I really like Okafor, but I think the only way we'd have a shot at him is if we traded Francis. I know people think that Francis' trade value is pretty low, but I think if Orlando got the #1 pick they'd have to at least think about this deal: Francis + Cato + future 1st for #1 pick + Grant Hill + filler (Garrity/Lue/etc) Orlando might be willing to do this in order to free themselves of the Grant Hill curse, plus they get an all star in Francis and a legit big guy in Cato (especially for the East). The Rockets would obviously have to be sure that Okafor is the real deal, b/c they'd be giving up a lot for him. Garrity or Lue would be nice throw-ins to help out our outside shooting. All that being said, I still don't think i do it.
Orland would jump all over the deal. Unless Okafor becomes a 20/10 from day one, we will not see playoff and Yao would leave after three years. I can not believe we trade way Franics (three time all-stars), Cato and a No.1 (lottery pick likely) for a freaking rookie plus 40M dead weights. Ask how Bulls think Brand-Chandler deal right now?
Then you build your sorry a** team around Okafor (who has not tested night in and night out by the likes of ..., sorry guys, I don't see any quality big men in college this season) and Hill.
I actually heard the exact opposite. T-Mac is unhappy in Orlando and the Magic do not want him to have to go through someone's rookie mistakes. I've heard that they want to make a deal the #1 pick and could throw in Gooden to make it work.
Never claimed you were. I was using his lack of ego to support my claim: Emeka would be a good compliment to Yao. You make a valid point. He's the most effective when he's in the low post. With his work ethic though, i think he'd be able to change his game so he wouldn't need to be in the low post to be effective. I realize that it seems like we wouldn't be utilizing his talent to the fullest, but the guy is still developing. I think we can mold him into whatever we need him to be. Of course, this is all dreamcasting. We're never going to get the guy
Gooden and #1 for Francis and Cato. I'm a cap moron, but even I know that won't work...but if it did, I'd be interested. Francis, [ ], TMac, Howard, Cato could actually be a playoff team in the East...though they would never win much more than that. All of these plans circulate around the Rockets ability, imo, to sign someone like Brent Barry in the offseason to play point. Not a natural PG, I know, but certainly creative enough to dish like one, great shot...well, everyone here likes Barry, so no point in selling anyone. Barry Mobley Jackson Okafor Yao Bench = Mo, Weatherspoon, Piatkowski...clearly, depth would remain a problem. Aside from depth being a problem, isn't Okafor really the only player in this year's draft you make this trade for. Dwight Howard, Shaun Livingston, Andris Biedrins, Josh Smith, Pavel Podkolzine...who the hell are all these folks.
I saw Dwight Howard and Josh Smith in the McDonalds All-Star game and they looked pretty good. But they are too reminiscent of Kwame Brown, Tyson Chandler. But you're right, Okafor is the only one worth trading for in this years draft. I gonna go out on a limb and say the Rockets aren't going to try to move up in the draft, a lot of scouts obviously saw Okafor lastnight, and most teams will probably offer better deals. Therefore CD and JVG should really start looking at FAs and trades. Offseason Wishlist: Sheed, Barry, R. Lewis
Not big on trade posts, but.... Houston Trades: Steve Francis Kelvin Cato Future 1st rounder Houston Recieves: Eric Snow Chicagos 1st round pick, if ya'll really want Okafor. Philly Trades: Allen Iverson Eric Snow Philly Recieves: Steve Francis Tyson Chanlder Jamal Crawford Chicago Trades: Tyson Chandler Jamal Crawford 2004 First-Round Pick Chicago Recieves: Allen Iverson Future 1st round I just read an article that Billy King (Sixers GM) is going to make big changes this offseason. I just tried to make it even as possible.
There's a good reason for that.... Okafor... Hometown: Houston, TX High School: Bellaire http://nbadraft.net/profiles/emekaokafor.asp
What if Orlando called and offered us this? McGrady, Okafor & Gooden for Yao, Taylor & Mobley Rockets F: McGrady/Nachbar F: Gooden/Spoon C: Okafor/Cato G: Francis/2nd rounder (Duhon? Stepp?) G: J.Jackson/Piatkowski Magic F: Garrity/Bogans F: Taylor/Howard C: Yao/DeClercq G: Lue/Gaines G: Mobley/Stevenson
We are talking college level compitition. Eddie was the best player in college his freshman year. No one knows just how good the rest would have been but all would have likely impacted the NCAA. Hinrich and Chandler are both closer to Yao Mings age than Steve and Cat.
It would probably be something the Rockets would think about, but wouldn't take it. T-Mac, Okafor, Gooden, Francis, would be a heck of a team, even more so in the East. But Yao Ming is Yao Ming, Shaq isn't getting any younger, and soon Yao will be the most dominant player in the NBA. Yao has shown us what he can do and its all about doing it night in and night out.
Wow, that's actually a believeable deal. I wouldn't say that either side is ripping the other one off. Hmm. But in the end I think Orlando would ultimately get the better deal, because Yao and some decent role players would make the Finals every year in the East. And while Okafur might turn out to be a great pro, he's still fighting it out in the big man heavy western conferance.
Miguel, your sister wouldn't happen to be dating synergy, would she? http://bbs2.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=75731 Okay, I know that was wrong
My sis was on the same basketball team as Rashards Sister when they were going to school. met the guy a bunch of times when i was in high school and stuff since i went to Hastings and he was across the way.
Emeka Okafor is a beast, plain and simple. Think Ben Wallace with slightly less athleticism but much better offensively. Add in the fact this guy is incredibly smart on and off the floor and I have no doubt if I had the number 1 pick, he is my choice. He will be an impact player for the next 10 years provided he stays healthy. Emeka is easily just as good as any player you listed above, just in different ways. Like Amare is more athletic, but Emeka is a better defender, and a better shooter. In my offseason world I would trade either francis or mobley packaged with picks to get Okafor, then sign brent barry with the MLE to fill their guard spot and that would be a much more well rounded team. Heck, if Ben Gordon were to declare, I'd trade a lot to get him too because he is great off the ball and would be a great complement with Yao.
It looks somewhat like the Rockets before Yao come, that is, a backcourt team. Would McGrady+Francis be hell better than Francis+Mobley? They have to share shots. If we mark everyone, Okafor+McGrady+Francis might be greater than Yao+Francis+Mobley. But if we mark a team, I am not sure. Okafor is a rookie to be confirmed, while Yao has shown us he deserve the core. Or the Rockets would bet on Okafor. But if Okafor is not so good, the Rockets will be a backcourt team once more. We knew the result five year ago. McGrady know it too. I'm really really really salivating Okafor. I'd take a risk on the premise of keeping Yao. I'd trade the entire team excluding Yao for him.
