For the record I enjoy Doc's and pop's posts. I guess I just don't get giddy about the posts that seem to covey obvious information. No big deal though because without either of those guys, we'd have to deal with HP babbling all the time. Back to the game, I think the PF bit Doc tossed isn't that wild. Seriously, who have we all been talking about trading the most this entire off season?? Mo and KT. Are we all too ignorant to believe that the Rockets brass doesn't know they are probably our two most tradable commodities(that aren't untouchable)?? It will be a stretch to trade Mo, unless he returns to his old form or better. KT could also be the undervalued prize for a team looking for that missing piece of the puzzle for the playoffs, IF the Rockets aren't in the playoff hunt themselves. In regards to the "KInda like your home address" statement...hmmm...Pac talked about Compton, Ca alot. Andre Miller is from Compton, but we aren't trading for him. The Rockets own Tito Maddox is also from Compton. The Rocks are shopping Maddox. This fits in with previous scoops about Tito possibly not making the roster, especially after my boy Tierre Brown played well in the summer league. BOO-YAH!!
Not to make something of nothing, but is our boy implying there is a Rashard deal out there, but he doesn't know the details?
I completely agree. Ever since Rashard and his agent gave the ultimatum and got zero response from Seattle, his agent is running around telling media outlets that they will look to other organizations. He mentioned Dallas & Houston specially( I heard his quote during a sportsflash on 610AM earlier in the week). Dallas is offering their MCE Houston ( by CD's own words) is looking for a sign and trade. ( if you were an agent, which deal would you prefer?) Does that mean that there is a deal on the table for Rashard...most likely no. This is more likely a ploy to get Seattle to cough up more $$$. But that does not mean that there hasn't been some talk either.
I keep wishing Chicago would renounce its free agents, get under the cap, and help us swing a trade for Rashard. Sigh. Long, long summer.
I hope this isn't too much teasing from me, but I can't resist: In light of the Feigen article concerning Rashard Lewis, we can probably add Rashard to the "KInda like your home address" to refer to Houston. Notice Feigen mentions a SnT attempt by the Rockets. Notice Feigen says Lewis's asking price is equal to Maurice Taylor. Notice Seattle lost their PF. Notice Doc Rocket says we will trade a PF by January, rather that saying "by the Trading Deadline." Notice you cannot trade a newly signed free agent until Dec 15th. Notice Seattle could sign Lewis now, and trade him later, but not until after Dec 15th or 90 days (somewhat like Marc Jackson)--the ole Sign-n-(delayed) Trade strategy. Notice it takes awhile to clear up cap room to make SnTs work. Notice Chicage gets enormous cap room as they refuse to sign their FAs. Notice maybe Seattle will want to wait to see if Maurice is healthy. Notice Doc Rocket said last month, "we will not trade Kenny this summer, for reason's I can't say." Maurice brings higher trade value. If we sign n trade for Lewis or a sign n (delayed) trade, it will be Maurice. but only if he can be 100% again...that's the unknown. Is Maurice healed enough to trade for Lewis, or are we stuck with him and have to part with Kenny for lesser value. That is the question. "shake 'em"
I don't see it as teasing, HP. That's about as good a speculation on Doc's post as I've read. I would like us to keep them both, for depth, if for no other reason. I know there are cap issues, but K9, MoT, and Griff all bring something different to the table. And Eddie is still developing. But you can't always get what you want. Great song from Mick and Keith about that.
HP, I was thinking the same thing, but Doc did say he didn't know anything "about the LEWIS deal and have said nothing." It could be more of his cryptic speak, but I think Doc was being sincere and that he knows nothing about Lewis talks. What do you think about my previous post?? Does that apply to a team's own free agents? I thought Quitten was a free agent when we did an SnT with Chicago or was he restricted?
Oh, phooey. Since when do people let a little inconsistency like that get in the way of speculating on Doc's msgs. I mean, Doc said Ming is 100% a Rocket. We still guessed other things. Doc said Kenny will not be traded this summer, even Jeff continues speculating that he will. I don't think Doc bothers himself with the careers of scrubs like Langhi and Tito. Peter Vescey wouldn't. If a sign-and-trade is not used, a player cannot be traded until three months after signing a contract or December 15th of that season, whichever is later. This includes rookies signing their first contracts, as well.
