So on Inside the NBA, Alonzo Mourning is a guest analyst. They mention that he will be a free agent this summer, and even went so far as to toy with a few teams he would help out. So what do you think? Could Mourning play the PF for us? Would you take him? Does he have enough game left to help us out? Or would he not improve our situation at all? He was always a little undersized at C, but I don't remember him switching much to PF. (I may be wrong). But would a front court of Yao and Zo be tough to beat?
Zo's days of being competitive are long gone. He is a good guy, but I don't think he should be considered reliable for any team he plays for.
If semi-healthy, I think Zo would be a great compliment to Yao. He's a strong inside presence who could help Yao and Eddie protect the paint . He's also a veteran and a winner. In 01-02, he averaged 15/8/2.48 for 75 games with a FG% of .516. That's exactly what we need from our PF. The issue is what would it take to get him. As long as we don't have to give up Yao, SF or Eddie, I'd be happy with any deal that brought in Zo. I would also be happy with paying him $9 or $10m for a 1 year deal which would minimize our risk. In my opinion, a multi year deal is too big of a risk given his health.
The Rockets can only offer Mourning the MLE which is about $4.5m. That's not enough. IMO, San Antonio, the Jazz, and Denver will all bid an excess of $6m.
i think were actually good in the middle, its just the way our parimeter players utilize them is what makes them look weak. taylors an awesome backup, and griffin and ming will only get better. if were still playing like a team that focus' on parimeter game, then they need to at least be more effective. too much of todays game confuses athletisism for talent. ill take a player who can hit a set shot anyday over a play whos good at driving wildly into 3 defenders and hoping to get fouled. who of the two is more likely to have injuries? zo would be a great addition to the rockets but i dont see it happening. but its not like hed need to be as good as he used to be. thats the whole point is he has alot of talent around him so he wouldnt have to be his old self. still dont think hes ever coming here though. if anything older players go to play for other older teams. good offseason thread/wishful thinking.
San Antonio won't be getting him when they can be getting Jermaine O'Neal or Karl Malone or Jason Kidd.....
Why? The Spurs have only 4 contracts for 2003-04 - Duncan (p-opt), Bowen, Parker and Ginobilli. With $22+m in cap room, they could have Zo and any player you named including Kidd. Zo is a Center and Duncan wants to remain a PF - that's what Malone and J O'Neal are. Whats' you're point? The Rox get him ' cause the Spurs don't want him?
I read somewhere that the Rockets & Heat were discussing a trade of Mobley/Taylor for Grant a while back (don't remember where though). Are you hinting that there are currently on-going discussions of a trade between them? Please feed us. We need nourishment.
The Rocks are of course not gonna get him. But neither are the Spurs. Just wait and see...him in a Heat uniform.
I really can't see how we can trade with the Heat, unless we take either Jones or Grant along with Zo. Our trade bait is Rice, Mobley, MoT, Eddie G, and Cato. What would the Heat want from that? Would the Rockets take any of their Max contracts? I guess I'd consider a Mobley and Rice for Zo and Jones type of thing. Ming/Zo Zo/Griffin Posey?/T-Mo/Boki Jones/Posey Francis/Moochie But we still have the Francis at PG problem. This HAS to be a 3-way. Rockets and Heat are not compatible trading partners.
We already know that he won't be making 20mill per yr, but if he want to come to Houston via sign and trade, the rockets could offer Taylor and his 8mill for a signed mourning at 8mill per. I would offer 2 guaranteed yrs and 2 team options yrs at which he'll be 34 in Feb. Its worth a risk , but I don't know. He could easily play the 4 in the west, so thats not a problem.
Let's bump this one back to the top so Doc Rocket won't have to search for it. How about another hint Doc?
Ha. I don't think he'll make it that easy for us. My big question is what kind of game Zo has left. He's been out of the mix for a while, and I don't remember what level he was playing at before he last sat out.
