How does LA get so lucky?

[Who]

Don't blame the Hornets.  Their return wasn't horrible.  It was the Rockets that made a truly terrible trade.

Why was the trade bad for the Rockets?

[bruinsandceltics]

Yeah, Rocket's got a strong big that is rare to find.

The Hornet's got fleeced. Count me as the leader of the conspiracy club....the league owns the Hornets, they had their hands all over it.

[Roy H.]

Don't blame the Hornets.  Their return wasn't horrible.  It was the Rockets that made a truly terrible trade.

Why was the trade bad for the Rockets?

Because they gave up two very good players for a guy who is a slight upgrade over Scola?  Because the centerpiece they did acquire is coming off a mediocre season and a terrible playoffs?  Because that centerpiece is 31 1/2 years old, and is owed $57 million (plus a 15% trade kicker)?  Because roughly 33.3% of their gap is tied up in that 31 1/2 year old, in an age where the cap is as tight as its been in recent history? 

Because they added a young point guard and a pick to sweeten the pot, when they were already on the losing end?  Because they didn't save any major money?  Because they helped out a conference rival, who is now likely to dominate the next decade like they did the last one?

How was this trade good for the Rockets?  Clearly, it wasn't.

[PosImpos]

Don't blame the Hornets.  Their return wasn't horrible.  It was the Rockets that made a truly terrible trade.

Why was the trade bad for the Rockets?

Because they gave up two very good players for a guy who is a slight upgrade over Scola?  Because the centerpiece they did acquire is coming off a mediocre season and a terrible playoffs?  Because that centerpiece is 31 1/2 years old, and is owed $57 million (plus a 15% trade kicker)?  Because they added a young point guard and a pick to sweeten the pot, when they were already on the losing end?  Because they didn't save any major money?  Because they helped out a conference rival, who is now likely to dominate the next decade like they did the last one?

How was this trade good for the Rockets?  Clearly, it wasn't.

it's like you and i are the same person right now roy.

i totally understand the disgust and frustration pouring out in waves from your posts.


just a bad day to be a celtics fan.


i waited for months for the NBA to come back and when it finally does it lets me down in a big way.  i was excited for the season to start again, but now im totally not.

meh.

[RMO]

Can anyone explain to me what it would take for the lakers to get Howard?  There's trading him which would be Bynum and whoever else to make the salaries match, but who else is there?  I read there were some trade exceptions included in this deal for the lakers.  Will that make a big difference?

Then there is Howard signing when he's a free agent (if he gets there).  With LA over the salary cap wouldn't they only have the mid-level exception to pay him?  I don't care what anyone says about endorsements.  what your employer pays you is a sign of your worth and no way a superstar takes the mid-level exception to play anywhere.

I don't pretend to understand how the salary cap works in the NBA so if someone could explain how they'd get Howard now I would appreciate it.

[CelticSooner]

not sure how this helps LA.....bynum is a bum with bad knees...artest sucks...no odom off the bench and no power forward...lakers bench is garbage

Lakers are thinking of the future. I don't see them winning a title this year but no way are they done. If they end up getting Howard I will puke.

[Who]

Don't blame the Hornets.  Their return wasn't horrible.  It was the Rockets that made a truly terrible trade.

Why was the trade bad for the Rockets?

Because they gave up two very good players for a guy who is a slight upgrade over Scola?  Because the centerpiece they did acquire is coming off a mediocre season and a terrible playoffs?  Because that centerpiece is 31 1/2 years old, and is owed $57 million (plus a 15% trade kicker)?  Because roughly 33.3% of their gap is tied up in that 31 1/2 year old, in an age where the cap is as tight as its been in recent history? 

Because they added a young point guard and a pick to sweeten the pot, when they were already on the losing end?  Because they didn't save any major money?  Because they helped out a conference rival, who is now likely to dominate the next decade like they did the last one?

How was this trade good for the Rockets?  Clearly, it wasn't.

How in the world is Pau Gasol a slight upgrade over Luis Scola?

Pau Gasol is one of the three or four best big men in the league right now. Luis Scola is a top 15 PF.

There is a gargantuan difference between the two.

[Roy H.]

Don't blame the Hornets.  Their return wasn't horrible.  It was the Rockets that made a truly terrible trade.

Why was the trade bad for the Rockets?

Because they gave up two very good players for a guy who is a slight upgrade over Scola?  Because the centerpiece they did acquire is coming off a mediocre season and a terrible playoffs?  Because that centerpiece is 31 1/2 years old, and is owed $57 million (plus a 15% trade kicker)?  Because roughly 33.3% of their gap is tied up in that 31 1/2 year old, in an age where the cap is as tight as its been in recent history? 

Because they added a young point guard and a pick to sweeten the pot, when they were already on the losing end?  Because they didn't save any major money?  Because they helped out a conference rival, who is now likely to dominate the next decade like they did the last one?

How was this trade good for the Rockets?  Clearly, it wasn't.

How in the world is Pau Gasol a slight upgrade over Luis Scola?

Pau Gasol is one of the three or four best big men in the league right now. Luis Scola is a top 15 PF.

