I know at one time there was a lot of discussion on signing Shandon and then trading him to maybe Atlanta or Chicago or who knows where. However, with the news that the Rockets are close to re-signing him, I haven't heard anyone say anything about a sign and trade. Clutch, Jeff, Pops, or anyone else--do you know if a sign and trade with Shandon is still out there? I feel with Kenny, Eddie, Langhi, and Walt (although, I'll be surprised if he's still here by the start of the season) plus Bullard, we are pretty much stacked at SF. I find it hard to believe that we would forego shoring up the 5 spot so we can re-sign somebody who all they have done for the Rockets is play decent defense. Wasn't it promised to Shandon that he would start when we first signed him away from the Utah Spazz? If we did promise that, is there some way to get out of it? I just feel that considering our choices at center and considering that we have a plethora of choices at SF that it would be wise for CD and Rudy to seriously think about doing a sign and trade with Shandon for a center, not a superstar one, but one that will rebound, do the dirty work, and stay healthy.
Man, no disrespect at all. The Rockets want him back and he will probably get the deal that's been reported tomorrow or the next day. The Rockets love guys that can play multiple positions and Anderson can do that. He is also the best proven defender on the team.
Personally I have no idea why the hell the Rockets want Shandon back! We just have no space for him. Dont get me wrong, I like the guy, I think he has potential to be about as good as Mobley. BUT WE NEED A BIG GUY DAMNIT! I dont know why we just didnt pay Hakeem the Shandon money. We are going to be making a big mistake if we pay him over three million dollars. We need to save as much cap as possible for big guys that will become available in the next two years.
Since when has cap space ever made a difference when it comes down to signing a player? You just need to convince the player that they want to play in your city and then 'voila' they can call for a trade. If signing Anderson means that we have a stockpile of SF's then we can always utilise one/some of them in a trade for a center - of course, that is if there is a decent center available in the next few years....
Jeff: What was the final tally? Last offer I heard the Rockets were talking 5 years @ $24M and apparently Fegan said no to that ("we are getting closer .... yada yada yada ....". Did they go up in years or up in base? PS: I drove (didn't fly as some surmised) to Houston last week, and spent a heck of amount of time in traffic. Actually spent most of the next two days going from meeting to meeting in outrageous traffic lines. Horrible. Like a rootcanal. That downtown is getting crazy, glad I don't live there anymore .... anyway missed seeing you, but caught you on the tube that night. Enthusiastic as ever ..... you remain my hero ...... BTW: You're looking more and more like a cross between Yoda and Shaggy (ScobbieDoo) everytime I see you. LOL Later.
I'm starting to see the benefit to signing Shandon. Give him a decent contract and give the PT while Griffin and Morris learn the ropes. When it gets close to the trade deadline ship him out for something of value. It's better to have decent players under contract. If we have to make a trade at mid-season, we will need a player like Shandon to dangle. No ones going to bit on Collier or Langhi until they have a good season under their belts. Walt will have some value, but that will be because his contract expires. For that reason alone, we will probably keep him. I say sign him and make him happy, then trade him when the right opportunity presents itself. This way we save face for fulfilling our promise of a decent contract.
Last thing I heard was that they were close. I don't know the numbers unfortunately. A person gave me the info that they expected it done pretty quickly though. Drove? Are you nuts??? Downtown is crazy but eventually will be better. We just have to suffer through for a couple of years. Yoda and Shaggy??? Not sure if that is a compliment or a tragedy! Maybe if I could say, "Do or do not. There is no try." in a really cool Kasey Kasem voice, I'd be in business.
We don't really have an established defensive player in the backcourt. But, Shandon is much closer then Cuttino, Steve, or Mooch. We could use another guard anyway...