Heh,heh ? I hesitate to weigh in here at all, but .............. Some things have to be carefully worded to lend them the accuracy they deserve. It's like taking a midterm multiple choice test. You narrow it down to key words ... and go from there. Unfortunately the poor testers miss the meaning of ords or phrases ... not sold on X ... they interpret as ... they are not going to keep X ... or my favorite ... they are talking with the following players still on the bargaining table ... and it is interpreted as ? they're going to trade X for Y ? What an a-hole - that won't work!?. I will admit that at times I hedge my info, holding back some and speculating on some follow-through with others. I have even received stuff from excellent sources that I really questioned as practical (and have stated so) ... and of course the fast readers jump at the players names and miss the key words. Again. No apologies ... frankly I don't give a rat's ass about a large section of posters here. I used to at one time. I don't anymore. Hell, if you can't read the damn post without flipping to a n instant reply, trying to run up your posts, why should I care what you think or say? It's not arrogance or even apathy ... I just like to read some posters and skip over a bunch more. ( Should be a literacy test for the board.) Sorry that was arrogant wasn't it? I sincerely try like hell to respond to almost anyone ... if ... big IF ... they read the damn post! Others I correspond with frequently. You may be surprised that a lot of these guys I respond to don.t always agree with my take ... or they outright blast my ass on occasion. (HeyP and I have had our day thrashing about one another, but I always read him.) Doc Rocket, River, old friend cabbage, Jeff and others. They are classy posters and I enjoy their company. To the question of my absence ... there isn.t a hell of a lot going on. Except I am as busy as hell. Rashard is almost a dead issue. Sign and trade probably won't happen as it will need a outright approval from Seattle which they are hardened against. It could happen with a three way but as was pointed out that is difficult and the question begs ... who would help us do that ( and more importantly why)? Again ... I have nothing to add. The factor that would have (or could have) helped us was Rashard buying into playing here and that being enough of a factor to swing some favor our way. As it turns out CD's talks centered on ... what are Rashard's feelings about us ... do we have an opportunity here or what? ... will he come if you build it?? -sort-of-thing. CD: (my quotes) "... yes we want him, but can he help us get him here... " Answer from L?s people: " ... well probably, what have you in mind ? " ... he wants to come but he wants what is out there on the market too " .... " ... ah ... sorry CD we got better offers .. but we'll keep the lines open ..." And they do. They have a respect for one another. Again, there isn't anything here that merits even a brief post. The mainstream media have searched every knick and cranny. You guys do a credible job of spelling out the main points. What's to offer? ... Verbal masturbation? Van Horn-McCulloch-Dikembe was as transparent as hell, but were you really interested in that? Minnesota is in a bind and Garnett still is not as solid for the puppy roster this season as some think. But you heard all this before right? You going to believe me? Steve will sign a max contract, quite probably before the season starts. Anyone surprised? BTW it is all but signed, but I know you are as interested in that as what is his favorite singer, or color, or why doesn't he wear Tommy Jeans? (It's because he thinks T H is a racist. An opinion I share,BTW.) The suspense that is presented in most of these threads in the lull of the action is wholesomely funny, mildly invigorating but face it ... it's largely predictable. I have nothing to add. It's like sticking your finger in a light socket. You knew what would happen. But there's all that build up of suspense ... like the laws of nature and everything else would be suspended just this once. Just for you ... just because you decided to challenge the unattainable ... But in the end that blackened finger your bouncing around your house yelling and moaning over ... was clearly the outcome long before you wanted to test your manhood in going "mano a mano" with the natural progression of things. Ah ... waxing philosophical tonight ? Keep the faith, hang 'em high, take no prisoners ... but cool runnings,too! PS to HP: - one of the new shift switch games is to run a double low post of three ... count 'em ... three PFs. As a "shake 'em up and stir the poop" sort of line up, every now and then. Watch for it among some unsuspecting dilettantes like Charlotte, Chicago, Indiana and surprise,surprise ... LA. One at the top, one way low and the largest and biggest piercing inside without the ball. Fun ****. PPS: Just for the record I stated my sources said they were "Not sold on Ming Yet" I bowed to Doc when he stated his sources said otherwise. I still bow to his sources on that issue. Damn palm pilot and big fingers ... edit took forever!
