Woj: HOU still wants Asik for Lee, CHI determined to add SG

[umfan83]

Could someone please paint me a picture of how these "insiders" (KC Johnson, Bucher, Woj, etc) get ANY legitimate information on a day like today?

I mean we are talking about a game of high stakes poker, dealing with multi-million dollars contracts, and real people's careers here. I just don't understand how GM's and owners would allow these little hourly "updates" to constantly flow out to the media.

The way I envision it, Gar and Pax and JR are in a locked "war" room talking to other GM's and owners directly on the phone, and aren't running out to the hallway every 10 minutes to give company pee-on's updates on the negotiations. I envision all these "insiders" basically just reading RealGM and picking out conceptual trades that make sense, and then adjusting these concepts as other trades around the league unfold and the deadline draws nearer.

They have cell phones and stuff. I'm sure they leak things to the media to stay in good graces with them in case a story is out there that they don't want reported, or you want the media member to cast your team in a positive light when reporting on them. It's a give and take. They probably don't run out into the hallway and shout info every 5 minutes, but they probably exchange texts every so often.

that said, I honestly believe that 70% of all "reports" and "rumors" are completely fabricated, because there's really no way to prove otherwise. If they get proven wrong, they just shrug their shoulders and move on. Their employers look the other way when they are wrong, and praise them when they are actually right.

[Suited_Up]

I'd rather have a good backup C who is currently shutting down the lane for the second unit

For 30 seconds a night.

Really???

Stop saying this crap!!

[anorexorcism]

Honestly, if we can't get Mayo, then enough is enough. He would have been the difference maker and pushed us into a title. Lee will not.

And this FO has never been able to pull off a "blockbuster" where we actually do anything beyond salary dumps at the deadline, so I'm not surprised to see they couldn't get anything done (beyond - you guessed it - another salary dump).

Onto the summer.

Bunk. The Miller/Salmons acquisition totally changed the stretch run of that season. Last year's deals were indeed about dumping, but that's not always been the case.

It was a salary dump - we got rid of Nocioni's albatross deal. Miller and Salmons helping us late in the year was fine but that deal was not about their talent and more about clearing space for 2010.

[Big Sexy]

There's a rumor floating around that the Rockets are close to sending Lee and Battier to the Grizzlies for Thabeet, Mayo, and a future 1st. Sounds unlikely but that's what I've heard.

(This isn't from Yahoo or ESPN or anything. Just talking with a Rockets fan. Again, probably not true)

[ELCIDz]

Throughout Asik's career (not just NBA) he has shown that he can be highly productive in any amount of minutes he's given. When given extended minutes here, he has performed well and shown that he will be a good player. He has a ton of potential, and has the size to be a legit big. His defensive instincts are unheard of for a rookie, and he's aggressive enough to get to the line when he can't finish. Give him a summer of working with NBA coaches, and tweak some of the negatives in his game (bringing the ball down and finishing strong) and he can be a starter on a good team in this league. Having that luxury on this team is invaluable. In a year or so he can be a 25mpg guy that anchors our defense. He won't start here unless Boozer or Noah are traded/hurt, but starting the game isn't everything. I'm like Lee, but he's not a world changer, and trading a player with as much potential as Omer doesn't seem worth it.

Exactly. Worst case scenario Aski brings a 7 foot frame, rebounding and 6 fouls. Thats valuable in the playoffs especially given our matchups. I wouldn't give that up for Lee, who's a journey man and pretty average, but maybe for Mayo who has much more potential.

I think your selling Lee a little short. This is his 3rd season, and he got traded for Vince Carter. He can definitely improve.

I dont doubt it. I am not trying to tear him down to bolster my argument(a tactic I hate btw). I am simply trying to state that Lee is not going to be our 2nd playmaker that we need to get to the Finals let alone win. MIA has Wade/Lebron BOS has Ronda/Pierce NY has Amare/Melo/Billups CHI has Rose/Lee?? dont think thats going to cut it. SG is the one position we have left to upgrade since everything else is set in stone tablets inscribed by the very hand of god(JR). So yeah, we need more than Lee at SG.

