Read this as McHale likes Green, Morey not so much. Morey hasn't been reluctant to pull the trigger on a trade for the betterment of the team even if it causes the coach to throw a hissy fit. However, Green looks like the type of player Morey would like. On Anderson, it sounds like Rockets are interested, but don't think Asik for Anderson is a fair deal or they are working on a better deal that involves Asik.
I think we can all agree that Love is better, it would be the dream to get Aldridge RIGHT NOW, because Love is unattainable.. However Aldridge's contract conveniently ends right before Love's Player-Option year.
I understand why most here are discussing Asik, but this bit of info should inspire hopeful optimism. Unless I'm reading this out of context (i.e. ability to make cap space) then it sounds as if having Harden here could generate goodwill -- i.e. a buddy/superstar discount? -- a la 'superfriends' in Miami several years ago. Admittedly, I could be reading way too much into this. Would the OP please clarify?
Great to hear this kind of news...especially pertaining to the Unis. I agree that the shoulder is too wide hence why I only purchase the alternate or retro Rockets jerseys. If they do rebrand though, I definitely will not complain at all. Thanks again for this info man!
Agree Love is much better. I do like LMA for his ability as a backup center, but a lot of people could play backup center if you have Love.
There wasn't much more said about the cap/contracts, however the fact that James and Kevin were best friends was reiterated a lot. (phone calls after games, going out to see each other often, etc.) So I don't think it would be a surprise if something like that were to happen.. BUT that wasn't discussed.
Wow, if KD ever ditch OKC and Westbrook for HOU and Harden, that's proof OKC traded the wrong guard. I always thought Harden was more combo/PG than Westbrook, and the better option was to keep JH.
I like RAPM more than most people here. Sometimes you just have to look outside of those advanced stats and look at the players themselves. I "prefer" LMA for reasons I stated earlier, and for third reason that Love is injury prone, which makes him highly risky. He is also flight risk (Lakers).
just a couple comments on Asik/LaMarcus. 1. Could be a cover. Morey may be misdirecting everyone himself concerning Portland's interest in our players and Asik. 2. If Portland is not interested in Asik then they're most likely not interested in Noah either. 3. If Portland moves LaMarcus it will be towards the deadline when they are out of contention. They'll be looking for young talent, picks, and possible a really good player or two. Who else is out there? 2014 picks are going to be virtually impossible to come by. 4. This is one of the specific reasons why I think we should try to move out DMo, TJones, and GSmith. If Portland really isn't interested in any of those guys why not trade them for someone else that they may be interested in? Derrick Williams?? Asik, Derrick Williams, our 14 pick, our 16 pick, plus possibly whatever we can get for Jeremy Lin??
Just because Morey's high on a player doesn't mean much in a vacuum. I mean, Morey was high on Casspi too. Wouldn't offer him anything beyond minimum+team option. There's liking a player, and liking a player enough to trade Asik for. Also, Anderson expires in 2016, which would take us out of the Love/Aldridge hunt if that's the goal.
Love is probably the better overall player, but Aldridge's mid-range game would be lethal in our offense. What would the other team do? When we drive or post up... help defense and double-teaming would lead to points.
I am just guessing but I think it might have something to do with Casspi's surprising performance. If we have somebody who can be an Anderson lite, Asik + Anderson lite is still better.
I see. Thanks for clarifying. Just out of curiousity, without giving too much info, could you tell us whether your source is within basketball ops, business/marketing, admin, etc? Does he/she hold an executive position? Thanks again for the post. Best of luck with your involvment with the Rockets.
Ehh. I want to keep being able to do this for you guys, so I'll stay hush hush, but I will say that about 30-40% of fans know my boss. probably 80% of Clutchfans.
Completely agree. I always felt like Harden's playmaking style complemented Durant's game much better than Westbrook's. When I heard the news break on the Harden trade, I was floored. Couldn't believe Presti let him go. But the initial shock quickly turned to fist pumps knowing that Morey finally landed a bona fide stud . . . for pennies on the dollar I might add. Could it happen again?
agree with this 100%. no way they ship asik out any time soon. even with his limited offensive game he is a top 10 center and top 2-3 on the defensive end... a real game changer defensively. we can get more than RA, just have to let his value build up a bit.
OK, so Boston is interested; I'm assuming they want Asik? (Let them have Lin and Asik, throw Rondo into the mix, dammit.) Gotta agree with CarlHerrera on this one. Casspi's starting to look like Ryan Anderson at 10% the price. Maybe less 3 point percentage, but does a little more of the other things. I would never rule out LMA, but yeah, it'd take some magical third-team deal and draft picks and whatnot. Some other team would trump our offer.
