, that leads to tons of open three point shots, and as a result the Spurs lead the league almost every year in three point percentage. I guess to me going after a Steve Smith signals that the Rockets are losing their faith in Glen Rice, and I don't really like that. BTW, could any of this talk about Steve Smith have to do with the Spurs reluctance to give him an extension? I remember that when he was originally traded to SA, his agent talked about wanting an extension to make the deal go through. The Spurs and Smith seemed to shrug that off, and went along with their business. Is that coming into play, now? Does Smith want traded somewhere that he can get a long-term extension?
I can think of 7 players who can knock down the three: Francis Mobley Griffin Torres Rice (when healthy) Williams Norris (usually in clutch time)
