Why would they trade Mase if they just lost Majerle and why would we want him? think, after AAAAAAALL of this, Dream will comeback for the same reason Cwebb came back: there is nowhere else to go. ------------------ __ Ñ _ _ _ /_ ______ _ \ ÝÝÝÝl____| * |___ lÝÝÝÝ ¡,.-ñý¯Çi ¡,.-ñ~ñ~ñ-.,¡ `¯ýñ-.,
I would take Keon if that is what the Rockets got, but I agree with 'Pere, if the Rocks could package Curry and Keon for a true 5, then definitely do it! I'm still interested in potentially getting LaFrentz. He makes us a true threat in the playoffs. This team is dangerous enough, but adding a young 5 who can rebound and block shots, and score along with Griffin would be AWESOME! It he would also add a little of what Rudy likes, a big man who can pull centers away from the basket with his shot. I don't know if it is a pipe dream or not, but I hope the Rocks are pursuing it! ------------------ "Instruments are like women: After a while, you want to make love to another." - Nicolas Godin of the musical duo Air [This message has been edited by RocksMillenium (edited July 23, 2001).]
I was just wondering if LaFrentz can rebound? I have barely seen him play. I know he has an outside shot, but what else can he do? ------------------
Cat and Pippenwhatsinaname Couple of things. 1. For purposes of clarification I was posting that RLF is in RT's focus for the five spot. That does not mean he has any more of a chance to land him IF he became available than anyone else. 2. The fact that LaFrentz is not a FA does not make him unavailable. However I agree that it would be a hard sell to Denver. They do have some needs up there, though. 3.Bossman and Raef don't get along despiute the kiss and make up from last year's mid season scuffle. The Nuggets are making some management moves. 4. The only thing Raef himself said on the subject of playing was that he wanted to play somewhere that he was appreciated and has not said one word all summer. 5. Deals involving Raef and the Rockets have been pursued off and on since last February. Trade talks with Denmver are NOT a hot topic now with the Rockets, but as I posted, if Hakeem is gone, acquiring LaFrentz from Denver would be item one. 6. LaFrentz will be a Free Agent next year and they scale dips between his value this year versus next year, etc.... They may find merit in a trade, especially if it is a player or players that will fill some needs as I mentioned. But clearly I was looking at this as a Rockets desirable move as opposed to Denver seeking to unload him right now. Hottoddie: I agree. But ... 1. The Rockets do have a trade exception though and to use it you have to trade. You cannot use it to resign a player. 2. I think if Hakeem was to leave Houston, it would be possibly more PR relevent to have it as a sign and trade. Sort of .... "parting friends the Rockets accomadate the veteran's wishes" ... sort of thing .... 3. If they could parlay a deal where they would acquire some needs then the Rockets would do it. It's just smart business. On the other hand, I agree with you that some of the scenarios I have read would do nothing for us and it would be " see ya, so long, hope you're happy cause we will not sign and trade you anywhere. ....Oh Yeah, P.S. You are renounced, brutha...... ". ------------------
He had almost 8 rebounds a game and was #3 total blocks in the NBA last year (#5 in aggregated blocks per 48 minutes). He is quick under the basket and in my estimation at least, probably learned more about positioning for rebounds last year than anything else. He is smart, can shoot outside, soft touch inside and can play a good fast break. Charles Barkley said: ".... positioning (for a rebound) is what the best rebounders learn. I can add a foot to my height by positioning (accurately). I'd be even better if I could get there faster." ------------------
LaFrentz is an all-around VERY good player! He has a career average 12.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.4 block shots a game. Last year he averaged 12.9 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.64 boards, and 1.4 assist and shot 47.7% from the field. So he can play defense AND score and rebound! ------------------ "Instruments are like women: After a while, you want to make love to another." - Nicolas Godin of the musical duo Air
How did this topic get so long. There has been no conformation of the conference. ------------------ T-Pooh and BahDakota went up the hill, to make a bet on a Forward. When it all came down, they were nowhere to be found. Now they should be drawn and quartered.
so, bottom line: is there something to the lafrentz talk, or is it all just wishful thinking? lafrentz is the first name I've heard mentioned out of all the dream-for-whoever talk that would actually not represent a bitter disappointment. when you say that lafrentz would be rudy's #1 target, do you just mean that the rockets would aggressively pursue potential trades for him? and if so, what do you see as being denver's needs? don't we still have a surplus of first-round draft picks out there? ------------------ houston rockets = 2 utah jazz = 0
Pops et al. Who really has the upper hand in this negotiation? True, Hakeem can dictate where he is willing to play. But the Rockets have to agree to the terms of a sign and trade to let him go where he wants. If they don't , can't the Rocks renonunce Dream ,meaning, no team near the cap could sign him to a deal that would excced the cap limiting him to only to the exception amount. (Iguess he might sign for the leeser base for more years?). So, it seems to me the Rockets can still dictate what the signable rate is for Hakeem if they don't get the deal they want. ------------------ I find my own ignorance amusing
Oeilpere, What do you think of this idea. I posted it in another thread, but I'd like your thoughts on it. Houston sends Dream(@ $5-5.5 mill) to Toronto & Cato to Denver. Toronto sends the trade exception to Denver & a future draft pick to Houston(or to Denver instead). Denver sends LaFrentz & Abdul-Wahad to Houston. My thinking is that Denver is over the cap, has already used their mid-level exception on Avery, & have voiced a desire to dump Abdul-Wahad. The Rockets would only be taking back ~ $2-3 mill in salary. I don't know if Denver would want Cato, but with the trade exception, they could get Miller from Chicago or sign some other FA. What do you think? ------------------ A man convinced against his will, is of the same opinion still.
