Oh ok, so let's get this straight. He turns down a two year, $25 million extension all so he can sign in Houston for a "hometown discount"? Right? Yeah, I don't think so which means any remote possibility of this actually happening depends upon a negotiated SNT that clearly benefits Seattle. This guy clearly wants max dollars, probably at least $15 million a year. My question is this: Would his acquisition guarantee a championship? The answer is hell no, and that's precisely why you DON'T carry three max contracts. Thanks, but no thanks. I'd rather take my chances on a player with similar tendencies like Travis Outlaw for (at worst) our MLE and watch him continue to improve rather than overdraw our bank account on a talented but borderline star like Rashard.
Just want to bring up an off topic issue. With the direction the management is going, it really seems that they want speed and offense, which makes Yao Ming the odd man out... Even though we know Yao is our last guy to be trade, but still... I really don't get this "speed" thing they are talking about, they first said up tempo about the flow not the speed, then they draft Arron Brooks, now they target Lewis, what are they really trying to do?...
If Orlando is the main competitor and they look to snare him outright. Seattle gets nothing. The Rockets can offer Battier as replacement talent, talent they're otherwise not going to get. Sura+Lucas=waivable for 1.5M. A S&T could also snare Rashard a 6 year contract that Seattle were not willing to give. Barring a S&T Magic can only offer 5 years, but they if they did go through a S&T they're under the cap, and can generate a huge trade exception for Seattle. I agree though I'd prefer some lower salary, high value players. Depth is something that's hurt the Rockets in recent years.
On the surface I agree with you. Rashard isn't the player most here are making him out to be and he certainly won't be worth the money it will take to sign him. The problem is, we don't have very many other avenues to infuse some serious firepower into this team. We could try gambling by trading Shane for younger players but we don't have time to wait around for them to develop. T-Mac only has 2 years max playing at a high level. Ultimately, other than the Spurs, you're going to have to overpay a few guys to be able to field an elite squad in this generation's western conference. it's the only way to keep up.
I don’t understand how Portland or Orlando could be an option Lewis would like if he truly wants to win. They are both rebuilding in the rebuilding mode. NY isn’t going anywhere soon. I believe Morey the magnificent is going to pull this off. That’s what you will all be calling him when he pulls this off. We are by far the best fit for him in so many ways. MTM sales pitch=This organization made a huge mistake not drafting you. Were sorry we were wrong and we want you to come home. We will be a legitimate contender for the title with you, Ming, TMac and the addition we will be able to add with the MLE. This is you’re home and where you belong. Please allow us to make up for a foolish mistake made in the past like you’re friend Clyde Drexler allowed us to do so many years ago. We want to win a championship with you as part of this franchise. Its time to come home Rasherd we are ready for you!
Ehh...how many of you would consider trading Yao for Durant + Rashard? Well, anything is possible you know... As much as we love Yao, he has not proven to be a reliable winner. In fact, I've lost count of how many times when the team was sinking, Yao sank with the team instead of pulling the team up like how superstars of his calibre are supposed to do. I'm starting to believe that Yao is a guy that cements a victory, not the guy that turns a loss into a win. He gets frustrated too easily, and his performance takes a dip when the team is behind.
I see what you're saying, I just don't want to end up like the Suns. The Suns are the only real team of any significance carrying three max contracts and they obviously can't seem to get over the hump no matter how hard they try. Now here they are again: another disappointing season and another long offseason of trying to deal Marion, Stoudamire and whoever else. The Nuggets are next on deck with FIVE contracts $8 million a year or more. I see what you're saying also and agree that clearly getting Battier or somebody in return is much better than nothing at all. My biggest problem is still the salary figures. Nevermind the fact that he & T-Mac play the same position. I have a problem with paying a third max contract for somebody who is a shaky All-Star and somebody that guarantees us nothing. If you want to talk an $8-10 million a year ballpark figure then i'm all for it. Otherwise, i'd rather roll the dice with some younger and cheaper talent.
I don't know man... would you be willing to take a say 15-20% pay cut for the next 5 years (whatever job you're doing) just for Rockets to win 1 championship? What about the others on this board? Maybe it's just me, but if my hometown foolishly unexpectedly passed on me for no apparent reason for 3 times, and that it broke my heart so bad that I couldn't control my feelings and had to cry on national TV on the proudest day of my life, I wouldn't be so forgiving......
Hopefully he'll take a pay cut to come to houston. if he doesnt hopefully someone else on the team will take a pay cut to help make the offer a little better.
remember the lakers starting five Kareem, magic, scott, worthy, and green. Now wasn't kareem old and slow at the time and they still got it done pretty well you just have to be smart and pick and choose the times you want to run and the times you want to use your big
man lewis knows he will not get max dollars no one will pay him that kind of money you can bet the house on that hell carter isn't going to get max dollars and that is who orlando will go after first so we are looking good hell give them head and battier plus sura for lewis and wilcox killing two birds with one stone hate to loose battier but in that case might be worth it
This is the perfect example of what Cuban has done in Dallas..He has figured out that you cant buy a championship !! Man I would love Rashard on this team and I know he wants to play in front of all his friends and family back home but for 15mil a year I don't think so. Dont get me wrong if Houston can get him and get a decent PF I still think with Yao, T-Mac and Shard that is the best trio in the NBA hands down...Thats nearly 75-80 pts avg...per game !! C'mon ya'll how could you turn that down ? Especially if we get a defensive PF cheap ? Man I forgot to add James in there who can light it up as well and I'm excited about Brooks and Landry !! BRING RASHARD HOME !!
Time heals all wounds. Not to mention winning and millions of dollars! With a S&T and a big shoe contract from China he wouldn't be coming home for a discount.
