They would like ask for one of our younger players who are signed through next season -- Brooks, Landry, Budinger. Scola does them no good.
I'd much rather give them Ariza than anyone else of the young guys on the roster. With Butler, Ariza, Battier and Budinger, there won't be enough minutes to go around anyway. Ariza's shooting this season has been horrific, although perhaps if Butler can become the number one guy on offense Ariza won't feel pressured to do so much. durvasa, how are the stats reflecting on Ariza in terms of productivity, efficiency etc? At this stage the Rockets aren't getting the offers that represent equal value, IMO, for the largest expiring contract in the NBA this season. Too bad Chris Wallace isn't looking to trade Pau Gasol this time around. I wouldn't mind seeing Morey hold on to TMac and try to sign a couple players that fit in the system this summer. Looking at the way the team's played this season, I think we're not far from being contenders with a healthy Yao, and don't need another big name to get to that level. Guys this season are playing extremely well as the focal points of the offense, and I think Brooks, Landry and Scola will find it a lot easier to score next season with Yao in the middle commanding double teams.
Hey Trip how are you doing? When the Rockets originally signed Ariza they new it would be a work in progress. He's been trying to improve his ball handling skills to create his own shots and to improve shooting off the dribble. I don't think the Rockets would give up on him without seeing how he plays alongside Yao Ming. With the Lakers he was a complimentary player with Gasol in the post kicking it out to Ariza for spot up 3's when the double team came or slashing to the rim when his man cheated off him to guard Gasol in the post.
Hey mate I'm doing great. On exchange here in England until June, having the time of my life. Backpacked through Europe for 26 days over Christmas and had a blast. A bit far from NBA action but torrents are keeping me somewhat aware of how players/teams are doing etc. How've you been? As for Ariza, I was ecstatic at the beginning of the season when he was on his tear, but this season he's proven that he can't be the number one guy in an offense. He's taking a lot of shots this season, and from what I've seen, has missed quite a lot of open threes especially. Even though he's more heavily defended, there's no excuse for him to be shooting under 40% from the field and in the 20s on threes. It appears as though his hot shooting during last year's playoffs was more of an aberration than the norm. Also, I'm not a big fan of his gambling style of defense. The steals that he tends to go for often leads to guys like Chuck and Scola having to cover for him, and without a shotblocker like Yao in the middle, the ill effects of Ariza's defense are even more glaring. I guess I'm just more a fan of Battier's defense than the likes of Artest and Ariza, who get the defensive stats but often leave their teammates in the lurch by gambling on steals that aren't there.
Great to hear you're exploring Europe and taking it all in. It's what life is about. I'm doing the marriage thing right now working on building a family. Still travelling when we get a chance too. It's still early to give up on Ariza until he gets a chance to play consistent minutes with Yao. He's been disappointing and is actually one of the least efficient players per possession in the league. I think he's figuring out just how good his teammates were in LA putting him in positions to succeed on the basketball court. Ariza does gamble on the wing, but it might be by design from the coaching staff. He's out there to be game changer and create easy baskets by deflecting passes and jumping the passing lanes.
