that's not how a smokescreen works. well, at least, not one you hope to be successful. if a team really wants ming, and we show no interest in him, then chicago assumes the catbird seat. the rock's best course of action is to float stories of rudy liking the idea of moving francis to the 2 (true or not, you float it) and of carroll dawson being in constant contact with chinese authorities in an effort to negotiate a favorable deal for the team (again, true or not, you float it)... that way, you get teams in love with ming and williams falling over themselves trying to deal with you. THAT'S how you set up a successful smokescreen...
ARGHGHG!!!! [annoyed with ridiculous trade proposal mode on] THE FRICKING GRIZZLIES ARE NOT GOING TO TRADE GASOL!!!! [annoyed with ridiculous trade proposal mode off]
If Jerry West was willing to trade Gasol for him, then we should take into account West's expertise and hang onto Ming reagrdless of what is offered.
The Key letters in your post are IMO. So in your oppinion Butler and Woods are better 3's but just about all the scouts think otherwise. If you quit rooting for the Rockets because they don't pick the guy you want then good ridence because you were never a real fan in the first place. I think Yao is way overrated but if the Rockets draft him I am going to hope I am wrong and that he turns into a hall of famer. You can be damn sure I will not change my favorite team.
Oh, I'm a real fan, crash, have been for over 18 years. Maybe I was being a little melodramatic with what I said, but you just don't bypass a guy that has Ming's skills, especially when your team is on the cusp of a playoff spot to begin with and just needed to get over injuries. Remember how much in love CD and Rudy were (and maybe still are) with Glen Rice?? I'm afraid that the same thing will be true with Dunleavy (that CD and Rudy are in love with him like they were with Rice).... Rice really turned out nicely, didn't he....
ARGHGHG!!!! annoyed with ridiculous underestimating potential franchise center and first pick in the draft mode Ask any GM around the NBA, what is the hardest position to get a franchise player at? I bet you 99.9 percent will tell you center. They just don’t come around very often. Look around the league right now and tell me how many there are. I know Ming is not a franchise center but he has the potential to be and that’s something that can’t be ignored. Every year teams waste lottery picks on high school players with less potential than Ming.
No, I don't think the Grizzlies would trade Gasol basically strait up for the #1. Not that he is worth more than JW or Ming (he probably isn't), but traing the ROY in the first year of your new place is not wise--even if you think the other prospect has a higher ceiling. But you might nab Battier and the #4 or Jamison and the #3 for this years #1. Either I would consider. I am much higher on Battier as a long term pro effective on offense and defense than I am on Dunleavy. Battier is a better pure shooter and better defender. Also, West may very well be pumping up Dunleavy so he can get a chance at Woods or Gooden. You can NEVER believe GMs before draft day. As far as Rudy and CD missing the boat, remeber they passed on Mo Pete (Butler looks to be a little bit more dynamic version of him) and Jake T for Collier. They thought one was a little short and the other had contract obligations that were too difficult. Though neither are great players they both will be in the league a long time (probably as starters for us), something we probably will never say for Collier. If (and only if) we feel shakey about Ming if we walked away with Battier or Jamison (long term 3) and say the better of Gooden or Wilcox (#3/#4) I would be quite happy. We could also probably arrange to get Swift and Woods (please no drafting MD2 this low) as well if we thought Woods was more of a prize than Gooden or Wilcox. Or we trade down a couple of slots further for and get another future #1 and draft Bordchart (NY or Clev pick). Getting say Battier, Bordchart, and next year's unrestricted #1 for someone like Cleveland or the NYK wouldn't be a bad outcome--if we smell trouble with Ming or know the redundent (for us) JW is really the prize of the draft. I think some of ya'll are seriosly underestimating the value of this years #1 because we control where JW and Ming go. Think about what #2 and #3 were able to aquire last year--two 20-10 guys, this years draft is better at the top and we have the key pick.
Simply put: THE ROCKETS CANNOT PASS UP THE OPPORTUNITY TO DRAFT AN IMPACT PLAYER WITH MING'S ABILITY AND POTENTIAL. BEYOND THAT, THE INTERNATIONAL BUZZ WILL BE A HUGE PLUS FOR THE ROX. The Butlers and Dunleavy's come along every year, but not a 7' 5" athlete who can fill it up, pass, intimidate on defense, and run the floor, and already has some pro experience. Even if he's a flop a la Bradley, he's definitely worth the risk. Imagine a few years from now lamenting the fact that we weren't willing to take a chance on a player that could revolutionize our franchise. Dallas Rocket o ask the Magic about letting a dominating impact player get away!
