TheFreak, Its been a while since we agreed on something and we agree on this. Two picks is the most that I could justify spending on SAR. Mango ------------------ Get it right or just don't do it! [This message has been edited by Mango (edited March 03, 2001).]
Thanks clutch. Most of those pics scared me though.....cept for the Shareef in a Rockets uni one....... ------------------ Charles Barkley on TBS on the "fat track" poll: "What? 47% said I'd gain more.....why those.....they better be glad this is a family show."
Clutch: Thanks for passing this along. Thank God Rudy didn't bite on the Rahim deal because that is a very bad deal. In no way does Sharif fit this team. With it beginning to look more likely that the Rockets will be in the lottery, just one of those four picks could turn out to be Shane Battier or Richard Jefferson, two players who each would add more to this team than Rahim. As far as the "Webber, Rahim, Olajuwon, Francis, Mobley. :0" many have posted, I have my doubts whether Mobley, Francis, and Webber can share the ball. No chance for the Rahim lineup. All-Star lineups look pretty on paper but would never work. The Cato-Lafrenz deal really hurts. You had a chance to deal a complete nonfactor in Cato for a perfect fit like Lafrenz. I know if this deal had gone down, Rudy would have been ecstatic. If you take a look at the recent moves the Rockets have made (or attempted to make), you notice a trend. Starting in '98, they draft Mirsad Turkcan, sweet shooting big man. They then draft Kenny Thomas the next year, another big man with long range ability. This draft, they draft Jason Collier (LOL) and Dan Langhi, two more sweet shooting big men. They attempt to sign Austin Croshere. Rudy is desperately in search for the "rich man's" Matt Bullard. He wants someone who can spread the defense like Matt has done for so many years, yet at the same time be able to do other things on the court. Lafrenz would have given Rudy the ability to spread the defense while not getting burnt at the same time by Bullard's deficiencies. ------------------ It is no rumor that Matthew Bullard is 30th on the NBA's <i><b>all-time</i></b> 3 point accuracy list.
Will, note that it is against the CBA to deal two of your own 1st round pick from consecutive years. That deal could not have depleted our 1st round picks. It was to trade the ones we had compiled and probably just one of our own. I also like that trade because SAR would be the top sign-n-trade bait for Webber out there. That said, ending up with SAR and no center is very risky. I agree.
Thanks for the fill-in, Clutchster. Just reminded me of why this is the greatest fan-site on the net, period. As for the deals, I'm struggling to swallow from reading some of the near deals, especially the Walt/Cato/picks for 'Reef one, as well as the Lafrentz one. 'Reef may not be ideal for this team, but I think he may flourish in an environment where he doesn't have to be the go-to-guy, especially in crunch time. And as HP said, he is perfect trade bait for CWebb. Expect Rudy T and co. to pull something off this off-season, they always do. Azim da Dream ------------------ There's a very fine line between genius and madness. http://www.clutchtown.com
The LaFrentz part hurts the most. An actually shot blocking 4/5, who rebounds and nails the outside 3. Other than Rasheed Wallace, no one fits that criteria better than LaFrentz. Oh the possibilities... ------------------
Clutch, thanks for the "scoop". I really doubt the hardcore Clutchizen here think of you as a Peter Vecsey wanna-be. We apprieciate your efforts. We come looking for a glass of water and ususally we leave with a meal too. I have to agree with Will and others in regards to the 4 1st-round picks. That is too steep of a price for a 2nd-tier all-star (IMHO). HeyP brought up an interesting point in regards to using SAR as a bait to trade for Webber. My question is : Have you heard any discussion as far as the Rocks having a backup plan (trade wise) for acquiring Webber if a "sign & trade" is the only way to obtain Webber (because he wants the maximum, which only the Kings can offer him)?
This may well be true, but perhaps the most momentous offseason move the Rockets have ever made was to sign Mario Elie as a free agent. It may not have shaped the franchise for 10 years, but so far it is the only offseason signing that has directly lead to a championship . . . uh, make that 2 championships! Also, I have to agree with Will and some others above. There's no way that the Rockets should pass on all the potential of 4 draft picks for an average player like Rahim. (Good scorer + crappy defender / 2 = Average Player) ------------------
awesome scoop Also nice to see how they GMs think and make moves. . . . some of those deal would have been dismissed as dream casting by some [Raef/Cato Deal] Rocket River Anything is possible Imagine what the off season will be like esp after a NBA championship ------------------
Clutch, Can you tell us what draft picks we were talking about? This is not a Minnesoato Joe Smith type deal where we would have lost our first rounder for 4 years in a row. Sounds like: 1. Our own next year 2. The Pryzbilla pick 3. The Drew pick 4. ??? don't we have another next year That plus we get rid of Cato's salary, and Walt is meerly thrown in to match salaries...who cares, he would no longer get playing time anyways and is untradeable on his own. One thing is for certain, we are not allowed to trade our own pick two consective years in a row.
Only Dan Issel would be interested in making that deal, and the odds that he's around past April aren't very good. ------------------ Nuggets4 The Pinnacle - Proof that Rivals.com Isn't COMPLETELY Evil! http://www.NugsPinnacle.com
Those four first round picks would more likely be Turkans and Drews than Battiers. I would do that deal in a second. Who could you double off of with a team of Francis, Mobes, SAR, CWebb, and Dream. And Shareef does not play horrible defense. He blocks shots and avg. 10 boards. ------------------ "We messed with the Bull, and we got the horns." -- Larry Brown from AirBullard.com
Thx for the fill in Clutch. I think the main thing to remember in all of this is that Rudy & CD know what they're doing. They know more about what's good for this team than we do. Whatever moves they made, they did for a specific purpose. If they wanted to keep all options open for Webber, then they must think there's a good chance of Webber comin here. If they think there's a good chance, then there most likely is a good chance. ------------------ PrEsident of The Danforth Langhford FAN CLUB... He IS our future All-Star Small Forward
Rebounding ability doesn't equal Defensive ability. You can not trade aways consecutive first round picks in a deal, I believe. It has to be every other year. ------------------
Clutch, Can you provide some details on Hakeem's behavior behind the scenes and what lead him to be so adamant about leaving? Also, do you have a theory on why his recent play has improved? ------------------ Respect Hakeem's legacy. A championship in the hand is worth two in the bush!! [This message has been edited by 3Rings (edited March 06, 2001).]
Lafrentz has been injured almost as often as Cato. I would rather take the chance on Kelvin. ------------------ Never Underestimate the Heart of a Champion
