<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">After agreeing to terms with Stromile Swift, the Rockets frontline seems to be finished. But work still needs to be done, apparently the backcourt is still awaiting some moves. The Houston Rockets have tried to bring Damon Stoudamire to Houston via the LLE, both sides are happy about the discussions, but just nothing's official. The Rockets still have a glaring hole at the 2-guard position. Suitors exist such as Greg Buckner, but the Houston Rockets are waiting on Dallas Mavericks Guard/Forward, Micheal Finley. It is apparent, that the Rockets are stalling for a veteran backcourt, with some long-range shooting, intelligence, and intangibles that can help out the versatile front-line.</div> Source Link (Alot more then in quote box)
I think that while its HIGHLY unlikley, it is possible to get them both, but Fin will be loaded salary wise for the next 3 years reguardless of what we can give him so he might take less money. If we did want them both bad enough, we'd prolly have to sign and trade to get Damon S.
IMO, that Article wasn't written in the greatest of fashion's to be considered truth. I think it was just a compilation of the rumours we've been hearing. They just sound nicer than they really should be. Of course, salary wise it is definitely possible, but we'd have to get Stoudamire to take the LLE and Finley to sign for the Veteran's Exception, and for Finley that wouldn't be much of a problem, but for Stoudamire? The LLE is not the type of money he's used to seeing, but he does live in Houston, and maybe he wants to win that badly. I guess we'll just have to see what unfolds.
If CD can get that done.. wow... I mean our starting five would be real solid. Instead of relying on role players and bench players to produce pts like last year.. we can have them comin off the bench torchin teams. IMO if we can get this done the Rockets would be contender this year.. no doubt
lol we would have like 10 guards... i say we have damon and the point with sura backing him up (good contrast like juwon and stromile) and at the 2 Findley James and Barry...if we dont resign barry and mutombo i might cry ha i totally forgot about luther head...idk i will just sit back and see what happens
I smell some trades a brewin ! hopefully the expiring contract sparks some interest because the players we have to offer as trade bait besides mike james arent to stellar of stars. Not to take anything away from those guys but it seems like nowadays to get a star you got to trade a star unless they force the trade like shaq. Just prayin we pull somethin off before or in the early parts of the season. This past year we put some good pieces together and made a run but I feel if we have a strong core from the get go our play off push will be alot smoother
I'm not completely sold on on stoudamire coming here. Granted he's a good player, but he's an offensive-minded pg, i'd think we'd need someone who creates shots for others rather than take em.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting neeg:</div><div class="quote_post">I'm not completely sold on on stoudamire coming here. Granted he's a good player, but he's an offensive-minded pg, i'd think we'd need someone who creates shots for others rather than take em.</div> thats wat I'm saying...at least Payton, and Jason Williams (the white guy) seem to make stuff happen and pass more, but we should go for the likes of Brevin Knights or Dan Dickau etc..but any veteran guard would be an upgrade then what we have now (meaning we couldn't get any worse )
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">IMO, that Article wasn't written in the greatest of fashion's to be considered truth. I think it was just a compilation of the rumours we've been hearing. They just sound nicer than they really should be.</div> True that. I have always commented on my lack of interest in Stoudemire. He's simply not who the Rockets need right now. Basically, he's a slightly better Mike James- which really isn't who Houston should be going for. Stoudemire doesn't bring enough playmaking abilities to the court and is too much of a shoot first guard. As for Michael Finley, his defense is lackluster so the only reason why he would be brought here is for his instant offense. I wouldn't be too much against that since he would be the third option that we need, but the problem is would Van Gundy? I mean, is it really in the best interest of the organization to bring in a shooting guard that barely plays defense and is in the declining stages of his career?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting neeg:</div><div class="quote_post">I'm not completely sold on on stoudamire coming here. Granted he's a good player, but he's an offensive-minded pg, i'd think we'd need someone who creates shots for others rather than take em.</div> Welcome to the new age of the NBA. We don't need a John Stockton type guard. We need somebody that can break the defense down, and hit open jumpers. I KNOW Stoudamire can deliver. He's undersized, but if we have Sura backing him up, then it will balance everything out. I wouldn't consider him a shoot first PG either, he's a solid passer with high basketball IQ. Payton would be GREAT (Favorite player), but Jason Williams is a little too out of control. Stoudamire is our best bet because he can shoot the 3.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I KNOW Stoudamire can deliver. He's undersized, but if we have Sura backing him up, then it will balance everything out. I wouldn't consider him a shoot first PG either, he's a solid passer with high basketball IQ. Payton would be GREAT (Favorite player), but Jason Williams is a little too out of control. Stoudamire is our best bet because he can shoot the 3.</div> Thats great, but he's almost the exact same player as Mike James. I just don't think he would make that much of an impact. Stoudamire's game is already declining, and after one or two seasons, he won't be much help to us. Saying that Stoudamire is our best bet because he can shoot three's is a weak statement. Both Payton and Williams can shoot the three and are good playmakers. Out of those three I would go for Jason Williams because he's a fairly young player compared to those two and also is a great passer. By the way, Houston's also going after Earl Watson. What's everyone's opinion of him?
