Is Asik Actually Injured or Just Sulking? Still Want Him?

[texasholdem]

I keep telling ppl over and over our backup C issue is huge... there's a 14 pt dRtg differential when Howard sits... that's crazy! We need Asik to play nice to have any chance of getting far in the playoffs. The whole Lin/Bev debate is moot. At worst they are average. The difference be avg and great isn't as big as terrible and great.

I think there's a chance Asik plays nice to get his trade value back up, but I remain skeptical. Regardless he's not in the Rox long term plans so Morey needs to fill this gap sooner or later.

Hopefully we'll see soon enough, but like you said Asik would seriously improve a lot of our defensive and rebounding problems off the bench. I seriously think if we were to trade him that we'd have to try to get some sort of defensive anchor (in a bench role) back.

Elton Brand is averaging 1.2 blocks per game in only 15.2 minutes per game off the bench for Atlanta.
Asik + Garcia traded for Korver + Brand works for me.

[Mr. E]

LOL I thought this thread was about Asik and it becomes another debate about Lin v. Bev.

Na, na, we're talking about highly relevant topic of team need/weakness if we were to make a trade, our conversation is still within the realm of the thread, thankfully!

Good.

Keep it that way.

My personal hope is that Asik comes back and buys in for at least this season. I do not think that Morey will get an offer he will consider to be fair to make a move this season.

[spolgar]

I WANT ASIK. A Lin/Motie/Asik/Garcia/Casspi is the best 2nd unit in the league, and better than half the playoff teams in the East this year.

Going into the play offs and not having to worry that foul trouble will change our teams defensive make up is fricking huge. Now that both Motie and Jones are balling, our front line looks good as it stands. If Asik helps the team win, then all transgression will be forgotten. Hell, he'll forget he was ever unhappy.

[inquisitive]

I want him here.....i think he realizes how important he is to the team....his buddy Ersan called him out too.

[inquisitive]

I keep telling ppl over and over our backup C issue is huge... there's a 14 pt dRtg differential when Howard sits... that's crazy! We need Asik to play nice to have any chance of getting far in the playoffs. The whole Lin/Bev debate is moot. At worst they are average. The difference be avg and great isn't as big as terrible and great.

I think there's a chance Asik plays nice to get his trade value back up, but I remain skeptical. Regardless he's not in the Rox long term plans so Morey needs to fill this gap sooner or later.

Hopefully we'll see soon enough, but like you said Asik would seriously improve a lot of our defensive and rebounding problems off the bench. I seriously think if we were to trade him that we'd have to try to get some sort of defensive anchor (in a bench role) back.

Elton Brand is averaging 1.2 blocks per game in only 15.2 minutes per game off the bench for Atlanta.
Asik + Garcia traded for Korver + Brand works for me.

Garcia and Brooks have a no trade clause...unless they waive it, Garcia is staying.

[Zubby]

I don't know what is true, but if indeed Asik asked to be traded than **** him, trade his ass to Atlanta.

[Nebula1]

Been hurt a long time and coming back just in time for the deadline... looks like sulking to me.

Trade him for Varejao.

[texasholdem]

I don't know what is true, but if indeed Asik asked to be traded than **** him, trade his ass to Atlanta.

Asik has asked to be traded since we signed Dwight. I don't blame him really. He played great last year and doesn't deserve to be demoted just because they signed someone else.

[TMACFORMVP]

McHale expects Asik to play TOMORROW if his knee doesn't swell up after practice today.

[BleedGreen1989]

McHale expects Asik to play TOMORROW if his knee doesn't swell up after practice today.

Looking forward to finally seeing him back on the court.

Will be an interesting watch leading up to the deadline but I tend to agree with Mr. E in that Morey likely wont receive an offer he deems as "equal value" before the deadline.

[inquisitive]

McHale expects Asik to play TOMORROW if his knee doesn't swell up after practice today.

just in time to go up against his buddy Ersan...

