As evident when Yao goes down, we lack size in the frontcourt. Our wings (6-7, 6-8, 6-9) are just as big as the frontcourt players and in some cases even bigger (the PF/C Chuck Hayes is only 6'6"). Many Rocket fans feel the need to get a player with some size this summer to play in the frontcourt. Specifically, a backup 7-foot center is what many fans want. My question is what do we do with Chuck Hayes if we find a 7-footer? Landry is too valuable too not get minutes and Hayes has done a wonderful job on the defensive end of the game. One of these guys may be the odd man out. Do we keep Chuck Hayes as situational defensive specialist and package Landry in some deal for a McGrady replacement? If we do get the 7-footer, perhaps one who is a solid defender, then he may cover for some of Landry's defensive mistakes and protect the basket, which may lower the need for Chuck. As it stands right now, our PF/C are Yao Ming, Chuck Hayes, Joey Dorsey, Scola, Landry, and Brian Cook. I assume Brian Cook and Dorsey wouldn't play major roles next season and would be traded if they could have been.
He goes back to 3rd on the depth chart behind Scolandry. He'll be brought in for special situations where defense is the priority.
Yep. He wont see as many minutes as he has before, which wasnt many to begin with. He will come out when we are playing a pf that Scola/Landry cant guard.
I posted this in the Morey thread before I saw this one. I think it fits better here, since this addresses the Hayes situation (ultra short center backup). The following allows us to keep the Scolandry combo intact while looking for another PF/C to develop or keep on the bench for special situations. I was wondering if this trade would be worthwhile or even possible: sign and trade Artest to Atlanta for a signed and traded Zaza Pachulia and the rights to Josh Childress once they made the mandatory tender offer to keep his rights. Childress is rumored to want to come home, and he would be a solid G-SF for the Rockets. Pachulia obviously could play quality minutes as back up center to keep Yao rested. On the other hand, Artest would give the Hawks defense, toughness and scoring ability. If that many sign and trades is legal under NBA rules, this IMO would work well for both teams.
Hayes is a must if we want to contend. If we needed someone to stop an offensive 4/5 or a crucial stop at EOQ or EOG, he is the man.
I think Chuck Hayes, with the contract he's on, has great value. He's more valuable than some 7 foot stiff. If we do get a big guy who can score and legitimately play some backup center then I would rather move Landry.
Chuck Hayes is a good defender and all but he belongs in the Eastern Conference not the Western Conference.
It depends on how good the 7-footer is. Just because we add a 7-footer to the team, that doesn't mean he becomes the primary backup big against most teams.
You keep Chuck Hayes as a defensive specialist especially at what the rockets are paying him. Aldridge for Portland isn't going anywhere and that alone is an easy reason in keeping Hayes.
Did anybody see the epilogue sequence of Halo 3? That is what happens. Chuck Hayes is like Master Chief after he and Cortana are stuck on the broken spaceship on some far-off region of the galaxy with nothing to do. He goes back into hibernation and says "Wake me, when you need me" So Master Chuck goes back to the bench. Then we wake him and deploy him and he comes out and goes back to kicking the sh-t out of people on defense.
Chuck will go back to his role as 3rd string PF behind Scolandry. He does a great job with situational defensive matchups. Bringing in another 7 footer won't change that unless he's better at guarding guys like Aldrige and Gasol.
You get a player who plays backup C and PF when Scola is out of the game. Depth isn't a problem because you trade Landry in some sort of package to get that player. I'm down on Landry. He had a few great quarters in the playoffs but was invisible 75% of the time. I don't think that is going to change so I would rather use him to get a quality big man.
1.) The Hawks have Joe Johnson and Marvin Williams at the 2/3. I don't see them as the type of team that wants to take a gamble on Ron Artest, nor do I see them as the type of team that would throw the pile of money required to sign Artest. After all, they've got a much bigger need at point guard and trying to keep Bibby. Similarly, they'd need another backup big if they lose Zaza. 2.) You can't sign and trade free agent rights. They either do a sign and trade of Childress if he decides he wants to come back, or not. Hayes goes back to being a situational defender which is what he did this past year when everyone was healthy -- he comes in to slow down an opposing big who's torching us, and then leaves. I have doubts we land a 7 footer that actually cuts in to Trucky's minutes -- more likely someone to sit on the bench in case of injury, instead of Dorsey/Cook.
Funny how people still treat Chuck Hayes as a 6' 6" stiff. I'd say nothing happens to Chuck Hayes unless that 7-footer happens to actually be a good defender and rebounder. And that's why Morey said he isn't going to acquire a 7 footer just for the sake of acquiring a 7 footer -- Chuck Hayes is still better than most of the tall stiffs in this league (you can bet your hindquarters the Celtics right now are wishing they had Chuck Hayes instead of Mikki Moore for that semi finals series).
