[SportsRadio 610] Rocket Insider: Dennis Lindsey (2/2/07)

We really need someone to take Sura's spot...More depth would not hurt us...a reliable backup or a 3rd stringer C/Pf would do

 

I'm not going to say these two statements conflict, but this whole thing seems to be a lot of spin. I'm sure they are trying to come up with a trade, but trades are risky--rarely can you find that perfect situation where both teams improve. It sounds to me like they just haven't found anything, and they are running out of time. Houston fans are fickle, and ultimately.....we pay the bills. It behooves them to keep us happy, and if they do something (or fail to do something), it makes the Rockets look a lot better if they manage our expectations early and say, "we planned it that way."

If there is any REAL new information contained in these quotes, I have a feeling it will be only be found by reading between the lines.


.......but then again.......I never take anything at face value, so what do I know.

 

there are no good big men available?

i don't tihnk any of us were expecting pau gasol. he is probably hinting that the guy they bring in will be of very little value. substance over style, kind of trade.

think low. think end of the bench type players that can play the 4/5 and either rebound or block shots. guys that aren't good enough to demand minutes when yao gets back.

m.olowakandi
m.ely
o.harrington
s.pollard
d.davis
j.tsakalidis
m.jackson
k.cato
c.booth
m.ruffin

 

I am happy with our current group. I want to see what this group can do in the playoff.

I love how they all cheer on each other, helping each other off the floor, high fiving, patting each other on a good play, etc.

I watch the Lakers at Knicks the other night and both team didn't have much comradery and they genuinely didn't give a lick about the other guy. It was painful to watch.

I am so glad we have such a great group of guys and it starts with JVG.

 

My thoughts in brackets below.
MY THO'TS ON YOUR THO'TS IN CAPS BELOW:


Quote:
Originally Posted by xiki
Cute, but not available -- under any scenario imaginable (by reasonable minds). So, who is a 4 and/or 5 who might be 'available'?

Scalabrine [Too many years on his contract] THREE YEARS REMAIN, MAXED AT 3.4MM. REMEMBER HE WAS SIGNED WHEN MOREY WAS THERE (MEANING WHAT, I WONDER?)
Cardinal [HIDEOUS contact. Untratable I think.] I AGREE. THREE MORE YEARS, TOPPING AT 6.7. TO DO THIS ROX WOULD HAVE TO GET 'STUFF' BACK, PICKS OR OTHER TALENT.
Hunter [Too many years on his contract] THREE MORE, AND NOT A LOT OF TALENT. WOULD ALSO REQUIRE ADDITIONAL ASSETS COMING TO ROX.
Ely [Possible] BUT UN-RE-SIGNABLE AS HE WOULD REQUIRE MLE, BUT WORTH IT?
Najera [Possible, 2 more years I think] ONE MORE AFTER THIS. PERFECT IMO. GOOD TALENT, GOOD TEAMMATE, AND WOULD ENERGIZE PART OF REGIONAL POPULATION.
Pollard [Very possible, not being used, and expiring contract] EXEPT HE IS TERRIBLE. SIMPLY TERRIBLE.
M Rose [Locker room lawyer? Too expensive with too many years] TWO YEARS, NEARLY 15MM. PO'd AT ISAIH DOES NOT MAKE HIM A CLUBHOUSE LAWYER.
Davis/Mohammed [Davis is expiring. Would be great but not available. I think they keep him for defending Shaq. Mohammed, too many years unless he is gotten to replace Mutombo for years down the road] DAVIS IS FINISHED. NAZR IS DEF NOT WORTH THE CONTRACT.
KThomas [Would be possible. Phoenix would love to cut payroll. But I think they know they need him in the playoffs for defense] I MEANT KENNY. BUT HE HAS THREE AND 24MM LEFT. OUCH.

OF COURSE THERE IS FOSTER WITH TWO MORE YEARS AND 12MM, AND A GUY I'D LOVE TO SEE HERE. AFTER NAJERA. OR SCALABRINE.

Just my take.

 

If Wells didn't destroy the chemistry, nobody destroys the chemistry. Not a major issue in my view. I think we need a PG, but apparently "they" are in love with Rafer. He is quick and distributes well, can't shoot. If that's the case, then they need a PF that can shoot. I too will be disappointed if they stand pat. Doesn't sound like Steve is in their plans.

 

Clutch, we are not gonna be able to get a guy who will be an upgrade over our top 9 guys (nine with Yao back we are going with eight right now) without giving one of those guys up. Now I am all for getting an insurance policy for Rafer or another 4/5 type guy if all we do is use Sura's contract or the TE but it has to be an indivdual who can come in a know his role.

