As far as I know Rashard plays the three spot rite? Well as long as Mobley, Shandon, and Francis are here, they are the ones going to be starting. Shadon will be our small forward. No matter what anyone says Mobley wont come of the bench. So we do not need Rashard, Jalen or any other small forward over here. Personally I would rather have Shandon, and Mobes over all of them anyways. We only need some big guys. If the Rockets are lucky enough to be able to get Fizer or Kenyon in the draft than our rebuilding is done. If not than lets try to get Brian Grant over here. I wouldnt mind Duncan either. If not than lets just wait till Hakeem retires and we free up a lot of cap space for Webber, etc. ------------------
Rockets03, You are suggesting that we weaken our backcourt. I think Mobley will be satisfied if he gets minutes, even if he doesn't start; if he isn't, f'him. Shandon Anderson can play the three, but his strength is at the two. If he moves to the three spot, I guess Walt Williams and he would split the time (depends on what we need at the time). But we'd need to draft or sign another two if Mobley starts at two guard and Anderson plays small forward, which would make it tougher to strengthen our frontcourt via the draft or exceptions. So naturally I think acquiring Rashard Lewis is a good idea. Helps our frontcourt without diminishing our stellar backcourt rotation. By using an exception on him, we can draft a PF like Martin or Fizer (I like Fizer better for some reason). All that leaves us to do is shore up the center position. I think Cato can be productive, but he's valuable if we decide to keep him or trade him. Since I don't necessarily buy your adios Mobley theory unless he starts, I disagree with the bulk of your post. Mobley wants money and the ball. If he gets those, I think he'll stay even if he comes off of the bench. [This message has been edited by Pass 1st, shoot 2nd (edited April 20, 2000).]
Is it just me or do me and you argue like every other night on whether Mobes will want to start or not. ------------------
Rashard has been playing power forward for the Sonics and replaced Vin Baker in the lineup. He has bulked up in the last 2 years and could get even stronger.
I didnt know that. Thanks Bo Orlando. Now Im wondering if you all would argee to pay him the max (5 mill?)? ------------------
The reason I am interested in Lewis or Tim Thomas is they are 1) tall (6' 10") 2) young (20 & 23) 3) just starting to show the things they can do on the court. I see both as playing the 3 and some 4 (though both need to continue to bulk up, especially Lewis). Essentially they are younger, less brittle, and more offensively skilled versions of Los. Either player would hopefully make Walt obsolete, and nothing against Los, reduce him to primarily an injury insurance player. I really doubt we would have a problem with Mobley and Anderson getting there minutes if we replaced Walt with one of the things guys also. If anything, we create for minutes because the taller players can play some at the 4 where Walt really can't. Now KT might lose some minutes, but I am not worried about it. If he progresses and can play a meaner 4 than Thomas or Lewis can so be it, but he has to earn it. I think we have a better chance at Lewis than Thomas though, because Thomas is a little more accomplished now as a player (value a little higher I would think) and this is Lewis's home town. We should try to approach Lewis saying we thought he would progress further away from from his first 2 years and completely role out the red carpet for him. Let the local boy come home (it is up to him now) this time around. [This message has been edited by sir scarvajal (edited April 20, 2000).]
