No doubt I would make the trade. But since we traded Pryz I doubt we will do it. We have no backup C and noone knows for sure how well Dream is doing. Just imagine: C Dream, Pryz PF Fizer, KT SF Walt, Anderson, Los SG Anderson, Mobley PG Stevie, Drew, Moochie Although it wouldn't be much better next year, it would give us a future lineup of Pryz, Fizer, Anderson, Mobley & Franchise. I like starting 5, plus we still have a few picks due us in the next couple of years, although we would own one to the Bulls. But now our future is Cato & Collier, wow I bet that strikes fear into the rest of the NBA! ------------------
I'd rather have Cato & Collier and the 1st from Milwaulkee (rather than owing a pick... a 2 pick turnaround). Collier is totally underrated. Oeilpere included a post last week that showed Collier to be the 4th best pf in the draft from last year (immediately behind Fizer). If you read the Rockets' draft notes: http://www.nba.com/rockets/draft_transcript000629.html you realize that this is the sort of player that the Rockets truly wanted... someone to compliment the chemistry... addition w/o subtraction (i.e. no trades of off-position players... 4 for 5 or 2 for 4). Cato is a better defender than Pryz... and he fits his offensive role well by the simple things (even left handed alley-oops!). ------------------ no fat chicks
Chicago 1. Cato and Bullard, plus future #1 to Bulls for Fizer and Anstey. Cato move to Chicago is self explanatory. Chicago is also very thin at the forward position especially a 4/5 swingman who can shoot. Bullard is in final year of his contract. A perfect for Jerry Krause. 2. Trade Anstey, KT and Drew to Indiana for Rose in a sign and trade. Anstey may actually give Smits a final year on his contract instead of making him retire due to his pitiful feet. KT moves into a nice tandem role, and Drew takes Jackson's spot when he goes to NY. All these guys are the type of guys that Zeke likes. Coachable, hardworkers and willing to play whatever role comes along. But seriousily ..... I am getting more and more into this. I may actually be looking forward to a Rpcket's Cato/Collier frontcourt in whatever capacity(4/5 or 5/4) and a backcourt (The Four Horsemen) plus Rose that is ready to take no prisoners. They just may compliment one another beyond expectations. The offense and aggressiveness of Collier, with Cato taking up space and refusing the line ... could be interesting to watch develop. Sorry for all the war metaphors but I saw The Patriot last night. Chuckle. ------------------
Achece- I am in the Mid-West and got to watch Pryz a few times, he was the best big man in a good conference. Collier is also from Ohio and left Indiana because he couldn't hack Knight. You can say one of two things about him leaving 1) He was stupid for going there or 2) He wasn't mentally tough enough to stay there. Either way he never has impressed me. I showed in a different threat that Ostertag from Utah had more rebounds and blocks per minute than Cato last year. Is that really the type of defensive presence you want to build you're team around? Yeah Cato is an athlete, and a better one than Pryz but athletes aren't always better players. Maybe it's just me but I would much rather have Pryz & Fizer minus a 1st rounder than Cato & Collier plus a 1st round pick, that is top 10 protected. I honestly think Cato is lazy and Collier will have a tough time adjusting to the NBA PFs. ------------------
pere-Are you saying Rose is one of the guys you were speaking of, that would "take less" to sign with Houston? Out of curiousity, does anyone know who Rose's agent is, and if he shares an agent with any Rockets? More reasons Cato would fit in Chicago-He used to play for Iowa State, and Tim Floyd, and unlike Fizer, is a center. Collier and Cato are perfect, Cato's strengths are Collier's weaknesses, and Cato's weaknesses are Collier's strengths, perfect compliments. ------------------ The more lefties on your team, the better. Collier is Seven Foot and Left Handed. How can you go wrong? Trade or bench Kenny Thomas.
I think the chances that Rose might sign with Houston is next to none. I just have a hunch that he will sign with Detroit. He would be one of the pieces that would keep Hill in Detroit. I am also reading that Maurice Taylor is in the fold. This could be enough to have Hill at least sign a one year deal. ------------------ Having a Rockets jersey, $40.00 Having a Rockets t-shirt, $15.00 Having CLUTCHCITY.NET, PRICELESS!
hakola-What money does Detroit have to do that? They'd be able to get Rose if they renounced Hill, but that's about it. ------------------ The more lefties on your team, the better. Collier is Seven Foot and Left Handed. How can you go wrong? Trade or bench Kenny Thomas.