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">By the way, Houston's also going after Earl Watson. What's everyone's opinion of him?</div> Is there a Source for this? Because I am really interested, Earl Watson is a pesky point-guard, and a some-what underrated defender. I am not sure on how good a passer and shooter he is, maybe VC could shed some light on that. I think Trip likes him a lot. But with Jason Williams on the team, Van Gundy would murder him, he is too free-lance for JVG, I think that he's not that bad of a Point Guard, but I can imagine how many turnovers we'd be getting every game when Williams tries passing to Yao. Payton's situation in Houston would be the same as it was in LA. Even though Van Gundy does not run a Triangle Offense, I don't think Payton would be happy with McGrady handling the ball in certain situations. Plus, Stoudamire is younger (I think). I think Damon is the best choice for the Rockets, and if CD could aquire both Damon and Finley for the LLE and Vet's Minimum, that would be .. kinda cool.
I think lStoudamire isn't a good fit because he takes so many shots of his own. In a game against GS last season he set the record for most 3 points shots attempted and probably only made 20-25%. He just wont get the ball to T-Mac or Yao or Stro. I believe Dan Dickau and Damon Stoudamire would be very good fits, even Steve Blake would work well but I'm not familiar with how well he shoots. The Rockets have plenty of firepower as it is (even more if we nab Finley), all we need is a PG who can punish the other team if they leave him open but also looks to get others shots first.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AznxBaller:</div><div class="quote_post">Thats great, but he's almost the exact same player as Mike James. I just don't think he would make that much of an impact. Stoudamire's game is already declining, and after one or two seasons, he won't be much help to us. Saying that Stoudamire is our best bet because he can shoot three's is a weak statement. Both Payton and Williams can shoot the three and are good playmakers. Out of those three I would go for Jason Williams because he's a fairly young player compared to those two and also is a great passer. By the way, Houston's also going after Earl Watson. What's everyone's opinion of him?</div> Obviously disagree! Mike James is comparable to Steve Francis. He's a hot and cold shooter, who needs shots to be effective and can't control the tempo of the game because he can only play at one speed (turbo). On the other hand, Stoudamire is a PG that can set up the offense, penetrate, run the fast break and hit a good percentage of 3's. He's more fit for a starting job, James is made to be a back up. Gary Payton has solid post game, and he can control the pace better than most PG's, but too say he can shoot 3's is a "horrible" miscalculation. Jason Williams can hoop, but when the games on the line he scares the livin hell out of you . Why would u choose him out of those three???? Because he's young??? That's a weak statement in itself. Stoudamire is obviously the best bet. I do agree he's on the decline, but he's a very efficient PG that can run a team. Earl Watson is alright, but he doesn't have any range. He puts great defensive pressure on the ball, but that's Luther Heads specialty If not Stoudamire, Payton's size (6'5), experience and leadership should be a great asset. Other than that, nothing else is a significant upgrade. Don't forget last year and Stoudamire's years in Toronto were his big scoring seasons. The seasons in Portland where he had Pippen, Steve Smith, Rasheed, Bonzi Wells, and Sabonis were HIS BEST YEARS. He was on a team full of scorers and successfully got the ball to them. What makes you think he can't get the ball to Tmac or Yao? He's been there done that
Please No Gary Payton.......did we not learn from the lakers last playoff run?!?!?!?.....I've never been a big D. Stoudamire fan, but I wouldn't be totally bummed out if we got him.....if he agrees to stop smokin and play high IQ basketball without shooting too much, he'd be alright for the starting pg spot.
