Using garbage time statistics? Something tells me that's not going to lead to a fully accurate conclusion. We're not worried about how his team performed, we're looking at what roles he could play on this team to help us. First of all, Francis is not a PG, so he'd be the 3rd best PG on the team. And I'm not sure if you know what the word "redundant" means. It basically means "in excess", and outside of Alston, we don't exactly have an excess of guards that can play good defense off the bench. Barry, Francis, Brooks, and Head are all limited defensively. That's why I think Strawberry can be valuable to us. His abilities would be very unique to our team, assuming that he indeed is good defensively (I haven't exactly watched his play). The fact that he could guard some SGs is an additional bonus. His inability to hit a shot shouldn't stifle an offense with multiple scoring options. The reason why it won't is the same reason why Rafer shouldn't have to take many shots this year, assuming Yao, T-Mac, Artest, and Scola all stay healthy.
Very true, half the team is in the Mike Harris mold. I said I wouldnt give Strawberry a spot over Harris cuz call me sentimental, I don't want to break up the unit that won 22 straight games last year, even the role players. But if management is favoring Strawberry over Harris from day 1 of camp its understandable. Didnt want to make it like Strawberry is trash. All reports indicate he's improved each of the past few seasons and stands to improve again. He'd probably make the team if Van Gundy was still coaching.
Heights of (projected) starting NBA PG's at or above that: Gilbert Arenas - 6'4 Steve Nash - 6'3 Jason Kidd - 6'4 Chauncey Billups - 6'3 Kirk Hinrich - 6'3 Baron Davis - 6'2 Deron Williams - 6'3 Jose Calderon - 6'3 Devin Harris - 6'3 Delonte West - 6'4 Beno Udrih - 6'3 Ramon Sessions - 6'3 Marcus Williams - 6'3 Jerryd Bayless - 6'3 / Rudy Fernandez 6'5 / Sergio Rodriguez 6'3 I'm guessing 14 teams field PG's at least as tall as Head. And considering his other "assets" I would not be too confident having him defending someone the same height as him. Or two inches shorter. Or four inches shorter....
So you're going with the 'Francis is a human victory cigar' line of reasoning then? Otherwise he's a PG - perhaps not the 'style' that you like, but certainly he's not unique in the way he plays the position in this league. This point you're trying to make is "redundant", because we're hardly about to stash a 4th PG on the roster when we have 6 other 'guard types' on the roster already. I won't deny Strawberry is a good defender, but, garbage time or not, you are absolutely insane if you think he will be a contributor in this league. Doesn't the fact that Phoenix (with 2 'shonky' defensive points in Nash and Dragic) were so happy to give up on him give you a wake up call? They saw the turnover prone Singletary as 'insurance' - clearly Strawberry was not. Again I'll say it: Strawberry is an OUTSTANDING defender, but couldn't hit a barn door from 1 pace. If he comes on the court, his man can just run around double teaming either T-Mac, Ming, Artest or Scola - basically just chase the ball. Strawberry cannot space the offence even a little bit, and WILL stifle it. When it comes down to it, we have 6 guards and 4 forward/centre types. Assuming we re-sign Landry and Mt Mutombo, that's 6 and 6. Do we go for the defender that we can only put on the court on the last play of a ball-game? Or do we go for a hustlemaniac who can play the 3/4? Like I say, Harris is obviously above Strawberry in the pecking order - whether he makes the team or not is another issue, but you can lock it in right now that Strawberry WILL NOT. I'll take a sig bet with anyone who is game to put their sig where their mouth is...
^^^ agree with the post above, mike harris is a year older, a year seasoned, and a year better than last year, and he still has the motor. he's a keeper. even if he is the last man on the roster. it just goes to show how deep we are. strawberry will have the duty of guarding SF3 during training camp, and that's it.
although these guys are obviously taller and bigger than rafer, i'm still comfortable with him running the show. we might be short at the 1 spot, but 2-5... we're bigger, stronger, defend better than most teams, and most importantly play much better defense than probably the whole league.
