<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Proz4k:</div><div class="quote_post">Antoine Walker is better player then Udonis Haslem, and the Heat need some outside shooting now then ever when Dooling, Demon the Eddie Jones, Rasual Butler and Qyntel Woods are in the safe way out. Walker is a third time All-Star and he's a good rebounder like Udonis, Walker can play outside the paint and give the paind to Shaq and in case that the teams bring a double-team, Walker can knock down the 3pts shot, unable with Udonis... Walker have the experience in the high levels... In defence, Udonis he is not a great shot blocker... and for defence you always prefer Zo, so in D he doesn't have advantage on Walker. Better if you take a look on the Statistics...</div> He is also a ballhog.....I would rather have a player like Haslem starting that will give shaq and wade their shots along with the other starters.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting MiamiBalla12:</div><div class="quote_post">He is also a ballhog.....I would rather have a player like Haslem starting that will give shaq and wade their shots along with the other starters.</div> agreed
Anyone have a official link to this Duhon thing? I can not find this on espn.com and am wondering if it is true.
Ok, let's get back on topic! A starting line-up listed below would be awesome in my opinion, as it has a nice mix of offense and defense. Having Duhon be the first line of defense can only help, as we all have witnessed how disastrous things have turned out after the opposing PG penetrated and created a hole in D. C: Rafael Araujo PF: Chris Bosh SF: Joey Graham SG: Morris Peterson PG: Chris Duhon
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting playmaker14:</div><div class="quote_post">I don't want Dorrell to leave because if he lives up to the upside, imagine in 3 or 4 years him and Wad ein the backcourt. That would be great.</div> Dorrell Wright likely won't be traded, but I could see the Heat unloading Simien to get a backup PG. Rafer Alston is cheap at only $4M, plus he thrived coming off the bench in Miami, and can start if JWill does not work out. I doubt Damon Jones comes back at this point, because he will no longer be the starter on the team. The Heat can afford to trade Simien because both Haslem and Walker are locked into long term deals. They Heat have a surplus of big bodies, so getting something for Simien now makes a lot more sense than waiting. If the Heat wait, and Simien plays 5 MPG, then his stock is going to drop. Right now he's coming off a strong SPL and his value is at an all-time high. The Heat's window of opportunity is the next two seasons, not 4 or 5 years down the line. You think they'd pass up on a qualified backup just to hold onto Simien?
Haslem have size problems, he have SF Body and becouse he's PF he have problem to defend tallers PF... he's also not super athletic. Walker isn't Ben Wallace but he have good size, again, for Defense missions the heat will go to Zo, and maybe to Simien . they even in Defense.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Best Kept Secret:</div><div class="quote_post">Anyone have a official link to this Duhon thing? I can not find this on espn.com and am wondering if it is true.</div> It's not on the web yet, but I do have a radio recording of the Score radio station in Chicago announcing it. Download
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting VinKanaddy:</div><div class="quote_post">It's not on the web yet, but I do have a radio recording of the Score radio station in Chicago announcing it. Download</div> Thanks I was making sure before I started a thread about it in the Bulls forum. Thanks for the information much appreciated.
This a plesant surprise. I wasn't expecting this but it's a good move by Babcock. Of course I would be more excited if he wasn't a restricted FA, but this is a nice move by Babcock since he has nothing to lose. I expect the Bulls to match. What would this signing do? I'm sure Calderon didn't sign to be a 3rd stringer, and same with Duhon. Alston is the starting PG as of now, but if he gets demoted to 3rd stringer then I can see a trade coming. None of these 3 players are 3 string PG's so I expect something to happen with Alston if the Bulls don't match. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Proz4k:</div><div class="quote_post">Haslem have size problems, he have SF Body and becouse he's PF he have problem to defend tallers PF... he's also not super athletic. Walker isn't Ben Wallace but he have good size, again, for Defense missions the heat will go to Zo, and maybe to Simien . they even in Defense.</div> Size problems don't matter these days when you can produce. Look at Randolph, Boozer and the others that have succeeded. Haslem has done an exceptional job for the Heat in his first 2 season so the size problem is irrelevant
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Best Kept Secret:</div><div class="quote_post">Thanks I was making sure before I started a thread about it in the Bulls forum. Thanks for the information much appreciated.</div> No problem. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Banks:</div><div class="quote_post">okay enough about the Heat... Anyways, this is a plesant surprise. I wasn't expecting this but it's a good move by Babcock. Of course I would be more excited if he wasn't a restricted FA, but this is a nice move by Babcock since he has nothing to lose. I expect the Bulls to match. What would this signing do? I'm sure Calderon didn't sign to be a 3rd stringer, and same with Duhon. Alston is the starting PG as of now, but if he gets demoted to 3rd stringer then I can see a trade coming. None of these 3 players are 3 string PG's so I expect something to happen with Alston if the Bulls don't match.</div> Read my response on the 1st page...: <div class="quote_poster">Quoting VinKanaddy:</div><div class="quote_post">I don't think Bulls will match if it's anything over $2-3 million a year. They only have their MLE to spend and they're waiting for the likes of Michael Finley to be waived under the amnesty rule. Do you think it is a coincident that Babcock gave Duhon an offer today? Today is the 8th, and the Bulls will have exactly 7 days to match the offer, which is the 15th and the last day for teams to use the amnesty rule. This puts the Bulls in a situation where they'll have to choose between keeping Duhon or having a chance to get Michael Finley, and I'd think that Paxson would save the MLE to go after Finley.</div> Bulls still have a lot of other players to take care of first, like Othella Harrington, Eddy Curry and Tyson Chandler. Seeing as they just signed Eddie Basden to a 2-year guaranteed contract, and aforementioned Michael Finley situation, I don't see why Paxson would go overboard and keep Duhon when they already have 3 very capable PGs in Kirk Hinrich, Ben Gordon and Jannero Pargo. But I agree with your opinion that Babcock has nothing to lose even if the Bulls match, because that will likely push Bonner's agent to realize that the grass isn't any greener anywhere else.
