One of those would be me I saw him at EVERY home game do this. Finally someone else who agrees with me that Rice is a factor
I think it's a do or die season for Rudy, but the franchise will still be here. The Rockets are NOT going to win a Championship next year, so all this talk of we don't have two or three years to wait for another young player to develop is strange. It will be two or three years before this team is a serious contender - and that's if we're lucky. How many times have teams traded young players for vets and then whished they had the young player back. You think Charlotte wouldn't want Kobe instead of Divac? You think Portland wouldn't want Jermaine O'Neal instead of Dale Davis? I say as long as the Rocket's core players are making progress, that's all we can ask. To me, I don't want to get to the playoffs and be out in three games. I wouldn't make a trade for that. And unless we trade for a young Hakeem, Larry, Magic, or Mike, that's the best we can hope for next year. I say draft Qyntel Woods, let him grow with our young nucleus. And I agree that Rice can provide some leadership. Try to sign a defensive minded vet to come in and give some stability - like Elie did for the Rockets before. And see where you are two or three years from now. By the way, the real problem with this team is the coaching - or lack thereof. But that's another thread... I love talking hoops with you guys!
Amen, <b>juugie</b>! <b>NIKEstrad</b>: If Rice is all that, shouldn't there be a market for him. Does no other franchise need a big contract expiring that same year?!
NIKE I repectfully submit that all of the qualities you attribute to Rice can be said for a resigned Walt Williams except Walt would be alot less expensive. The only way I can envision moving Rice is by packaging him with pick 5 and/or 15. If this happens, the Rockets will have to take in a contract or contracts equaling Rice's. Given the size of Rice's contract, this would almost assuredly be veteran players. Again, I would love to eat my words but IMHO even 20 productive m/g is overly optimistic. Get what we can in trade knowing that that we will have to take on a bum contract as well. Here are players with large contracts... Van Horn, Vin Baker, Jalen Rose, Ilgauskaus, Tim Thomas, Glen Robinson, Dampier, Penny Hardaway, Gugliotta, Antawn Jamison (not sure I'd do this, his contract runs until summer 2008), Derrick Coleman... After the Rockets Max Steve, they won't be in the FA market for a long time so another year or two longer contract than Rice is probably not a big deal. Not sure they'd do it, but if the Nets would send Van Horn for 5 + 15 + filler (KT?), and you could resign Walt for the vet minimum, wouldn't you consider this over what Rice may do this coming season? If the Bucks make serious changes, Big Dog is approaching 30 and is high-mileage but could be a prospect. I'm not saying any of these are even a remote possibility, but I think you see my point. Given the number of CC posters with "inside" information, I started a thread a week or so ago inquiring about Rice's condition/rehab. I got not even one response... not even a sarcastic one. My guess is that Rice and his high maintenance wife are on a Florida beach this summer. My apologies for the long-winded response, but I became a Rockets fan when I moved to Houston in 1980. I realize that Glen Rice is a fine human being and a contributor to the Rockets organization and the city of Houston, but the trade for Rice is easily the single most disappointing aspect of my being a Rockets fan. I have never cared for him as a player.
I am also very doubtful about Rice. However, I am with Nike on this, for the exact same reasons. The team can win with or without him. If he comes back fit and able to shoot, it would be gravy and we would have to be in the top four teams in the West. This year he will have even more open shots.
Rice leadership conference - take one First, never pass a shot up. On the run, in traffic, they all feel good. Score Score Score, and worry about other stuff later. Sometimes its easier to score after your team has lost the game...makes your stats look even better! Better to trade off a 40 pt night with a 2 pt night than have a consistant 20. You get more press! If shaq and kobe want the ball, complain. Don't forget to mope if you feel ignored. Defense is for the help. That's why they call it "help" defense - right? You can always hide behind a switch and lollygag around the perimeter ready for the next break, so your guy doesn't score to much "on you". Be sure to get the switch on a completely hopeless opponent . Ha ha, if they only knew. I hope its more than that. Maybe my expectations are so low now, I'm certain to be pleased!
Umm, Rice isn't "all that". That's why the market for him is small and/or doesn't exist. Teams don't want to mortgage two years to have potential cap space in 2 years. Ask again when Rice only has a year left, and the story will be different. GATER-Personally, I want Walt gone. He's part of the "clique", and I think to help the team, the players that are not part of the core but are causing problems need to be moved (I want Moochie gone, too). And he does not have the championship experience, nor all star experience Rice has. And no, I wouldn't trade 5, 15, and Rice for KVH. You can get a more talented player on a cheaper contract at #5. KVH is the type of player you could get, and he's not that good. Our perimeter D was bad enough as it is. That's my whole point-it's not worth trading away more talent than what we receive to get away from Rice's contract 2 years early, and as you said when the cap doesn't matter. The benefit of letting Rice's deal expire, is it allows flexibility in terms of signing a max MCE deal (remember, that's starting around ~4.7 mill) and knowing you have 9 mill coming off the books in 2 years. Knowing this, would we have traded for Rice now? No, but why complicate matters but putting yourself worse off just to get rid of him. Just because no one's heard anything doesn't mean nothing's happened.
My eyes light up when I see Illgauskas' name. But would Cleveland trade him knowing the only benefit is that it will be off the books in 2 years rather than 4? They have Mihm, Doleac, and Diop. Rice does what they do, spot up. Is it possible? Maybe Rice and #15? Illgauskas wouldn't have to play much since we have Cato, which is another problem. Cato is playing good solely because he's starting. So is it worth benching him? Another thing, is it smart to lock up $20M in the C position? But what better position to lock it into? Thoughts? Personally, I think the Blazers should and will acquire him. It's a match made in heaven with Miller wanting to leave, and teh Blazers deviod of confidence now.
