http://blogs.chron.com/sportsjustice...s_in_0708.html
June 08, 2007
Rockets in '07-'08: Bonzi, Spanoulis, Novak and... Artest?
Rick Adelman has coached enough college basketball to know a recruiting trick or two. That's important because his tenure with the Rockets begins with his trying to convince Vassilis Spanoulis to return for a second NBA season. When this season ended, the chances of that happening were roughly zero.
(The Rockets would have to release him from his contract. Had Jeff Van Gundy returned as coach, they probably would have done that. Now they're hoping he'll want to play for Adelman.)
Van Gundy buried the young fellow at the end of his bench early in the season and didn't allow him to see daylight. Even though the Rockets needed help at point guard, even though Rafer Alston wasn't a great penetrator, Van Gundy didn't think Spanoulis was the answer.
Upstairs, the men who signed him think otherwise. They agree with Van Gundy that his shooting range must improve and that he needs to cut down on his turnovers. But they're still intrigued by his energy and play-making potential. They want to see more. I think it was Les Alexander who once compared Spanoulis to Steve Nash. That's an exaggeration, but as the Rockets prepare for '07-'08, Spanoulis is one of the intriguing possibilities.
Steve Novak is another. Van Gundy buried him, too, primarily because of concerns about his defense. Upstairs, they think the kid can play, that he simply needs a chance. The Rockets desperately need more perimeter offense. Luther Head was terrific during stretches of the regular season, but he disappeared against the better teams. He and Alston shot very poorly in the playoffs. Adelman's arrival could be a second chance for Novak as well.
And then there's Bonzi. Yes, indeed. He played 52 games for Adelman in '05-'06 and had a great playoff series against San Antonio. Bonzi may opt out of his contract, but he might also return and aim for a big pay day after another season. I'm not sure how he'd get his minutes, but he brings a toughness and a fire the Rockets haven't had.
Could Ron Artest be in the mix? According to ESPN's Chad Ford, the Rockets have been putting out feelers about Artest, and the price might be right. I hear it would cost the Rockets Bob Sura (he has only $1 million in salary protection next year), Kirk Snyder, Vasilis Spanoulis and this year's first-round draft pick. With Artest entering a player option year on his contract in the summer of 2008, it may be time to take the risk. I'd do that deal in a heartbeat. You're giving up very little and getting an impact player in return.
GM Daryl Morey would like to add a point guard, power forward and backup center. That's a lot of work for a team with just the 26th pick in the first round. I'm not sure simply trading Luther Head and using the mid-level exception will fill all the needs. As for Rashard Lewis, go ahead and dream. It's not happening.
Remember that photo-op of Hakeem Olajuwon and Yao Ming working together? Yao's real work this summer could come in some one-on-one sessions he's having with Carroll Dawson, who did great work in helping Olajuwon become a dominant player.
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