I don't understand why we need to load up on guards when we already have too many (Sura, James, Head, Wesley, Barry). What about a backup SF?
Haha and if damon doesn't quit, he brings in the weed, gets head hooked and renders our first round pick useless, tmac looks and plays more sleepy than he usually does and rockets' season over before it began.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rock4life:</div><div class="quote_post">Obviously disagree! Mike James is comparable to Steve Francis. He's a hot and cold shooter, who needs shots to be effective and can't control the tempo of the game because he can only play at one speed (turbo). On the other hand, Stoudamire is a PG that can set up the offense, penetrate, run the fast break and hit a good percentage of 3's. He's more fit for a starting job, James is made to be a back up. Gary Payton has solid post game, and he can control the pace better than most PG's, but too say he can shoot 3's is a "horrible" miscalculation. Jason Williams can hoop, but when the games on the line he scares the livin hell out of you . Why would u choose him out of those three???? Because he's young??? That's a weak statement in itself. Stoudamire is obviously the best bet. I do agree he's on the decline, but he's a very efficient PG that can run a team. Earl Watson is alright, but he doesn't have any range. He puts great defensive pressure on the ball, but that's Luther Heads specialty If not Stoudamire, Payton's size (6'5), experience and leadership should be a great asset. Other than that, nothing else is a significant upgrade. Don't forget last year and Stoudamire's years in Toronto were his big scoring seasons. The seasons in Portland where he had Pippen, Steve Smith, Rasheed, Bonzi Wells, and Sabonis were HIS BEST YEARS. He was on a team full of scorers and successfully got the ball to them. What makes you think he can't get the ball to Tmac or Yao? He's been there done that</div> Well I agree with a few and disagree with a few... Mike James - it's true what you wrote about him and his non-ability to change the tempo but I still don't understand why theres so much dislike for him all of a sudden, I mean during the season everyone loved Mike James I even recall someone saying they had a man crush on him! and now I rarely hear a good thing about him.. Jason Williams - I feel would be good, but that may just be me inside wanting a lineup of Yao/Swift/T-Mac/Wesley(?)/Williams because that there is showtime Rockets, but I know that being an exciting team by itself won't win us games, he can shoot well and pass but he dribbles quite a bit and he doesn't average that many assists per game but I think that could change if he was playing with us. Gary Payton - Gary is a great player, but I just don't think we'll benefit from him as much as we would with the other players, he has good basketball IQ and court vision, and i'd be fine if we signed him somehow, but I think we'd benefit more from some of the other players we're talking about aquiring. Damon Stoudamire - Great Scorer, good passer and nice ballhandling, only problem is that he does have a shoot first mentality, and although he does take around 14 shots per game, he does still get assists, just a bit more then Sura & if he does change to a pass first PG or at least know that he's now a third option, he could be great for us, and I do have a gut feeling that he can change throughout the season but obviously theres no way to find out at this point in time. Earl Watson - Is he the only pass first point guard that we've mentioned here? I think he could be a great aquisition too, only problem is that he's not the greatest shooter in the league, passing wise, he's very good, averaging 4.5 assists in about 22 minutes, he's a good defender as well, but his shooting, I mean he shoots about 65% from the free throw line, although we're not primarily looking for a point guard that shoots, it's something that would help us out alot.
