We'll see, I still think the Knicks will match on Lin.

"Sports do not build character. They reveal it."
-John Wooden

Raymond Felton traded to the Knicks according to ESPN

If we get asik and Lin are we ****ed on the Howard deal?

I would not be a fan of that huge backloaded deal for Lin. He had what 1 good month?

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posted 11:33p, 07/14/12



If we get asik and Lin are we ****ed on the Howard deal?

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No.

The rockets aren't screwed on the back nd deal. Just the matching team

My thoughts from the 2nd summer league game (which I know are absolutely meaningless):

Machado: I really like his court vision, shooting, and tenacity. Needs to improve decision making (gets caught in the air with no where to go with the ball a lot) and loses control of the ball at times.

Lamb: He was flustered by Beal early, but he really turned it on after that. His shooting stroke is great: high release, good elevation, and quick. Got lost on D a few times.

Motiejunas: Complete non-factor. Made a good few moves and missed the shot. Looked sluggish and ineffective against size. The guards and wings were also not doing a good job of getting the ball to the bigs.

White: Same as Motiejunas. 0-5 from the FT line. He was completely uncomfortable out there. Don't see him ever playing SF.

Morris: He had a nice showing before going out to get stitches. Good catch and fire 3, came off the pick-and-roll for a long 2, and beat his man off the dribble as well as some good post moves. Stayed balanced on D, even holding his own against Beal a few times. Also had some stupid fouls, a couple of ugly shots, and 0-4 from the FT line. One series I liked: he committed a charge, then just a minute later saw the same thing coming and made a good lob pass to Terrence Jones for the oop. I really think he could be a force on offense if can continue to get comfortable on the wing.

Jones: Another good outing. Hit a 3, drove to the hoop, and crashed the boards.

Dragic sucks despite being feisty on D. Fortson is awful.

What I've seen:

Jones looks like he could contribute right away. He is almost the same player as Parsons.

White cant really shoot and has been having a hard time finishing at the rim.

Lamb could be a very good player in 3 or so years. He has a very smooth stroke, but needs to get stronger.

Motiejunas has a similar issue. He might get tossed around a bit until he bulks up.

Machado has really good vision, but he needs to stay in control.

Playing balls to the wall runs in the Dragic family, unfortunately shooting doesnt.

stolen

stolen

http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/47820/the-case-for-howard-in-houston

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Why would Howard stick in Houston? Well, part of the Rockets’ plan is to clear enough salary-cap space to go after another major free agent next summer, and provide him the second superstar he’d need to pursue a championship.

They’ll have the “home-court advantage” when he becomes a free agent, with the ability to guarantee him an additional year and approximately $25 million more than anyone else, as the Brooklyn Nets just did with Deron Williams. Remember, by opting in for the final year of his old contract that was negotiated by former agent Aaron Goodwin, Howard kept his new agent, Dan Fegan, from receiving any salary commission from him this season. There’s lost money to be made up, so wouldn’t that provide incentive for Fegan to get Howard to sign the most lucrative possible contract -- the Rockets’ -- next year?

Second would be the Jeremy Lin factor. If the Knicks don’t match Houston’s contract offer and Lin becomes a Rocket, Houston would resume its role as Asia’s NBA team. The Rockets already established business relationships with Chinese companies who bought courtside banner ads while Yao Ming was with the team, so they’re perfectly positioned to market Lin -- and Howard -- in Asia.

Howard wants a global brand, and he’s already made efforts to establish his presence in China. Playing with Lin would help that cause. Chinese television scrambled to add Knicks games to the schedule after the Linsanity craze last season. Imagine how many Rockets games they could broadcast knowing his schedule months in advance.

Howard should consult Tracy McGrady, whose jersey was among the top four sellers in China from 2006 to 2009 while he played alongside Yao. T-Mac’s No. 1 Rockets jersey outsold LeBron James and even Yao himself.

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Ryan,

That article nails it in terms of why you want Lin. If he can just be a serviceable starting point guard in the NBA (maybe 13 points, 7 assists), then that is good enough for Houston to reap the rewards of the Asian markets.

"Sports do not build character. They reveal it."
-John Wooden

I agree aggie_accountant. Lin might be overpaid the final year, but you can move that expiring deal if he hasn't worked out by then. If he plays decent and helps keep Dwight for the reasons Adande mentioned, then he'll be worth way more than that salary. I think the Knicks would be stupid to not match.

Also, it's sounding more and more like the Magic are trying to make us bid against ourselves. So we might get to keep more thanks to Dwight's demands and refusal to sign an extension.

[This message has been edited by Ryan34 (edited 7/17/2012 3:12p).]

Anyone else watch the Rockets' summer league game from today?