In addition I really hope that we are not gonna take on a player who has 3-4 years left unless it is a big guy who might have a shot of playing in the near future.

 

Good points about Chemistry, if Yao, TMAC, Shane, Deke and Jho have all bought into JVG's style, I think that's enough to pressure anyone coming in to tow the line. Those I listed all seem to have reputations for professionalism and hard work, and I doubt they will tolerate knuckleheads anymore than Van Gundy will.

Regarding Steve Francis, I'm not sure I agree with your last statement. Remember they cannot say ANYTHING until the Knicks make a move due to tampering rules. They might even try to figure out how to offer their trade exeption or Sura's medical expiring to the Knicks (or some other compensation) if the Knicks do a buyout in time for Stevie to come back to his first love. The Knicks are in a tough spot, they paid too much for too many and have no easy ways out. Rox giving them something may help them save face if not money. I still think the Rockets would be all over bringing Steve back, particularly at a heavy discount, "Mr Morey says this is good efficiency"....

 

As Clutch suggested and I agree with, the Rockets don't have to disturb the team, just wisely use the Te and Suras contract before its effectiveness runs out. We should make an addition who can be traded!
If we our weak points are exposed in the playoffs possibly we can do something in the next offseason eg: Back up Center, Starting Power Forward,
Starting Playmaker point Guard.
Back up Center might be delayed if Mutombo plays another season, this season he has made a most remarkable turnaround in his career!

 

I think if we don't panic and wait a little bit that Portland will buy out Raef or possibly the Knicks buy out Rose and we can get them for the minimum.

 

nash
parker
terry

looking at these names suggest we need to get a backup pg.

granted rafer has played well against parker in two games, however in a 7 game series we can't rely on Head as the backup.

Chucky Atkins would fill this role very nicely.

 

I have always thought Najera would be a great fit here. Of all those guys on the list, I would probably pick him first, because what he offers for what he would cost would be the best bang for the buck. After that, Kurt Thomas. All those other guys, meh.

 

I'm not crazy about Rafer being our starter, instead of a stellar backup point, but we are one "i word" with Alston from complete disaster at the one. What happens if something happens to him? Who starts? Luther? McGrady would have to be on the floor the entire game to be the real distributor. And who would backup Head? Lucas? Don't make me laugh. Billy? I like Billy, but he's shown nothing that would indicate that he could be the #1 option off the bench at the one, much less a starter. Who else? Am I forgetting someone? We're as thin as the hair on top of my head behind Rafer. We have to address that.

 

I like staying pat - Rafer may suck at times, but he doesn't turn the ball over. Yao can be our "midseason splash" and the big man we need when he comes back, and hopefully by then Rafer won't have to carry as much of a burden with both Yao AND T-Mac playing like they're capable of playing.

 

His name is Steve Francis. I really hope the Knicks buy him out soon. Then the Rockets wouldn't even have to give anyone up.

 

Deke's minutes will drop drastically with Yao back. Yao will probably see 32-35 minutes per game, with Deke spelling him for about 10-12 min and likely a few minutes in there for Howard/Hayes as well (with Battier playing the four).

At this point, I'm extremely content with Rafer playing the point. But Luther is a little more of an issue to me... the reason being is that he HAS earned his minutes, and I really don't want to see him in another uniform, but it's doubtful that he's the answer if Rafer ever gets hurt. As long as he's playing back-up, we should be fine (with Mac in the game to do the ball-handling when Head is at the 1). If things get really desperate, Snyder has the ball-handling skills to be a limited minutes PG. If Battier was an inch or two taller/wider and Luther had the ball-handling down, this team would be perfect, but right now I'd rather play it out and hope for the best.

 

trading a player outside of the first 6 or 8 players isn't going to effect team chemistry. i think what lindsey meant is they're going after a complimentary player not a starter.

as for: "CD has been very active and underated in his ability to make a deal. Every GM is open to talking with him because he isn't trying to just rip off the other team in trade talks."

no diener for lucas

 

i would veto this pickup on principle...2 reasons:

1. The mohawk is lame. to justify crazy hair, you have to play like a maniac. See: dennis rodman. Pollard hasn't earned it.

2. did anybody else see his facial hair? it looks like his goatee has balls. no man with a teste-ed goatee will play for my rockets.

 

For a backup 4/5, is Raef Lefrentz available? Last I heard he was languishing on the bench in Portland. Is his salary doable for a backup?