He most certainly can. Can he defend the pfs of the west? No, but no other available pfs can do that either, save for perhaps Swift, but even that is in question. I think JVG could make Walker a useful cog on this team, and perhaps raise his stock enough to make him better trade bait than the crop we currently have.
I think he can play PF in the West. He's not ideal, but if Dirk can do it, he can. Heck, when he did play for Dallas, he recorded his second highest bpg total of his career and put up a solid 14-8. Moreover, I don't see him being any worse, really, than SAR or Marshall defensively...at least not considerably. The main problem with him, IMO, is his ability to disrupt the offensive flow. He just shoots too low a %, but he is a decent passer, which could be real helpful in terms of getting the ball to Yao in the right spot, and he does know how to play with a dynamic, athletic scoring SF. If the price is right, Walker can add to this team. Simmons might sign for the MLE. Who other than the Clippers would offer him more? Would the Clippers offer him that much more to entice him to pay California income tax and play for a losing team? Swift would have to be a S&T...meaning we likely have to take back Jason Williams...
These are all pretty damn big names. Looks like CD/Dennis weren't lying when they said we'd make a major move in free agency. I'd be happy with only one of those guys..
Man I really dont want Antoine Walker and his sorry shooting on this team. I hope the Rockets can land Stromile Swift or Chris Anderson instead.
Though it is Chad Ford, his thoughts on Simmons "value" Clippers head coach Mike Dunleavy told Insider several weeks ago that he wants him back badly, but the Clippers are likely to get some serious competition from the Bobcats, the Hornets and possibly the Cavs. If a team offers Simmons more than the mid-level exception, however, don't be so sure the Clippers will match. Dunleavy likes him, but he's not willing to break the bank to keep him. MLE for the Rockets or MLE for the Clippers...tough choice The key is to get assurance from Swift that Houston is his top choice and he and his agent will try and facilitate a S&T to Houston. That let's you use your MLE of Simmons.
Antoine Walker isn't ideal, but you can't tell me he's not 100% times better than any combination of padgett, weatherspoon or bowen. Although not ideal, he would add much needed depth if he is the only one we are able to acquire.
Yeah if he is all we can settle for I defeinately wont turn him down I just hope we have more options before we commit to him.
Thanks for the updates guys, really appreciate it for the out of towners. Were there any details on these guys or was it kind of a blurb thing? Swift- His name has been linked to the Rockets a couple times already this offseason. I think CD/JVG would love this kid, he is young and is already a solid defender, he also possesses a pretty good mid-rang jumper. He should be our #1 priority. Walker- This is a tough decision. This guy can give us 20 & 10 when he's on. He has always been a solid rebounder and has a really good offensive game. I think JVG could help transform Walker into the player everyone wants him to be, kinda like what he did for Spree. Help him with his shot selection and decision making, if able to, Walker's rebounding and offensive game could be a nice decision. Simmons- This kid has really improved his game. He's got a solid jumper now and could really turn into one of those utility guys teams love. He is young and can be a solid defender, has good size too. A Swift/Simmons summer would be amazing. I'd be happy to get one of these guys, let alone both. Getting Swift would most likely require a S&T, signing Simmons to the MLE could be a real possibility.
why are so many people here so high on simmons? is he really quick enough to play the 2? because tmac won't be a 2 as long as JVG is the coach. i understand he is a good shooter, young, athletic. great. just what we need, sure. but at the wrong position IMO. plus he was only good for one year. a contract year. i don't see how he is a solid choise IF he can even help us. stro is a no brainer if we can make that happen. walker is interesting. he can definitely play the 4 in the west. his defense isn't great in terms of guarding post players and adding weakside shotblocking. however he is quick enough to guard perimeter oriented 4's very well. he is a good rebounder, and he can spread the floor on offense with his J. he can also create his own shot from the post or off the dribble. he is as close to the perfect fit as it gets once you rule out stro. his attitude scares me, but his game (under the right mentality) is a great fit. if he can accept being the 3rd option, and truely differ to yao and tmac, then i would gladly take him on for the right price. the only point that matters here is: if JVG is ok with these guys then so am i...for the right price.
Just say no to Walker. He takes poor percentage shots all the time, and he's most effective when he has the ball in his hands. And he sure as heck shouldn't be taking touches away from Yao and T-Mac. Swift and Simmons would be good pickups. I'm not sold on Simmons being a perfect compliment for T-mac. He's more of a SF, and he's not much of a 3pt shooter. But he does hustle, and would improve our overall talent level. And while Swift has warts of his own, his athleticism will be something we desperately need at the 4.
i think it was cd who mentioned that if a sf were available to them in the draft they would have taken him and moved t-mac back to sg.
We've reportedly been after Simmons, so I guess that makes sense, but I can't help but wonder if Stro and Walker are not players CD has had "indirect" contact with and that's why we're talking to them first. If other players have made overtures to us it could be just an agreement to talk before their accepting other offers. As others have said, we could do much worse than any one of these 3, but I just can't see Walker as a "JVG guy", and I don't think we'll pay Swift what some knuckle-headed team will offer.
Agreed. We all know JVG is a "no frills" type guy, I don't see him "experimenting" with questionable players unless he is pretty confident they can change. I'm pretty confident JVG and CD will pick players that can really help us, especially since we are pretty close to being "contendors" if we are not already.
Simmons+Swift would be a blast for the Rox. These acquisitions will make us a 60+win team next season.
My first reaction to Walker is no. But the more I think about it, it actually makes sense. In fact, I would take WAlker over Stro... Walker has the passon and skill to complement Yao. All he has to do is play within the system and not taking all those ill-advised 3s.
I believe Jaric is a FA and I don't think he has done enough for them to merit a contract extension. Livingston and Jaric have been very injury prone for them, I could see them adding a backup like Sura or James. But then again, they are the Clips and I don't think anyone has any idea what Sterling will do.
I was under the impression (maybe based on someone's post) that Simmons, while ultimately looking for more money, generally likes it in L.A. I doubt somewhat that we have a good chance at signing him, especially since he's a RFA. I see no reason why the Clippers would cooperate with us in a S&T unless Simmons got an offer over the MLE to play elsewhere. I'm not familiar with Simmons' game, but everything I've heard makes it sound like he would be a good fit on this team (or any team, for that matter). Just a good talented role-player package with all the amenities. On paper, Walker seems like an appropriate fit with the Rox, but we all know about his weaknesses. I wonder if Walker is whom JVG was referring to when he was quoted about the need to be "bold" and risking but not screwing up chemistry. Walker certainly has the talent. Can he buy into his role on the Rockets like Juwan Howard? I hope CD sweet-talks him, but that JVG gives it to him straight: you're here to protect Yao (and Tracy) on both ends of the floor. That's it. You rebound the ball, you play hard defense, you feed the ball to Yao (and Tracy), you take shots only when they're high percentage, and at no point are you ever the first option unless Yao and Tracy are not only both off the court but also injured. I'm a MFMF, and if you deviate from any of these rules, you will be benched quicker than you can say "I make baskets." I'd also prefer not to pay Walker much over the MLE.
