Don't underestimate the Stromile Swift-Rockets connection. It's going to be extremely difficult for the Rockets to move up to get him but I can assure you they will try. Swift's favorite team is the Rockets. From what I hear Swift isn't going to workouts -- he'll workout in Louisianna and teams can come see him there. He's making an exception in the Rockets' case... bit of a secret now but Stromile will probably be coming to Houston for a workout. There are some other very interesting small things there but I was told them off the record. Nothing huge mind you -- just makes Swift-Rockets interesting. I think if they can acquire Swift somehow they'll have a Rocket for life. The Grizzlies are in love with the fact that Marcus Fizer and Kenyon Martin both aren't scared off by Vancouver. NBATalk said this morning they are leaning towards Fizer but believe he'll be available at #4 or #5. Translation: Safe bet is Chicago will be picking #1 or #2 in this draft .... Orlando a strong possibility also. And that's why it is difficult for the Rockets to move up. The Clippers could prove to be the wild card, but I've heard nothing on the solid rumor front there. Also, Rockets really do love Mike Miller. Morris Peterson didn't have as bad of a workout as we originally heard but the Rockets project him as a 2 and they just don't have that need at the moment. Etan Thomas I heard had a hurt or sprained ankle and wasn't able to do a whole lot. ------------------ NOTHING BUT .NET CLUTCHCITY.NET
Oh, man! You're killing me! The Rockets are Swift's favorite team? He's giving us an exclusive workout? Get him in the jammies NOW!
If maybe Swift can pull an act like Francis did last year we might improve our chances on landing him ------------------
Ah, Clutch you're killing me. NJ is drafting KMart almost for sure. that means CHI would draft Mihm at #2, Swift won't play in LAC, great spot to trade to. And if we get a package starting with Moiso (#9) we'd be in a nice spot-they get a local hero. they did make a trade of #2 (McDyess) for Rodney Rogers and #15 (Brent Barry), so #9 and Bryce Drew would be fair? right? I wish, but Moiso/Drew would get talks started..... ------------------ Rockets fans wanted at hoopsboards.com Draft Chat, NBA Chat, Team Chat, and more!
I like your thinking NIKEstrad- Number nine plus drew plus KT(or anyone else other than the untouchables-including Cato if possible) would work for me. That should help out the Clips a lot. They get Moiso to be a possible C/PF and KT to play PF, making up for the undoubtable loss for MO Taylor. Plus they get Drew for their backcourt. That sounds like a good plackage for the Clips to me. Do you think anyone else could offer them better??? ------------------ Don't sweat the petty things, and don't pet the sweaty things!
NJ is drafting KMart almost for sure Take it for what it's worth, but today's Austin American Statesman is reporting that NJ leaning toward taking Mihm #1. If that happened it might really help the Rockets. If Mihm is gone, then Chicago won't offer both picks to trade up, so we'd have a better chance at swinging a deal to get to 2 or 3. Also, Chicago might go ahead and take Pryzbilla at #4, so Miles and Miller could slide a litte. ------------------ [This message has been edited by aelliott (edited May 28, 2000).]
Clutch, I just wanted to say trade rumors are heating up crazy with the Clippers. So its not like nothing is going on. The reason why is they think they can get the local PF Jerome Moiso at 10. You KNOW why they need local players. What good is Swift when he won't play? At least Moiso who almost the same, will be willing. They are banking on Moiso's shyness that he won't cause a problem like Francis did. So far the main guys being discussed back and forth are Drew, #9, Cato, Kandi, #3. ------------------ Check out the new and improved Draftsource.net
The grizz could very well take fizer at #2 no matter who is there. they LOVE fizer. hard to believe they would choose him over swift or Kmart, but fizer said he would play for them, and they really like him. we would really have to get moiso at #9 to make a trade work i dont think KT, #9, and Bryce will cut it. we will have to throw in a future draft pick, maybe walt, maybe our 2nd round, who knows but i just dont think those 3 will cut it. swift is gonna be a franchise player so it looks. trading an underachieving center, a PF who has potential but not a sure thing, and a PG who they like but isnt a star isnt the most enticing trade. ------------------ --TEX
rf-are we the main team involved in talks with the Clips? If anyone, who else is? I think a trade of Cato, Drew, #9 for Kandi, #3, would be interesting......but WHAT IF we replaced Cato with KT (what's KT's use if he's backing up our new superstar PF in Swift, KT's also has a much cheaper contract)......then at #9, the Clips could draft Tsakalidis. They get their center replacement who's likely not gonna be worse than Kandi has, their PG that they seem to covet, and their new PF, for a PF who doesn't want to play there, and an underachieving C. Sounds like a party? BTW-Here's a link to the site that has the Rockets listed as Swift's favorite team: http://www.lsusports.net/mb/swift.cfm I think if we can acquire Swift/Kandi without giving up Cato, it'll be pretty miraculous. $$$$ will come into play when it comes to dealing with the Clips. ------------------ Rockets fans wanted at hoopsboards.com Draft Chat, NBA Chat, Team Chat, and more!
Salsa-What was Antonio McDyess? aelliott-I wouldn't take that for much worth. The Nets need interior defense, and KMart provides that. ------------------ Rockets fans wanted at hoopsboards.com Draft Chat, NBA Chat, Team Chat, and more!
http://www.nj.com/nets/ledger/index.ssf?/sports/ledger/f9f8f7.html That's a NJ article. Notice: They're NOT working out Chris Mihm. Also note this line: "If the Nets hold onto the No. 1 pick, which they are expected to do, they will more than likely take Martin." ------------------ Rockets fans wanted at hoopsboards.com Draft Chat, NBA Chat, Team Chat, and more!
