Did the Rockets really need Charlie Wards 'baggage'?

[sonofsiam]

I am a Rockets fan.

I have nothing personal against Charlie Ward, but I've heard a lot (and I mean a LOT) of stories about Charlie being a locker room problem.

Simply put, he's way too religious. To the point of alienating team mates. To the point of simply not getting on with anyone who doesn't fit what he'd see as 'correct' behaviour. It's well know the Knicks camp split due to him and Spreewell being 'different'.

Now, I am not going to criticise any man's religion or beliefs. Dream was a devout Muslim and handled everything brilliantly.Ward, on the other hand, has historically brought his beliefs INTO the dressing room. That's cool also......................to a point.

His opening press confernece tended to suggest not much has changed. Quote ""Houston was (my) No. 1 team before the (McGrady) trade," Ward said, "and then the Father saw fit that the trade happened, and then it became even more the No. 1."

There's war going on and starvation the world over. But God was orchestrating the Tracy McGrady trade. Right...............

Ward will prove to be a big mistake IMO.

Again, nothing against anyone's beliefs. But there's a time and there's a place for it.

[Admiral50]

Re: Did the Rockets really need Charlie Wards 'baggage'?

I think Spree would have been the misfit in NY not Ward.
And as for Hakeem fitting in fine, well he was very quiet and didn't mingle much off the court. His teammates even had to experience him going days to weeks without food during his fasting, so I'm sure there was quite a bit he brought to the locker room.
Ward's going a bit far by saying the Father saw fit and such but I think 'baggage' is way too strong. Other players that are affected by it should stop being selfish and realise that some may take offense to other locker room activity, swearing, different music, anything like that.
Ward doesn't bring much as a player these days but to say bringing in a religious and decent guy is a big mistake is stupid.

[Admiral50]

Re: Did the Rockets really need Charlie Wards 'baggage'?

I think Spree would have been the misfit in NY not Ward.
And as for Hakeem fitting in fine, well he was very quiet and didn't mingle much off the court. His teammates even had to experience him going days to weeks without food during his fasting, so I'm sure there was quite a bit he brought to the locker room.
Ward's going a bit far by saying the Father saw fit and such but I think 'baggage' is way too strong. Other players that are affected by it should stop being selfish and realise that some may take offense to other locker room activity, swearing, different music, anything like that.
Ward doesn't bring much as a player these days but to say bringing in a religious and decent guy is a big mistake is stupid.

[bigeastbumrush]

Re: Did the Rockets really need Charlie Wards 'baggage'?

I am a Rockets fan.

I have nothing personal against Charlie Ward, but I've heard a lot (and I mean a LOT) of stories about Charlie being a locker room problem.

Simply put, he's way too religious. To the point of alienating team mates. To the point of simply not getting on with anyone who doesn't fit what he'd see as 'correct' behaviour. It's well know the Knicks camp split due to him and Spreewell being 'different'.

Now, I am not going to criticise any man's religion or beliefs. Dream was a devout Muslim and handled everything brilliantly.Ward, on the other hand, has historically brought his beliefs INTO the dressing room. That's cool also......................to a point.

His opening press confernece tended to suggest not much has changed. Quote ""Houston was (my) No. 1 team before the (McGrady) trade," Ward said, "and then the Father saw fit that the trade happened, and then it became even more the No. 1."

There's war going on and starvation the world over. But God was orchestrating the Tracy McGrady trade. Right...............

Ward will prove to be a big mistake IMO.

Again, nothing against anyone's beliefs. But there's a time and there's a place for it.

Charlie Ward is a Van Gundy guy. He gave him his shot after Pat Riley basically ignored him. Patrick Ewing and Ward are very close friends. It's kina obvious to see why he was picked up.

Charlie has to do what he has to do. Alot of players like to pray before games and go to religious services together. To those that don't, they simply ignore him. I don't see any problems on the Rockets like maybe in other places. It's a veteran team pretty much.

Now if Charlie was trying to convert Allen Iverson, I'd think differently.

[bigeastbumrush]

Re: Did the Rockets really need Charlie Wards 'baggage'?

I am a Rockets fan.

I have nothing personal against Charlie Ward, but I've heard a lot (and I mean a LOT) of stories about Charlie being a locker room problem.

Simply put, he's way too religious. To the point of alienating team mates. To the point of simply not getting on with anyone who doesn't fit what he'd see as 'correct' behaviour. It's well know the Knicks camp split due to him and Spreewell being 'different'.

Now, I am not going to criticise any man's religion or beliefs. Dream was a devout Muslim and handled everything brilliantly.Ward, on the other hand, has historically brought his beliefs INTO the dressing room. That's cool also......................to a point.

His opening press confernece tended to suggest not much has changed. Quote ""Houston was (my) No. 1 team before the (McGrady) trade," Ward said, "and then the Father saw fit that the trade happened, and then it became even more the No. 1."

There's war going on and starvation the world over. But God was orchestrating the Tracy McGrady trade. Right...............

Ward will prove to be a big mistake IMO.

Again, nothing against anyone's beliefs. But there's a time and there's a place for it.

Charlie Ward is a Van Gundy guy. He gave him his shot after Pat Riley basically ignored him. Patrick Ewing and Ward are very close friends. It's kina obvious to see why he was picked up.

