If true (and MLawrence usually gets it wrong!), I support Owner Alexander's position on refusing to sign Ward. I understand the Rox unceremoniously dumping EG. But, if I follow the logic of the above two then how do I understand the repeatedly reported chasing of 'sheed? His on, and off, the court shenanigans are indefensible. I do not believe FROM WHAT I KNOW that 'sheed is a better character guy or less felonious than either of the other two.
Talent. Eddie Griffin was young, yes.... but he wasn't doing much good on the floor even when he wasn't taking up pistol practice in the suburbs of Houston. Don't be deceived -- if Steve Francis had been at the tail end of a rookie contract and did the same thing Eddie did, he would not have been waived. Charlie Ward is a solid point guard, but a backup just the same. His comments no doubt struck more at home with Les. But a talent like Rasheed ... most teams will look past the problems and think that a new environment (their environment) will change things. But Rasheed has the added benefit of being a free agent at the end of the season, which could create cap flexibility for a lot of teams.
I appereciate and understand what you are saying. It appears to me that the team is speaking out of two sides of the same mouth. It's OK for Ward to not be acceptable (I am glad he is not a Rock). EG was a Rock and therefore should have been afforded more 'room' in the 'family home', IMO. I also do not believe he will be a star in this league for years to come, if at all. But, frankly, Wallace can stink up a joint (to coin a phrase) on one of his (many, many) off nites. OK - certainly Wallace is a top tier talent but I cannot imagine how the Rox could attain him before the trade deadline, so why (how?) are they chasing after him?.
So Clutch, in your opinion, is there any chance that Rasheed could end up being a Rocket? Despite his problems, I believe his passion and fire would be a huge lift for this "team".
Trying to get Rasheed is a sure sign of desperation. You cannot put a bandaid on this team and expect things to get better. This team MUST be rebuilt around Yao with more complementary players - preferably some who undersatnd how to play basketball...
I believe getting Rasheen IS "rebuiding around Yao with more complementary players" more than being just a "bandaid." Rasheed would be a good fit next to Yao the way he can spread the floor with the outside shot and his length on defense.
Which begs the questions -- why target RW when other 'problem players' shunned ? and if he is targeted, how? What is tradable and acceptable to Blazers ? (PS Portland pres and Rox owner are not chummy ... )
The Rox play better as a team without Yao. Whether that is player/team related or JVG related is hard to figure. With Yao's $$$ revenue it is a certainty that he will not be gone before the regime is changed. The current players and system do not play well with him. Something is going to bust loose, soon....
Without Yao, the defense would fall apart. Yao is the anchor of the defense. Most of the opposing offense is funnelled into Yao or Cato.
