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Apparently, my Magic are making a push to sign this guy. Wafer seems to like the idea of playing for Orlando as well.

As a Magic fan who's barely seen Wafer play outside of a few highlights and the playoffs (including that one incident with Adelman), what are Rockets fans' opinions on this guy?

From what I've seen, he's fast, a good scorer, and a great transition player.

Yeah, he's a spark off the bench, he's dangerous in transition and a good shooter from distance, a bit streaky, but overall more efficient. He has spotty shot selection and tend to not have a conscious, which can be a good thing or bad thing depending on if it's going on. He's an underrated passer, but he doesn't do much of it. Essentially hes the classic 6th man that will provide good athleticism, chuck off the bench, and can score points in bunches.

he is a knuckle head

Has nice range but doesn't settle for the outside shot

does not know the meaning of "change of pace" or "cross-over dribble"

great athlete

only has one speed: get out of my way

thinks he is better than he really is

looking at our summer league players thus far I would like to have him back as a houston rocket

He's worth half the MLE...well, considering we gave the full MLE to Stromile Swift(and considered it a bargain) he might be worth it.

I think he's good off the bench, I don't think he'd be effective as a starter.

When the ball is in Von Wafer's hand, it stays in Von Wafer's hand.

Pro's:
Can get hot in an instant and really go on a 4-6 basket roll.
Excellent finisher on the break.Hi-light dunker when there's an open path to basket.
Can stroke the 3,pull up jumper and catch and shoot off screens.
Can occassionaly sky for offensive rebounds in traffic.
Can really fire up the crowd.

Con's:
Piss-poor defender who gets lost all too often.
Allergic to passing.
Too eager to leak out,doesn't help much on the defensive glass.
When driving,if cut off,contorts wildly and throws up awful shots.

If used in an instant offense off the bench role will be successful. Ask for anything else and you'll be disappointed.

ya he's good of the bench, but shouldnt be a starter. he can start some games but not the whole season.

the team has a lot of swingman to choose from in their farm teams and rookies. maybe one of them replaces wafer?

when tmac went down, von wafer actually produced decently

well if Wafer is gonna go anywhere... it should be the Magic... they are the closes fit to the Rox as you can get.

only difference is, Rox were more of a inside out team, and the Magic more of a outside in kinda team,

bottom line is the Lakers, had the book on Wafer before even game one, thats why his impact wasnt as big vs the Lakers than the Blazers

im thinking alot of that book, has to do with his unwillingness to pass the ball,

be curious to see how much the Magic end up offering in the end

Despite all of his inconsistencies and short-comings, I like Wafer and I hope we get him back.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/HOU/2009.html

He had the same per-minute Win Score as Tracy McGrady this year.

Take that as you will.
I do think he's entertaining and would like him back for a contract under 2-2.5m

This is the one guy I'd actually be a bit pissed if they let him get away. Dude can score, and he can score big. Problem is he can't do much else. He's not worth a whole lot on defense, and he doesn't move the ball well at all. He waits for it to come to him, then he takes a shot. He is athletic, yes, but not that smart. His positioning is good for nothing really but to take a shot.That said... THere is something to be said for a guy who can recieve the ball, shoot, and hit it reliably. He is that guy, and he will get you lots of points on the board if you can feed him.

Everything comes with a price, of course. You will sacrifice passing and defense when he is out there. But you will have instant scoring off the bench - not a trivial capability.

I would *love* to keep this guy here. I'd probably pay more than has been floated. I think he helped us alot last season, and is the sort of guy who can help pretty much anyone on the scoring angle. I'd hate to see him slip out of our fingers over pay issues.

I love the kid. He thinks he's the best player in the NBA.

It turns out I played a pick up game with him when he was in high school, and I didn't even know it.

LebVon has been severely underappreciated. Kid was fantastic this past year, and we're going to let him walk without even trying to re-sign him?

Since we just drafted Jermaine Taylor and we have James White in the same position, I don't think we'll sign wafer:(.. Wafer is a real solid sixth man.

aznkillabeezZz wrote:Since we just drafted Jermaine Taylor and we have James White in the same position, I don't think we'll sign wafer:(.. Wafer is a real solid sixth man.

I don't get this. Von Wafer has proven that he can play NBA basketball. Why rely on a guy who's never actually gotten NBA minutes and a 2nd round draft pick.

I would like to see him back as a Rocket next season. As seems to be the general consensus on this thread, I agree he is a decent 6th man, can score, run in transition, highlight dunk, etc. However in saying this, I also agree that his D needs work, and that he likes to have the ball in his hands.

With the Magic re-signing Gortat, I can't see the Magic signing Wafer. Although, I think I think re-signing Gortat was for one of two reasons.

1) they really want him there to backup, or maybe even start at Centre. (Howard goes to PF, Lewis to SF.)

2) Sign and Trade. We sign Wafer, and trade, or maybe give you Landry or Hayes? (Salaries?) or some other scenario involving Gortat, and the sizeable Trade exception the Magic have.

Obviously, I can only speculate, like everyone else at this point.

We should keep Wafer, he has proven that he can play at nba level. He aint a starter though. Love his passion, energy and attack attitude he brings to the game when he is in it, but damn you know he aint gona pass the rock once he has it.
Dude deserves a chance. 2 or 3 years @ 2mil per is about his worth IMO.