Well I'm not totally for this, nor against it. I guess you could say I'm neutral. It is definitely an upgrade over Moochie (what isn't), but I didn't/don't have any problem with Wilkes coming off the bench. I do think this is likely to happen because on the way home from work today I heard that the Rockets just let Alton Ford go so we have an open roster spot. Why would we replace a big guy with a guard? I don't know, but the timing of both of these things seems perfect so it wouldn't surprise me. Pugs
I think its the other way around. The Knicks have three of our old players, and we have the Spoonman. Maaaybe its the NY Rockets.
ivanyy2000 - If you honestly have watched the Knicks consistently for 5 years, you're a few games up on me. And with NBALP, I've watched a few. I have a bad, bad feeling about Ward as a Rocket. We need 2nd unit tempo and he ain't it. You have surely watched him enough to know that. Respectfully submit that Ward started as Moochie knew next to none of the Knicks offense. And who doesn't Kidd light up? I actually have all of Moochie's PT vs NJN on tape, but I'm losing interest in the Ward/Wilks/Norris comparisons. Ward's $6m with a $2m buyout is horrible and Moochie's 3 more years at $12m is OK? After you argued that Ward was better? Think about this. In no post have I ever stated that Wilks is the long-term solution. But if either would be here 2 seasons from now, my money would be on Wilks. Ward can not push tempo better than Wilks. If the primary function of a 2nd unit PG becomes dumping the ball into the low post, the difference between Ward and Wilks is neglible. But it's going to cost $. If the Rockets sign Charlie Ward and he plays well, I'll be the first to say I was wrong. But when he starts to suck and the "We should have kept Moochie" threads start to crop up, I will be the first with a big, fat "I told you so"!
That will never happen. He has had a few good games right now because he's pumped about being on a new team. That won't last. Moochie sucked under Rudy and he sucked under Van Gundy, I don't think he will miraculously turn it around over night by going to the Knicks.
Gater, perhaps I should make myself more clear, I meant Ward's 6 million is horrible, but the 3.6 million buyout for his last year service made him more tradeable. Knicks acquired Moochie because they could dump Spoon. Spoon is useless in their eyes and has a slightly bigger contract than Moochie, that is why they took Moochie. Because of Moochie's contract, it is impossible to package him with Eisley and ship them to Suns, because Suns can't dump his contract like they did to Ward. Suns won't accept that package, that is why Ward was in the deal. About their game, I am tired compared Ward, Moochie and Wilkes too. There are enough posts from other BBSers sharing my point of view and I don't want to repeat it. But one thing I don't understand why pushing tempo is such a big deal to you? Because Rox is not an UPPER TEMPO team and one of the basic game plan of JVG system is slowing the game down, using shot clock as many as possible while keep the ball moving, going to the low post first and then play inside out. I can say Ward fits JVG's system pretty well and he is one of JVG's favorite players for a reason. As I repeat again and again, Wilks plays well in 3 games, but he is still an inexperenced PG, has trouble hitting open shots and of course no 3pts range. Remeber he would have been playing in NBDL if Rox didn't pick him up. Ward can provide all these which Wilks lacks. But of course, if chasing Ward become a bidding war, then I say pass him, I said in other thread and I say it again here.
Question: how good a defender is Ward? I doubt that Ward would push Mobley to the bench but if he is a capable defender, we could see Ward and Francis together quite often. Signing Ward would provide the Rox the opportunity to experiment with Francis at SG. We really couldn't do that with Mooch b/c the defense always sagged off mooch too much. Defenses would have to stay with Ward b/c he can hit the open 3.
Clutch BBS > Let's Talk Rocks > Rockets 2004: Game Action & Roster Moves > We should have kept Moochie Coming soon....
Nobody that we can get is pushing Cat to the bench. He is the best perimeter defender on the team and the most consistent shooter. He can also create shots for himself and his teammates. There is a reason why he still averages a team high 40 minutes a game even though there is Francis, JJ, and Pike to take his minutes.
Let's see, San Antonio wants Ward, Dallas wants Ward, but denies interest, New Jersey wants Ward & his home is near there, NOW, New York may want Ward back............... Does Houston really have a good chance?
Why would he want to come here? He has a better chance elsewhere, particularly SA. Better chance at the title, better chance to play, better chance Parker will be on the IR for some reason (more fragile)
