Well if we are discussing that Houston is a big market or not? Thats ridiculous. Rockets are one of the NBAs biggest markets in the league. I dont understand this line of thinking. Its really just an excuse to say they dont want to come here. I am fine with that. Thats not true though Houston most certainly made Tmac one of the highest basketball players paid ever per season and in his career. Yao isnt far behind every year he is playing. Thats silly nonsense people from other teams say. I dont know where that originated. Moreys not getting that point across enough. Houston is the fourth largest city in America backed by Chinese fans and a history of 2 Championships.
Meh, don't let the big names get to you. Obviously Melo is the better player but if you ask me there certainly isn't a HUGE dropoff between Melo and a guy like Danny Granger -- somebody Morey is certainly capable of acquiring. Patience, patience, patience....
there is. one guy you can give the ball in the 4th and ask him to carry us. the other can't. granger is a martin-level player. morey is good at getting those. we need a superstar and morey knows it. everything he does right now is to set up a potential signing of a superstar. it sucks nobody wants to come here on their own terms
Lets help Carmelo Anthony get to NY. Lets try to see if we can get Gallinari out of the deal. I like that kid.
After the Ariza trade I see Melo as even more unlikley. An Ariza, Hill, Bud, picks package would have made good sense, but now you're going to have to include Martin or AB instead. AB, Hill, Bud, JJ, TE, and picks for Melo IF he signs an extension. Lowry/Smith Martin/Lee Melo/Battier Scola/Hayes/Patterson Yao/Miller
Well, nobody in their right mind would argue Granger is the better overall player or produces better 4th quarter numbers. All I'm saying is for a fraction of the price ($11-14M for 24-26 PPG), it's enough to get me to look past whatever intangible advantages Melo carries over Granger. It's the same reason why I'm happy with the end result of us acquiring Martin over a guy like Vince Carter -- who we probably would have gotten a year before if it weren't for the McGrady soap opera. Sure, Carter has the better 4th quarter rep (generally speaking) but we ended up with a guy that's cheaper, younger and for all we know....clutch and just waiting for an opportunity to show it. Perhaps it's the same case with Granger? In any event, I get what you're saying and obviously I'd prefer Melo if they were both available and cost the same price. Just saying, a Granger type isn't a TERRIBLE fallback option.
He's pretty much already done all that with Bosh. Made no difference. Once upon a time Tmac handpicked the Rockets to be the team he wanted to traded to from the Magic. The reason? Yao was the next big thing and Shaq told Tmac he was the real deal. Now? Superstars around the league perceive Yao as damaged goods and not a good longterm player to partner with. Plus they are picking places with perks like the bright lights of NYC or Miami's south beach. Us? The appeal to China's money is murky since Yao's future is murky. They're not going to come here for the no state income tax, they make enough money to not worry about that.
tmac actually preferred jermaine o'neal and the pacers at the time before us. we were his 2nd choice then. but i don't know why yao's future would matter. we have brooks, martin, scola, a great bench... yao or no yao... it's a great place that offers a great chance at success. and we have a GM who constantly looks to improve the team. it is weird that not one superstar has even "considered" us seriously. hell, even slightly.
Plus the major stars already have overseas deals. They don't need Houston or Yao's China influence to garner endorsements. So why go to a franchise that is married (for better or worse...til feet do us part...) to an injury prone center that, even when healthy, isn't the easiest to play with anyways?
Because Yao is the closest thing we got for a superstar. Superstars these days don't want to play with just role players. Martin is not enough of a draw to get superstars here, he's a good player but not a superstar. The NBA is becoming a clique league and superstars want play with their superstar dream team clique friends. Houston doesn't figure into that clique at the present.
"clutch" is such an overrated word. If these guys were truly clutch they would have won every single game every single time. I understand 4rth quarter is where heroes are born however its not as if everyone just freezes up and starts turning the ball over when the 4rth quarter comes around. Getting a "superstar" who may not be a real superstar but is making max money doesn't seem like a good idea to me. I'd prefer someone like Granger who plays a like a superstar on the court at times but costs only half as much.
I dunno why everyone is hot and heavy for Melo. If we could get him for a couple of years then I wouldn't say anything. But this is just gonna be a one year rental, and sure he puts up points and get a decent amount of rebounds, but he doesn't actually make his team any better, and I don't think he's a guy you should get rid of all your assets over.
I'll say this much, it's unlikely CarDiva will change his mind, so Denver would be smart to get it over with and trade him.
That wasnt it. If you don't know, you can't say. It was more than that, it was brooks,chase, and dumping barbosa. Don't believe the hype. Baller4life, there is a big difference from granger to melo. Granger has never been close to the playoffs and melo has made it every year. Thats the difference in superstars vs good players. Granger is good, but if u put granger in denver and melo in indy, indy probably still makes the playoffs in the east.
Not to mention, Melo draws a consistent double on the blocks late in games. He is a legitimate quarter closer, as well.
Alot of people look at numbers and other look at the game. Martin is very effecient 1-3 quarters, but when the game is on the line, he's a no show. Melo is one of the top 7 players in the league. After lbj,kobe,wade,then he's in the mix with cp3,durant,howard. Anyone who says otherwise just doesn't like the guy.