If this goes through, I hope we trade Alston and bring Cook as the 3rd PG. I don't know how good Calderon is defensively, but you know what your going to get in Duhon and Cook, 2 pass-first guys who play good defense. I know Calderon is also a pass-first PG, but I'm not sure how good his defense is, since I've never seen him play.
I think Rafer's days are counted, he wont be a Raptor for long. I would really like to get wayn simien but we already have two very young and talented at PF in CV and of course CB4. Simien needs the ball to play and with the power fowards we have it wont be a possibility. I would really like getting Wright, but i dont think its going to go through because Wade and Wright are the Heats future. Too bad
If the Raptors have the opportunity to sign Chris Duhon, they should go for it. Even if it causes a logjam, it's better than having no competition at PG. The competition should increase everyone's effort on the court to fight for minutes. Then the Raptors can trade away the person who is not fitting in, likely Alston. I also don't think the Bulls are going to match any offer over $2 or $3 Million. They have a lot of free agents to re-sign with higher priorities, and are just fine at the PG position.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Bobcats:</div><div class="quote_post">If this goes through, I hope we trade Alston and bring Cook as the 3rd PG. I don't know how good Calderon is defensively, but you know what your going to get in Duhon and Cook, 2 pass-first guys who play good defense. I know Calderon is also a pass-first PG, but I'm not sure how good his defense is, since I've never seen him play.</div> I think that will be Babcock's next move on the chess board. Rafer Alston for Luke Jackson and a first round pick anyone? For your information, Calderon was an above-average defender in his days as a Ceramica, and I expect him to carry it onto his Raptor days as he has the strength and the quickness to do it in the NBA level. What if this was the 'domino' that Babcock was talking about? The possibilities are endless.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Proz4k:</div><div class="quote_post">Haslem have size problems, he have SF Body and becouse he's PF he have problem to defend tallers PF... he's also not super athletic. Walker isn't Ben Wallace but he have good size, again, for Defense missions the heat will go to Zo, and maybe to Simien . they even in Defense.</div> He may have a SF's body but he [plays like PF. His toughness and defensive ability are all superior to Toine. PLus Udonis will ge tus 12 a night and get 8 or 9 boards which I can't see Walker doing. Walker will ket more points, around 14-15 but the defense is lacking.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting VinKanaddy:</div><div class="quote_post">I think that will be Babcock's next move on the chess board. Rafer Alston for Luke Jackson and a first round pick anyone? For your information, Calderon was an above-average defender in his days as a Ceramica, and I expect him to carry it onto his Raptor days as he has the strength and the quickness to do it in the NBA level. What if this was the 'domino' that Babcock was talking about? The possibilities are endless.</div> Maybe, but I don't think Cleveland would throw in a first rounder just for Rafer Alston.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Bobcats:</div><div class="quote_post">Maybe, but I don't think Cleveland would throw in a first rounder just for Rafer Alston.</div> I believe Rafer Alston is worth more than just Luke Jackson, especially since Jackson has yet to prove anything on the NBA level and Cleveland, depending on where Damon Jones is headed, is stuck with Eric Snow as their only point guard. There has been Eric Snow to NY rumours floating around ever since Larry Brown took over the Knicks, and if that happens and they sign Damon Jones, Rafer could be the backup/starting PG for the Cavs.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting VinKanaddy:</div><div class="quote_post"> Do you think it is a coincident that Babcock gave Duhon an offer today? Today is the 8th, and the Bulls will have exactly 7 days to match the offer, which is the 15th and the last day for teams to use the amnesty rule. This puts the Bulls in a situation where they'll have to choose between keeping Duhon or having a chance to get Michael Finley, and I'd think that Paxson would save the MLE to go after Finley.</div> I dont get it personally. Why not sign him to an offer sheet yesterday or the day before that. By doing it today he gives the bulls to see who's available and who's not. If he did it yesterday most of the big name players to be waived will still be up in the air, with their teams waiting till the last minute to decide whether to try a trade or waive. They'd have to guess if Finley is actually gunna get waived or traded. Am i missing something or would this of been a better idea?