sir scarvajal-- I noticed in another thread that you were watching the Kings-Sonics game the other night. There was a stretch in that game where Lewis just went off. He was blocking shots on one end, dunking off Payton alley-oops at the other end, slipping inside an unaware Corliss Williamson for a putback, and even throwing in a three-pointer for good measure. It was an absolutely amazing display. I know that it's a very small sample, but I wish everybody in here could have seen the show he put on during that stretch. ------------------
Grummet, yes it was quite a display. Seattle would not have won that game without that stretch of play by Lewis. Sacramento had no answer for him and he was causing them havoc on both ends. It was about a day earlier I think that Tim Thomas saved the Ray Allen-less Bucks playoff hopes as well. I would love to add one of these guys to the team--I think there stock has just gone up quite a bit. I am more hopeful toward Lewis if we can make amends for our bungle--and he is only 20!! ------------------
lewis won't come to houston. he's a restricted free agent and will resign quickly with the sonics. the rockets can't offer him the playing time he wants. esspecially if we keep walt. we need someone to come off the bench at the three. someone like lewis but not high profile. that's why the rock's are so high on miller in the draft. they are looking for a SF, that will eventually replace the wizard. that's why they aren't getting lewis. i'm thr profit, so all of you should listen to me. ------------------ "When the mind is thinking, it is talking to itself." .... Plato
Profit or not, if Lewis plays even remotely close to the way he played the other night, Walt will not keep him out of the lineup. He was that good. ------------------
I am not sure Mike Miller could keep Lewis out of the line-up either. Plus, I think we have less of a PT problem with Lweis. He can play some 4, Miller or Walt can't. If we had Lewis, I would assume he and Shandon would take all the 3 minutes, leaving Walt as trade bait. I would offer to sign Lewis for the middle class exemption (2 years for 5 mill, I think). That is the best we could do unless we worked out a deal with Seattle--which we could possible do and offer him more money with our available salary from the Pippen trade. I agree it is a long shot, but it is defintely worth rolling out the rep carpet to try to get Lewis. ------------------
Hey Scarface I know its Bo Outlaw. Bo Orlando is an inside joke from another thread. ------------------
Didn't Bo Orlando used to play safety for the Oilers? ------------------ HOOP-T Hey Shaq, Acme called, and they want their bricks back!
I would offer to sign Lewis for the middle class exemption Don't you think that Seattle would be more than willing to match that offer in order to keep Lewis? If Lewis is going to be a Rocket it's going to have to be through a sign and trade deal. ------------------
Sir Scarvajal- Is Tim Thomas available this offseason? Or would it have to come via trade? Lewis is a player, but I don't imagine he'd be keen on coming back to Houston. Seattle will re-sign him, because the Rockets can't offer him more money or more playing time. Besides, I think that Tim Thomas has more of a small forward's game. Lewis can shoot, but he can't put it on the floor like Thomas can. Thomas is also a pretty good shooter, so his ability to take someone off the dribble makes him a more attractive player, IMO. I'd love to get Thomas somehow. Wouldn't complain if the Rockets got either one, though. ------------------
Both Lewis and Thomas are free agents this year. However, what little chance you could get them for the 2.5 mil slot probably went down the drain with this weeks clutch performances. Before there might have been a chance as Seattle was deep with other quality forwards (Grant, Baker, Patterson, Borrell, Stepania), but I think Lewis has distinguished himself as the most talented young one in the lot and will get a bigger offer form the Sonics. I am sure Milwalkee will offer Thomas no less than an Early Bird too now (3.5 mil), we can't compete unless we trade. Or I guess we would have to hope that either player wants to come to Houston (they might--we could offer a starting spot on a strong young team which should not be overlooked + Lewis is also from here) and they don't get much more than 3 mil on the FA market. I would probably part with Drew and KT for either player though, who knows. One final point. I have to say our gem of a pick in Mobes was about as good as selecting Turcan instead of Lewis was bad--in hindsight of course. We blew the Lewis oppertunity when he was almost free. ------------------
Rashard will definitely get bigger and stronger. Like Sir Scarvajel said, he's only 20. By the time he's 27-28 he should have at least another 15-20lbs on his frame. Oh, and like LHutz said, he's got 4 "Olimpic" gold medals. GET RIDY OF RUDY...too funny! ------------------ The lottery sucks!
Rashard Lewis is gonna be a star in this league... that's why we want him. He can play either the sf or the pf, so minutes won't be a problem. We can just rotate him around each position. He gives you a lot of hustle, good defense, and his offensive game is coming around. This guy is only 20. He is 6'10 and very athletic. He's already got a 3 point set shot, so I'm pretty sure he's got a medium range shot also. Plus, over the summer, he will improve very mcuh again, just like he improved last summer. I would love to have Rashard, and he HAS SAID that he would like to come back here. We just gotta find enough money for him, because he will get his minutes somehow. ------------------ treasurer of the moochie norris fan club
I love the way Lewis plays. I hear he has an excellent work ethic too. He may leave for the 2.5 million exception. He is only 20, and if he keeps improving, he could be another Kevin Garnett. LHutz, you are just darn funny ! DaDakota ------------------
