This article is from texas...interesting read on Malik Rose, maybe he can be used...just maybe...also argument for MRose being BETTER than Jackie B for an uptempo offensive/defensive scheme...interesting...interesting...

http://web.dailytimes.com/story.lasso?ewcd=233e8425fe2e0b8c
Why Pop Why?

By Jason Chlapek
The Daily Times

Published July 21, 2006

Remember the hit single, “Big Yellow Taxi?”

There was a line in the song, “You don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone.” I wonder if that’s how San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich feels these days.

On Feb. 24, 2005, Popovich traded Spurs fan-favorite Malik Rose to the New York Knicks for Nazr Mohammed. Rose, a 6-foot-7 forward who played like he was 7-1, did not have the size Popovich wanted to complement Tim Duncan. Mohammed is 6-10.

Now Popovich must be kicking himself because Mohammed recently signed with the Detroit Pistons, and the best he could do to find a replacement is, maybe, signing 6-10 Jackie Butler. Butler is a 21-year-old who played the last two seasons with the Knicks.

Pop also traded 7-footer Rasho Nesterovic to the Toronto Raptors for 6-10 three-point specialist Matt Bonner and 6-8 forward Eric Williams. Couldn’t Popovich have kept Rose if he planned on going with quicker big men like he did in the playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks?

Of course, we all remember the Spurs playoff series against the Mavericks. Popovich “said” he would stick with the game plan in hand — a starting lineup of Mohammed, Duncan, Bruce Bowen, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker. But after losing Game 2, 113-91, Popovich flips the script by going to a smaller, quicker lineup to match the Mavericks’ quickness. The result — a 4-3 series loss and a blown opportunity to repeat as NBA champions.

So much for “sticking to the game plan.”

Popovich had not only a quick big man in Rose, he had a guy who made San Antonio his home in a time where many free agents bolt smaller markets like San Antonio for the bright lights of New York or Los Angeles. While Rose plays for the Knicks, he still has a house and two restaurants — Malik’s Philly Phamous — in San Antonio. The second restaurant opened last year.

What Rose lacked in size, he made up for with physical play and hustle. He often played his best in the second halves of games when bigger opponents like Shaquille O’Neal would wear down. Rose chased down loose balls, won rebounding battles, and did other little things right when the game was on the line.

Like many other Spurs fans on the night of Feb. 24, 2005, I also was saddened with the Rose trade. I had the mindset of “if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.” Nothing was broken with Rose, he was just three inches too short for Popovich. I’m still disappointed with the trade, and now those of us in Spurs Country are stuck with wondering “what-if.” Was Rose the guy the Spurs needed to match Dirk Nowitski’s quickness? Could Rose have been the difference-maker?

We’re also left with a question for Popovich — Why Pop why?

I don't know, in a "quick" offense, he may not be that bad of a player to toss into the Frye, Lee, Curry rotation. I mean, one thing I did notice about jackie b was he was slow upstairs, and an offense requiring quick reads, MRose may be a better version.

Only time will tell.

martin memo: yes, I'm reaching.

I say we trade Rose back by all means.

Rose for a first rounder.

Rose for a second rounder.

Rose for a guest pass to the Alamo.

oohah

I didn't think Malik was quick at all... but after reading this, I think definately we can get Garnett, Kobe or Lebron for him.

puh-lease....

I guess the twisted mindset of our country is to criticize, criticize, criticize. No doubt, the irony is that despise and criticize Malik. 'quick' and 'big' are generally not the terms I would use for him. He can outrun shaq when shaq is tired. Hmmmm. Awesome. He can rebound (but can't shoot, pass, or make layups). Every beat writer seems to criticize their team. If any team is deserving of a 'wait and see' or even just a free pass, it is the Spurs. They have been dominant for years. The thing about Malik is, on a team like the Spurs, all he needed to do was the little stuff. Their team was so deep, experienced and capable, he didn't need to carry an offensive load or clog up the lane when guarding centers. Here, well, you need to do a little more than just the little things.

As an undersized power forward, he can be effective.

Dude's like 5'11"!

Posted by Solace:

Posted by Bonn1997:

As an undersized power forward, he can be effective.

Dude's like 5'11"!

... and that's with heels on!

Big LOL!