Secondary Playmaker

It's not the only one, its just the more likely one.

 

Point Guards are easier to find probably.

 

You say we need an upgrade at PG, and also a secondary playmaker. So why not get a better PG who can make plays? What other scenario are you trying to suggest?

 

1. A pg someone who can handle the ball & get sets started and score would be great.

2. But also a guy like Kevin Martin coming off the bench who can get you 15-20 a night, high 3pt% would be major. (trade papa and NY2nd for him would be great)
3. A pf who can knock down some shots help those playmakers while bringing some attention to them making defenses react will also help.

 

Whoever it is better help with our turnovers. That's a real problem. We need better passers on this team and I fugure a starting caliber PG,might help with that.

Harden is the best passer on the team followed by Josh Smith. That **** ain't right.

 

Morey was pushing hard for Melo, not Lowry. So yeah - PG isn't the only way to solve this puzzle.

 

It's not just for when Harden sits, but to play alongside him, especially in the 4Q. It leaves SF as the only other position but Ariza is too important to replace and Brewer has become maybe just as. Plus it took years and Morey went through a few prospects looking for a playmaking SF before landing Parsons. There just aren't many of them in the league.

 

should have done a Kyle lowry poster instead of a Carmelo Anthony one back in the summer then huh

 

Is Melo really a playmaker though? Sure ha can score, but playmaker? We really have to check the stats on that I'd be surprised.

 

There are only 3 positions on this team that where we can meaningfully improve. PG, SF, and PF.

"Playmaking" SFs and PFs cost at ton and are generally not available. There are lots of PGs that can fill that role, and the quantity of quality is there.

 

Stats? Morey has you guys thinking way too hard about everything, man. It's simple. Does Carmelo Anthony make plays? If you answered yes... he's a playmaker.

 

It's the same freaking thing, what kind of good PG doesnt make plays? That's the kind of PG the Rockets already have.

 

Anthony Davis and Demarcus Cousings are the top 2 "non-backcourt" scorers in the league. They are still assisted on 72% and 52% of their 2 point field goals, respectively.

Harden is assisted on 15% of his 2 point field goals. Even Klay Thompson is "only" assisted on 49% of his 2 point field goals (though 80% of 3 pointers).

What I'm getting at is that "big-men" that are prolific scorers aren't really "playmakers" anyway.

This doesn't even get into measuring playmaking with assists. Harden has had an ast % (estimate of percentage of a teammates field goals they assist while on the floor) of 25% or more every year with the Rockets... its 35% this year. Davis is at 8.6%, Cousins at 18%...even Hakeem never topped 18%. Noah was at 26% last year, which is amazing for a big. Gasol is steady in the high teens.

So when people say secondary playmaker, that's what they mean. Someone who is capable of creating for themselves or others at volume. In todays NBA, and heck, the NBAs of the past, that typically means "backcourt" players.

We're not replacing Harden. That leaves SF or PG. I don't see a SF option out there that fits the bill? Plus, despite his shooting slump, Ariza is more valuable, as a bigger player that can have more of an impact defensively given versatility.

Can we improve our bench? Sure. But it's not like Jamal Crawfords of the world are being given away. Brewer is about as close as you'll find to that - the "free" meaningful improvement. But even he isn't a "great" playmaker. He's done a lot better of the bench, as would be expected, but principally as an improved shooter and solid slasher. He's still being assisted on 63% of his two pointers and ALL of his 3 pointers as a Rocket.

So how are we going to find this "bench" playmaker, and what will we trade to acquire him?

The most likely targets are PGs... because, well, they're the most likely targets that fit the bill.

OP, are there some non-PGs that you have in mind?

 

Derek Fisher did not play for this Rockets team. Derek Fisher had Kobe, Shaq, Durant, and Westbrook. James Harden for three out of four games is the only person in double digits, thats a problem.

 

Ummm you assume that I value knowledge and facts because of Daryl Morey? You are telling way too much about yourself bud.