Don't give me this potsmoking crap. Chris Webber is leading the team with the best record in the NBA, and is the #1 threat to the Lakers dynasty. Two or 3 years ago, the NBA All-Pot team, the Blazers, took the Lakers to 7 games and lost out in the final minutes. In the NBA, the only team who will have a roster full of non pot smokers are the Utah Jazz. Everyone else has at least one. As long as it doesn't interfere with performance, I don't care. Odom IS a Point-Forward bigboymumu. You may not think so, but pretty much everyone else agrees to it. Odom is NOT shoot first, but he's not pass first. He does what the team needs. Besides, we don't NEED him to be pass first. We'll have 3 people handling the distributing duties in Odom, Francis, and Ming, so we can switch freely and give everyone their chance to score when theyr'e hot. He's been shooting around 45% from the field as a second option, and is BOUND to have more open looks if he ends up here. He's got heart, and he DOES play defense, and he's also a very good rebounder and a good shotblocker at his position. The only questions with him regard his offseason habits (improvement) and injuries. Other than that, I think he's a great fit.
Think of the marketing opportunities. We could rename Clutch, Puffy. Have a free bong night. The Rockets visit the 'glycoma' ward at a hospital and teach the patients how to take their medication. Frito Lay could become a major new sponsor.
The biggest reason the Rockets need to make the playoffs as soon as possible = stop the Odom speculation every summer. What exactly, does Odom bring (except in this case addition by subtraction of Moochie)??
I don't understand the whole point-forward concept. Don't u nderstand it and don't think it works. It almost did with Portland, but then again, that team has been loaded with talent every year. In my opinion, passing is a team concept, and if that's what we're going for it HAS to start with the PG. Odom may make a few things better here or there, but the difference won't be that great, and depending on price, I'm comfortable with Posey.
LOL. Those are the 'only' things to worry about. He's missed a ton of games because of injury the last 2 seasons and some the 2 seasons before that, problems like that just don't disappear. Imagine when he gets older and MORE injury prone. Also he's shown practically no improvement in his game in 4 injury filled seasons. I don't know where you got the good defense comment from as he averages less than 1 block and steal per game. Its strange how so many people have this unconditional love for point forwards...especially ones that don't take care of the ball well. Hell, Odom has just about the same turnovers a game as Francis has, yet he does it in less minutes played and with less assists per game as well! Odom is not what this team needs.
LOL, you expect him to average 6 assists per game like Francis? Please. Here's what I'm saying: a LARGE portion of the offense will shift to Yao automatically next season. This alone will take a load off Francis. Getting Odom will free him up even more to score. Having three great passers on the team gives everyone the ability to score when they're hot. Odom has averaged 5 assists from the SF position,a nd Francis has averaged around 6.5 at his position. If Odom somehow protects the ball better from actually being TOLD to protect the ball better, I think he can be a perfect fit. To be quite honest, this is what I would be VERY happy with: Ming PJ Brown Lamar Odom Steve Francis Jeff McInnis Bench: One big guy (Griffin or Cato), Boki, T-Mo, and a hybrid Guard off the bench (maybe 2nd round pick or trade fodder). I think that team can accomplish anything. To be honest, if it were up to me, I'd lose MoT and either sign or acquire a veteran, tough PF like PJ Brown or Brian Grant. Someone who doesn't require shots, scores at a high %, rebounds, defends, and protects. Ming and Steve become the MAIN scorers with lots of shots, Odom becomes the 3rd scorer and McInnis and PJ Brown become THE ultimate role players. Thoughts on THAT?
who is a winner that 1) is on the trading block; and 2) is accessible to the rockets? ...please answer.
Exactly! We keep the team together. I am opposed to any major trades. Keep the team as it is. If we have to make a trade, then pull the trigger on an enforcer or someone without baggage. Odom is not the solution. The guy is soft. We need someone who dives for the ball, sticks up for our stars, and brings it in practice. You want to bring someone in with baggage, then the solution is Artest! Not Odom.
