Nice article. Wafer is definitely one of the feel-good stories of this season. It's good to hear veterans like Battier and Kobe Bryant giving him encouragement. But I also like how Battier doesn't shy away from discussing Wafer's defensive lapses. I hope he's as direct when talking to Wafer, because Von can really learn from him.
What? Wafer may have priced himself out of what Morey can pay? Chronicle writers are stealing our threads. I think the only way he stays is out of loyalty, and it is more than likely that he goes for near MLE money. And if the Rocket's do not match, they will seriously regret it later, James White is not Von Wafer. DD
It is a serious issue, if they think Von will continue to develop they can not afford to lowball him, they need to set the market standard.....and tell him they want to keep him.... If you are Von though, you want to know what the team is going to do with Artest and Tmac as he probably feels he is good enough to start. And he would be right. DD
I think it'll be a good sign if the Rockets let Wafer walk. It'll mean the money isn't there because the Rockets have added another All Star calibre player that Morey spoke about getting several weeks ago.
What? They are handicapped by a $23 million dollar anchor right now......until the Tmac situation is resolved by him coming back healthy or being traded, they have no money to use other than the MLE....which I think they should use most of to sign Von. DD
No, he would not. I thought that would have been apparent when he was cut by the Knicks. Von Wafer is light years away from Shane Battier and Ron Artest. No team with aspirations of winning would have Von Wafer as a STARTER. Hell, JR Smith, a superior version of Von, is BARELY a starter.
Knote, the guy is a 23 year old player who is ready to bust loose on the NBA. When he got a chance to start, he played Great...not good, not ok...but GREAT...better than Battier or Artest, 50% shooting and 40% from 3pt range....and in control. You may not see it, but I tell ya he is ready...and he knows it, and so do the Rockets. JR Smith is a good player with a crap attitude, Von is a good player with a great attitude, which one would you want? Exactly....so would the rest of the NBA. DD
I agree with this. He could be a starter, but not a team this good, and definitely not over Battier or Artest. And some people thought he should start over Tmac?? Von is a good scorer off the bench. I think he benefits somewhat from playing mostly against second string players (bench players) as well. Also, this is the first year he's played this well - I need to see more consistency before I give him a starting job.
I would let Artest walk and keep Von. Artest is declining, Von is ascending.....you need to surround Yao with players that can take advantage of what he creates....Von is better at that then Ron is... I think you guys are undervaluing what Von brings to the table, his speed and athleticism and aggression and more importantly HIS EFFICIENCY are better than anyone not named Yao, Scola or Landry...he is by far our most efficient guard/wing....as a starter or a bench player. It is ok if we don't agree......that is what makes it fun to discuss.....I wonder how Toronto felt when they lost a 21 year old player with similar skills to Orlando? DD
trade t wack over the summmer. Then we'll have all the money in the world to splurge on PLAYERS. Would landry be piss if he finds out wafer makes more than him even though both guys has the ability to start somewhere else in this league?
If you trade Tmac, don't you have to take contracts back in return? I am not sure how that saves the team any cap room. I am all for trading him.....if we get something of value. If I am Von, I am looking to cash in and get some security and a place to play major minutes. I just hope like hades it is here in Houston, he has all-star talent. Ron was right, he is a 20ppg player in the future...all he needs is a starting spot. DD
Von is definitely starter material. Many people are just slow to realize true potential and ability. If you go only on what is done on the court, then Von is not a starter to many people because they don't see the potential and growth coming. Von needs to start at 2 and Ron back at the 3 next year and we will win 60 plus games. If Tmac stays, he won't be back until probably February, so he and Shane can come off the bench and give out team the strongest bench in the league. They could still play about 30 minutes each off the bench. I know the Tmac lovers will bash me for saying this, but I am a Tmac fan myself. But his body just has not held up in many years, and coming off the bench may be a way to have him extend his career and be super effective still. I would bring him off the bench first, and like within 6 to 8 minutes of the first quarter....that is assuming that we even keep him. He would be 6th man of the year with Battier falling close behind him. I would not let his salary for the year deter from the best decision for the team.
lmao i forgot all about that contract return thing. Ok how about t wack for vince and have the nets dish us out some cash to match the salary.
I agree, but I don't think Von would go for this....if you are Von, you are ready, and you know it....and want a chance to shine, and get paid. So, I would wait for the Rockets to deal with Artest and Tmac...because 5 wing players are too many. TMac, Artest, Von, Battier, Barry...... Von probably wants to start somewhere, the guy just wants to play, I think one or two players will need to be traded to upgrade elsewhere..... Think JR Smith if he were coachable and under control. Von and JR possess a similar skill set, but Von is quicker.... DD
I can see the loyalty factor in Hayes and Landry's contract talking in the past. The only NBA team they have played is Houston Rockets. And they liked the environment here and their contract offer was not too off the mark. To Von, it is a different story. Remember someone named Michael James? Having been a journeyman for the entire career with little if at all playing time, the mentality is more of more minutes and getting paid. Though rockets was the only team which provided an important roster spot for Von, it was the past. At the end of this season, Von would have a lot opportunities. A lot to choose from.
I know it worries me....just look at this guy.... <object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/XfKG9a89u4Y&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/XfKG9a89u4Y&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object> And there will be a LOT more of that as he gets even more confidence. And this one....look at him doing it against PLAYOFF TEAMS !!!!! <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/HbQ3xwXgFzw&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/HbQ3xwXgFzw&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> And lest we forget against Portland...... <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/jtf5F8j4zYE&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/jtf5F8j4zYE&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> You guys are nuts if you think he will be a bench player for much longer...he is way better than that. If he gets a starting spot, he will be putting up all star numbers. DD
Glad to see your hyperbole is still in full effect. Von's does one thing really well -- score points. He's not a good passer, rebounder, or defender. He's also shown fits of streakiness. He's a lot like Cut tino, except Mobley was a pretty good defender. Maybe he can round out his game, but as of now, he's a good guy to bring in for offense off the bench. We need guys like Von, and I would be sad to see him go -- but he's far from irreplaceable. Losing Artest, on the other hand, and not getting another go to guy on offense to fill his void would make it very difficult for this team to win consistently.
IBM, I think you confuse me with a guy that care about players more than the Rockets. In my book, anyone is tradeable, including your idol Yao. I think this team needs transition about the type of players. Athleticism shouldn't be shunned like a lot of people were quacking about. I've said it for years and all I heard is he doesn't fit. Well, a lot of those guys don't fit if you're allergic to offensive movement. DD, im with you and I don't think people really understand what kind of player he's becoming. People are poo-pooing the thing about him being cut or not starting on a team like nuggets or lakers. If that's the stick, there is on 1 or 2 guys that can start on those teams from the rox. Pau vs Scola, Martin vs Scola, Shane v Ariza, shane vs anthony. By that guys notion, the only guys that could start on another team is yao and artest. I remember we had a similar situation and people didn't pick up the vibe. His name, Kellenna Azuibuike. If in the mist of a injury plagued season and the signs of a old team, if jvg wouldve kept and developed him, the rox wouldve been better off. Instead he kept some short term scrub and let a young buck go.At the wing spot, you need or its good to have that young athletic, slashing, energetic young guy. As much as people talk about jr, he picked up carmello's scoring when he was out. Don't underetimate his value.