Francis always has been a SG in a PG's body. Scoring is how he would help this team. Strawberry would be the 2nd decent defensive guard on the team, so he would be a clear need. Given Francis' recently injury plague, I have no reason to believe that he won't suffer another injury at some point in the season. If he's gone, our bench guards would be Brooks, Head, and Barry behind Alston. Not exactly a lot. And what if Brooks doesn't progress? Head sucks in the playoffs, so we'd be limited with Barry as competent guards off the bench. Then why were the Rockets "trying to get him here for awhile" according to this link? Seems like too much interest for someone who won't contribute in this league. No. Still sleeping. He doesn't have to stay in one place on offense like a Battier. Cutting to the basket to get open and prevent his defender from cheating off of him is certainly invited in a Rick Adelman offense. We go for the guy who can give us meaningful minutes, as in PLAYOFF minutes. In the West, we will need defense at the guard position off the bench. You want "redundant"? Artest, Landry, Battier, and Hayes all have components of Mike Harris' game. He'd be a limited contributor during the season and would warm the bench in the playoffs. Harris can play the 4? Maybe against a severely undersized rotation. Obviously to you, but not me. Give me Strawberry over Harris. I am a betting man. You're on! TTB.
Ok - what are the terms? The rest of 2008 if he makes the squad? (15 man squad - he doesn't need to see floor time) - you can write a sig for me? and vice versa if he doesn't make the 15 man squad?
For someone that is pushing for harris instead of strawberry, he goes on and say both will be drop... Oh well, bet is on, term is........ u got to buy a strawberry jersey, take a photo and post it a the boards.
I'm willing to take a sig bet...in fact I've been advocating for Strawberry even before we traded for him, and thrilled now hes actually on our roster. Couldn't believe it. So what kind of sig bet?
strawberry is not better than luther head, period. People forget Luther compliments yao very well, with the addition of barry though luther is gone. Feel sorry for strawberry he had to chase around nash and barbosa.
Allow me to put on the suit and tie ; plus the top hat & the monofocal ...... is that the type of eye glasses that the monopoly guy wears???? I have just become a member, long live the clutch fans web site..
You're going up aginst the odds. Strawberry was the second last player selected in the 2007 draft. Also as a 15th man Strawberry would have a fully guaranteed contract whereas Harris's contract isn't.
Maybe its because I am a big fan of DJ Strawberry and wanted him on the Rockets the moment the Suns expressed concern about his future on the Suns. But when I try, note try, to compare the two players from an objective point of view, I still see DJ over Mike Harris. Where can Harris play on the team other than sitting on the Inactive List? PF? We got Scola, Landry, and Hayes, AS WELL AS ARTEST SF? We have 3 legitimate SF starter quality players at SF: McGrady, Artest, Battier (in that order). So I really don't see a spot for Harris on the team. BTW I love his hustle but hustle won't do it alone in this league. Now look at DJ Strawberry Our PG situation is nowhere near solved, esp considering the unknown status of Francis and Brooks. So a 6-5 PG would be lovely on this team. DJ has improved from his last season in the league. His offense is improving. Not to mention his stellar defense which we can utilise when facing bigger stronger PGs like Deron Williams. DJ is a defensive specialist. Salary-wise? Won't they all both be 2nd year rookies? So what if DJ's contract is guaranteed? We will still be about 1m under the luxury tax cap even if we use ALL of our MLE, which we won't. So there is plenty of room to add players at the trade deadline if we want to. Trade value? DJ >>> Harris Now what do you think?
If during the season Morey requires a roster space either for either a trade or to add a vet backup/s. Harris's contract gives him more flexibility. Though I do think Strawberry has a better chance of sticking if he shows he can play, ie simply through limiting turnovers and scoring, because of the uncertainty of both Brooks and Francis. If neither gets much playing time in pre-season I feel Harris will be the one retained because the coaches like him and because of his contract.
hooroo, where are you getting that Harris's contract is not fully guaranteed once the regular season starts? I would imagine that his deal is similar to Strawberry's in that his salary vests once regular season play commences.
