The NBA's free agency period has finally begun and the Houston Rockets are expected to be very busy luring big names to their team. Names on top of their priority list are 4-time NBA MVP LeBron James, Minnesota Timberwolves star Kevin Love, and New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony. Rockets GM Daryl Morey is expected to make another splash just like he did in each of the past two seasons when he scored James Harden in a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder, and Dwight Howard via free agency the following year.
With all due respect to Carmelo Anthony, the Rockets will try an all-out push for LeBron James. In case that does not pan out, they will give focus next to the New York Knicks star. Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle has details of their prospective pitch for Anthony:
"The thrust of the presentation will be about the Rockets' contention that Anthony, a 6-8 forward, would be joining a contender. According to an individual familiar with the plans, they would cite their roster, expected to include every starter off a 54-win team."
"They will describe how Anthony, 30, would be used. They will use many of the same representatives - owner Leslie Alexander, CEO Tad Brown, general manager Daryl Morey, coach Kevin McHale, former player Clyde Drexler, trainer Keith Jones and James Harden - as those who landed Howard. Howard will also be a part of the presentation, replacing free agent Chandler Parsons on the welcoming committee."
"But the Rockets will hope to use home-court advantage as they could not last season. Howard's meetings were set up in Los Angeles, with the Rockets contingent making their appeal at a hotel dinner. On Wednesday, Anthony is scheduled to be at Toyota Center where the Rockets plan to pull out all the recruiting stops the $7 million upgrade to the basketball facilities allow."
"Anthony planned to begin his tour in Chicago. When he gets to Houston (with a trip to Dallas scheduled for later Wednesday), the Rockets hope to make his visit memorable. As much as the Rockets will emphasize the more sober facts and figures related to team building, they plan to use their extensive collection of gadgetry, from the video boards and sound system in the locker room to the new weight room, video room and player's lounge in ways they could not last summer when recruiting Howard."
What do you think readers? Will this pitch be enough to convince Carmelo Anthony in joining the Houston Rockets? Sound off in the comments section below!