Charlie has to do what he has to do. Alot of players like to pray before games and go to religious services together. To those that don't, they simply ignore him. I don't see any problems on the Rockets like maybe in other places. It's a veteran team pretty much.

Now if Charlie was trying to convert Allen Iverson, I'd think differently.

[TexasJedi]

Re: Did the Rockets really need Charlie Wards 'baggage'?

Ward said, "and then the Father saw fit that the trade happened, and then it became even more the No. 1."

There's war going on and starvation the world over. But God was orchestrating the Tracy McGrady trade. Right...............

To be fair, God is omnipresent.

Anyhow, back to the point. Ward is a Van Gundy guy, that is the main reason he is in Houston. There were rumblings that said Rockets owner Les Alexander, who is Jewish, would not allow the Rockets to sign Ward after he was let go by the Knicks last season, labeling him an Anti-Semite. He signed with San Antoino instead. If that is true then something has changed for the Rockets to sign Charlie. As long as he plays tough defense, and gets the ball to Yao and T-Mac, and that leads to wins, I will be happy to see him in a Rocket's jersey.

[TexasJedi]

Re: Did the Rockets really need Charlie Wards 'baggage'?

Ward said, "and then the Father saw fit that the trade happened, and then it became even more the No. 1."

There's war going on and starvation the world over. But God was orchestrating the Tracy McGrady trade. Right...............

To be fair, God is omnipresent.

Anyhow, back to the point. Ward is a Van Gundy guy, that is the main reason he is in Houston. There were rumblings that said Rockets owner Les Alexander, who is Jewish, would not allow the Rockets to sign Ward after he was let go by the Knicks last season, labeling him an Anti-Semite. He signed with San Antoino instead. If that is true then something has changed for the Rockets to sign Charlie. As long as he plays tough defense, and gets the ball to Yao and T-Mac, and that leads to wins, I will be happy to see him in a Rocket's jersey.

[sonofsiam]

Re: Did the Rockets really need Charlie Wards 'baggage'?

Charlie Ward is a Van Gundy guy. He gave him his shot after Pat Riley basically ignored him. Patrick Ewing and Ward are very close friends. It's kina obvious to see why he was picked up.

Charlie has to do what he has to do. Alot of players like to pray before games and go to religious services together. To those that don't, they simply ignore him. I don't see any problems on the Rockets like maybe in other places. It's a veteran team pretty much.

Now if Charlie was trying to convert Allen Iverson, I'd think differently.

All you blokes who have made excellent points and I can see the logic now, with the Van Gundy and Patty Ewing connection.

Also, you are right, this current Rockets team is pretty mature. I doubt he'd have fit in when Stevie and Cat were around or on teams like the Griz.

It's an interesting area though. Look at Ron Mercer, who is apparently VERY religous. To the point of reading The Bible before games, isolating from his team mates. Even a mature team like the Spurs cut him with Popovich saying "let's put it this way.......he didn't mix well".

[sonofsiam]

Re: Did the Rockets really need Charlie Wards 'baggage'?

Charlie Ward is a Van Gundy guy. He gave him his shot after Pat Riley basically ignored him. Patrick Ewing and Ward are very close friends. It's kina obvious to see why he was picked up.

Charlie has to do what he has to do. Alot of players like to pray before games and go to religious services together. To those that don't, they simply ignore him. I don't see any problems on the Rockets like maybe in other places. It's a veteran team pretty much.

Now if Charlie was trying to convert Allen Iverson, I'd think differently.

All you blokes who have made excellent points and I can see the logic now, with the Van Gundy and Patty Ewing connection.

Also, you are right, this current Rockets team is pretty mature. I doubt he'd have fit in when Stevie and Cat were around or on teams like the Griz.

It's an interesting area though. Look at Ron Mercer, who is apparently VERY religous. To the point of reading The Bible before games, isolating from his team mates. Even a mature team like the Spurs cut him with Popovich saying "let's put it this way.......he didn't mix well".

[TexasJedi]

Re: Did the Rockets really need Charlie Wards 'baggage'?

You can be a Christain, and a strong one at that, and still be a team player. David Robinson is a great example.

[TexasJedi]

Re: Did the Rockets really need Charlie Wards 'baggage'?

You can be a Christain, and a strong one at that, and still be a team player. David Robinson is a great example.

[23]

Re: Did the Rockets really need Charlie Wards 'baggage'?

Right. Religion has nothing to do with your basketball performance. Nothing at all. Mercer didnt do too well as far as his game.

[23]

Re: Did the Rockets really need Charlie Wards 'baggage'?

Right. Religion has nothing to do with your basketball performance. Nothing at all. Mercer didnt do too well as far as his game.

[sonofsiam]

Re: Did the Rockets really need Charlie Wards 'baggage'?

You can be a Christain, and a strong one at that, and still be a team player. David Robinson is a great example.

Absolutely. I wasn't inferring that.

I see Ward as an 'extreme' personality. That type, on any topic, tends not to fit well IMO.

[sonofsiam]

Re: Did the Rockets really need Charlie Wards 'baggage'?

You can be a Christain, and a strong one at that, and still be a team player. David Robinson is a great example.

Absolutely. I wasn't inferring that.

I see Ward as an 'extreme' personality. That type, on any topic, tends not to fit well IMO.