Steve turns over the ball too many times. With Yao on this team, do you want Rox to be a Turnover machine?
You guys think Rafer's defense is bad? Wait till you see Mike Bibby in action. His saving grace has been his offensive production but he was bad, bad, and more bad this year. Half the time he just didn't show up. With the contract he has, I'd pass on him. Now if you can get Steve Francis on the cheap then maybe. But make no mistake about it, the Kings want to dump Bibby's contract. They're in firesale mode but have nothing really to trade. So if you can get the right deal together, he could be had. My guess is that some team like the Cavs makes a move for him.
We're not getting Bibby. He's due $14 million next season, so unless you want to trade McGrady or Yao for him, we aren't going to get him. If what we need is a consistent shooter at the point, Francis isn't the answer. He could be a good piece to the puzzle as a scorer and a guy who can get up and down the floor on THE WING, but you don't want him running a break or running an offense. We've been down that road once already.
WHen you have problems getting regular playing time on the Knicks, and when you do, not putting up huge stats, than you frankly are not that good. Bibby I would take in a heartbeat. Finding a good NBA PG defender is basically impossible. Chauncey Billups is great....after that I can't really think of anyone...mainly because PG's are so fast offensively now that it truly is impossible to stay in front of them. But at least Bibby has a decent offensive game. He's never been the best shooter, but when he has other star players to get him open shots, he seems to do a lot better (near or significantly above 45% until Sacramento blew up their team) and his 3 point percentage even in a bad year like last was still as good as Alston's. PLus, he is generally a solid A:TO ratio guy. ESPN has him listed as a Early Termination Option guy, which I believe is a player option. According to RealGM, he also has a trade kicker. If the option is excercised, there aren't many trades that even work. I guess Juwan + Alston + V-Span works for Bibby straight up. As little as those 3 players gave us, it still seems like a lot to potentially give up for some reason. Plus, would Sacramento just say no to that anyway? I like the idea of Adelman as our next coach, which woudl make Bibby a good fit, but he'll be tough to get.
If Franchise gets bought out and we do not get him I will cry. He is exactly what we need and we are exactly what he needs. He would bring some pizaz to our team.
Houston Trade Breakdown Outgoing Tracy McGrady 6-8 SG from Mount Zion Christian Academy (HS) 24.6 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 6.5 apg in 35.8 minutes Incoming Mike Bibby 6-2 PG from Arizona 17.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 4.7 apg in 34.0 minutes Shareef Abdur-Rahim 6-9 PF from California 9.9 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.4 apg in 25.1 minutes Change in team outlook: +2.4 ppg, +2.9 rpg, and -0.4 apg. Sacramento Trade Breakdown Outgoing Mike Bibby 6-2 PG from Arizona 17.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 4.7 apg in 34.0 minutes Shareef Abdur-Rahim 6-9 PF from California 9.9 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.4 apg in 25.1 minutes Incoming Tracy McGrady 6-8 SG from Mount Zion Christian Academy (HS) 24.6 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 6.5 apg in 35.8 minutes Change in team outlook: -2.4 ppg, -2.9 rpg, and +0.4 apg. Successful Scenario
Bibby is making 14 million a year... S.Francis is a max player. and how much is Rafer making?? Rafer is good enough....considering his output/price tag. an all star PG will cost us at least twice or 3 times as much, if not more..... I'd rather spend that money to add depth, get a tall/lean/shot blocking PF, get a young/decent C. good PF and C are very expensive in this league. I just don't understand why there are so many fans on this board don't realize that we have a salary cap to operate.
Bibby or Francis ... naaaaaaah! Too old! Go for young players, with a future! Is there any chance we can trade for Jameer Nelson? He is a good PG, shoots well, drives, loves to play with a big men (Howard>Yao), etc. He could be a huge asset for this team! Throw Head and Alston in the deal plus a pick and trade for Nelson and Arroyo! http://games.espn.go.com/nba/features/traderesult?players=1055~2439~11~2763&teams=10~10~19~19
The biggest part of getting a francis or bibby isn't their defense. The difference they would make would be minimal on the defensive end but at least bibby and francis would at least be able to make other PG's HAVE to play defense and in turn that would most likely hurt the other PG's offensive game. Williams could have expended all his energy on offense and need not spare much at all on rafer because rafer was not a threat for the most part. We do need a PG with a scoring mentality because they'll be able to put pressure on the other team's PG which will disrupt the other team as well.
I would love to see Stevie start, Rafer as backup PG, and Luther as backup SG. That would be a dream come true, and Stevie would be the leader of the team.
