Umm, call me stupid, but why is losing Walt a foregone conclusion? We are not out there looking for a starting 3, not even a backup 3 really.. just quality depth because of the lack of certainty surrounding Rice's recovery and Nachbar being a rookie. So since Walt already knows the team, the coaches and the system, and he clearly can still shoot with the best of them when he's on, what about re-signing Walt and forgetting about trying to get some other free agents? Hehe I know he looks like a 45 year old man, but he's not that old yet.. Unless the Rockets are dead-set on acquiring a guy who can slide between the 2 and the 3, seems to me like Walt might be the ideal fit for our depth needs.. If this is a terrible idea, why? Sometimes change just for the sake of change is not necessarily a good thing.
It's not a half bad idea and I would advocate it, and it is also not a foregone conclusion. We do however have a slew of young talent that needs confidence and experience.
As last season was concluding and the offseason began, I was warning people that Williams may well be re-signed. Fans didn't like him, but it seemed the Rockets did. But the Chronicle has written several times now that he's probably gone. Don't know why. I think you're right that he'd be good to have around (at a reduced price). I rather like him anyhow -- especially after he clocked Bradley. I don't have anything against Bradley either, but Walt's punch wasn't some sissy kind like you usually see in the NBA nowadays: it was a legit punch. If we get someone from the outside to shore up the 3, I'd understand Walt moving on. But, it seems to me he's needed if we're going into the season with Rice, Nachbar, and Morris.
Three is not enough???? Rice, Nachbar and T-Mo is more then enough small forwards. Unless Rice is useless, but that remains to be seen. From the rumors around here, it sounds like Rice may be back from the dead. That would give him 20mins. Now with Nachbar, I'd say bring him on slow so 15mins. That leaves 13mins for T-Mo and that may not be enough. Also, unless KT is gone, he's probably going to see some time at the 3. Then there is Eddie. You might see a Ming, Mo-T, Eddie front line. Or how about small ball with Stevie, Mobley and Mooch? There is not enough time at the 3 for Walt period. So he's out.
He makes many fubdamental mistakes, especially on defence,almost like he does not even care! He doesn't stay with the man he's guarding. Then when his man gets the ball he runs after him to make a show of effort, because he is not in a good defensive position he slaps the player, gets the foul,laughs about it! He does this even when the Rox are over the limit and doesn't even care! I say we dont need this bad example for our Young Team! If we resign him we will be renewing the Clique, IMHO also not a good thing for our young team.
I'd rather have the Wizard than T-Brick. Anyway, who else onthe team has been in a Hootie and the Blowfish video?
Usually if Walt was on, we won. He's capeable of starting on many NBA teams and of scoring 10 points per game. We're just at a point in where we have so many young players that need to jell now. I think Walt was the best shooter on our team last year but there's a point where we need to develop other players. Also, what would Walt want with the Rockets when he could be somewhere else getting good minutes in the final stages of his carreer?
Please to name the teams he could start for? . . . I get so tired of people pulling out the "he could start for many NBA teams" bit. Shall we start with some of the worst teams in the league? Would he start for the Clippers? errm No. Grizzlies? No. Bulls? No. Heat? No. Rockets? No. I suspect I could keep going.
Don't forget that Cat is the Rocks 3 in the small ball lineup. You can chalk Cat in for 10 minutes per game at the 3, if Rudy does not change his wicked ways. If his contract option is exercised, OT may also be added to the mix at the 3. I also think that Rudy is fairly committed to KT getting minutes this year, which means time at the 3 for KT. Thus, I can easily see between Rice, Cat, and KT that there will no minutes left for Boki or TMo. Walt only small chance for a Rocks roster spot is if Rice gets another season ending injury. Let's review: The Rocks have three true 3s: Rice, TMo, Boki. The Rocks have two 2s who can the 3: Cat, OT (a likely maybe). The Rocks have one 4 who can play the 3: KT. I am not counting EG since Rudy seems committed to not playing him at the 3. That six players who can play the 3. Damn, that's half the roster I openly wonder if Rashard Lewis has also done the same math.
Thats a good point on the RL situation, I have never even thought about that. Besides all the players we have at the 3 spot, another reason why the Wiz won't be coming back is b/c he have like 12-13 people under contract as off this second. The Rocks won't give someone else a garunteed contract UNLESS its someone who is gonna make a real difference (RLewis?). Walt is also injury prone (didn't he miss like 30+ games himself) so theres another strike. I like him and when he was on, the Rocks played well and when Rice was out and the Wiz was hot we didn't play that dumb small ball to close out games. Unfortunately, his time as a Rock has run out but I'm sure he'll catch on somewhere and become a Dale Curry type player for the next few seasons.
They should hang Walt's jersey for clocking Bradley, the SOB. I'll never forget what he did to Charles. Thanks for the memory, Wiz.
I think Walt really gets along with the other guys and would be a good sign if he or Boki can play at the 2 spot.I think they may both be too slow but I agree we have to many 3's.The only problem is none of us know if any of them are going to be worth a damn-which is why I would go after Lewis. Rice-no defense Walt-no defense TMo-no nothing (besides Steve's friendship) Nachbar-no telling I think Walt would help perhaps as a comfortable back up. I would hate to see Rice limping, Nachbars hernia acting up, and TMo playing at all.Walt could help if Lewis cannot be aquired.
I am basically ambivilent about resigning Williams. I agree that we have plenty of threes and there is no room for another, but...... There is always room for a scorer to come off the bench and provide instant offense. Rather or not he can provide that, I don't know. But if he can get hot, any team will find room for him. When we won our first championship, I believe a key ingredient was Sam Cassell. Not per say he was a great player for us and made the difference, but rather he gave us a third streaky guard. A lot of people can score in bunches, but not consistantly. Between Kenny, Sam and Max it seemed one was always on, and that kept the defense from sagging on Olajuwan. That is the role Walt would look to fill. Not be the three, but come in and fill it up. If he is not on, he is on the bench. When he is hitting, there will be room for him. I see Rice, Williams and Nachbar being what Smith, Maxwell and Cassell gave us. At least one of the three should be on. And none of the three is overall strong enough to sit the other two down.
The problem with Walt is the inconsistancy in his shooting and his poor defense,although it's true we won some games when he was shooting well. I would pass up on him.