Nike, Rockets aren't the only team trying to get up there, but the Rockets are trying the hardest. The Magic and Bulls are focusing their efforts on the 1 and 2 picks. The other teams like Swift too, but Swift favors the Rockets so that's why the majority of discussions have been with the Rockets. I don't think the Clips would use a 9th on a foreigner. They already have enough problems with citizens don't wanting to play for them. The reason why the 9th looks so sweet is becuase the local PF Moiso is available. I also would perfer KT over Cato in the deals, but I'm just reporting what I hear. ------------------ Check out the new and improved Draftsource.net
NIKE i realize that. i dont think they would make taht mistake again. then again it is the clips. id be amazed if cato was still with us if we somehow pull this off. ------------------ --TEX
Wow this is some good scoop!!!! If the Rockets move up in the Draft they have Walt Williams who played great thus to demphasis the Small forward need. But make no mistake about it Cato is better than Khandi-man. Khandi is soft. The number 3 pick is better than Drew plus the #9 pick. This looks pretty even if Rogers is included. This trade is loop-sided in favor of the Rockets. But, this trade definatley fills some void for the Clippers. The Clippers get a solid point guard in Drew. The Clippers would also end up acquiring Moiso a top 4 selection in next years draft. The clippers would also get Cato who would be the 2nd best player in this years draft. Plus they get Carlos Rogers who may eclipse Cato's playing performance if he reaches his potential every game. The Rockets get Khandi-man, an underachieving player with what else but potential. The Rockets get the 3 pick. The nets want to win now so they would take some seniors in Martin, Mihm, or possibley Fiezer(a junior). Vancouver is still young, but they have not won in a while so they would try to get someone who needs less maturing than Swift (thus they get the left over from Martin, Mihm, or Fiezer). Then the Rockets if they get the pick from the Clippers can get Swift. Next the Bulls pick and they would get Mihm maybe still there. Then everyone is HAPPY!!!! ------------------
rf- thanks for that additional scoop. Magic/Bulls? That's good news because: Both of them are looking to SAVE cap. Thus, their trades will likely have some of their unwanted contracts, etc. The Rockets, on the other hand, can take on additional cap (exception). That's gonna come into play IMO. Don't forget LAC also has #18, where they'll likely be able to get Mamadou N'Diaye, or Ernest Brown. Cato, Drew, Moiso for Kandi, Swift. I'd have to think about that. If they added #18, I'd be almost positive I'd do it. Think about this as a draft for us (if we made this trade): Swift (#3), Desmond Mason (#18), Pete Mickeal (#38) There's a good defense, to go along next to Olajuwon, and Shandon. I'd only be worried about Kandi...he's been torched before (ahem Shaq). That's why I'd like to keep Cato, and trade KT. BTW-Mihm is also a junior. Dreamcasting. Defense is gonna be the key people. DEFENSE. So, lets say we trade KT, Drew, #9 for #3 and #18 (Swift/Mason). We then draft Mickeal at #38. Now, we're playing the Lakers, we can put out this team for defensive spurts: Cato-Swift-Anderson-Mickeal-Francis, and wreak havoc. Cato-Swift would give Shaq troubles, and we'd still have the Dream. Mickeal-Anderson would put Kobe in fits, and when we needed offense we could bring in Mason, another good defender, and Mobley. Then, Francis would just torch them, and be the "offense". DEFENSE wins championships. ------------------ Rockets fans wanted at hoopsboards.com Draft Chat, NBA Chat, Team Chat, and more! [This message has been edited by NIKEstrad (edited May 28, 2000).]
NIKEstrad, That's a NJ article. Notice: They're NOT working out Chris Mihm. Also note this line: "If the Nets hold onto the No. 1 pick, which they are expected to do, they will more than likely take Martin." All that article says is that the Nets haven't scheduled a workout with Mihm yet. It doesn't mean that he won't be working out for them. Here's a blurb from another American Statesman article from last week: Mihm should be busy before the June 28 draft. He might go to Chicago next week to work out for the Bulls, who have the No. 4 pick. Still uncertain is when Mihm will work out for New Jersey, which has the No. 1 pick but needs to hire a coach and director of basketball operations. "We're going to wait a little while to work out for New Jersey," Mihm said. " http://www.austin360.com/sports/hookem/stories/2000/05/26mihm.html Even if NJ had no interest whatsoever in Mihm, they'd still work him out so as to not tip their hand to other teams. If Chicago is convinced that NJ is going to take Mihm, they might make a sweet offer that NJ will take. BTW: If I was NJ, I wouldn't even think about drafting Mihm. ------------------
I'm sure if Swift really wants to come to Houston he can give other teams, such as the Clippers, a cold shoulder; and not attending other teams workouts surely might tempt teams to make hasty decisions they probably beforehand would have not made; but IMO Cato our Kenny Thomas would have to be involved, if not both. A package of Kelvin Cato, Kenny Thomas, Bryce Drew + 9 pick for Swift and Kandi would be the best the Rockets could offer, and the most realistic for both teams involed, assuming it's the Clips. ------------------
BOOSTER-He's said if the Clips are the team likely to draft him, he's going back to school. aelliott-I see what you're saying, I just don't think that NJ will draft him. KMart makes so much more sense. BTW, a cap question-We can't trade contracts of people we've released (such as Maloney, or Two Sammiches) in a trade, to help meet cap requirements, can we? of other note: Orlando is seeking KMart, not Swift, which means LAC isn't much a choice. ------------------ Rockets fans wanted at hoopsboards.com Draft Chat, NBA Chat, Team Chat, and more! [This message has been edited by NIKEstrad (edited May 28, 2000).]
In an article I read earlier this year, Stromile made a reference to the Rockets being the team he followed while growing up. I can't remember the exact quote, but it was something along those lines. ------------------ ? [This message has been edited by Dr of Dunk (edited May 28, 2000).]
