THe draft class of 98 doesn't become free agents on their own until 2003 right? If that is the case, then I think the Rockets should make a HUGE splash in the offseason, whether through getting Webber, or making a blockbuster trade... The 2002 FA class if I'm not mistaken is full of crappy players... Therefore, I'm not willing to accept a 45 win season in 2002-2003 to try to land a big free agent in the Summer of 2003... If there were good free agents, in the summer of 2002, then I would say not landing Webber wouldn't be a huge blow, because we could still upgrade signifcantly the next year, if we maintain cap space... However, I'm not going to want the Rockets to leave cap space for 2 seasons if we don't get Webber... The general trend in the NBA, or sports in general is to try and win now... By waiting til the 2003 FA's, we would be pretty much resting our laurels in mediocrity... I want the best team available, and NOW! ------------------ Check out my homepage! Loads of sports pics! http://www.public.asu.edu/~sykim/
great post Clutch those pictures of hakeem in another teams uniform scares me ------------------ I believe
Not entirely true... we picked up Francis, Pippen (may not be franchise-altering long term, but at the time it was), Mo Tay, and Barkley in the off-season. ------------------ "I was arrested for sexual assault involving an elderly man and I was out in 35 minutes." -- Achebe - programmer by day, geriatric ass grabber by night. As(s?) a side note, he did state he was cleared of charges.
Thanks for passing the word on what you heard about without actually claiming it's guaranteed. That allows us not to be mislead and still be excited (and come up with our superstar lineup). Good job! ------------------
I nominate this as the best post of all time. DaDakota ------------------ Go Jazz * http://bbs.clutchcity.net/ubb/Forum3/HTML/011403.html
Thanks, Clutch. This encapsulates everything nicely. I love you man: in a heterosexual, platonic, long-distance-relationship kind of way. I can understand the Rockets organization taking a pass on Shareef. He's a great player, but I watched him play once or twice after the rumors started, and as good as he is, I think he should play the 4. He's too "lumbering" for our 3 spot, and his defense would, unfortunately, fit right in with our young team. It stinks. I'm glad that there are Cato takers out there. I'll look to New Jersey. Walt/Cato/Milwaukee and Orlando picks for Van Horn, who we swap for Webber. Damn, dreamcasting already. ------------------
Thanks, Clutch I'm sure I'm not the only one who would rather know nothing if knowing hurt the team, yourself, or any other. I really appreciate you sharing with us what you know when you can. I think I, too, wouldn't have been thrilled giving up too much for Shareef. That Cato-LaFrentz deal would DEFINITELY have had me partying in the streets. A minor detail: You say at least 2 draft picks. What if we make the playoffs? Do you think Detroit or Orlando will pay us off this year? ------------------
http://bbs.clutchcity.net/ubb/Forum7/HTML/000578.html Lhutz in the hangout...fricken Hilarious. DaDakota ------------------ Go Jazz * http://bbs.clutchcity.net/ubb/Forum3/HTML/011403.html
thanks a lot clutch!! this site gets better every day! i like the idea of dream, webber, SAR, cat, and steve on the same team. on the other hand...too many cooks.... ------------------
DaDakota with today's random thought... lol. ------------------ "I was arrested for sexual assault involving an elderly man and I was out in 35 minutes." -- Achebe - programmer by day, geriatric ass grabber by night. As(s?) a side note, he did state he was cleared of charges.
Great info Clutch. It would have been real funny if you and Doc Rocket had just been playing tricks with us, but thanks for dishing out what you really know. Gater, Im with you here. In my opinion with Shareef and Webber on the team, along with Francis and Cuttino things would be difficult. You got to remember RUdy is a players coach and as good as he is, I dont think he could manage that many all star types well (no coach really can). TO win in this league today, you need two star players, and a cast of very good players. Look at the Bulls, Spurs, Lakers, Rockets in one year. The Trailblazers, despite having start players at every position and every backup position for a while now still cant make it out of the playoffs, because of chemistry problems in my opinion. Lafrentz would fit the rockets system well. He is like a really good and quick Collier, which is what Rudy was hoping COllier would be ------------------
Many thanks to you and Doc Rocket for the updates.We are rolling now and I'm glad Dream is finishing out this year as a Rocket.Hopefully he'll take much less than market and we can get Webber.I don't want to see Dream finish his career somewhere else and believe he can contribute to THE ROCKETS winning another title...It's good to hear that Cato is a hot commodity too. That being said,LETS MAKE SOME NOISE IN THE PLAYOFFS THIS YEAR! hardwood ------------------ [This message has been edited by hardwood (edited March 03, 2001).]
Evidently I'm in the minority, but ... 3 first-round picks was the price of getting Webber for Gugliotta, back when Webber was considered the Second Coming. No way would I give up 4 to get SAR. You have to be EXACTLY right about SAR fitting in and doing the job, plus getting all the other free agents you need. Otherwise, you have dealt yourself completely out of the ability to patch up your team through the draft, even if your record sucks. That is just way too much risk to take on in exchange for anybody but a top-grade team anchor, like a Shaq or a Garnett. Walt's contract is up soon. Cato, for the reasons Clutch stated, can be dealt anytime. I'm glad the Rockets didn't pull the trigger on this one.
You are the man, Clutch. Keep up the OUTSTANDING work. ------------------ The Dream lives on! Honor spoke louder! Long live Hakeem!
Yes, but my point was that the franchise wasn't at the crossroads then that it is now -- my point was not that the franchise has never made big deals in offseason before. When we got Francis, Pippen, and Barkley we were a playoff team retooling to add pieces for a championship run. We weren't undergoing a rebuilding process that would determine what kind of franchise we would have for the next ten years. When we got Mo (signed to a one-year deal -- not exactly a long-term investment), we were a sub-.500 team adding one small part that may or not be a permanent addition. The franchise was at a crossroads in terms of rebuilding, but the big offseason -- when we have plenty of cap room to play with -- was still a year away. ------------------
I'm just going to sit here in stunned silence for a while and marvel at this website. Gascon ------------------ Sometimes I think I'd be better off dead. No, wait, not me...you.
Okay, I can talk now...kind of. Would have been nice to have Shareef but I can't argue with the way we're playing now. Don't think I could have stomached the thought of trading Dream. The pics were sickening enough. Still, if he wanted to go so badly..... Webber, here we come. ------------------ "One ring to rule them all, One ring to find them; One ring to bring them all and on the court unite them. In the land of Houston where the Rockets lie."
It's strangely comforting to know what all the hoopla was about. The winners and the losers, and who had the best insights... And Clutch's ability to remain tight-lipped, and still fan the flame was remarkable... Thanks ------------------ "There are three kinds of lies: Lies, Damned Lies, and STATISTICS..." - Mark Twain -