4chuckie -- you don't seem to understand that the Rockets never had Przybilla and never wanted Przybilla. The Bucks told them to take Przybilla for purposes of a trade. Saying "if we would've kept Przybilla" makes zero sense. It was never an option. "2. Trade Anstey, KT and Drew to Indiana for Rose in a sign and trade." Would you trade Steve Francis for those 3 guys? Rose is Indy's best player. Why would they trade him for 3 guys that would be on the end of their bench? Heck, I'm "coachable", and NBA teams aren't beating down my door. ------------------ Tell me I sold out, go ahead
Freak he was available at the ninth pick so we did have the option of taking him. He and Moiso were the best two players avaialble there. SO therefore my logic tells me he was an option to draft him outright but RT & the Rockets decided to trade trade him for Collier & a 1st round pick (top 10 protected). Yeah they knew when they made the pick that they would trade him, but they had the OPTION to pick him outright & keep him at #9. Also I agree there is no way Indiana trades Rose unless he requests a trade. Rose is a nice player with a huge upside, a huge PG (ala Magic) who can pass & shoot and plays with intensity & heart. ------------------
I don't care if we have to play Drew at center next year, if we can get Fizer for Cato + a #1 I jump at it. In reality (rather than starting Drew) then we can work hard to sign Brad Miller, MacCoullach or Jahdi White to be a servicable starter for now or excellent back-up in the future. Thinking down the line, this deal has me salivating. BTW- just curious, could someone break down what they thought of Przybilla versus Ken Johnson of OSU. Johnson was a blocking machine, if Przy D is close to Johnson's he has some serious defensive skills, no doubt. ------------------ "The Rockets were ahead of the Suns by 20 late in game 2 of the series, but when the going got tough, we just Pippened . We would not be done in the series though."
Last I checked the Rockets did own the 9th pick in the draft at one point in time. ------------------ NOTHING BUT .NET CLUTCHCITY.NET
ss-We're on the exact same wave length. I'd add Adonal Foyle to your list, he can backup Hakeem, and Hakeem/Foyle/Collier is more than sufficient at C for a year. And next year, we can pick up Johnson. The guy averaged over 5 blocks per game, just sick. Here's other thoughts- We can make the Bulls VERY happy by taking Hawkins for them, and we have the ability to do it. We can trade Cato/#1/about 1.5 million in exception, for Hawkins (who's a FA in 01) and Fizer. Some stuff about this trade. Cato's BYC allows us to get 2.66 million in return for him. Hawkins makes 4.2 million, and Fizer counts for nothing in salary matching purposes. Since we can't take on the 4.2 million because of Cato's BYC, we add a little of our exception in, and it works. The Bulls have cleared cap (and may for this favor make the pick top 10 or 15 protected, or just conditional, or give it a time span), and the Rockets have also cleared cap in 01. Now, if we manage to land Foyle with the 2.3 exception, we're a pretty sweet team. If we manage that Phoenix trade (Drew/KT/Walt for Chapman/Rogers/a small filler like Blount or Livingston that gets the total closer) here's what our team looks like: Hakeem/Foyle Fizer/Collier R. Rogers/Langhi Anderson/Mobley Francis/Moochie Then next year's draft, with the Milwaukee pick we have we use our cap (now around 15 million) to entice a team to drop a contract and their higher pick on us, to nab Morris or Battier (we may not need to move up, depending on other factors). Then, with either the Detroit, or Orlando (or one of several other teams that Orlando is owed a pick from, the pick from Orlando is conditional) or, if we still have it, our own, we land Ken Johnson. See above scenario, but replace Johnson for Hakeem, and add Morris to the mix. That team's a contender, great all around rebounding (our backcourt is great there, Rogers/Morris are both very good, then everyone in the front court has the ability to get 7). We'd scare the Lakers-2 great wing defenders (Morris/Anderson) shooting big men, and 2 defensive centers, plus a franchise PG. Now wouldn't that be nice to see. ------------------ The more lefties on your team, the better. Collier is Seven Foot and Left Handed. How can you go wrong? Trade or bench Kenny Thomas.
Chuckles all around. No. IMHO, Rose is farther from us right now than some of the other outlandish moves we keep hearing about. Including the Rashard Lewis stories. He is NOT one of the guys who is beating down our doors. Yet. For all practical purposes, let's assume Rose will likely sign in Indiana(70-30%). Second choice is Detroit. Chicago is also talking real money if they miss the McGrady sweepstakes. Rashard Lewis will likely resign with Seattle(50-50%) or end up in in the east(New York? Miami?). Unless he makes it highjly desirable and pushes really hard his chances of landing in Houston are minimal, especially if you understand that the Sonics do not like to trade in their own conference, that Houston has minimal desirable trade-bait for the Sonics and that we have almost no money to offer in a straight up FA purchase. A trade and exception could work, but for who (does the Sonic's from us)? Croshere has softened his stance somewhat and is as likely to resign with the Pacers as anywhere else(50-50%). His agent is seriously talking to Houston. And that destination is said to be his favorite outside of Indiana country. We are also competeing against Boston. Our only real hope is .... how does Donnie sign Rose, Croshere and Miller and a replacement for Jackson, etc.... someone has got to get disappointed. Mobes is ... well let's not go there ... I am on record as to what is happening in that camp.