I have been thinking about some formula we could use to become instant contenders. First let me give my opinion of a couple of the players on the Rockets. Cuttino, has good talent, but hes a gunner who will look the other way when Yao has post position and does not fit in with the Rockets plans of becoming a team based around Yao and Steve. Eddie, no matter how talented he might be he does not have the attitude, heart, and dominating personality to become a great player. He is passive by nature does not seem to work hard on his game as is shown by his lack of improvement from his rookie season. I feel as if when the summer comes we should drop the blockbuster trade. What I offer is a sign and trade with Pacers for Jermaine O'Neal while we give them Cuttino, Griffin along with an extra draft pick, if needed. The Pacers will fill Jermaine's loss with another talented 4 man with potential to be good....and will find a good replacement for Reggie Miller who will soon retire to play the shooting guard. Another plus is that Cuttino could help man some of the point guard duties due to the struggles of Jamal Tinsley. The idea of getting a talented 4 man....even though they have Al Harrington and Bender already and not having to rely on the draft for a replacement for Reggie has to be appealing for the Pacers....the draft pick if added, would be icing on the cake. For us we would get the most dominant 4/5 combination in the league on both ends. Jermaine is a proven 20/10 guy who blocks shots and plays fantastic post defense. Put him at the 4 and couple him with Yao at the 5 and you have amazing inside scoring offense and amazing inside defense. They could easily co-exist since both of them have high post skills and can make the open shot. More importantly they are both amazing passers and possess amazing athletic ability to crash the boards on the weak side and open up room for Steve and James to drive and for Rice for open 3's. Steve will still run the show at the point, we have Posey, and Rice to play the 2 and 3. And the move will also open up playing time for Nachbar to showcase some of the talents that scouts were drooling over when we took him at 15. The money exchange is almost even with Cuttino's pretty hefty contract and the Pacers get quality and talent at the 4 and 2. This trade would make the Rockets the favorite to win the NBA title next year. Shaq will not bully us around with both guys in there...and we can neutralize the Webbers, Duncans, and KG's of the west and still have Steve as our ace in the hole. The 2004 NBA champions our Houston Rockets....it could happen. PG: Steve SG: James SF: Rice PF: Jermaine C: Yao Bench: Taylor, Morris, Nachbar, Moochie, Hawkins.
Cuttino and Griffin for Jermaine O'Neal. Yao and Jermaine at 5 & 4. Sounds great. But I think we can only 'hope' the Pacers would bite.
Freddie Jones was drafted to be Reggie's replacement. The only possible way this would go down would be for O'Neal to say "I will only play for Houston, either s&t me or I'll take less $ to play there".
First of all, the Indiana Pacers have no interest in trading Jermaine O'Neal. Second ... wait, why bother. Refer to the first point.
I beleive that they already have Artest to take over when Miller hang it up. Plus Harrington has played some shooting guard. Mercer also plays some 2, but he probably won't be there to much longer. But oh well smokem if you gottem.
Why oh why would the Pacers do this?? Sorry but no way they give up O'Neal for Mobley and Griffin. Their team is basically built around O'Neal and Artest now, and they don't need a prolific scoring 2 guard. Sure Miller is retiring but they don't need a trade to fill that spot with a decent player. Plus why would they care for Griffin? The Pacers would basically be downgrading their 4 spot a lot and making a slight improvement in the 2 spot. No way they deal. But it's a nice dream...
Jermaine O Neal is a free agent this summer. If he makes it clear to the Pacers that he will not resign with them the Pacers either have to decide to let him walk without any compensation or do a sign and trade which would allow Jermaine to get the maximum amount of money he can possibly get and then get something in return. Yes its kind of a far-fetched idea....But Mobley can play the 1,2, and 3 and the Pacers have always drafted potentially great players and Eddie may fit the bill for them. Mobley would certainly start over Freddie Jones next season and he can also give them some flexibility at the point guard because of Jamal Tinsely's wildy inconsistent play. Artest will play the 3 and Al with share time at the 3/4. With Artests wild behavior it could also give them insurance in case he crosses the line of insanity, which he certainly is flirting with right now. But its the trade can really happen if Jermaine makes it clear to the Pacers that he does not want to resign with them. AND the way the Pacers are losing right now, there was an article on espn.com that there is a chance they could lose him to free agency because of the struggles since the all star break. Pacers could do the trade I detailed so they get some return on him or let him walk for nothing. I think they would certainly want something in return.
We trade Reb 10.5 A 3.9 St 1.8 Blk 2.2 Pt 26.8 in two players for O'neal Reb 10.3 A 2.0 St .8 Blk 2.3 Pt 19.8 in one player I would pull the trigger if O'neal wanted to play in Houston. I doubt Indiana would do it unless they believed that both players numbers would go up while playing for the Pacers. This idea is reasonable, but I don't think it'll happen.
You are expecting too much too early! Two more seasons should see the Rockets a very competitive team going towards the Championship!
I don't understand why O'Neal wouldn't want to resign with the Pacers! He's playing for a fairly young team that is one of the top 2 or 3 teams in their conference. Granted, it's the Eastern Conference; but you're a favorite for the conference championship game each year and 1 game away from the NBA finals, I wouldn't be making any waves!