White looked great in the first half, ripping down boards and dishing out assists. He's like a 6'8" 260 version of Rajon Rondo (alright exaggeration, but you get it). 7 assists, 10 rebounds (all in the first half), and 11 points.

D-Mo was on, but still could be more aggressive on the boards. Great in the post. 6 rebounds and 19 points on 7-11 shooting.

Morris looked pretty good yet again. 11 points 8 rebounds. Needs to get to the basket a little more but still is looking more comfortable on the wing.

Lamb is so silky smooth on offense. 19 points on 7-15.

Machado looked more comfortable, especially in the 2nd half. He had some fantastic passes. Missed a couple I thought he should have made. 10 assists 6 points.

Jones has been consistently good. It seems like he might be able to play some 3. 17 points 8 rebounds.


Could have been due to more time to adjust or Sacramento's defense, but regardless everyone looked more comfortable out there and played well.

I've been watching them which is probably a really bad idea. They are basically meaningless games and Im getting attached to our draft picks. They all have really interesting aspects to their games.

White had not looked very good in the previous games, but he had a very entertaining performance today. If he can maintain that level of play he could be our back up "point guard". He would be a nice complement to Tony Douglas coming off the bench.

Jones,D-Mo and Lamb all had good games as well. D-Mo is definitely not a center. He is only effective if he is bigger than his opponent because he is a bit weak and cant jump. However, his height is really effective against smaller 4's. He gave Thomas Robinson alot of trouble today.

I have watched as well, and if we can get Howard, I would offer every single one of them and exclude Lamb (for now). Lamb would be a great compliment to Howard and Lin (assuming NY doesn't match). Morey could offer White, Jones, Parsons, K-Mart, Toronto's 1st round pick and Dallas' first round pick and I would be excited about the trade.

"Sports do not build character. They reveal it."
-John Wooden

I wouldn't mind throwing Patterson into that mix and keeping Royce White or Terrence Jones (preferably White). A lineup like this doesn't sound too shabby to me (obviously not all will play):

PG: Lin, Duhon, Machado
SG: J Richardson, Lamb
SF: Morris, Q Richardson
PF: G Davis, Motiejunas, White
C: Dwightmare, Asik

Not winning a title with that team, but it should be competitive.

Sounds like Lakers are trying hard to still get Howard.

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Also, a source familiar with the Lakers' interest in Howard told ESPNLosAngeles.com's Dave McMenamin that the dialogue between Los Angeles and Orlando is "ongoing" but right now a trade would be "very tough to pull off."

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Orlando is just trying to get Houston to up their offer. Just like the Cleveland rumor that was immediately shot down by Cleveland media.

Howard Beck of The New York Times is reporting the New York Knicks have ended their deliberation and they will not be matching the Rockets offer sheet to Jeremy Lin.

Great news!

I'm glad Lin wasn't the lock to get matched like some of the geniuses on here predicted.

A week ago the Knicks organization and everyone in the media was saying Lin was a lock to go back to NYK. Also, not really sure giving Lin 8 mil per year is a good thing this team has all the makings of another best team in the lottery if they don't get Howard.

SR610: The NY Times reports the Knicks will not match the Rockets contract offer to Jeremy Lin, clearing his way to come to Houston. http://cbsloc.al/ugBvVm

Hotard-

Before the contract was re-worked he was a lock. The initial contract was 4 years ($5/$5/$5/$9). The contract was re-worked to be three years ($5,$5, $14). Big difference from when we (me included) initially said he was a lock to go back to NY.

"Sports do not build character. They reveal it."
-John Wooden

Cut him in December, sign him for 15MM in July

nice one Morey

Actually the initial contract was 5/5/9/9

So what is the reasoning on Amnestying Scola?

Is it just cap flexibility? Still kinda surprised we couldn't package his contract in a trade for anyone. While he wasn't the best player, I did always enjoy watching him play.

It's amazing the scoring numbers he could put up without using his left hand.

Would allow us the room to trade for Howard and take on a lot of the contracts Orlando wants to dump.

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Cut him in December, sign him for 15MM in July

nice one Morey

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SimpleGay aka faker fan posting on a topic that has nothing to do with him

Lakers have no flexibility to get back in Howard deal. They would have to get rid of Gasol and Bynum, not just Bynum. Houston is the only team left with the assets Orlando wants. But, if the Lakers gave us Bynum and Gasol with Howard going to LA and Orlando getting Kevin Martin, the Toronto lottery pick, Plus 2 young players and the salary dump players go to LA, it might work.

Morey should make LA pay if they are going to get DH instead of Houston. Not that Bynum plus Gasol wouldn't be a big improvement.

quote:

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Cut him in December, sign him for 15MM in July

nice one Morey

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Or trade for Ramon Sessions and blah blah blah and make it to the Finals and blah blah blah and win the championship. The missing piece.

Yeah...so awesome, right?

^^^^ boom