As I see it, we're in a mess. But we're going to get deeper in that mess by trying to trade off our problems in exchange for other peoples problems, hoping that "a change of scenery" will help them out. I understand being tired of missing the playoffs by one game, I also understand the frustration of paying rice, cato and taylor big money, but what I don't understand is all of the talk of getting rid of these players for nobodies. O'neal, I get that, good idea, but not if we have to take crosher's (sp) contract. That is just overpaying for a player for an extra year. And as best as I can tell Cato isn't going to give us much in trade value because of his contract. He's a good backup center, who is overpaid, that will bring another overpaid underachiever. As I see it if we're going to pay an underachiever lets at least pay one who will be in our rotation. (I hate CATO by the way, have since like the 2nd game he played in houston.) I don't think trading Rice will get us anything but a longer contract, so I say tell him he's going to be a player/coach and let his contract expire. I say keep Cato, and trade Mobley/Taylor/Griffin away if we can gain something. But if we don't get a long term solution in return then lets just go with the status quo for this year, commit to not taking other "underachievers" and trying to turn their career around, and hope that by 2005 we're a true championship contender. Trade talk is great, and exciting but unless it brings a proven player who is not tremendously overpaid it only continues our problems. Even if it means not getting a huge free agent this year, lets not take on another burdensome contract and get farther in the hole. Mike
I dont know what you mean by 'underachievers' but if you mean vets who do not have eye popping stats then I dont agree. This team needs a change. It was last in the league in assists. I mean the Rockets were snuggling up with the likes of Denver and Miam in offense production and team assists. Thats not good. And was there really any major improvement - I mean they did flounder around the top for the first 1/3 part of the season but then they plummeted down to the bottom pretty fast after that LA game. I really think this team needs vets to keep that from happening again. Players who dont go for the gusto only on a few plays or only on one end of the court. You know, players that dont excell in just one area but that have games that are refined in all areas with age and experience. If there is one thing that is obvious its that with Steve Francis running the show this Franchise will continue to be run into the ground so the key is to bring in a vet who knocks Francis clout with this franchise down a few nothces and a vet who can put that dude in his place and become the real leader this team has so desperately needed since Steve's arrival.
how comes theres no talk of Mark Jackson? hes a free agent on his last legs....but still a very capable floor general who can give us 12-15 mins at the point behind steve.... piatkowski, barry...both good gaurd pickups with their long range precision....
There is no point in letting Rice's contract expire. We are capped out now and for the forseebale future. Letting his contract run out gives us nothing. Trading him for a decent player, even if slightly overpaid helps us in the long run.
it's not the cap but the luxury tax that we're fighting now. les, like just about all but 4 owners in the league, doesn't appear to want to go past the LT, or at least not far by. rice's 9 million is another 9 million we are farther away from the LT, which will allow us to do stuff like possibly resign EG and CM (or pay someone else to play their positions) while still being willing to use the MCE. just like holding onto cato will be good b/c he goes away right as yao is up for an extension. you gotta chop off salary somewhere to add it on in the LT world (even if it's never enacted).
