The following is an article from ESPN Insider with regards to Spree and GRob possibly coming to Houston. Frankly, I don't see it happening as JVG knows the tenuous nature of chemistry, particularly on a young team. Although, the article says JVG wanted Big Dog back when he was with the Knicks, this is when the Bucks were winning and Big Dog hadn't ruined 2 franchises - but for Glen Rice straight up, that's tantalizing. I don't see the Rockets bringing on a fatter contract in Spree either, unless the Knicks are going to taking Mo Taylor, which is highly unlikely. As you know, I'm a huge fan of JVG as head coach even before Rudy went upstairs(http://bbs.clutchcity.net/php3/showthread.php?s=&threadid=57277), but I must say in this case, less means more - the Rocks have the talent, they just need to cultivate and refine it - this all ESPN conjecture, but if true it would be JVG's first big mistake. EXCERP FROM ESPN INSIDER - THE OTHER GUY Oh, yeah. By the way, the Rockets settled for Jeff Van Gundy on Monday after Floyd went off the market. Van Gundy's career record, 248-172, can't compare with Floyd's, but hey, this is the Rockets. They've only had two championships in the last decade. GM Carroll Dawson may be getting a little too emotional with this hire. "I was very thrilled," Dawson told the Houston Chronicle. "I was expecting it this morning, but I didn't expect it quite as early as I got it (about 8 a.m.). He was very excited, and I was jumping up and down. My wife thought that I was crazy." So does George Shinn. Why take a guy who has never had a losing season and 69 playoff appearances when you can have a guy who's never had a winning season and zero playoff appearances. Maybe Dawson read his Floyd speech by mistake on Monday when he described his jubilation with the hire. "This was a wanted guy," Dawson said. "Everybody who had an opening was trying to get him. I feel very fortunate that we are the ones that came up with him. He had a lot of offers to look at, but this is the one he picked. We are very excited about that. I think we got a very good coach, and I think that it's going to be a good marriage." Assuming that this Van Gundy guy knows what he's doing, expect some major changes in Houston this summer. "I don't know what to think, but if they're happy, I'm happy," Francis said. "I guess tomorrow I'll start hearing all about him. But I look forward to seeing him and finding out what his coaching is all about." Van Gundy plays a disciplined style of basketball that focuses on defense. He's also not fond of rookies. That could mean big changes for Steve Francis, Yao Ming, Eddie Griffin and company. However, that doesn't mean that Van Gundy won't also change. He adapted his team during the 1999 season when Ewing was hurt to take advantage of Marcus Camby's athleticism James Posey is already pushing for a more up-temp style. "Every coach brings something different to the table in the style of basketball they want to roll with," said Posey. "The guys on our team prefer a more up-tempo style and if we have to go half-court, then go half-court. But if we're more athletic, create a lot of energy, get up and if we can, get down the court, I think it will be to our advantage. But we'll have to see if that is what he'll want us to do." According to the Chronicle, Van Gundy is expected to hire former Knicks center Patrick Ewing as an assistant. The plan is for Ewing to begin working with Yao Ming on his low-post moves. But those won't be the only changes. Van Gundy is close with Latrell Sprewell. The Knicks are anxious to move him and Van Gundy will definitely be pushing to add another veteran or two to the mix. A trade of Glen Rice, Cuttino Mobley and Bostjan Nachbar for Spree and Othella Harrington would work under the salary cap. Mobley can swing between the one and the two, Nachbar is a promising young small forward and Rice comes off the books at the end of the season. There's also talk of the Rockets looking at a Rice-for-Glenn Robinson swap. The Hawks are looking to cut salary (Rice is in the last year of his deal) and Robinson would give the Rockets another solid scorer alongside Steve Francis. The Knicks made several attempts to lure away Robinson while Van Gundy was coach.
Please, NO -- to Bad Dog for anyone! Rice for a live player, yes, but NO to bad Big Dog. Bad Dog, no.