[ChokeFasncists]

A good article talking about the tough and strange situation, blaming Asik for demanding a trade in public.

http://nba.si.com/2014/02/07/omer-asik-return-trade-deadline-houston-rockets/

[ChokeFasncists]

New article:

No mention of his injury whatsoever.

http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2014/02/omer-asik-continues-to-get-into-game-shape/
Omer Asik continues to get into game-shape

Rockets center Omer Asik has been back for two games, and his teammates say he is getting better each day.

Asik played just over 10 minutes in the Rockets’ wins over the Bucks and the Timberwolves. Against Milwaukee, he had five rebounds and against Minnesota, he had three points and six rebounds.

Coach Kevin McHale is pleased with his progress.

“He has to work on his wind but he will get better and better,” McHale said. “He has to get out there with his teammates and game conditioning is so different than running on a treadmill. You can’t get game conditioning doing that so it will take a little time.”

Guard James Harden said the biggest difference in the Rockets with Asik back on the floor is their defense.

“He is such a good defensive player and having him and Dwight (Howard) just makes us that much stronger on defense,” Harden said. “I think he has looked good in practice and in games. He has to get his wind back under him but he works hard and I know he will.”

[inquisitive]

progress made....5 boards in 10min the other night....then 6 boards in 10min last nite...lol

[Agnostifarian]

There's 15 million reasons why he has to go before 2015 unless you're seriously prepared to lose Parsons in the next 12 months. I think Morey has to puke the big man...

[texasholdem]

There's 15 million reasons why he has to go before 2015 unless you're seriously prepared to lose Parsons in the next 12 months. I think Morey has to puke the big man...

His cap hold is only 8m not 15m. I don't think Asik hinders re-signing Parsons

[Agnostifarian]

http://www.sbnation.com/2014/2/11/54007 ... ree-agency

[texasholdem]

http://www.sbnation.com/2014/2/11/5400700/chandler-parsons-rockets-conundrum-nba-free-agency

We can't offer Parsons a new contract until 2015, which is when Asik's contract ends. Asik won't re-sign here as long as Dwight is around. So really trading Asik won't do anything to keep Parsons.

[ChokeFasncists]

http://www.sbnation.com/2014/2/11/5400700/chandler-parsons-rockets-conundrum-nba-free-agency

Great article!!! Agreed!!!

We can't offer Parsons a new contract until 2015, which is when Asik's contract ends. Asik won't re-sign here as long as Dwight is around. So really trading Asik won't do anything to keep Parsons.

It's actually a team option for 2014, it's in the article. If we decline the team option, Parsons become restricted free agent, it's something reasonable to consider because we can retain him and it would make him happy. The article doesn't say whether we can sign him for an extension tho?

[ChokeFasncists]

http://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rockets/article/Don-t-rule-out-a-trade-despite-Rockets-recent-run-5233958.php?t=56fe95fde7f992f472

Sheds light on this topic:

They had talks last month with then-free-agent center Andrew Bynum before opting against making an offer, according to a person familiar with the talks. It was unclear if the Rockets backed away because of questions about Bynum's contributing this season or signing after this season or because they decided to keep center Omer Asik.

Morey expected to trade Asik in December, but a deal is much less likely now. While the Rockets' concern is more with a player's cost against the salary cap and luxury tax, rather than what he is actually paid, there are teams that will not consider a deal for Asik because he will earn roughly $15 million next season, even if his contract would count only $8.3 million against their cap. The pool of teams potentially interested is further cut by excluding the group more interested in improving their draft position than roster.

That leaves a relatively small group that wants to improve this season, has a need for a defensive-oriented center, can make a deal in which the salaries match, and is not scared off by Asik's contract.

After waiting two months to get Asik back on the court, the Rockets are not eager to let him go, especially for a player likely to play no greater role at a different position than Asik can at his. Given the Rockets' issues with defense and rebounding off the bench, there's a sense Asik can help more than the players the Rockets can get for him.

Jeremy Lin's contract would similarly narrow the field, and Lin is the Rockets' strongest scorer off the bench.

Lin and Asik fit the short-term mindset well, but the Rockets already have shown they will be cautious about taking on contracts beyond the 2014-15 season. They opted against a December trade with the Celtics for Courtney Lee and Brandon Bass - a deal that might have helped this season, especially while Asik was out - because the length of Lee's contract could have become an issue.