Theres no way Les halts a conefrence because he suddenly has a urge to investigate for himself Glen Rices foot ailment. He would never put Rudy and Cd on the spot like that. If 610 is reporting that Les, in his worrisome state, is the one seeking a deeper medical evaluation for Glen rices foot, and they're getting this directley from the Rocket camp, then you can bet that that Les's name was thrown out there so CD and Rudy wouldn't have to cover their heads after all is said n' done.
Me thinks Les' motivation is paying 20.7 mil over three years to a guy that spends a lot of time on the IR... What? Glen Rice is extremely durable. Even with that extremely painful foot injury that is causing concern now, Rice played in 75 of 82 games last year. Unless you know something we don't about the results of his physical, I wouldn't expect him to spend much time on the IR. Also, most posters in this thread are not being realistic. This isn't fantasy world. The Rockets aren't going to say Rice failed a physical because another team offered another player. It is extremely clear through the quotes of the staff and organization that Rice is the player they want. It is also extremely clear that they don't consider the center spot as big of a concern as you guys do. If they did, don't you think they could've gotten Othella from New York? They almost undoubtedly could've had him. And don't you think they would've gone after Loren Woods with a 2nd round pick if they wanted a center so bad? Professional organizations don't change their instincts on a player overnight. The Rockets want Rice, it's just a question of whether or not he is capable of playing. And imho, rescinding this trade would be a horrible move for the Rockets unless they are almost sure Rice has a season/career ending type injury. An injured Rice like the one last year is still way out of Shandon's league.
I'm not saying he's not durable, won't be durable, or hasn't been durable. I think Les is just doing proper due diligence before dishing out 20.7 mil. He doesn't have to pay Anderson squat if it is a no go. I think getting an expert opinionb and waiting a day or so is worth 20.7 mil...
I don't blame Les. He will be getting a new stadium and new revenue stream. Do you remeber CD and Rudy's decision on: 1) Matt Maloney (Is he off the books yet?) 2) Brent Price 3) Cato After Rice's physical, I would drug test Rudy and CD before signing off on this deal.
Do you remeber CD and Rudy's decision on: 1) Matt Maloney (Is he off the books yet?) 2) Brent Price 3) Cato Do you remember CD and Rudy's decisions on: 1. Robert Horry 2. Sam Cassell 3. Clyde Drexler 4. Othella Harrington 5. Charles Barkley 6. Michael Dickerson 7. Cuttino Mobley 8. Steve Francis 9. Eddie Griffin 10. Mario Elie 11. Kevin Willis 12. Eddie Johnson 13. Kenny Thomas 14. Mo Taylor 15. Jason Collier and a pick for Pryzbilla (which got you Griffin)
Has Les ever done something like this before? I can't remember the last time he physically intervened in a trade (after the trade was more or less completed). This seems out of character for him. I agree with others that perhaps this is a smokescreen of some kind. Why? I have no idea. Maybe Rice is on PETA's most wanted list or something.
Go to the official Rocks site and check out the war room video. Les was intimately involved in a possible trade with Seattle and high fives Rudy right before he tells him about the Griffin deal
This is an interesting issue. This could be the first time we've seen a real disagreement between the coaching/management staff and the owner. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.
Jeff I don't think it is a disagreement as much as the guy writing the 20.7 mil check doing what should be done in a situation of this magnitude. From the Houston Chronicle Article: "The process is extending a little longer than we thought it would," Rockets spokesman Tim Frank said. "We're still optimistic, and obviously we still want Glen Rice. We just have to get some past medical history and then make a determination as to what will happen." "With as much money as they have invested in Rice, it's not surprising the Rockets are trying to cover all their bases. He will occupy $27.6 million of salary-cap space over the next three seasons, although because of the signing bonus he received from the Knicks, the Rockets will pay him $20.8 million."
I seriously doubt that this is revenge by Les. I would probably call it hardball by teamwork... or maybe good cop, bad cop tactics. X=Shandon's contract Y=Moochie's contract Z=Fegan's % charge for representation Fegan's motivation: maximize (X+Y)*Z Rockets motivation: get Rice, get Moochie, get rid of SA I doubt that Les would piss on a deal that Rudy, CD, and the medical staff believe in. We would have seen problems a long time ago if this type of power struggle was going on with the Rockets. I think the more likely scenario is that Les is doing CD a favor by blocking the deal as leverage in the Moochie negotiations. **Someone pointed out that it is stupid for two guys on the same team to have the same represesentation because it is a conflict of interest and it hinders the agents ability to negotiate one contract vs. another. Fegan is a prick, so if he can get X+Y to be the max amount possible then he is doing good. If that means X=48 and Y=4 then he would be happier than X=30 and Y=8, even though one of his clients is getting screwed. My thinking is that Les is saying SA won't get his big payday with the Knicks if you don't take ______ for Moochie. I know CD wants Moochie and would pay Y, but I'm the boss and I won't pay more than Y-3. If you want to play hardball, you are going to have to deal with me.
I'm pretty sure that Barkley and Drexler had over 20 million dollars left on their contracts, especially Barkley. Mo Taylor just got 48 milllion dollars. Mobley is making over 20 million dollars, and Othella signed a contract for something over around 20 million dollars.
i hope les kills the deal. les is looking at the cap luxury tax probably. Francis will be maxed out next year and he doesn't want to pay the tax for a guy like Rice who is old and on the decline
3rings, thought you would know by now never to rub the fur of "the cat" the wrong way. Pisses them right off! while it's nice that les is making fegan sweat a little, it seems against the public image of him to be petty/vindictive. The Rice deal works for this team, esp. with hill just signing overseas and removing a player (though not the rights) for the fight for a roster position. IMHO
I think it probably is a bit of a disagreement. I doubt it is anything serious, but this isn't exactly a no-brainer like the Eddie Griffin deal.