I can never understand why Big Dog is so bad in the turnovers department. However I am intruigued by having Big Dog draining open jumpers created from Steve Francis or Yao Ming double teams. I wouldn't have considered this under Rudy, but maybe JVG can hold the Big Dog's leash a bit tighter.
there's got to be a better way of acquiring a proven shooter without picking up a cancer. How long is Robinson's contract, by the way?
Wait a minute. First lets see how Nachbar does during summer league. Van Gundy and his staff should at least give the guy a good look over before they start thinking about acquiring a starting small forward . I will be friggin' pissed if the Gundy staff comes in here and trades Nachbar without ever seeing him play. note to Nachbar: Come back to Houston as soon as possible and show these new coaches what you can do!
I sure hope the Rocks don't trade away Glen Rice, ya he's a shell of his former self, but he comes off the books next year and that money can be used elsewhere, on a point maybe. AC
Mobley + Nachbar for Spree? No way Spree is getting up there in age. Give Nachbar a chance. You cant trade a guy whom never steps on the court. Rice for Robinson? He is just another guy that needs the ball to be effective. What else does he do besides stand outside, play no defense, and turn the ballover? That trade sounds good but when you look into it, thats the last player the rockets need.
Just say "no". 2 cancers that I dont want on our team...... I think Im going to ralph just thinking about it.
Maybe Yao should do what Francis did with Moochie and Morris, not just because Nachbar is his bro, but because Yao knows, like I do, that Nachbar is going to be a hell of player, this year.
We already have the Cancer All-Stars. After Portland, no one has as many parasites on their team as us.
What about Shareef? He's about as bad as Big Dawg when it comes to winning, but he whould be a huge improvement at the PF/SF position. Hey, if Mike Dunleavy is the coach, he can swing us a deal that we would like. Moochie for Terry?
I didn't include the entire article, but he was being facetious as it relates to Tim Floyd's coaching futility and George Shinn's twisted view of the world, when saying the Rocks only had 2 championships. The point about players' efficacy only when having the ball in their hands is a valid one. Imagine what the Rockets would be with a rebounder/reluctant scorer - If VG is going to bring any former Knicks in, I'd take Kurt Thomas over any one of these alleged multi-faceted scorers - 'Reef included. K Thomas would be a legit rebounding forward, post defender and can hit a mid ranged J. I also like the Rocks standing put and seeing what a real defensive and offensive system can do for them. Reality is, they still have assets that not many other teams have: Big, athletic PG Center who can score in the post and block shots 4 man who can block shots 3 legit scorers
Are you on something? Who on our team causes trouble? The only guy that has even come into question has been Glenn Rice and I thought that one time he critizied his teammates he was doing it to light a fire under their butts. I guess maybe Steve getting caught drinking ONCE, and Eddie G getting caught with pot ONCE, or Mo T, getting caught ONCE. but I didnt really see this a Portland type problem, I mean those guy have these kind of off-court problems all the time. At least our guys dont fight among themselves, thats what I consider a cancer. Men that cause confusion and disharmony among the team. I will be interested in reading your reply, I have made mistakes before, so Im sure you will be able to tell me.
When you compare it to other teams, the Rockets are full of cast-offs, and "sloppy seconds" that were passed on by other teams. The Rockets went through a phase where they took on all-comers, regardless of behind the scene issues. Now, we have paid for it, literally such as Mo Taylor's fat contract. Francis whined his way out of Vancouver. EG would be a pro boxer if he weren't in the NBA. Rice cried his way out of LA, only to cry his way out of NY. Mo T cried his way out of LA Most teams do not consist of 4 guys who have bad/sketchy track records. Talent-wise we should be a 45-50 win team. Yet some people are so shocked as to why we underachieve. It's because we have shady characters who either are unhappy about one thing or another, or just don't give a damn. If people don't realize this, after 3 years of disappointment, then I guess a visit to TSO is much needed.
Just like no one is nowhere near the Rockets, after Portland. Our chemistry sucks ass for a reason. We have malcontents and people who don't care all over this team.
Shaq whined his way out of Orlando, and Kobe whined his way to LA. I'll take their 3 rings and the whining any day.
Did Francis even get convicted of DUI like Eddie was with smoking pot? I thought he was accquited? Maybe I'm wrong.
