Since AJ is likely not to ever get off the bench with Golden State because of Claxton and NVE, would it be possible to pry Avery away from them so soon after being moved there? Or might GS even release him outright? I really like AJ.. he is all about class and character, and, I think, has a true point guard's mentality.. I know he doesn't have much left in the tank, but I bet he could still get it done for 12-15 minutes a game, and I know he could absolutely teach SF a few million things about how to be a better 'assist man'.. What's his contract like? Surely he is someone the Rockets could afford.. I mean seriously.. who would you rather see coming into the game when SF goes to the bench? Moochie or AJ? Nothing against Mooch, because he has done some good things for this club in the past, but I would take AJ over Mooch every time as our backup point..
The only reason I say no is because they have all the small players they need and REALLY need front court hellp more
Being a veteran, even if AJ cost the Rockets $1 million (minimum?), that would mean $2 million if the Rockets are actually in luxury tax land.
JBC - I wouldn't be so sure about additional spending. Remember, the Rox still need roster spots filled. However, I personally don't think GS will waive AJ but if they do, the Rox roster will be set by that time and your statement will definitely be true by then. Otherwise, there's no way the Rockets pay AJ $5+m for his last NBA season.
It'd almost be worth it just for nostalgia. This is the first year that there is utterly no link to the days of Maxwell and Thorpe and Sleepy et al. Even as recently as last year, you still had the same building and you still had Rudy T. Now there is not one player, coach, assistant, or even building that was on the squad from the early nineties. It would be kind of bizarre to see Avery Johnson out there, playing for the Rockets, just like it was 1991. A long forgotten Rocket, come home after more than a decade. (note -- i'm not really being serious, it's not worth bringing someone back just for fond memories. and i also realize that AJ didn't play for the Rox for more than one season and will always be remembered as a Spur. But still. It's worth noting that he's the only player left in the NBA that was once a teammate of Olajuwon and Larry Smith)
AJ said he was interested in coaching here. we asked to talk to him, but cuban said we cant. maybe now we can figure out a way to bring him in.
I think AJ is more ready for retirement... I wouldnt pay him to come play 12 minutes a game for us.. i pay him to coach though... To come play for us just cost us luxury taxes... If we pay him as a coach (assistant) then it doesnt cost us luxury taxes
The thinking here slays me. We readily pay Glen Rice 9 mil plus per season for 2 seasons and one more coming, just to give Shandon Anderson a good deal for himself. Rice's contributions have been minimal in my opinion. He has been hurt most of the time. He is a gunner and no defensive player all the time he does play. A serious liablity. We pay Mo Taylor 8 mil plus per sesaon, and fo a laughable clown- Moochie - 3 mil plus per season, and would not pay AJ 5 mil. That 5 mil would probably pay dividends after next season as an assistant coach. We could pay him a lot less to coach. I think it would be worth it. Choke on a gnat, but swallow a camel........
If they cut him, I'd love to sign him to the vet minimum, and have him do what he did last season in Dallas, which is basically be an assistant coach, but not officially. He could do for Steve what Ewing will be doing for Yao.
From what's been written in today's paper, AJ is not happy with this trade and has expressed this to GS. He is most likely going to seek to negotiate his release. AJ is looking to move on into coaching and thought that he was making that move here in Dallas. However, I agree with dbigfeet in that this team's most pressing need is on the front line. EG & Mo T at the 4 along with Rice & AG at the 3 is not a lineup that will strike fear in anyone - much less the other teams in the Western Conference.
If GS waives AJ and the Rocks pick him for the minimum, GS is still on the hook for the remainder of the 5 mil contract.
tbar, i think that is the worst post of the summer...and its been a long summer. we had good reasons to sign all those guys, we should of held back a bit, but whats done is done. they had potential and showed flashes as young players, and may still improve. rice had only one real missed season due to injury in his whole career. but we should have seen the future and not taken him, right? but your implying that we should pay an old man who can't really put up minutes 5 mill, just because we made mistakes in the past??? unbelievable.
I guess really, who on the current Rockets coaching staff has genuine real experience with developing point guards to become 'great'? Heck, how do you even define 'great' when it comes to point play? Nothing against Rudy, but he was a big man, he knew big man play.. I look at guys like Mo Cheeks, like Doc Rivers.. guys who were points through and through.. maybe they will wind up not being as good at developing big players as some like Rudy.. but if anyone can teach a supremely physically gifted and willing-to-learn player such as SF how to play the point, it would be someone like Rivers or Cheeks.. Maybe JVG and his staff will be able to get the job done.. who has he coached over the years who you would describe as a great point? The question was asked, 'If SF won't listen to JVG, why would he listen to AJ?' Well, I have no idea if JVG really understands what it means, as a player, to be a successful PG.. but I know for a fact that AJ *does* know, and he wants to teach.