[Magilla_Gorilla]

Oh, and FWIW, Daryl Morey is the biggest attention whore currently working as a GM in the NBA. Is there any Houston rumour that doesn't get leaked?

[Payt10]

There's a rumor floating around that the Rockets are close to sending Lee and Battier to the Grizzlies for Thabeet, Mayo, and a future 1st. Sounds unlikely but that's what I've heard.

(This isn't from Yahoo or ESPN or anything. Just talking with a Rockets fan. Again, probably not true)

That would be like the worst thing that could happen to us, I hope to hell that doesn't go dow.

[TheAdmiral]

There's a rumor floating around that the Rockets are close to sending Lee and Battier to the Grizzlies for Thabeet, Mayo, and a future 1st. Sounds unlikely but that's what I've heard.

(This isn't from Yahoo or ESPN or anything. Just talking with a Rockets fan. Again, probably not true)

Huh? I thought Lee and Mayo weren't included in the potential Memphis - Houston deal?

[Jeffster81]

MG, I think shut down is a litlle bit of an exaggerating. PLus you are way to big of an Omer fan to have an unbias opinion in this argument. And Lee would be more than Marginal. Parker would be marginal.

With Asik and Taj out there on the second unit - the paint is no longer open for transactions.


As for my bias - WGAF?


Lee is marginal and would still be our worst starter and the first guy we look to upgrade. He's got a damn 13.1 PER, hell Brewer is higher at 13.3.

Agree. I like Lee but I like Asik more. I know the pressure to win often cause GMs to do something stupid (ie, Knicks, New York) but the Bulls are not going to cave just because certain fans THINK Lee is this final piece.

[Sonny_D1]

There's a rumor floating around that the Rockets are close to sending Lee and Battier to the Grizzlies for Thabeet, Mayo, and a future 1st. Sounds unlikely but that's what I've heard.

(This isn't from Yahoo or ESPN or anything. Just talking with a Rockets fan. Again, probably not true)

From a talent standpoint, this makes sense. However the Rockets have way too many backcourt players, they have to further consolidate.

[anorexorcism]

But naturally, you're not about to recognize that..

OK?

[Sir Buckets]

I'd love to be in the Bulls' war room these last two hours. Must be crazy.

[Jvaughn]

What's the basis for your argument? That you think Asik is a star in the making? That he'll be an above average starter? An average starter? A capable backup?

I love Asik as much as the next and although there are holes in his game, I know he will improve and be a value and a good piece. But I don't think he has above averge starting potential, and I recognize hes at this moment and time our most valuable trade piece, and he could be used to fill the biggst glaring hole on the team.

On the other hand, to me Lee doesn't seem like the long term ideal answer at SG. Not sure that move wins us a championship. Also, Asik did a little too good of a job containing Howard in the last Orlando game, and has held some good centers in check this year. Maybe having that piece offsets the weakness at SG for this playoff run.

I just want to hear the justification.

Throughout Asik's career (not just NBA) he has shown that he can be highly productive in any amount of minutes he's given. When given extended minutes here, he has performed well and shown that he will be a good player. He has a ton of potential, and has the size to be a legit big. His defensive instincts are unheard of for a rookie, and he's aggressive enough to get to the line when he can't finish. Give him a summer of working with NBA coaches, and tweak some of the negatives in his game (bringing the ball down and finishing strong) and he can be a starter on a good team in this league. Having that luxury on this team is invaluable. In a year or so he can be a 25mpg guy that anchors our defense. He won't start here unless Boozer or Noah are traded/hurt, but starting the game isn't everything. I'm like Lee, but he's not a world changer, and trading a player with as much potential as Omer doesn't seem worth it.

I guess I don't share the same upside of Asik as you. I agree about his defense being spectacular, but have a hard time seeing him developing an offensive game considering he's made like 3 non dunk/layups all season. He's also gonna be 25 going into next year, so its not like he's a 20 year old with room to fill out. He's in his physical prime already, and will improve with further adjustment to the american game and some coaching, but he's not going to improve enough to be a solid starter IMO.

