217 replies to this topic

[Rahat Huq]

Here's my piece from last night: http://www.red94.net/24-hours/9746/

For the time being, I'm going to put all Draft Day discussion in here, I think. If any big news breaks, I guess we'll create a new thread for that. We'll adjust accordingly. But I think this is the best way to go about things.

[Rahat Huq]

So when I woke up this morning, I thought my peice from last night would have already been outdated. But surprisingly, no new news. I don't expect that to last too long.

I'm sticking to my guns that SOMETHING will happen today. Perhaps not Howard, but some more movement of some sort. I think the only thing that could disappoint me at this point would be Gasol. That would just be really disappointing and I'd prefer just keeping the picks, I think.

I'll be at Toyota Center tonight for the press conference. I need to buy new batteries for my camera, as a sidenote. But yes, if something significant goes down, like Howard, I suspect pandemonium will break loose...until we're all informed that the Toyota Center has also been included in the trade and ushered out of the building.

Among other news: I'm just not sure trading Gasol for Josh Smith makes the Lakers a better team. Obviously, if Mike Brown is still the coach, it does. But I feel the solution is firing Mike Brown. Gasol at full utilization is better for that team than Josh Smith.

Harden for Beal - that in itself is an interesting story. You're about to break up a championship dynasty nucleus before its fully realized. But I understand. Finances are finances and there's no way around that.

[blakecouey]

Harden for Beal is a bit premature in my opinion. They've got a year left with Harden for sure, as with Ibaka. I believe they will be able to afford one, not both, when they need to resign. for a team that was essentially 3 games from a title, you cant break it up! Dallas made big moves after their title, and then got ousted in the first round the next. I think OKC is better off evaluating their position at the deadline, if theyve got a chance at the finals you keep Harden, if not then trade him.

I'm hearing several people saying they'd like to see us move two picks and lowry to get drummond, and drafting pj3 with the other pick. From what I've read that may be one of the better options, but if pj plays at the 4 we need a new home for two of the three scola, Patt, motie. If pj will play the 3, parsons or morris need to go. That doesn't include the 2 Bucks forwards we received yesterday. Thoughts?

[Alituro]

SHHHH.. Don't say "Fire Mike Brown". Rockets fans want him coaching LAL for as long as he can.

[FelixPR]

Howard or bust. However, I'm at the point that if we only get Howard I would probably feel like we left something on the table. Howard + another all star or quasi all star is probably the ultimate goal. If we strike out on Howard then whatever comes next has to be two quality players even if they are not superstars. Basically any combination of (Josh Smith, gay, Granger, Hibbert, etc..) if Morey wants to compete now. if not, keep the picks and just tank for however long it takes.

[Lyfestyle]

I'm only slightly kidding when I say that I'm just really excited at the prospect of getting Kevin Martin out of Rockets' red. To quote something I heard a certain 610 host say yesterday: "Kevin Martin played like a bitch last year." Hear, hear.

[tombrokeoff]

the anticipation is killin me like a kid during xmas. i hope i get a decent present and its not like that one year when my brother and one of our friends both got laser tag and i got photon. talk about let downs.

[pharmag]

I am curious. What would you guys think if you could get Gasol for Scola, Martin, and the 12. Then you use Lowry and the 16 (and maybe another piece if necessary) to shake a top 10 pick from someone (say Sacramento, GS, or Toronto) to try to get Drummond. Then use the 18th to grab best available. Then resign Dragic and Lee. That could give you a starting line-up of:

Dragic/Fortson or FA or Draftee
Lee/FA or Draftee
Parson/Morris
Motie/Patterson
Gasol/Drummond

I would think that would a playoff team next year and if Drummond develops could be a contender in a couple years. This is all of course a plan B and would depend on the ability to pull off these trades.

[tombrokeoff]

im not for adding gasol in any form.....just my 2c but i dont want him. its not like hes the singular missing piece that will put us into a championship contending window for the next 2-3 years.

[pharmag]

No he isn't a missing piece, I just think the above scenario enables you to stay competitive while getting some pieces for the future to hopefully contend with and you have a guy like Gasol who can mentor both Motie and Drummond.

[Rahat Huq]

Any deal that ends up with us landing Gasol would be pretty disappointing to me, unless we got him AND Howard (which would be impossible.) I don't know anything about these draft prospects, but I'd prefer them over Gasol, I think.

[Lyfestyle]

I think Pau Gasol's stock was hurt by Kobe Bryant and Mike Brown last year. The guy's significantly better than Luis Scola in every aspect of the game: smarter, better passer, etc. He'd be a tremendous upgrade.

[tombrokeoff]

yeah i was just saying i dont see the point in adding a gasol at this point in his career and with how the rockets currently stand. why add him and rebuild, so to speak?

[Lyfestyle]

yeah i was just saying i dont see the point in adding a gasol at this point in his career and with how the rockets currently stand. why add him and rebuild, so to speak?

I don't think you trade for Gasol and then do nothing else. But I do think he'd make us much better.

[tombrokeoff]

I don't think you trade for Gasol and then do nothing else. But I do think he'd make us much better.

yeah sorry i was replying to pharmag (didnt quote) .... i dont want to add gasol and a young piece like drummond.

[pharmag]

yeah sorry i was replying to pharmag (didnt quote) .... i dont want to add gasol and a young piece like drummond.

See and I on the other hand would. Drummond has been said to take a couple years to develop. That is how many years Gasol has left, so let Drummond develop behind Gasol and learn from Gasol and then when Gasol's contract is up, let him move on to another team.

[Rahat Huq]

I think Pau Gasol's stock was hurt by Kobe Bryant and Mike Brown last year. The guy's significantly better than Luis Scola in every aspect of the game: smarter, better passer, etc. He'd be a tremendous upgrade.

I completely agree with this. He's so much better than Scola that it's not even funny. But having said that, I just don't feel its anywhere near enough to take on a player of his age. I'd much rather go young with the draft picks.

[tombrokeoff]

See and I on the other hand would. Drummond has been said to take a couple years to develop. That is how many years Gasol has left, so let Drummond develop behind Gasol and learn from Gasol and then when Gasol's contract is up, let him move on to another team.

thats a decent point, but it just seems like an expensive mentor to me. not to mention what you would have to give up to get gasol.

[pharmag]

See, but with Gasol, Scola would no longer be useful and everyone wants to see Martin gone anyway. So the only thing you are really losing is the 12th pick, but I doubt the Rockets are looking to bring in 4 rooks this year (if you count Motie), and they may not even want to bring in 3.

[blakecouey]

I'm on the fence if Howard isn't the prize. On one hand is like to see what we could put together as far as vets(smith, gay, iggy, whoever) but part of me wants a chance with the picks. With the picks we can still be active in FA, or wait til next year and likely another lottery pick and work things out then. It's about time for some rumors though everybody should've gotten their hour long nap by now.