Yuck! Gee, I am tired of all the Walt bashing. A lot of guys on these lists serve exactly the same role as WW (shooting, scoring, not much D), and do it about as well. What would we accomplish in a trade-off for Wally Z? Or Detlef? I wouldn't want Joe Smith or Donyell starting in our offense - they don't have the shooting range that we need from that position (since none of our guards are premier marksmen). Marshall will be starting for the Jazz. Robert Horry has played the 4 almost exclusively since 96/97 and should be starting there for the Lakers unless they come up with something better in the next month. Isn't Mo Pete a guard? And I'm sorry, but I can't get excited about Patterson or Darvin Ham (except when he was on the cover of Sports Illustrated, back in the day, breaking the backboard) or Nesby. LJ? Sam Mitchell? Ewwww, I'm disturbed just thinking about those guys starting for the home team. I agree that the Magic (Hill, McGrady, Miller) and the Suns (Uncle Cliffy, Marion, Rogers) have great depth at the 3. ------------------
If I was Walt bashing, I wouldn't have started my post with a compliment. I could get into a debate with a lot of those players, but I’ll focus on one. I would MUCH rather have Marshall starting at the 3 than Walt, your only giving up 3% difference on three shooting (36% to 39%) for a much better overall player. Donyell is a good enough shooter to make you pay if you leave him (remember he played for the Warriors where Walt has played with a lot of shot creators the last few years), and would contribute in a lot more other ways. Walt isn't a bad player, he is better than a few other starting 3's in the league as this thread shows. I have pointed out there are a least a few better back-ups out there on other teams who are better than him. I wouldn't mind having him as a future back-up offense spark-plug player, if he would accept 1/3 or ½ his price tag. I think a lot of the rah-rah pro-Walt clan (versus balanced about what he can/can't do) are not properly weighing other aspects to the game that contribute to W's besides being a shooter. [This message has been edited by Desert Scar (edited September 13, 2000).]
Desert Scar, I have to admit, I didn't realize that Marshall hit 36% last year from distance. It looks like he's getting better (31% career), up to about league-average. Tho, he doesn't shoot many (only made 49). At any rate, I will sa that he puts up freakin unbelievable rebounding numbers for a 3. I haven't seen him play enough to comment on his defensive abilities, but I would like to have him on my team. Still, like I pointed out, he's gonna start in Utah (over Rusell, another SF that I like. Ugh, 2 players that I like, both on the Jazz!). BTW, that was a pretty backhanded compliment you paid Walt (he's overpaid, he's limited, he's a bad defender - but hey, it looks like he might be better than a couple of guys in this league). Funny thing with this whole conversation is, I'm not even a Williams fan. He is limited. Not a good defender. Not a particularly good rebounder or passer (despite his early career acclaim as a "point forward" type who was good at handling the rock, his assist #s are very average). But I think he serves a necessary role (spacing the court, scoring, etc.) that our team, as currently constituted, needs at that position (just like what we needed at the point guard spot, when the offense was focused on Olajuwon). I've heard good things about Dan Langhi (never seen him play), but it doesn't seem to me from what I've heard on this board that his strengths (scoring) and weaknesses (defense) are much different than Walt's. That's all. ------------------
thanks for the discussion guys, quite entertaining. To answer your question Desert Scar, I would want these bench players starting in Walt's place: Tim Thomas Rodgers Deadleg Shrimp Mike Miller Kukoc(I dont think he counts, but he DID come off the bench ) Darius Miles(unless he starts) thas all I can think of for now. ------------------ I am so exasperated that I could expectorate.
hey sam cassell there is no way walt is better than glen rice..no way... ------------------ I think people are forgetting that we are the rockets... WE DONT REBUILD...WE RELOAD....remember that..
I'm not sick of WALT BASHING, Bring it one, he sucks, we need more Walt Bashing CUT WALT or Trade him for a big gatorade cooler He's slows us down, we have all this speed and then there's Walt slow and sitting on the 3 point line and a defense liability that is impossible to hide. And Chances are he will have a big shooting slump for a fair chunk of the season. And then there's his defense, or lack there of. He sucks CUT WALT We need to get rid of our excessive baggage. ------------------ Discombobulation Imminent
I'll just let this thread die a slow death, since it seems like me and Walt's mom are the only people who think he's a decent player. But I just wanted to address this one point. I never said Walt was better than Rice, just that it was a pretty close call. Look at the stats: Rice: 16 points, 43% shooting, 37% on threes, 4 boards, 2 assists, in 32 minutes. Williams: 11 points, 46% shooting, 39% from 3, 4 boards, 2 assists in 25 minutes. So, basically, Rice scored more (partly due to more minutes), but Williams had better shooting percentages and better production per minute in the "other categories". And don't tell me Rice plays defense! Oh, and Rice is 33, and makes more $$ (well, until he is forced to take the exception this year due to his uber-agent, David Falk). ------------------
Um... Lamar Odom is their starter at the 3 isn't he? He's pretty good. Their problem is, well, pretty much everywhere else. ------------------
hmmm ... I could be wrong, but I distinctly remember Van Horn at the PF slot last year. And him whining about how he wants to play PF cuz, awww, the 3s are too fast for him. And numerous people talking about how KMart was going to have to take JWilliams place at center. ------------------ I am so exasperated that I could expectorate.
But where would we put the cooler? Would we put it by the side of the court? Is that unsafe? I guess we could put it on a chair at the end of the bench? But then is it taking up a roster spot? Is the cooler a BYC player? If so will the deal work capwise? Walt's not THAT bad!! He gives us some spacing and although he's slow, his best game comes when we're running! He only has to run to the 3 pt line and pull up there for his shot! He rebounds as well as Mo Taylor - might be a big help on the defensive boards!!! ------------------
STOP THE WALT BASHING NOW!!!!!!! Clutch if you may, delete this thread as Walt will light up this season and you Wizard bashes will start bashin KT instead! ------------------ Miggidy Markell says: 1. Eastcoast is da sh*t 2. Rockets rule 3. Hip/Hop is dope 4. Buy the new Ruff Ryders album! Miggidy Markell is watching Stay STRAPPED & WATCH ya back or be Assimilated.
Walt Williams is the perfect fit for the Rockets and if anyone does not remeber when he was above average?!? What is that? Aparently no one took a look at his seasons with the Kings he lead the team in steals and in scoring! ------------------ -Junkyard Dog "Maybe we need an enema" - Othella Harrington (former pf for the Rockets) www.JunkyardDog.web.com