While I respect Omer, and accept that I could be wrong in my evaluation of him, I think it makes more sense to trade him since he's the in demand trade chip. If you don't want to trade him or Taj, you have nothing but draft picks to offer as pieces in a trade (other than salary fillers).

I appreciate the reply though.

Omer's age is irrelevant here. He started playing at a late age, so it's not like he doesn't have any room grow. He's still a raw rookie, that can be developed. I've followed him for almost as long as Magilla, so I see more growth in him than most. And I never said I wouldn't trade Taj. If we can get Lee by trading him, I have absolutely no problem with letting him go.

[PJ Brown]

People over-rate Lee way too much around here

True.

But people swoon and faint at the mere mention of Afflalo, when in reality Lee and Afflalo are very similar (AA's better, obv, but it's not like he's WAY better)

Just about everybody is overrating somebody these past few days. Mayo is supremely talented but comes with significant question marks that some fans conveniently ignore. Lee is good and suits our needs well, but probably not a big picture difference maker. Hell, I don't know jack about Afflalo other than some people think he's better than the others and some don't think he's that good.

[umfan83]

Hey guys, long time lurker, rare poster b/c I spend most of my time at that other board...

I'm shocked at how fast so many people on here want to "throw" Asik in the deal. What you don't understand is that come playoff time, his size is going to be needed. I'm all for getting Courtney Lee, don't get me wrong, but he's not the future SG of this team anyway, more of a one year fix.

Hang onto Asik, and if Houston doesn't budge, so be it. We've got a good enough team moving forward, IMO, no need to panic.

Whats more important in the playoffs to you? A having size on our bench to contribute maybe 15 minutes a night, or having a 2nd person if your starting lineup that can create offense taking the pressure off rose. Espcially considering how effort is maxed out every night and good defenses turn into lockdown defenses.

[Big Sexy]

There's a rumor floating around that the Rockets are close to sending Lee and Battier to the Grizzlies for Thabeet, Mayo, and a future 1st. Sounds unlikely but that's what I've heard.

(This isn't from Yahoo or ESPN or anything. Just talking with a Rockets fan. Again, probably not true)

That would be like the worst thing that could happen to us, I hope to hell that doesn't go dow.

Again, this won't happen. Doesn't make sense for Memphis at all.

[Grodoboldo]

There's a rumor floating around that the Rockets are close to sending Lee and Battier to the Grizzlies for Thabeet, Mayo, and a future 1st. Sounds unlikely but that's what I've heard.

(This isn't from Yahoo or ESPN or anything. Just talking with a Rockets fan. Again, probably not true)

That really sounds Grizzley...

*cough*GASOL*Cough*

[ImSlower]

Bucher runs an elaborate, multi-continental spy ring that provides closed camera footage, bugged phone conversations, hijacked laptop spreadsheet information, and a world-class system of highly paid informants.

That's how.

[Payt10]

It's crunch time now. Less than 1 hr 58 minutes left till the deadline. GET SOMETHING DONE GAR!

[TheAdmiral]

Hey guys, long time lurker, rare poster b/c I spend most of my time at that other board...

I'm shocked at how fast so many people on here want to "throw" Asik in the deal. What you don't understand is that come playoff time, his size is going to be needed. I'm all for getting Courtney Lee, don't get me wrong, but he's not the future SG of this team anyway, more of a one year fix.

Hang onto Asik, and if Houston doesn't budge, so be it. We've got a good enough team moving forward, IMO, no need to panic.

Whats more important in the playoffs to you? A having size on our bench to contribute maybe 15 minutes a night, or having a 2nd person if your starting lineup that can create offense taking the pressure off rose. Espcially considering how effort is maxed out every night and good defenses turn into lockdown defenses.

He's a capable ball handler, but not that good at creating off the dribble. That's a myth.