Houston Chronicle : Rockets' priority is backcourt

last season we lack of shooters so we trade lots of shooters! Next season we lack of big mans , how to do??

 

Well, think of the bright side, Rox still have two valuable assets can be used. Maybe next year is the time. Land another Lottery pick, pick Greg Oden, trade away Yao for a bruiser. Damn, I am smart.

 

The key thing about the backcourt is that we find a guard that can create his own shot, and be our third scoring option. I’m still not sure if Mike James can be that guy, but he’s pretty much the only option now that the draft is over. Assuming the Rockets sign Mike James (which is still a pretty big assumption), they seem to have 4/5th of their starting lineup in place.

At the shooting guard spot, we’ve got to find someone with the physical attributes to chase down all of the quick and athletic wingmen of the NBA. I know some of you were hoping Battier would be that guy, but he’s not. Based on that article, I think it’s pretty clear that the Rockets plan on using him as a full time front court player (primarily a 4).

I would target someone like Travis Outlaw or Trevor Ariza with the trade exception. They have the athleticism, speed, quickness, and length to be our defensive stopper on the perimeter. I could see either one of them being what DeSagana Diop is to the Dallas Mavericks. Players that don’t offer a ton on the offensive end, but provide the team with the youth, exuberance, and athleticism that it sorely lacks. We’ve got to have someone like that in the starting lineup. A lineup with a bunch of slow veteran players that try to win using their ‘smarts’ and ‘intangibles’ is just not going to cut it.

 

New Jack, I agree. Someone to "break down the defense" is important. We need penetrators. James can do that, PLUS he can hit the 3. He clearly is the best option available with the MLE right now. No question the best value.

We do still need a 2/3 with length, I agree. But I am not sure we can get it with the 4.2 TE. I dont think Outlaw is available for that and dont see Ariza as the answer.

We dont have a whole lot of assets to get that 2/3 so it will be tough.
Howard/Head/Alston/2007 1st round pick. That's about it.

 

I noticed they mentioned Matt Barnes of Sacramento in the article as a possible trade target. I think he would be a solid addition. He seems like he will be a good player with his length athleticism and defense. I don't know if his ugly shot will ever improve but he stepped up big for them in the playoffs. I think he would be a good addition .

 

The Rockets are slow - by that I mean the manegement - reactionary. I can't really see systematic team-building here. They made the mistake of trading away MJ last time. If they sign Padget at this point of time, it will be another mistake.

 

sign Q-Woods 500M/3y to play 2, good defender, athlete.

 

I really wouldn't mind that. If his head is screwed on straight, he could really be a terrific perimeter defender and add much needed athleticism to a the backcourt.

 

I like Ariza..and I liked Padgett, but we don't need him now.

 

Since Toronto traded away Villanueva for TJ Ford, maybe a sign and trade involving Mike James and Juwan Howard is in the works? This would make those JHo trade rumors no fluke. When in PHX, Colangelo traded for a 4 who's game involves knocking down the mid ranged shot, Kurt Thomas. Juwan has that game as well. Could this work or am I way off base?

BTW...Colangelo is a GREAT GM, TJ Ford will help that team a lot. If only he could see defensive talent.

 

Bosh and Bargnani can shoot from the outside. They don't need a slow JH. Kurt Thomas provides the Suns with defense something which JH isn't good at.

 

The Rockets' priority should be a new coach. JVG's player evaluations suck; this is why he loves to bring in so many of those old Knicks -- because he is scared to rely on his own judgement. And for good reason too, because when he had to use his judgement, he screwed up frequently; see Posey, Padgett, Hayes. Each time JVG gives up on another player, it costs us in many ways: we lose a year in that position, and we usually take a hit in the salary cap (see Ward). Our cupboard is so empty this year at least partly because of the constant turnover of players. How can we possibly build a championship team with such a clueless and wasteful coach?

 

Let's see...we're trying to bring back the guy we traded away who would have helped us more by keeping him in the first place but now we cannot afford him. Okay. That worked out.

 

You know what's ridiculous? I'm vegan because I'm a staunch believer in animal rights and yet I'm ready to advocate signing Qyntel Woods. I'm such a hypocrite when it comes to the Rockets.

"What? He eats children and is a member of Al Qaeda?....hmmm... but he can play d, create his own shot and hit the open jumper? Sign him."

 

Guys Juwan Howard is not going to be traded. Van Gundy likes and wants him on this team. Howard and Chuck Hayes ARE GOING TO BE THE ROCKETS PF'S next season. PLAIN AND SIMPLE!!!!

 

It looks like more of Howard and Battier at the PF. If Hayes sees significant minutes in a non-blowout, we're in trouble.

I think Battier alternating between the 3 and 4 plays to his strengths and will help the team out a lot in the West, where 4's tend to stretch the floor.

 

I wouldn't be surprised if Battier starts at the 4 for us next season, and backs TMAC up at the 3.

Do we have plans to resign Bogans, I like his overall game, I just wish he could knock down the 3 better.

 

I would love to get either ariza or woods with the te if we get mj those guys would give us ridicoulous depth in the backcourt! I mean like dallas esc with alston,james,head,tmac,battier,ariza/woods thats crazy it also gives you the ability to have some trade bait if you needed to add someone around the trade deadline! I would much rather have ariza just because of those young legs and better head on his shoulders!

 

I think if we sign Mike James, then we are pretty much set with a good spread of minutes.

Ideal Game Minutes:

Alston(28mins)/James(20mins)
T-Mac(25mins)/James(15mins)/Head(8mins)
Battier(25mins)/T-Mac(15mins)/Novak(8mins)
Howard(15mins)/Hayes(20mins)/Battier(13mins)
Yao(35mins)/Mutombo(13mins)

This gives the following minutes to players:
T-Mac: 40
Battier: 38
Yao: 35
James: 35
Alston: 28
Hayes: 20
Howard: 15
Mutombo: 13
Head: 8
Novak: 8


For depth we could sign Darius Washington as the 3rd PG or Wesley to play backup PG/SG. Pick up Bogans or another cheap FA to backup SG/SF. Get a banger to play backup PF/C minutes (Cato?).

That would give us 13 players. Rybo will probably pick up his player option. That would be 14 players. I would leave the 15th spot open for flexibility if we have an injury.

There have been rumors of Darius Miles for Juwan Howard, with other players possibly thrown in. I would much rather have Miles than Howard if JVG (or Battier) can convince him to be a good citizen.

Get it done Rockets Management! What do you guys think?