Okay folks here is the best solution yet not mentioned! 1. Sign Francis 2. Sign and trade, Mo Taylor for Rodney Rogers with the Celtics 3. and then sign Keon Clark to the MCE These moves would secure our great point guard and give us some strength at the forward and center positions as well. We would be UNBEATABLE!!!
The guy loves to shoot and throw a lot of flagrant foul!! No, I don't think he'll fit in, But good tought though!
I've said it before, and I'll say it again - Charles Oakley hasn't been a banger for the past 5 years. If you want a guy to hoist up crappy jumpers and talk loud to the paper about how the star player isn't carrying his load(all the while your getting beat like a rented mule by the player your supposed to be guarding) - Oakely is your man. If you want a banger, you'd have to look elsewhere.
Anybody who claims that Thomas sucks is an idiot. No question about it. Now, his value to the Rockets is questionable. I happen to think he's a valuable asset off the bench. In fact, I'd deal Taylor first, since Kenny doesn't have an aversion to rebounding and seems to improve more. But, still, I understand the idea that he might be more valuable as trade bait than on the court. But his value is obvious. He's a great back-up/decent starter. As for this overall proposition... maybe. I happen to like finesse much more than power. IMO, Dallas' problem isnt' that they're too "soft" but rather that they're too young. In 5 years, I bet they could win even without a "banger." However, a nice defensive sub would be good at the 4.
Apollo Creed - What Rocket PF have you been watching?? Or more to the point, what have you and MoT been smoking?? MoT "works his butt off" - LOL - "MoT works" is an oxymoron I know there have been rumors (maybe two on this board), that MoT "looks great" and "has been destroying K.T" in workouts...but that's probably because K.T. is only playing loose defense so Mo can get back to his stroke!! MoT couldn't stay with me on defense and I've had my knee rebuilt twice..., so I know he can't stay with K.T. on his first step!! I can't believe all of the K.T.-haters out there! I know from watching him that MoT is slow and lacks the desire to bust his ass on the court!! All he cares about is making his 16-17 ppg. If one has to go, please, if there's a god in heaven, let it be MO!!!
Both KT and MO are good players. The difference between the two is that KT is more of a team player (would start or come off the bench) whereas MO would moan if demoted. KT plays with more heart and intellect at times as well. Getting Rodney Rogers would take care of the muscle we need and signing Keon Clark to MCE would give us a capable backup to Ming. Sooo... Here is the solution to our problems once again! 1. Sign Francis 2. Trade Taylor to Boston for Rogers 3. Sign Keon Clark for the MCE
Once Griffin becomes the fulltime starter at the 4, I am sure the management will want to see Thomas rather than Taylor sitting on the bench. 1. Thomas get less money 2. Thomas won't complain about playing time as much as Taylor 3. Thomas can play some 3 In other words, Taylor will be traded sooner or later. I hope they will get a defensive stopper at the guard position.
I think Eddie is a few years away from being a dominate big man force, Its vital to the future that the Rockets pick the right PF to keep. At this moment Eddie is good for shooting 3's and if you think you hate a soft Mo T at the 4 wait till all you have is Eddie jacking 3's you will be begging for MO back. At least Mo can hit inside the 3 point line, now dont get me wrong Im a huge Eddie fan but I feel like we may be waiting on Eddie even after Yao is dunking Oneal through the floor!
Basketball is a lot about match-ups. KT creates mismatches because he is so quick, most big 4's can't stay with him. He is extremely quick at the 4, his moves to the basket are among the quickest in the game. If he could get a spot-up jumper down from 17 feet consistently, he would be scary. Not all 4's need to be 6'10" with long arms. Barkley was only 6'4" and he could bang with the best of them. KT is a good defender, quick as hell, and his salary is such a bargain. He is definitely worth keeping around to come off the bench and create mismatch problems for the other team. BUT, Eddie is the future at the 4... All the bashing of Mo needs to wait until we see him play 25 games again for us. After that, if he is still putting up 10 points and 4 rebounds (even 4 is a stretch), then let the bashing begin again!!!
I think ideally, it would be better to have a more defensive minded banger at pf to match up alongside Ming. Like a young Brian Grant or Antonio Davis. Mebbe someone like Etan Thomas. But you gotta go with what you got. I'm not willing to trade one of our awesome(imo, yeah) pfs for lesser(or significantly older) talent just because we don't have an "ideal" team. Just like I wouldn't trade Ming for a healthy Ratliff since he would compliment our finesse forwards better. I'm hoping Griff becomes KG/Sheed type tuff. But I am aware that right now, KT is the toughest player on the team. KT for Rodney Rodgers???
gengelmann - I am in agreement with your proposal to bring in Rodney Rogers and Keon Clark. If we could do that while also sending Taylor to Seattle for Rashard then THAT would be a truly scary team to contend with!! I don't care if R.R. gets a few flagrant fouls in the process of putting some opposing players on their butts... at least then we would have some attitude on the court instead of off it!!
We could send Cato to Seattle for Lewis and sign Lewis to a deal close to what Cato was making. Then send KT to Boston for Rodney Rogers. Sign Keon Clark. The new and improved rockets line up would be. C- Ming, Clark PF-Taylor , Rogers, Griffin SF- Lewis, Rogers, Nachbar, Rice SG-Mobley,Nochbar, Rice PG-Francis, Norris Now that is a good team, night have to trade another player to get a lower contract though.
For a banger how about PJ Brown? Thought I heard the 'nawlins Hornets were looking to unload just about everyone to clear salary. Don't know his salary or who the Hornets would want but Brown would be ideal.
Actually Anthony Mason would probably be exactly what everyone is describing. He's not only an enforcer type who rebounds and is versatile enough to play the 3 and 4, but he can also handle the rock. Too bad he's such a headcase. Dream scenario is acquiring Zo. That way he grooms Yao at the same time. Reilly is looking hard at getting younger, but it is a pipe dream. That said, I really like Nene Hilario. He would be perfect besides Ming in a few years.
I know, that was more of my dream wish list for the off season. I know we are not getting any of those guys, but it sure would be nice. I like the PJ Brown idea, I would give KT up for PJ and a 2nd round draft pick in a heart beat. IF they don't do that then I would throw in Langhi to sweetin it up.
Excuse me while I defend Rocketfan85. I am not a KT guy either, and much prefer Mo Talyor in the lineup. Kt, in his best season, averaged 14 and 7. Taylor in a season which he had to get used to new teammates, had a lackluster season and yet averaged 13 and 5.5. In a good season Taylor is good for 18 and 8. where as KT will never get better (unless he is traded to a team where he can start) Kenny is just 6-7, Taylor is 6-9, and despite being a finesse player, Taylor's body is 25-30 pounds heavier, and thus more important when battling defenders in the paint. I think KT being a good defender is overrated bigtime. Just because he strips the ball a few times, doesn't mean he is a good defender. Whenever KT's name is mentioned, he is known for his offense, taking it strong to the basket type game, not his defense. In the end Taylor's intangibles provide more of what the Rockets need. Bigger body. more points. a meaner personality (but not by much over KT), and frankly, a better outside jumpshot than KT. KT is a tweener. he has SF size with a PF game, not good. I am not worrying too much. Taylor is signed for big bucks already, which means KT is the odd-man out. In the future, eddie better be the starting 4, and heck, both KT and MoT will end up going elsewhere.