There is a gargantuan difference between the two.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/pcm_finder.cgi?request=1&sum=0&p1=gasolpa01&y1=2011&p2=scolalu01&y2=2011

Hardly gargantuan.  Per-36 minutes, Scola outscores Pau, and rebounds at only a slightly lesser rate.  Statistically, the two are almost identical.  Yes, Pau's defense is better, and he's more of a legit post threat, but Scola is a very good power forward.

Pau looked a lot better when playing next to Kobe Bryant, too; nobody was talking about him being a top-five big man when he was in Memphis.  Let's hope for Houston's sake that Pau's 13 points, 8 rebounds, 42% shooting performance in the playoffs wasn't a sign of things to come.

[Roy H.]

it's like you and i are the same person right now roy.

Just don't turn on the news.  We'll find out that Rush Limbaugh and Rachel Maddow had a baby that combines the worst parts of both of them, and that baby is now President.  It's been that type of day.

[LooseCannon]

Can someone please explain a tangible reason why the Rockets would do this? Scola is arguably a wash with Gasol at this point in their careers. Why do they help the Lakers in this sketchy scenario?

As I understand it, they dealt from depth and will have way more than $10 million in cap space.  Depending on who they sign (I've heard that they have enough cap room to make a run at Nene), the Rockets may be an improved team over last year.

Do people not understand that Scola is a few months older than Gasol?  And Martin is guy who some people think is such a bad defender that he is a net zero when you combine his offense and defense?

[nickagneta]

I'm waiting for the next shoe to drop..

LA gets Howard and Turkoglu

Orlando gets Bynum, Walton, Fisher, $3 million and three first round picks.

Walton and Fisher will then retire and Orlando will have Bynum picks and be under the cap nexy year after they amnesty Arenas.

Its going to happen folks. Bank on it. In today's NBA players and their agents make the decisions as to where they are going to play and Howard will be playing with Paul and Kobe before season's end. BANK ON IT.

And when it happens, I'm going into NBA hibernation for about a decade because I'll be so p!ssed!!!!!!

[ugh]

No, Stern is controlling everything to make sure LA is always good and to screw the C's.  You KNOW they will get Howard for 4 second round picks because STern will give LA a one time 20Mill dollar trade exemption.

[CelticHooligan3]

Can someone please explain a tangible reason why the Rockets would do this? Scola is arguably a wash with Gasol at this point in their careers. Why do they help the Lakers in this sketchy scenario?

As I understand it, they dealt from depth and will have way more than $10 million in cap space.  Depending on who they sign (I've heard that they have enough cap room to make a run at Nene), the Rockets may be an improved team over last year.

Do people not understand that Scola is a few months older than Gasol?  And Martin is guy who some people think is such a bad defender that he is a net zero when you combine his offense and defense?

You mean Martin arguably the most efficient scorer in the NBA? Who flops and draws fouls like a nat to a bug zapper?

And Scola the anti-Gasol who plays physically punishes opposing power forwards and who's heart and desire is never questioned? Also led his team in FIBA play and i may be wrong but i also think won an MVP in that tournament?

[Who]

Don't blame the Hornets.  Their return wasn't horrible.  It was the Rockets that made a truly terrible trade.

Why was the trade bad for the Rockets?

Because they gave up two very good players for a guy who is a slight upgrade over Scola?  Because the centerpiece they did acquire is coming off a mediocre season and a terrible playoffs?  Because that centerpiece is 31 1/2 years old, and is owed $57 million (plus a 15% trade kicker)?  Because roughly 33.3% of their gap is tied up in that 31 1/2 year old, in an age where the cap is as tight as its been in recent history? 

Because they added a young point guard and a pick to sweeten the pot, when they were already on the losing end?  Because they didn't save any major money?  Because they helped out a conference rival, who is now likely to dominate the next decade like they did the last one?

How was this trade good for the Rockets?  Clearly, it wasn't.

How in the world is Pau Gasol a slight upgrade over Luis Scola?

Pau Gasol is one of the three or four best big men in the league right now. Luis Scola is a top 15 PF.

There is a gargantuan difference between the two.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/pcm_finder.cgi?request=1&sum=0&p1=gasolpa01&y1=2011&p2=scolalu01&y2=2011

Hardly gargantuan.  Per-36 minutes, Scola outscores Pau, and rebounds at only a slightly lesser rate.  Statistically, the two are almost identical.  Yes, Pau's defense is better, and he's more of a legit post threat, but Scola is a very good power forward.

Pau looked a lot better when playing next to Kobe Bryant, too; nobody was talking about him being a top-five big man when he was in Memphis.  Let's hope for Houston's sake that Pau's 13 points, 8 rebounds, 42% shooting performance in the playoffs wasn't a sign of things to come.

Gargantuan

So a player is a far more efficient scorer (1.04 points per possession to .95 [league average]), a much better passer (arguably best passing big man in league vs solid passing big man), a better rebounder  and the superior defender ... and it's close? Not buying it.

There is a huge difference between the two.

[Who]

Kevin Martin = doesn't play defense, doesn't rebound and doesn't have any added value as a passer. True, he's a very talented scorer. I love his efficiency too. But he simply does not contribute enough in non-scoring areas to be a piece you build around.

Pau Gasol > Luis Scola + Kevin Martin