Let me guess. we are gonna sign and trade Dream for the 7'3" center from cavaliers. I think i will settle for that! ------------------ Rudy T. will find and fulfill Rockets destiny.
With all the speculation out there I personally think they will do a number of things and call it a successful summer. 1. Sign Hakeem first and foremost. I think that is still a 50-50 chance today. If they don't keep him they will keep Cato. Gasp. The only caveat I have to add is that if a combo move of an Hakeem deal sending him somewhere can be parlayed in some deal (likely a three-way) that would ultimately land them LaFrentz or a similiar facsimile(and there ain't a lot of those out there) then this would likely include Cato. Chicago, New York and Denver the main targets I would think. 2. After the uproar of either signing Hakeem or losing him dies down - They will take a brief time to explore-reexplore several offers that have been put on thier table in the previous weeks. 3. They sign all their free agents as suggested and hinted at for the last two weeks. 4. They shore up their breechworks. This will probably include strengthing or loosening their commitments (Colson,Axel decisions) and possibly moving their depth chart a bit(TMorris, Shandon, Langhi,Walt). 5. There is still room out there for some wheeling and dealing. Especially if Hakeem is gone from here or we got someone in return. Obviousily this would be self evident at the time of the deal,but other offers are swirling out there too. (a) One of the more outlandish rumors I heard from a media friend from Chicago included Eddie Curry coming to the Rockets in a twisted deal that would include picks galore and a handful of players. He didn't put a lot of credence in it and neither do I, but there sure are a lot of unsigned draftees left and some major holes in teams needing fixin'. (b) The Cavaliers have more centers than some teams have forwards, yet they are still looking for a credible starting pivot. Good thing too, because most of what they have is either untried or tried and failed. they will have to be clever to make it anywhere this year. (c)Denver has a handful of Guards but are still searching for an answer. I can't help but think they are grooming everyone to replace VanExel. (d)Word is the Kings want someone other than Divac to standup in the middle. The possibilities are endless. They don't need a center, but want one. Committments to CWebbjust may have developed a yearning for a tried and trialed center. CWebb does not want to be guarding Shaq even on a play-by-play partime basis. (e) For all the talk Marc Jackson has not signed with Golden State or anyone else, and some insiders are saying he's waiting for some development in the Rockets situation. (f) The Spurs have done nothing except sign DRob and piss off everyone else. they will be a weaker team this year especially at the middle of the season's schedule. Well, at this juncture I guess they are ahead of us in the signing department anyway with one down and several to go. ------------------
Pops, I wonder if Sac would be interested in Cato, seeing how they might be duped into believing he can guard Shaq. I am sure Denver could use some of the players on their roster, hint hint... ------------------
Oeilpere, 1 question. You said earlier in the post that if they trade the dream they will demand a center in return. Are they looking for a center that can start, or one to learn under Cato (scary)? ------------------ I do not believe in god. And it is nice to know that I am going to hell with Hitler, and McVeigh. Although I do not know why.
btw, Raef LaFrentz is so good and such a perfect fit for this team that I wouldn't mind RT taking on cap killing salaries from Denver in order to get him. Players of LaFrentz's caliber do not come around that often. ------------------
More vocal!? Does that mean that Denver is interested in Hakeem? Is it possible for Houston to GET LaFrentz? Man oh man, if LaFrentz is an option I say that Houston goes out of their way to get him! He is perfect, and he pushes the Rockets into a higher playoff seeding automatically! ------------------ "Instruments are like women: After a while, you want to make love to another." - Nicolas Godin of the musical duo Air [This message has been edited by RocksMillenium (edited July 23, 2001).]
I was thinking more of a set of third party trade scenarios (with equalized players thrown in to accomadate any prevailing CBA rules). 1. NY gets Hakeem, Denver gets Camby and we get LaFrentz and Othella. 2. Indiana gets Hakeem, Denver gets Sam and Croshere and we get LaFrentz and Willis. 3. Toronto gets Hakeem, Chicago gets Keon and Curry and we get Brad Miller with a future Toronto draft pick. 4. Or my favorite = Indiana gets Hakeem, Chicago gets Cato, Denver gets Brad Miller, we get Harrington and Lafrentz. It gets lonely on the funny farm in the summer. All the white shirts are so bright and the strapped canvas jackets make me itch .... so I spend a lot of my time in this padded cell typing nonsensical wish lists ........ with my nose. ------------------ [This message has been edited by oeilpere (edited July 23, 2001).]
oeilpere.."If it is Toronto who would we take - Keon Clark and Dell Curry? God I hope not." I don't know about you man but i would trade hakeem for Keon Clark & Dell Curry!!! Have you ever seen these guyz play?...and i mean more than one or two games...Keon Clark has great potential...he's like Eddie Griff. just taller...and Dell Curry is probaBLY THE BEST THREE POINT SHOOTER IN THE GAME...that can be argued...but with the new rules he should be even better!! and the Rockets can use both these players...most of us here are too biased to actually agree with my coclusion. ------------------ <<..........>>