You posted that on a palm pilot. I can barely write a phone number in mine. Your comments are always respected Pops. Thanks again.
oeilpere, Is there any concern of a spillover in legal difficulties for Mo from the Webber perjury issue?
oeilpere, So I guess my opening post on Page 1 was a misinterpretation of what you cooresponded to me. drat! btw: have you ever been so pleasantly content at having a boring off-season on the trade/sign front. The biggest thing out there is whether Francis will sign a 3yr or 7yr. If you ever get the opportunity, ask someone if Rudy is as excited about injecting new plays into the offense with Ming as he was with the Francis signing. Remember that story Rudy told about immediately started drawing plays on napkins in bars, after getting Francis. I've convinced myself that how we use Ming and which PF works better with him (rather than who works better with the Francis perimeter game) is what will drive the decision on which to trade, together with who returns the most value. I'm looking for Ming in the high post with the ball, and PFs opposite side low post with the guards running around Ming using him as a pick. UCLA cut. Alternatively, a SF with the ball on the high wing, same set up, and a guard runs around Ming for an entry. Now Francis/Mobley are with the ball in the low post and the high post C and opposite side low post PF defenders have to stay at bay. You can also do this with Rice and Boki receiving the ball. Or do it with a PF coming around Ming and the SF spots up weak-side corner. However, I'd hate to see Ming picking against NBA PFs...ouch The need to stay on Ming in the high post really opens up that low post action. I also would love to see some zipper picks using high and low post on the strongside together. This is often used with a big man and guard with an shooter on the high wing providing the entry pass. This can free Mobley or Francis at the elbow as they slide (zipper) past Ming to interchange positions between Low and High post, respectively. Using Rice to throw in the Entry pass to Ming or the guard, whoever gets most free during the zipper pick. Philly does this with Iverson to get him free around the elbow. I am SOOO jazzed to get Cato off the court. It prevents the opposition from cheating on Francis so much. HA!! Achebe...read that! I told you 3 PFs could be a revolution with the new zone rules. It could change the game and bog it down...thus backfiring on making the NBA more Euro like...but I'd love to see that game. The best would be still run it with beauty, though. Good for the league. oeilpere,,,I think we can bank on Memphis running that too. This is perfect for those mobile 7'ers Euro with the slight frames. Give them 2 more PFs to play with. tidbit on the CBA. Steve *must* sign before the season begins. The deadline is Oct 31st, which is why we were so fast to sign Cato. If he and Kenny do not sign extensions by then, then they *must* become free agents in the Summer (with restriction available).
HP: Point of clarification:I believe the Francis plays were drawn on napkins on an airplane, not in a bar. I am pretty sure he had quit drinking (in public, at least) at that point. Op or Doc or Troy: any clarification on bar napkins v. airplane napkins for Rudy's initial Francis plays? CBFC ps. By the way, those plays were still "dribble to left side, post Hakeem/Charles."
that's it. I have seen him at Kenneally's, though, so I don't think he stopped going there, despite giving up drinking.
OP...are the Rox trying to move one of the 4's? (Mo or KT...I'm assuming Griffin is pretty much untouchable)
Nah, those were Hakeem and Charles plays. #33 was still on the team when he pulled out the napkins, btw. Who can say whether the plays weren't meant to feature her and Francis. Then she poooouuussay'd out. What was left of the plays after #33, Dream and Chuck got replaced (which Francis could run largely by himself) were what we saw in December when we switched offenses to perimeter game in midflight, 24-high, 2 Shakes and a SF Dble Pick. Not much left there, but new plays nonetheless. Boy we sucked. Rudy was also talking a lot of transition when Shandon arrived. Set plays are not the only plays to draw. I'm hoping Rudy has as much enthusiam to change this preseason as he did then. And this time, we aren't going to lose 3 main playmakers to be left with a rookie PG and a jack-rabbit backup SG and slumping Walt Williams.
Good post HP. I have a feeling Mo might win the battle. Kenny plays well around the basket, but Mo's shooting skills off the dribble give him the edge IMO.
How could we possibly throw an offense with 3 power forwards at the Lakers? Shaq would kill us down in the low post. Or were we talking about the Clippers?
