Ward can either go to a championship contender in San Antonio or a pretender in Houston. Can't blame him for choosing the former. Either way he'll be a FA at the end of the year. This might be his one chance to win the big one, and I won't be upset if he takes it.
It would really be a nice lineup w/ Ward in there: PG - Ward/Francis SG - Francis/Mobley SF - Jackson/Mobley PF - Cato/Taylor C - Ming/Cato That would relieve so much at the PG and SG positions.
Ward picks Spurs over Rockets, Nets By JONATHAN FEIGEN Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle The Rockets could offer Charlie Ward more money, more years and more longtime close personal relationships. But they could not match the San Antonio Spurs' offer of a clear path to a title. The Rockets' efforts to bring another former key New York Knicks figure to Houston were defeated Thursday by the Spurs. Ward's agent Craig McKenzie said Ward would not announce a decision until today. But several league sources with knowledge of the talks said Ward chose the Spurs over the Rockets and New Jersey Nets. As many as nine other teams also expressed interest in signing Ward, a 6-2 point guard, since he was released by the Suns on Tuesday, McKenzie said. "It's just coming down to a tough decision," McKenzie said. "All three teams have significant things to offer." The Rockets and Nets could have offered a $1.5 million salary-cap exception. The Spurs were under the cap in the offseason and do not have that exception to offer. Instead, they can offer only a pro-rated portion of his minimum, $638,000. Ward, a 10-year veteran, had spent his entire career with the Knicks before being traded to the Phoenix Suns on Monday in the deal that sent Stephon Marbury to New York.
Cant blame him if he goes to SA. They are the type of team that would attract CW. Tough, defense minded, solid team with a shot at the championship.
I repeat: Frank Williams is on the block in NY for all of you that are jonesing over the loss of another Knick on the Rox....
Wilkes "potential"?!? Not much potential there. He is what he is...which is a servicable back up. Nothing really impressed me last night about Wilkes at all really. On the other hand, he didn't do anything stupid either. Kinda even-steven. I think getting Ward would have helped a lot. It would have allowed Francis more time at the 2 spot and we would be getting a better/taller defensive PG versus Wilkes. Just more versatility I think. Wilkes is a nice band aid compared to moochie. On the other hand, on a deserted island when you are hungry a ritz cracker tastes pretty good.
Since Charlie Ward was the best QB in NY for the past several years, does that now make him the best QB in Texas?? I live in PA so I really don't know, but Carter is pretty crapy, and Carr(who truley was the Hiesman winner that year) has yet to impress me, but, he really can hold his own, and he's young. Sorry, I just like throwing that "best QB in NY" around.
For those of you that aren't very good with numbers... Assuming Ward plays 45 games for SA, he turned down the Rockets $1.5m for San Antonio's $350k.
Gater, remember he just got 4 million for sitting on his ass though.... What's an extra million to NOT WANT TO PLAY FOR JVG.... This is probably the start of the free agent snubs....
Or he won't play for JVG because he'll get his ass kicked. Dude is cruisin', that's why he picked San Antonio. Anywhere else he would have to work.
Oh darn, we'll have to pick somebody other than one of Van Gundy's former players to fill the last roster spot... There's a trade coming, IMO...
That sucks that Ward went to SA. He passed up a starting role in HOU for a backup role in SA. Well, I guess it's sacrifice for that gold.
I'd note that he also took a one-year deal instead of the 2-3 year deal he reportedly was looking for. Joining the Spurs lets him be a role player on a championship contender. The Lakers and Spurs have the best shot, with the Kings, Wolves and Nets (haha) behind. Lakers and Kings obviously have no need for him. Why not take a crack at getting a ring now? This summer he can still go anywhere, and may get better offers, be it financial or his role. Evan
While Ward would have helped our team, a lot of people here are WAY OVERESTIMATING his value. Yes, he would have been a good backup PG. But do backup PG's carry you to a championship? Some people are acting like it's the equivalent of Jason Kidd out there and he will turn our team around. Yes, he would make our team better and make it easier to make the playoffs, but he is a role player. I understand completely why he would want to go to the Spurs. They are already a championship caliber team, and he is a role player that can help fill a role to take them to the championship.
We're 6 strong players deep with a $6.9M TE and a full MLE and an upcoming expansion draft which will change the many restricted FA's to unrestricted FA's. (Charlotte can pick up to 29 players with a max of 1 per team). I think we'll do just fine.