Look! WE WON"T BE A CONTENDER UNTIL WE BRING IN A BRUISER THAT CAN REBOUND AND PLAY DEFENSE. Forget about the offense. The offense will come with experience. We still give up too many easy baskets. The Rockets have a reputation around the league. They are stat freaks. No one wants to do the dirty work. Odom won't do that. He isn't wired that way. If we get a bruiser on this team, things will change. Three offensive players on the court scoring, Posey playing defense and filling the lanes, and a defensive stopper that makes the opposition pay when Yao, Cat and Steve are being pushed around.
why do you guys care if he smokes out or not? what does that have to do with his bball game? do you feel like a player needs your approval to play here? lamar is a good person and a great talent. his injuries are not the type to become chronic (pun intended). everybody who whined about steve's playmaking should be writing letters to rudy to get odom, he has the kind of skills and body that dont come around too often and we would be lucky to have him. lamar and steve directing the offense with a 3 pt bomber at the 2 (with mobes off the bench) and Yao taking care of the paint would be straight nasty.
FYI, you just perfectly described Odom. Dives for the ball, sticks up for our stars, brings it in practice. That IS Odom. Every coach since Odom came into the league has chosen Odom as cptain or co-captain. He IS the solution to our problems. What does this team lack? We don't need a bruiser, we need a PG to play with our PG, Steve. We need to get rid of Mobley and get Griffin stronger. Defense? Defense is not a problem. We were 5th in opposing FG%, and will likely improve if Griffin and Yao are still on the team next year. A slightly bulked up Griffin and a non-rookie Yao will put us from 2nd best shotblocking team to first. Ming Griffin Odom Francis McInnis I think this is VERY attainable, and is EASILY a 5th seed next season. Ming, Griffin and Odom could average 6 blocks between them. That's amazing. Wouldn't anyone else LOVE to see that team with 4 VERY capable passers?
That team would be freakin good. But how we gonna get them???? ?? ? ? ? ? First Odom. How are you gonna get him? Mobley for Odom? Moochie and Posey for him? Nachbar and Morris for him? Cato for him? PJ Brown...yeah......how are we gonna get him? He is going to want more than the mid level exception. We can't afford him. Trade...hmm...he really sucks on offense...Cato for him? Or Taylor? Or Rice? McInnis....I like. I'd give up well......Jason Collier, Terence Morris, James Posey, Glen Rice, or Tito Maddox....and sure...Moochie. That team would be awesome. So would... Alvin Williams Steve Francis Bostjan Nachbar Antonio Davis Yao Ming
You are joking right. Odom hasn't practiced in two years. Diving for balls? Whatever man. I watched so many of their games on satellite; that is not his game. Enforcer? Physical teams give us problems. If we had an enforcer, those teams would not be able to push our players around. Furthermore, Yao would be more effective because he wouldn't have to worry about getting hurt. Let's see. You say we need a point guard but you want to solve that problem by adding a point forward. One that can't stay on the court. Ya, that will really work. People are always talking about Odom's potential. And that is just it, he hasn't done "IT" yet and he will never do "IT" in this league. I rather have Posey + enforcer instead of Odom.
You know bigboymumu, the things you're saying about Odom is exactly what everyone said about Webber and Rasheed Wallace. find that interesting that you think a 23 year old has no chance of completing his potential, when it too Webber toll he was 27.
I'm glad you brought up Webber. Webber in my opinion is a very good player but he does not have the balls to win a championship. The guy shrivels up under pressure. Webber may be a good analogy but why shouldn't we compare Lamar to Coleman, Baby Jordan, Joe Smith.... As for Wallace, what has he accomplished in his career. Are you looking to add very good players or are you looking for the right player? I say we need another Mario Ellie, we don't need another star. We have our stars, we need the right role players.
But think about adding Webber or Wallace to Steve Francis AND Yao Ming? Throw in a coach that has won the championship twice. Odom, Steve and Yao will hit their strides in 2 years. In 2 years, that trio would be UNSTOPPABLE. All 3 can pass, all 3 can score, all 3 can rebound, and all 3 have heart.
