ESPN: Magic get Alston in 3 team deal
- Thread starter kingsnation
- Start date
Bricklayer
Don't Make Me Use The Bat
Oh crap -- is Houston just canning the season then? I like Lowry, but Rafer was one of their leaders. If they fall apart and out of the playoffs this trade deadline could just turn out to be disastrous for us. Not only a crappy deal on our part, but we could lose that 2nd pick (the Houston) pick in the first round we were supposed to get if Houston slides to #9.
A
AriesMar27
Guest
not bad...
I don't think it's a bad thing at all Brick. We might lose the pick for this year, but Houston promises to get worse rather than better, and the way the pick is gauranteed, we get it no matter what eventually. From what I've read, this year looks to be one of the worst draft classes in recent memory. So instead of a low first round pick in a bad draft we could get a higher draft pick in a stronger draft.
With McGrady's return from microfracture surgery moving forward being questionable, and Artest being a free agent Houston might wind up being bad again next year. Granted it stinks not seeing immediate return on the Artest deal while we're rebuilding, but its not as if the pick is gone, it only gets more valuable the longer it takes to come to us.
With McGrady's return from microfracture surgery moving forward being questionable, and Artest being a free agent Houston might wind up being bad again next year. Granted it stinks not seeing immediate return on the Artest deal while we're rebuilding, but its not as if the pick is gone, it only gets more valuable the longer it takes to come to us.
Heuge
Starter
Doesn't he pick go to us unprotected the following year, then?
the protection scales down. I don't know the exact numbers but I don't think it comes fully unprotected for 2 or 3 years.
vikinginferno
Starter
I'm pretty sure it is the same next year, top 10 year 2011, top 5 2012, unprotected 2013. 
I'm pretty sure it is the same next year, top 10 year 2011, top 5 2012, unprotected 2013.
Eh, we will get it eventually, and possibly in a much better draft year. No concerns about that pick here.
beb0p
Starter
Alston has been playing like crap all season. This trade actually improves the Rockets. Adelman can now give more mins to Aaron Brooks and Luther Head, while also get a nice look at Lowry. All three of them are playing better than Alston.
I think Artest will inherit more responsibility, particularily more time handling the ball and being the playmaker. Likely this will energize Ron Ron and if I have to guess, I think Rockets will be a better team in the 2nd half.
I think Artest will inherit more responsibility, particularily more time handling the ball and being the playmaker. Likely this will energize Ron Ron and if I have to guess, I think Rockets will be a better team in the 2nd half.
Arby's Roast Beef
Starter
bebop--exactly. I've never understood Houston's infatuation with Alston, keeping him for all those years--the guy is an average passer, relatively poor shooter, slightly above average defender, slight frame...he just doesn't excel in any one area, and really should be a backup on most teams. He's already 32...and I don't think he'll help Orlando much. Not good enough a shooter to space the floor for Dwight. Lowry now, I've always liked that guy--gets to the free throw rate at a scintillating rate and plays scrappy D--great athletic markers, and I've always liked athletic players. It may be the wrong system in slow it down Houston, but given his past resume and current play and potential it's actually a good trade talentwise. I think Houston will definitely stick in as a lower rung playoff team and we'll keep the pick.
According to DraftExpress, this is the protection on the Houston pick:
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]• Sacramento receives Houston's 2009 first round pick, lottery protected, as part of Ron Artest trade. (lottery protected 2010, top-10 protected 2011+2012, top-5 protected 2013, top-3 protected 2014, unprotected 2015). [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]• Sacramento receives Houston's 2009 first round pick, lottery protected, as part of Ron Artest trade. (lottery protected 2010, top-10 protected 2011+2012, top-5 protected 2013, top-3 protected 2014, unprotected 2015). [/FONT]
vikinginferno
Starter
That's even worse than what I said, might as well just get the pick this year...
beb0p
Starter
Exactly. "Skip to My Lou" may be even worse than Beno as a starting PG. I also think Lowry has potential, though somehow I see him as more of a spark plug type.
The Magic got a playground legend but gave up a #1 pick. They may come to regret it even if the pick is a late 1st because this draft suddenly looks a lot deeper, especially at the bottom.
supamari0
Bench
Here's what Skip does well.
1. He's EXCEPTIONAL at handling the ball. The best in the league in my opinion. I think he won the player vote on best ball handler. He doesn't turn the ball over and effectively brings the ball up the court.
2. He's an above average passer but nothing that special. He can definitely find the open man. His entry passes to Yao have always been solid. (an underrated skill but considering so few teams have true post players it doesnt matter as much) He can run an offense fairly well.
And here's what he sucks at.
1. He's incredibly streaky as a shooter. Occasionally you'll get that 7-11 night and think something positive. And the next two nights you get 1-8 and 2-10. I cringe when I see him shooting a 3 or trying some ridiculous tear drop shot.
2. His penetration skills are mediocre and his finishing at the basket is horrendous. Whenever he somehow manages to get within 5 feet, rather than going strong to the whole he shies from contact and just tries some abomination that he calls a layup.
Overall ok player, good person but he wasn't the answer at point guard. This team demands a point guard that can score more than a point guard who can run an offense, especially while mcgrady was around. After years of just outright frustration at his play, I'm ok to see him go.