Wow, what changes in 24 hours. I got the impression from Francis's comments (the other day) that he was comfortable with Cato, and that he wanted somebody to immeditately come in and contribute. Here are quotes from the NJonline: I do not know if Francis wants Wilcox, but I would not doubt he would like Rockets to trade Jay Williams for draft picks to land Dunleavy/Butler (or trade for Odom) and pick up Wilcox with an acquired 2nd pick. Damn this is crazy!!
I am pretty sure nothing has changed. Did anybody notice that Steve wanted to make a different trip (to NY) originally and then he was ordered back to Houston? Also, after his initial comments, he had to keep his chat on nba.com extremely short. I am pretty sure they had a nice talk with him and told him not to show what they really want. By talking good about Cato, chances to move him might become a little bit better. Also, it would help making the Bulls believe that there IS a danger that we might pick Jay Williams. I think this is why things look different now - the Rockets want everyone to have a blurry picture - it can only strengthen the Rockets' bargaining power because we are in the driver's seat.
Well.....the "Last Word" airs at 10:30 pm on Fox Sports net, so you can see for yourself if any of this holds up. I'm sure this is only the beginning of these kind of stories.....
Maybe Steve got wind of Minnesota offering Kevin Garnett? Rudy T was all for the (probably slim) possibility of acquiring KG. I am, too, even if I know the chances are poor. Such a trade could only happen if we drafted, signed, and traded Jay Williams (along with such contracts as Rice and Mo-Tay and maybe the #15). Knowing of some other trade for the #1 might make Steve want us to draft Jay Williams. Cuttino would be sent packing in a trade if Jay Dub were to wear the Rockets' uni next year.
The last time I saw this much confusion and conflicting reports was after Gore was projected the winner in Florida. But boy, this is fun!
I don't see why people are so surprised, while Steve wanting Jay Will might not sound plausible. Steve not wanting Ming is very possible and not surprising at all. I mean half the people on this board don't want Ming either. Steve wants to win a championship what we do with this pick will probably determine our chances over the next couple of years. Unless we get really lucky this might be our best chance at putting together a championship team. If he does not feel Ming will do it for us (weather he's right or wrong who knows) he should be concerned. I think i'd be more worried if steve didn't care who we picked.
jesus Steve. But who can blame him for thinking he is the end-all be-all? He successfully engineered his way out of Vancouver and was glad to be in Houston where he could learn from Barkley, Hakeem et al. Once he got here, he didn't listen to a word they had to say. He has gone on to ignore Rudy T's direct orders -- remember the "call timeout" that he ignored, and then bragged about ignoring to the media after the game?? Rudy's loose ship is catching up to him, and Steve looks to be causing additional migraines for the Rockets besides his own. I wouldn't have a problem with the Rockets not taking Ming -- as long as they took Jay Will and shipped Stevie Migraine off for a big man. Francis plus 15 plus future 1 for Garnett?? Jay Will Mobley T-Mo Griffin/Taylor Garnett/Cato or Francis for Gasol and a pick . . . or Marion plus a pick . . .
One thing: The Rockets are/were working on a tape to sell Yao Ming on Houston, and they are giving that tape to Yao's cousin tomorrow. It included people from around Houston who could speak Mandarin Chinese and others that would help make Yao feel like Houston would be a great place for him, and no doubt Hakeem's success here was a selling point. That is 100% fact. The Rockets' interest in Ming is real. If they're bluffing, then they're bluffing to Ming also. Francis getting involved right now is strange. I don't have the details yet, but I know today was not a smooth day .... the premier of Soap Opera Ming I think.
Steve gets pissed and is traded to Chicago (where he wanted to go all along) for the number 2 pick in the draft and we get Ming with 1 and JayDub with number 2. Nah...it could never happen.
Quit telling us how great your source is and tell us what it is. If it is even 50% reliable there couldn't be anything private or embarrassing about it (unless you have directly talked to Francis or Ming, which I really doubt). That statement may not eliminate Jay as a possibility, but it also doesn't indicate that Steve wants Jay exclusively. He may also want Ming. This statement means nothing. Of course the Knicks want Steve. Anyone who doesn't have an all-star point guard already wants Steve. McGrady and Steve would "be a powerful weapon." So would Vince and Steve. So would Kobe and Steve. Doesn't mean it's gonna happen. He's not allowed to sign an extension yet. And he's not gonna pull a Joe Smith. Oh wait, maybe he has! Your magical "source" can tell us!
I am so frickin' confused right now, I'm about to just stop caring until draft night...if only I could.
Clutch, That's what I thought on Ming. However, is Steve really looking for a way out or he is just not seeing the big picture yet? Take your time replying, don't want to burn you out or anything, I know it can be hectic.
No offense to any senior members here, but these love-hate-love cycles are absurd based on a few unfounded whispers here and there. Por ejemplo: ...I LOVE Francis. He's the best player under 6'5 not named Allen in the NBA. Jason Kidd and Gary Payton are just ancient has-beens and losers... ...Sam said that Jack said that Steve Francis said WHAT?!? I hate that jerk Francis! Trade him to Siberia. Or to Vancouver. What, there's no team there anymore? OK to the Clippers. They'll start sucking again soon anyway... ...Oh, wait. He didn't REALLY say it? Oh, I LOVE the Franchise. he's Isiah Thomas to Mobley's Joe Dumars. HE should be league MVP. Rockets, champs by 2004!... ROUND and ROUND we go!! Especially based on reports that seem to be total BS.
TroyBaros Your source? You just made that up, right? Anyway if steve wants to be the GM we´re better off trading him, or we´ll be (like someone said) drafting juan dixon with the first pick. Doc? You too? STOP! This can´t be true
I think if TB is accurately reporting a source, and that source is legit, they are all being used. I think the explanation below is well put...... Steve was just sent by our front office to represent our team at the draft. I don't think he really is like nitroglycerin to our GM. Truth is you can't trust anyone who really has power over anything going down right now--the posturing and misinformation is coming from everywhere with various intents. If Ming is really our target and this cat and mouse game got us the #31 pick (1st pick of second round) and a slightly cheapear contract for Ming by swapping 1st rounders with the Bulls that would be fine and dandy. Maybe we can get more.
Short of thinking that oeilpere, Doc and now Clutch have gone completely insane (well... I've long suspected oeilpere to be honest, and Doc... we all know Doc is just a pawn, but you Clutch, tsk tsk), the only thing that makes sense is the whole insecurity complex of frau Franchise. If somebody has migraines, excessive tos or can't run the fast break... why not speak about how Moochie is 'as important to the franchise as am I'. The fact that that same guy is apparently soliciting his employer to draft someone who will probably be his superior hints of the 'stand here for a moment for me, will ya?'. If this isn't completely out of context, or some insane source that has TroyBaros', Doc's and Clutch's collective ear, I say **** 'im. The only reason to draft Jay Williams should be to double dip in this draft, immediately shipping Francis' arse to Chicago for Ming et. al. Hell, that way, if Ming is a bust or not, at least we'll improve at the point. BTW, eat at Joe's. And buy any Esquivel albums you can get your hands on.
