Ariza is who he is. From the "eye test" Ariza has been a declining defender for a while now. I think he's still above average, but he's nowhere near the sure thing he once was. On offense, he has and always will be streaky. Nothing to be done there. I defended Brewer early on in the season because he seemingly turned it around. He hasn't. Our momentum goes to absolute **** when he breaks plays. We need some serious help. I thought it was just tired legs, but it's proven a bigger issue than that. If I'm Morey, I'm on the phone doing everything within reason to get Wilson Chandler.
Regardless of what happens this season, Gordon Hayward has to be Morey's #1 target unless Durant shocks Golden State and opts out.
Improving over brewer should be easy, but honestly getting the production we need at that spot is going to be extremely difficult
basically, every time i see Ariza drive for a layup i know he will miss. Also if Ariza gets the ball on a fats break it will be a slow break with his bad foot speed. 3rd Ariza cannot pass worth crap! Him and Beverlys defense is overrated. More Beverley than Ariza.
The Rockets need to play hard in the playoffs, and get to the conference finals. That will attract Gordon Hayward over the Jazz. But it won't happen.
Why would Hayward leave a team where he's the franchise player to join us for less money? Only chance he leaves is if he wants to reunite with Brad Stevens in Boston.
We need a true 2-way small forward or this team is going to go nowhere fast. This is the same classic problem as always. Ariza is played too much. Ariza and Bev are both streaky players. Thus, there comes a point where our line-up just sucks. Apparently Gordon has regressed (likely due to injury) and for the reasons just mentioned, in games where Dekker provides nothing, were screwed. Wilson Chandler or bust. I agree on focusing on Hayward this summer, but there's no chance we get him. That would be "kicking the can" as they say.
Yeah, I would like Trevor to be delegated to the bench and have him replaced with a playmaking/scoring 3. Also, I'd like to see if we can move Capela to the bench as well and get a legitimate rim protecting center. You know, I called out Clint before and early in the season that he wasn't the rim protecting center we needed. Then he proceeded to shut me up and played great ball. I'm so mixed up on Clint right now. He's just too young. Too prone to mistakes. We had no reason to blow that lead. Kind of crazy, but that thing just happens. It just ended up happening to us at a bad moment, and a lot of the pre-existing flaws some of us may have noticed just shined brightly in this game. And before anyone says anything. TMJ wasn't Harden's man.
Ariza needs to play fewer minutes, his game has gone completely off the rails. Just hope it's due to fatigue and not injury. Need to rest Gordon too for a week because he's no good to us gimpy. And Rockets desperately need a true stopper on D and a 5 that can truly protect the rim, whether that's Ibaka or Noel. A trade needs, must, happen. Capela is okay but there's not enough nasty in his game. Opposing Players need to think twice or more before braving the paint. Then sign Lance Stephenson for perimeter D, playmaking and scoring until Gordon and Ariza are next to 100%. Stephenson also provides an intimidation factor that is sorely missing when they inexplicably sit Harrell for entire game when Brewer, Dekker, Nene are giving jack on offense or defense. Sign Gabe York for another 3 point specialist (Jimmer Fredette?) who can also handle/dish and take it to the cup with authority
I like most of the ideas people are tossing around for obtainable guys. But ---- not Lance Stephenson. He is the SF edition of Javale McGee. Our team was stupid enough in the 4th quarter tonight. We need to move the smart needle the other way.
Not Lance Stephenson or someone like Jamaal Franklin who averaged triple double in 2016 and nearly a triple double in 2017. Only problem is that Franklin did this in China. But Wilson Chandler also played in China.
This team needs big changes at all levels. It is incredible that we repeat the same mistakes year after year.
Jamaal Franklin - 6'6 195 25 yrs old 7'0 wingspan and athleticism allow him to finish strong at rim, prolific rebounder, shot blocker, attack passing lanes and just an overall hound on D. Plus he is very good ball handler and deft/willing passer who creates for himself and others, especially on PNR and fast breaks. Gets to the line regularly as well. Good young prospect with great attitude and the physical tools to do very well in D'Antoni's system.
It's becoming clear Ariza is about to be one of those guys who needs nights off. We have ran him into the ground the past 3 years. Should be able to take a smaller role and we get a decent 3 in this b****
Finally a thread that focuses on the small forward position! This position has been the weakest since early last year but most peeps seem to focus so much more on the center position which has more upside offensively at least. Ariza is overrated and has zero offensive and playmaking game. He is a below average spot up 3 pointer the past two years. His defense is average at best. He is a second unit player at this point in his career. Brewer is.... no need to waste key strokes on this guy Rockets need at least a consistent 37% or more three point shooter and an above average defender. He also needs to be able to create his own shot, close to an all-star level player.
are you guys fkn serious? you play a role player superstar minutes and u expect him to play 100% every game? he should be a low 30s/high 20s minute per game guy. he's a mid 30s minutes per game guy. there are better options than overplaying him for a 3rd straight year btw, but they wotn do it. i dont get why a lot of you dont understand this.
