I read recently that Houston was 4th or 5th on Webber's wish list anyway. The problem is that Webber does not just get his points off boards. He was THE GO TO GUY in Sacramento. The guy was a runner up for MVP. Who is going to give up shots for him? I honestly like Webber but I'm not sure that sinking huge money ($11 to $12 million per season over 7 years) into a 31-year-old when your average player age is around 23 is such a great idea. I'd rather keep ourselves flexible. Maybe this draft and this team isn't the best we can do, but it took a mixture of draft picks and players to wind up with Francis and Griffin. This is a work in progress. I have doubts that Webber would immediately vault us into the elite in the West right now anyway. ------------------ Things do not change; we change. - Henry David Thoreau
Jeff: I have doubts that Webber would immediately vault us into the elite in the West right now anyway. I can't imagine why not. Webber completely revitalized a struggling Kings franchise when he arrived. Surrounding him were such august names as Jason Williams (skinhead), Vlade Divac (stick man), Corliss Williamson (poor man's Donyell Marshall), and Pedrag Stojakovic (before he became really good). Webber carried that team to the playoffs. This year, they were quite good with the modest addition of Doug Christie, improvement of Stojakovic, but decline of Divac. The Rockets compare favorably with the rest of that team. Francis kicks Williams/Jackson's butt, Mobley's probably a bit better than Christie (even w/o D), and Griffin (hopefull) will be better than Pedrag if not this year, then next (less o but more D). Houston even seems to have a better bench with guys like KT, Moochie, and Langhi. Why wouldn't we be contenders? ------------------ Don't let those uppity newbies get away with acting like vets... ...all newbies are equal, remember that.
Everything is relative. Every team is trying to improve. I mean who else is on their way down next year. Maybe Utah if Stockton doesn't resign. VanCouver and Seattle have also made improvements to try and pass us. We may have drafted one heck uv of a player, but he's still a rookie. He is still going to hit a wall. He is still going to need some time to adjust. We drafted a very young player. I hopes he's the next Jordan, I truly do, but I don't want to rely on it. Even jordan needed Horace Grant and Scottie Pippen. A very good and balanced threesome. ------------------ humble, but hungry.
I love how we've projected a 19 yr old draft pick who's never played a single NBA game into a guaranteed superstar already. ------------------ http://www.swirve.com ... more fun than a barrel full of monkeys and midgets.
Shanna: I wouldn't project him as a superstar quite, yet, but certainly as an improvement over our previous SF situation. If one (quite reasonable in my mind) predicts he'll average 13/7/2 this year... well, we have ourselves a pretty decent SF. It's no fun to just admit we have no clue how he'll turn out . Besides, any prediction concerning the Rockets has to include the impact of Eddie Griffin. And if we err on the side of optimism... heck, we're Rockets fans, right? ------------------ Don't let those uppity newbies get away with acting like vets... ...all newbies are equal, remember that. [This message has been edited by haven (edited June 28, 2001).]
I just don't think the Rockets are close to contending for a championship. Players don't reach their peak until they are in their late 20's and the Rockets have time. They will be FUN to watch, though. ------------------ Things do not change; we change. - Henry David Thoreau
Jeff: Then we certainly agree there. By "contenders" I thought you meant what the media means: the 3 or 4 teams that come after the Lakers that you can at least rationalize into having an inkling of a prayer . If I had to guess, I'd say Houston will be in the 6th or 7th seed next year without Webber. With Webber, I'd guess 4th seed. Of course, since free agency hasn't even begun, that's jumping the gun on my part. ------------------ Don't let those uppity newbies get away with acting like vets... ...all newbies are equal, remember that. [This message has been edited by haven (edited June 28, 2001).]
I'm with you haven. I like optimism. I just want to add Webber and be optimistic that we can win the whole darn thing in a few years. ------------------ humble, but hungry.
Shanna: I wouldn't project him as a superstar quite, yet, but certainly as an improvement over our previous SF situation. Yeah, not you in particular. I just read a few threads and saw that he's apparently better & more complete than Mo Taylor, eliminates our need for better rebounding (one player can do this?), makes us no longer need Webber (does this mean Griffin is MVP material already?), etc. Pretty amazing for someone who's yet to play in the NBA. ------------------ http://www.swirve.com ... more fun than a barrel full of monkeys and midgets.
I Agree with PJS. I would not trade for Webber, but I sure as heck would still try to get him via free agency by all means possible. If you look around the league at the max players, if you can get a Duncan, Webber, Shaq, Garnett or Malone for the max that is a steal. Given Webbers height, length, strength and skill, he will be a great player for 3-4 more years and a darned good one for 3 more. Portland's fault wasn't that they had a team of all-stars, it was they had a team of mostly has been all-stars. Plus, it is not like they were not pretty close 2 years ago. If Portland had Webber instead of Wallace they would be wearing the rings from 00. Think of the 6ers of the early 80's, they had a team of stars but still needed one more player, that player was Moses. He delivered. We still need more players, going after one of the top 3 low post players who also is an excellent rebouder, fantastic passer, and good shot blocker, without losing our young studs is a no brainer. Getting Webber gets us in the hunt now, and for the next few years. I have no qualms about writing a 7 year deal for the max. Before too long Francis, Mobes & Griffon will get us to the cap anyway, we getter get such a great player in his prime when we have the chance. You have to take this oppertunity (getting Webber via FA) if we are fortunate enough to have it presented to us. That said, we have already had a fantastic offseason. If we get Webber we might have had the best offseason any team has had since the 60s era Celts organization colluded their way to a roster of like 9 allstars. Or at least the best one since we won the dice roll for Hakeem. [This message has been edited by Desert Scar (edited June 28, 2001).]
