So, Francis is a ballhog? Its funny, when he actually had more options last season with Taylor and Olajuwon he was nothing close to a ballhog! Anyone who believes Steve was a ballhog two seasons ago is an idiot. If anything, he was too unselfish. But this season, because Steve wasn't passing as much to a bunch of bumbs who couldn't hit the broad side of a barn he's a ballhog? Give me a break. Nobody has any proof that Steve wouldn't pass the ball to someone like Duncan if he was on the team. And Steve did give the ball to Eddie a lot...or at least he gave it up as much as he could to a rookie who shoots a very bad field goal % and will only jack up 3's. I don't know what some of you are even talking about. All that said, I don't think the Rockets have any chance at Duncan, but I wouldn't be totally surprised if he did decide to leave. And Kidrock, I think Rudy did a pretty good job of "utilizing our players strengths" in 94 and 95, wouldn't you say? Or what about when he led the team to an overachieving record in the 2000-2001 season? Remember that? I should hope you do, it was only one season ago.
Oh I think we have a very good chance at him if they decide to trade him this offseason, which would benefit them most.
I do not believe Tim Duncan will leave S.A. He stayed for his senior year at Wake Forest when he could have gone pro. He said then it was because they ahd a chance at a national championship. I wish we were in S.A. shoes. Duncan will stay- they will attract palyers to complement him. They look good for another 6 -7 years. By the way-I hate San Antonio and Greg Poppovich, but I respect Duncan..........
San Antonio won't contend with what they MIGHT add, and Duncan will realize that next seaosn. When he sees his team struggling with an old D-Rob, a short Malik Rose, and a slow Steve Smith. He'll realize that they can attract maybe ONE FA to San Antonio, and it won't be any of the big prizes. Still, they'd lack depth BIG TIME and wouldn't be good enough. They should pick up 3 first rounders and one player for him. Build quick.
Why was Danny Ferry in at the end of the game and not Steve Smith?? Steve Smith should get the lion's share of the fourth Rocket River
Duncan's Player Option and Parker are the only two contracts the Spurs have for the 2003-2004 season and they total $14.1m. IMO, it's going to be easier for the Spurs to get talent for Duncan than for another team to talk him into leaving. The Spurs have some serious cap space.
Now GATER and The Cat, y'all are going to have to stop with all these honest revelations. Don't you know everyone wants to play for 'ol Rudy and dem Rockets?! QUIT BEING INSIGHTFUL! BTW, anybody think for a second that Duncan may have signed a short deal to give the Spurs an opportunity to re-sign and afford Robinson (probably his last contract, too). Funny how their contracts expire at the same time, huh.
I thought that Orlando had a better shot at Duncan than anyone outside of the *s organization. Is this not true? If it is true, then how in the heck could they sign him with Grant *cough* Hill's huge contract?
In defense of Cuttino disagree. Cat is the prototype shooting guard with a lightening fast first step, good hops and ice running through his veins. Sure he isn't a great defender, but he's not horrible. Name 5 shooting guards that are known for their defense as well as their shooting touch. Kobe...sure Vince...a maybe even when healthy not McGrady after a much shorter Baron Davis lit him up for back to back triple doubles. As for the sharing the ball argument everyone else has thrown out, I honestly don't see that being a problem because who else on the Rockets would you want to share the ball with(anymore than you already do)?? Cato? No. KT? Maybe if he is willing to pass it back once in awhile. Rice? Come off the IR and we'll talk. Griffin? Too young to make judgement. The point it with guys like Francis and Mobley running the court, I think Duncan would be out of his mind not to seriously consider Houston even over Orlando.
No way San Baloney allows Duncan to sign with the Rockets, even if the Rockets were interested. There would be mass suicides all over Bexar county and deep south Texas.
I honestly think we can make them a better deal than Orlando. Orlando can't offer anything in trade though. So he has to sign outright. I know I keep repeating it, but I want everyone's opinion. Eddie Griffin Qyntel Woods Amare Stoudamire Kelvin Cato for Duncan Isn't that a good deal? I'd imagine Griffin and Cato are making 10M. We can't trade Stoudamire till after we draft him, so I guess him and Woods count in th trade. If we add a filler, we have around 14M. Perfect right?
The Magic have 4 contracts totaling $29m next summer (Hill, McGrady, Hunter and Sasser). Every other player is an unrestricted FA or has a Team Option. Orlando has the capability signing Duncan outright if they renounce the expiring contracts and pass on the 3 Team Options (they may not have to renounce Miller if the cap goes up substantially). They will then be faced with the task of finding enough players via vet exception, MCE and ?... to fill out the other 6 roster positions. It would be difficult, but not impossible.
Orlando only has 5 players under contract into 2003-2004: Hill and McGrady (~$12.5m each), Mike Miller ($3.5m), Steven Hunter ($1.25m), and Jeryl Sasser ($1m). With three draft picks, assume this figure will jump by $3m. That brings a total of $33.75m, give or take a million or so. With a cap around $45m, it will only take minor roster readjustment to sign Duncan to a max contract starting at around $12m a season. With a history of loyalty with many of the players who will be free agents (notably Darrell Armstrong) and the free agents from this offseason (Pat Garrity, Troy Hudson, Monty Williams), it's possible many of these players will take below market value for the opportunity to play with Duncan or another player of high caliber acquired in that offseason.
In regards to Sane's proposal of Cato, Stoudemire, Woods, and Griffin for Duncan: Until the draft picks are signed, they have little or no trade value. And, once they are signed, they cannot be traded until Dec. 15th or 3 months after the signed their contract, whichever is last. I do not know if Cato+Griffin would be near enough in terms of dollars to make such a trade. Such a deal also assumes the Rockets do not fall from 5th and that Stoudemire falls out of the lottery, the latter of which I consider highly unlikely. If it's another player, would the Spurs do that deal? I don't think they would. It'd take an awful lot to get a player the caliber of Duncan - possibly Francis + player/pick - and I doubt the Spurs would trade him, instead taking their chances with losing him next offseason.
That's too big a risk. Right now, they can trade him anywhere. When he's an FA, the ball's in his side of the court.
I know. Everyone was sure that Duncan was going to leave the first time, but he stayed. I know it's different circumstances now, but he still loves San Antonio. He seriously thinks they can rebuild, and is excited about Tony Parker.
