12 active players: James / Alston / Brooks McGrady / Wells / Snyder Battier / Wells / Snyder Scola / Hayes / Landry Yao / Butler The question marks here are Snyder, Butler and Landry. Snyder is an animal and while his game is very similar to Bonzi, he can impact the game if he comes in and plays hard defense/slashes to the basket. Head and Novak are one-dimensional and with shooters like James, Brooks, McGrady and Battier already on the roster they become expendable. Atleast $3.5-$4.5 of our MLE will be taken up signing Scola, so that pretty much ends our FA bidding. Which is a good thing considering the weak FA class and inflated market value. The acquisition of Landry/Butler IMO spells the end of Mutombo and Tsakalidis as Rockets, both of whom were much more suited to playing in a half court offense. I don't see them as Adelman players. So now we can only bring in players via trade, the odd ones out being: John Lucas Bob Sura Luther Head Justin Reed Carl Landry Steve Novak The Rockets are likely to be patient with Landry and Novak and let them warm the bench for most of the season, but it will be interesting to see what our package of Head+Sura+Lucas can bring in.
After watching Harris in these first two summer league games I would love to see them find some place for him on the roster. He's a hustler. And what about Deke?
We still need a veteran starting PF ... I don't think that's Scola ... glad we got him, similar to if we'd have gotten Amir Johnson, but I doubt he's ready to start in the NBA. It takes all Euros transition time.
Of the three you mentioned who're "on the edge", I would take Butler over Landry. That's just me though, since I always prefer size at a front forward spot. Plus I believe Butler to be more athletic and agile, and a better scorer. He has loads of potential, as does Landry, but again, the height does it for me. I think Reed, Sura, Lucas and Head are all goners. None will be in a Rox uniform next year. I've always liked Snyder, strictly from a toughness and athletic standpoint. He can become a very good defender, and I like his aggressiveness. We don't have very many tough, physical players, particularly at the wing, so I think he's a keeper if he keeps his head straight and develops. I would still like a Joe Smith, or a vet in that aspect, on this team. Scola, Butler, and Landy are all young and unseasoned, and I'm sure Smith would bring a great amount of leadership. I also think he'd complement Yao better than either Landry or Scola would for the immediate future.
I want to see Harris replacing Snyder on the roster. Feigan says the Rockets still plan on signing Deke even after this trade.
Who can we sign for $1 million and $1.2 million respectively that can enhance this roster? Houston is done with the 2007 FA class. Scola is our man. He's almost 27 and has been around. I think he'll need to adjust to the Adelman offense but in terms of the playing in the NBA -- not as big a problem considering his body type and mindset.
Sherlock,I respectfully disagree with you. I don't think there is a good starting veteran PF who will be available for us,only old ones.I think the Rockets should go for Matt Barnes who can be a good 3/4/2 type player if we have the MLE available. Barnes and Hayes might be able to make things a little easier for Scola instead of an older veteran.
You're right, the Rox don't need a shooter like Head since they have Alston, who wil really shine without Head stealing all of his shots.....
If Alston is kept it won't be for his shooting. He has great handles and does a decent job at the running the pick and roll. That's all you want in a backup PG.
i already like our team, but FA has only just begun. also, i'm tried of everyone saying james is our starter. alston was the starter last year and until further notice still is.
If Alston is kept and he plays he will be doubled off of as usual and still be won't be able to hit a layup. But anyway, are you saying Alston is "all the rockets need at backup PG?" Well then let me put you on notice: He's not.
Obviously SG. As much of a Head fan as I am, SG is the biggest depth need. I hope Snyder's back, but I'd like a proven commodity, too. And if you mention Bonzi in response to this post, I will know that you didn't watch at all last year.
If it was up to me Brooks would be coming off the bench over Rafer. But I don't see many teams being interested in Rafer, so we'll be stuck with him and seniority puts him over Brooks on the depth chart.
now if somehow we could engineer an Alston/Sura for Cook trade I think we'd be all set... The players who will most likely be on the roster: C Ming, Mutumbo PF Scola, Landry SF Battier, SG McGrady, Wells, Snyder PG James, Brooks that leaves 2 spots open - one of which would HAVE to go to a big, leaving a 'PG' slow open. I think there's no danger in having a Luther Head guy on the team - who doesn't want a flat out shooter to stick with the team? Sure if the right trade comes along, take it, but what harm is there in having a 'spacer' on the roster? As for the '3' spot, McGrady, Wells and Snyder can all slide there without a problem. And for that reason I'd seriously trade for Cook if the Lakers would do it! They get a point, we get a backup PF who can shoot, everybody is happy. You keep Harris, Butler and Reed under contract, send them to the NBDL and call on them when injury strikes. (it's a 15 man roster with no IL right?) Yee-Haw