OK, this is funny. I never wanted Swift last summer and I have wanted Battier on this team for a while (he is the perfect roleplayer for this team). I was concerned with Gay. If Calhoun cannot get you to play and complains about your motivation there should be concern. But this was obviously a bad trade. Gay, I think, will be a mix of Tim Thomas/Darius Miles (decent shooting and good defense but lazy/low motivation) at worst. As long as you don't overpay for them, they can provide value. Battier is better than Gay this year but I am not really sure after that. But, yeah, you are basically giving Memphis the 8th pick to take Stro off of our hands. I cannot believe that is the best they can do. I also think the Rockets obviously have a plan in place (trades and signings) and probably needed the roster space. Again, this doesn't matter because this deal isolated is so lopsided. It is like giving up a draft pick for someone to take on an expiring contract (somethin that seems to ba valueable on its own when other teams have it). All I do know is that they better use all of the MLE, and do some major trading (adding salaries through their TE's) to make up for this trade. It still will be a bad trade isolated but I do think the Rockets can end up much better and in good shape for this season. Still doesn't excuse giving up too much now, though...I just want to get back to even.
I hope the Rockets get something in addition to Battier. What I don't understand is the Rockets pick at #44 (from Orlando). If their philosophy is impact players to help now, why draft Eliyahu? Maybe it's because Jerry West is throwing Johnson or Lowry into the deal for Gay/Swift. Any reliable word about this? Alexander Johnson was taken at #45. There were other big men on the board (Millsap, Hollins, Powe) who could help the Rockets this year with rebounding/interior defense. And there were a couple guards available too--Guillermo Diaz and Dee Brown. Any one of them would be more help to Rockets than an undersized power forward who's not ready to play in the NBA for a year or two? Keep hope alive!
Question.... since we tossed in swift does that mean we have a shot at some free agents??? perhaps peja?? rafer, tmac, peja, battier, and yao would be a sweet ass starting line up? Just a thought. I'm trying to be positive and think that they have something else up their sleeve]
I agree with Gay's potential but none of the players on the list were called "hard to motivate" by coach Calhoun himself. I'm okay with trading Gay, but we just didn't get enough for him - plain and simple. ...and as far as the Rockets org not commenting on the matter to the fans - they can't. It's against league rules for them to comment on a pending trade until it's finalized so don't look for any press announcements until July 12th when Battier can be traded. THEN expect a full plate of spin from the man who sold the world....
Just to throw some more info in there. A couple of days before the draft Morey was on 610 and they asked him about the first round pick. He said something along the lines that this is CD's pick and he is going to make the decision regarding this pick.
I know you are not comparing Manu and Parker to Gay and Stro. Gay is an unproven 19 year old with average numbers on a college team and stro is a career underacheiver. Not exactly two NBA all stars. I dont mind battier and think he can help us a lot. but i am surprised we didnt offer just gay for battier straight up. I would be a lot happier if it was Gay and Juwan who were traded. Obviously people are upset about the trade. Remember though, people claim Gay had the talent to be top 1 or 2, yet 7 teams passed on him. I am not saying he cant be great, but I am not sold on him.
I would be happier if we had traded down to get both of NO's 1st rounders, then trade one of them for Battier (send Swift out) and then have our pick of remaining guards. Ah well...
Richard Justice is a crack monkey. He and Les are golfing buddies. Les wrote this last night so he could get justice to print this to help soothe the masses. It really is covering his real plot to drive us all out of buying season tickets so he'll lose money annd he can move the team to Tampa. Why else do you work so hard to alienate your fans?
BINGO! Parker was a Rookie . . he played alot if JVG was coach . . it would not have happened Rocket River
it is incremental improvement we should have won that without injury this year Rocket River This is a lateral move at best
Dear gentleman RICHARD JUSTICE Don't you know that Spurs has more deepth than us? Yes, we can improve with Shane B.,but can we compete with Spurs?