(100%) Jahidi White, et al . Jahidi, I have liked for a while. Understated and underused elsewhere, he would be an excellent backup pick-up for us. Todd Mc Culloch is another solid center and a better defensive 5 than most of the guys we keep hearing about in all these trade papers. But let me tell you, the Rockets also were happy with Tyrone Washington's overall progress this past year. The big test is in the struggle between Orlando and San Antonio over Tim Duncan. The fight between Detroit and Orlando over Hill. And the on again, off again romance between McGrady and Toronto. The keys: 1. Chicago: As in the draft, watch for Chicago to try and upset everyone's applecart. They have about $14 to 18 million or so to spend. But let's face it, Tim Duncan is not going to Chicago. Hill would sooner go to Dallas (his family's home) than Chicago, but he will go to Orlando if not resign with the Pistons. McGrady is also being lured by the sun and shine of Orlando or rapidly pleasing Miami contract offers. Chicago may nab McGrady or even (an overinflated IMHO) Eddie Jones, but Tim and Grant are staying home or going to Orlando. 2. If Orlando spears both these guys (Duncan & Hill, sounds like a brownie mix!), and McGrady ends up in Miami or Chicago, and Eddie takes the left overs (Chicago or Miami), then watch Detroit pull out all stops to get Rose and Mo Taylor to Motorcity. That leaves New York pressing to unload Houston and Camby, to get some help. Irregardless, ome interesting Eastern manuevering will be going on. The talk about Malone and Stockton going as a package to the East is resurfacing. Malone is on record as saying he does not want to finish out his (4 year) contract rebuilding in MountJazz again. He will ask for a trade next year if Stockton retires and Coach Sloan goes back to farming. You have to be a brainless Utah slug not to appreciate the advantage of trading both those guys for some young (or younger contributors)now, while you can. 3. Rasta Grant's people are now seriously considering a couple of offers, but it is beginning to look like Brian Grant will either be in Lakers land or opting to go where he will get assured minutes. It is hard to imagine someone paying him the kinda money he turned away from in Portland, except a team Los Angeles. That may make PJ Brown (who probably has the better upside of the two and definitely the more expensive) a key figure for both LA and Miami this season. 4. A couple of forgotten teams in here are: Miami, where Riles is planning on some major moves. Frankly he better do something. Wanting Rice's spicey game (who would take less to play for Pat), an ailing Hardaway, excellent tradeability in PJ Brown, the need for a starting quarterback, and another finisher makes me think Pat will do something drastic and start moving more people. Gatling was great move, but he needs bodies that are consistent and "go to". Toronto may take a stab at the serious stuff and try a sign and trade with Orlando. Bo Outlaw may be the price to get T Mac and you know what, Bo may be a better pickup for the Raptors than McGrady as he plays a different game to Vince Carter. That was one of the keys with McGrady's PT. He played a game that was similiar to Carter and that restricted the mix for Butch Carter last year. The Raptors may also go after a PG of choice and shake some heads. The Sixers are parting ways with I-Man. They will get a hefty price for him also. This could change the entire market as some team will be willing to trade a couple of starters to get Iverson on their roster. I see the Sixers coming out ahead in that move. Bucks are looking good this year. I can't help but feel that George Karl is right on schedule, or a little ahead, of where he expected to be as far as talent acquisition goes. He has made some moves including acquired a 7 foot scorer in Pryzbilla with only a #15 first Round ticket in a thin draft. He couldn't have asked for more. Explosive backcourt in Ray Allen and ET. Pryzbilla and Caffey is there now. He is not done trading, but he is ahead of the curve already. ------------------ PS: Nike that is ambitious. But if Walt goes and we get Rogers AND Fizer for just the players you mentioned I am sold. [This message has been edited by oeilpere (edited July 03, 2000).]
It would be dumb to trade Cato for Fizer, although Fizer might be more talented, he does not have the height we need. ------------------
lol, a brownie mix You gotta set standards Hey, We can call Maculloch TMac! So, if what I gather is correct, the Rockets ambitions are- 1. Resign Cuttino 2. Acquire a backup big man (TMac, White, etc.) and of course, the grand #3- Dump Walt on the curb pere-It's not exactly a small price: Walt, Drew, KT, Cato, our #1 next year, and taking on 2 salary fogies (Chapman/Hawkins) to acquire Rogers/Fizer. Well worth it IMO. ------------------ The more lefties on your team, the better. Collier is Seven Foot and Left Handed. How can you go wrong? Trade or bench Kenny Thomas. [This message has been edited by NIKEstrad (edited July 03, 2000).]
Well I was being more than half facetious. I do not want Chapman. I like Hawkins though. I like KT. And I guess I am vacillating about losing those draft picks. Still, we do get rid of Walt, so there is some win in there somewhere. You should see me trying to order at Fudrucker's. ------------------
Fizer will be twice the player KT is. Chapman may transfer his "it" abilities to the Astros, by being in their presence. Oh yeah, and the Rockets too. And no more Walt. No more escorts to the bucket for Jalen Rose when playing Houston...unless he's playing SG and Shandon's hurt. ------------------ The more lefties on your team, the better. Collier is Seven Foot and Left Handed. How can you go wrong? Trade or bench Kenny Thomas.
Saying "if we would've drafted Przybilla" is fine, but saying "if we would've kept Przybilla" or "if we still had Przybilla" does not make sense. He was never ours to keep.
