Why aren't teams doing a full court press on FA .

[Guest_Randy]

Earl Watson (like the Lakers, duh!!!)?  This guy is probably the most underrated PG in the league today and while teams are talking about him -- nobody seems to be in full-court press mode to sign the guy.  This guy is starter quality, IMO, but he is definately impressive as a back-up PG (gives great lift and energy off the bench).

I'm a little confused on this one!

[Joe Vancil]

Apparently, he wasn't interested in Utah when we approached him.  Given the fact that we just drafted our "point guard of the future," I can understand his position.

But why isn't HOUSTON going after him?  Why isn't CLEVELAND going after him?  Why is MEMPHIS letting him go to get DAMON STOUDAMIRE?

I don't know that Watson is a starter-quality guy, but he's definitely a great player to get as a back-up.  The guy's a very good defender and he doesn't take a lot of bad shots.

I don't get it, either, Randy.

 

[westkoast]

I dont know if hes THAT underrated.  Honestly I think his on-court decision making needs to be refined a bit.

Wouldnt mind to see him back in LA.  Im sure Buss can pull strings to get him a dorm room back at UCLA to make him feel at home.

[Skandery]

Why is MEMPHIS letting him go to get DAMON STOUDAMIRE?

I don't know that Watson is a starter-quality guy

Damon is, that's why.

 

[Joe Vancil]

So is Bobby Jackson.  And I'd rather have Jackson/Watson than Stoudamire/Jackson.  At least, that way, at the end of a game, I'd have a point guard who could actually STOP the other point guards in the league.

Come on...this is Mike Fratello's team we're talking about.  Of all people, surely you would think he'd rather have defense than offense.

 

[Skandery]

So is Bobby Jackson. And I'd rather have Jackson/Watson than Stoudamire/Jackson. At least, that way, at the end of a game, I'd have a point guard who could actually STOP the other point guards in the league.

With Jackson and Watson, you'd have two good defenders with a very shoddy offensive game (Watson with a touch more passing skill, Jackson with a touch more scoring skill).  

With Stoudamire and Jackson, you'd have the perfect compliment of scorer/defender.  When someone needs to be stopped, in goes Jackson, when offensive aggressiveness is what's called for, Damon get in there.  Much like Jackson and Bibby during the Kings heyday.

Come on...this is Mike Fratello's team we're talking about. Of all people, surely you would think he'd rather have defense than offense.

Yeah......Memphis isn't about what Mike Fratello wants, its about what Jerry West wants.  

[westkoast]

Yeah......Memphis isn't about what Mike Fratello wants, its about what Jerry West wants.

And who would you rather have it go their way...Jerry or Mike?

I love Jerry West for the simple fact he got this bum off the air and gave him a job in a spot I dont have to hear him talk in.

[Skandery]

Not a fan of the "Czar of the Telestrator" eh?  I never liked him much either, but him and Marv Albert were the first commentators I could remember from when I first started watching.  So there's some nostalgia when he commentates.  

As far as color commentary goes, nobody does it better than Hubie Brown for my money.  A basketball genius.  That is of course when he isn't calling Cedric Ceballos, Cedric Maxwell, give the guy a break he's like 93.  

[Reality]

Bulls Tyson Chandler and Eddy Curry neither seem to be getting a full court press, save ATL.

Both 22, 6'11" and 7'0".  



 

[Joe Vancil]

Why pursue Chandler or Curry at all?  Everyone knows Chicago will match, tying up YOUR money for something like 15 days.

When the names out there are restricted free agents, I can COMPLETELY understand why you'd be skeptical about pursuing them.  But I can't explain the non-pursuit of good UNrestricted free agents.
 

[Joe Vancil]

Skander,

And that's where I disagree.  I don't see Bobby Jackson as being a good defender, but rather an explosive offensive threat.  With Jackson and Stoudamire, I'd argue that you've got NO defense and all offense.  
Stoudamire/Watson or Jackson/Watson would therefore make more sense to me.

 

[Reality]

Why pursue Chandler or Curry at all?  Everyone knows Chicago will match, tying up YOUR money for something like 15 days.

 

Like everyone knows Phx would match for JJ.

ATL is/was pursuing Curry.

[westkoast]

Not a fan of the "Czar of the Telestrator" eh?  I never liked him much either, but him and Marv Albert were the first commentators I could remember from when I first started watching.  So there's some nostalgia when he commentates.  

As far as color commentary goes, nobody does it better than Hubie Brown for my money.  A basketball genius.  That is of course when he isn't calling Cedric Ceballos, Cedric Maxwell, give the guy a break he's like 93.

I hate "The Czar" with a passion.  Marv however I do like.  For the same reason you do.  When I first got heavy into basketball he is the voice you would hear on the weekend games.

Hay if the guy is good then you can let those comments slide.  Us LA fans let Chick slide when he'd call Horry Elden Campbell.

[Joe Vancil]

I always liked Brent Musberger because of the fact he was the play-by-play guy when *I* first got into watching pro basketball - back in the days of the NBA on CBS.

I detest Mike Fratello as a mediocre coach and an ANNOYING announcer.  In fact, the folks I've liked best doing color commentary are folks who have a distinct feel for the game - Hubie is one, but I always enjoyed listening to Bill Russell as a color commentator more than anyone else.  I'm not all that fond of Marv Albert as play-by-play, but it's really, really hard to be so awful at play-by-play that I'd notice.



 

[Guest_Randy]

There have been some great play-by-play announcers and others who didn't have a clue.  Fratello was annoying -- but was he bad?  Nah, just annoying!  As a COACH, he's bad!  I also like Hubie Brown -- mainly because he kept as a play-by-play announcer the same attitude as a coach -- a teacher.  Fratello was an analysts and a lecturer (both bore me to death).  

Jerry West made a mistake with Fratello as coach -- plain and simple!  There are a LOT of coaches around that I would prefer before Fratello.  

However, Joe, I think you are wrong about Jackson -- while Jackson has lost a little due to age and injury, he is still a decent defender and an underrated scorer (if he can stay healthy).  SacTown was dumb to let him go, IMO.