I don't think we will trade for Al Harrington because he has shown zero ability to play defense. I can't see Van Gundy being willing to have him on the team. We signed Pike with the idea that he was Mr. Hustle and could hit the 3. But now he's sitting on the bench and will be stuck there until he proves that he can outdefend the player in front of him. I think that's what it comes down to. Van Gundy ain't gonna play anybody that doesn't D it up. That's why MoT comes off the bench. It's why Boki didn't get minutes for a long time. And it's why Pike ain't getting minutes now. So, until we see some defense from Al Harrington, I don't think the Rockets are gonna be interested. Van Gundy wants defense, boards, and blocked shots from his 4. The offense is a secondary priority. Brian Grant, he's a shorter Cato. He can't shoot a jumper. I think he is a downgrade at center and a downgrade at PF from Cato. Kurt Thomas, a possibility. He's a shorter Cato with a 15 foot jumper range. Rasheed Wallace anyone? Uhhhhhhh, yup! He can defend, board, block shots, .............and shoot. Denver wants to add size? How about Cato to Denver for Chris Anderson and their #1 pick lottery protected? Denver can throw in somebody to made the salaries match. There, you've got your backup center in Anderson. Then get a FA PF that fits this team, Thomas, or Wallace, or Boozer with the trade exception or the mid level exception. Now you've still got defenders but you've upgraded your offense. We've heard about Al Harrington for several years now, but what's he done? A few big offensive games. Big deal. He's just another player at this point, not a difference maker. We should all be able to recognize after watching this team for half a season that if a player doesn't D it up, he won't be playing for Van Gundy. Keep that in mind when proposing trades.
Harrington can't play D? He is one of Indiana's best defensive players! Do you think they would have put an undersized Harrington on Yao Ming in Indiana if he wasn't any good? Plus, he's third in minutes on the team behind two all-stars (O'neal and Artest) and he doesnt even start. He averages 14 points and 7 boards. 6,9 250 and athletic?? He would be a great addition to our team!!! I would trade Cato and Pike for Harrington and back C, Pollard in a minute. Pollard would probably do better under jvg anyway. He likes to do the dirty work. I don't know if a move is in place or not because we have been playing so well, but Cato's minutes have decreased considerably the past week or so and he is a liability on the offensive end. Mo Taylor is making the Eddie Griffin Fiasco alot easier to swallow.
