But what about trying to get Gary Payton. Is he still under contract? Yes, his best years are behind him, but the guy still has 3-4 more years in him and can still dish out the rock with the best of them. And in 3 or maybe even 2 years he may have a shot for a ring in Houston. I don't know if he would be too expensive though! That would be a great backcourt in Payton and Francis. Then maybe draft a PG next year and have Payton groom him.
He said somewhere that he was interested in coming to Houston...that's when we had Rudy Tomjanovich. Now...not sure. But I'd love him! He's a good defender. He's a veteran! He's one of the best point guards ever. He's tough. He is intelligent. He is a trashtalker. He can pass. He isn't a good role model though.......assaulting people.....and if he did come here...I don't want him acting like that dummy he was with Sam Cassell. He and Cassell were crazy...thought they were gangsters or something. But he's still a good talent........................................for MLE.
He is a FA. Thus the most we can offer is the MCE--where some other teams can beat (e.g., Milw because they have his rights, a few others like Utah & SA that are under the cap) and other teams (LAL, SA) would be more desirable at the MCE level if he just sought out the team with the best chance at a ring. Thus we would have to do a sign and trade with Milw for Payton and it is very unlikely we could agree on a fair deal balancing current production and long term plans. I like Payton, but at his age I have a hard time fathoming a deal for him that is solid for us in the long run.
That's what I thought! Oh well, I was hoping we could sign him with our MLE, but LA would seem a better chance for a ring. We may get lucky though.
Contract issues / sign and trade possibilities aside, the Rockets have young players who are trying to come into their own and form their own identities. GP is hall of famer and one of the toughest guards to ever play the game, but he will impose his will on any team he joins - on the court and in the locker room. Any team that signs GP will have his stamp firmly printed on it, and I don't think that's what the Rockets need at this time. They need a solid coach who will help shape them into winners and professionals, and we're in the process of finding that coach right now.
rainmaker makes a good point. the proverbial jello mix (team) has been made. it's time to buy the best refridgerator (coach) to help it gel in.
He could learn some stuff to Stevie. Has Steve had an older PG teach him things? That may be what he needs.
Feigan ignored GP altogether on the radio last week, but used him as an example of a player interested in Rox before Rudy left. This team's beatwriter's beat keeps on like his paper. GP and all FAs, trades depend on the new coach, don't you think? I doubt LB would favor GP but JVG and Doc might. Zo might lean towards H-town with JVG but not with LB or Doc. Maybe. And so on.
If there is any way for the Rox to get Payton it is a no-brainer. GP would allow Steve to move to the 2 and Mobes to the bench, Moochie would be cut, Yao would get fed the rock, and EG and others wouldn't be allowed to ass off on Mr. "Upside your Head with a 25 lb Plate". He is a vet that wants to win and I would love to have GP's stamp on this squad.
screw players who wanted to play for the rockets because of tomjanovich. he gave the players too much freedom... or the players took too much freedom from him because of the lack of a stern hand. who wouldn't want to play for a coach like that?
GP is one of maybe two or three PG's I would start over Steve and could handle moving him to the 2 spot for. Depending on the coach there is a good chance he'll want to play here. Steve could use the tutoring and there is no doubt that GP would make us an instant contender. Most likely there will be a sign and trade set up with payton going to the team of his choice. Karl has gone on record that he wants GP to go wherever he'll be happy but would appreciate it if Gary got them something in return. Since the two worked together for a long time I expect he'll take the sign and trade and thus the rockets would have to give up something to get him. How much we have to give up determines if its worth it. Mobley off the bench would be key to our chances so I don't want him to go unless we also get mason out of the deal... Mobley is key because his coming off the bench would be the big impact that Nick the Quick gives Dallas...
It's one thing to have a mentor like Avery Johnson, who really helped Nick Van Exel's game this year, and a totally different thing to have a hardass for a mentor like GP, who is still in the prime of his career. Would Payton want to play the big brother role? Just because someone is older doesn't automatically make him a good mentor. Notice how the Soncis went on a tear after they got Ray Allen, who is more laid back? It's like they got out of GP's considerable shadow. Stevie's been in the league 4 years now and has been an all-star. That makes him a big boy. He'd say thanks but no thanks. You know how much trash he and Payton have talked in their matchups? He needs to get guidance from a coach/teacher like Larry Brown, not another player.
If somehow we could give up Mobley and Griffin (although it's hard to give him up) for GP I would do it in a heartbeat. On offense, Payton allows Steve to move to the 2 where suddenly we have one of the best scorers in the game paired with one of the greatest passers in the game. On defense, we actually gain from having Payton and Francis on the floor together. GP is 6'4 as is Mobley so we can stick GP on the players Cat would guard, the Kobe's, Finley's, etc. and let Steve guard the other team's point guard. Our backourt hight stays the same with this trade (for defense) and our scoring is increased by Payton's playmaking ability plus no one should forget he's a more than decent scorer.
the bucks would be lucky to even get mobley for GP. i mean thatd basically give them desmond mason and mobley for ray allen and theyd still have cassell at point. no way we give up a key piece of our future front court AND our starting 2 for a guy who although great, isnt going to be around in 5 years. good idea getting payton though if were moving mobley. as good as anyone i can think of short of a package deal for a big man
