This isn't a dig but it doesn't sound like you've watched any Atlanta Hawks games this year. Horford provides all of those things and has extended his range to the 3 point line. The big risk with him is his history with injuries. But he is a realistic option considering he is a FA. Of all the big men, he's as good as a fit that the Rockets have a realistic chance of obtaining.
I only watched about 20 Hawks games this year. I saw a mediocre rebounder and defender in Horford. Not bad. But nowhere near as intimidating as Dwight down there. His rebounding percentages support what I see out there. Just another mediocre rebounding big. Doesn't dominate the glass. Doesn't have range enough to defend attackers coming from perimeter. Gets dunked on a lot. At least that's what I saw in the games I watched. Yes, he has improved from 3. And he's now more efficient with the 3 than the 18 footer. So he needs to continue that. But I don't see the defensive attributes of a stopper. And the numbers bear out that he's a mediocre rebounder.
Yeah, I'm not trying to be snide, but I honestly don't know what the Rockets' system is anymore. They're still looking for secondary offensive options and playmakers after Harden, and they've been making do without a defensive identity/philosophy all season. And maybe it will change in the playoffs, but in the regular season it's been unclear as to how much the team wants to or can rely on Howard. So, if Howard does leave after this season, I can see Morey going after the best big man available and starting from scratch. If Howard stays, personally I think Greg Monroe could work well with Howard and the Houston frontcourt. Just a gut feeling. But Monroe's contract makes it hard for me to see that happening.
If Harden is going to be the primary ball handler, a pick and pop guy is crucial. That guy would get so many open 17 ft shots, it would be like a layup. First things first, the new coach and his system has to be in place.
Greg Monroe is a plodder. A slow twitch, somewhat flat-footed player. Slightly better rebounder than Horford. But a significant downgrade on the boards and in the defensive paint than Howard. Not a good shooter. Won't get up and down the floor fast. Don't see us clogging our cap with him. That would be a significant downgrade to Dwight.
Agreed. A pick-and-pop guy would be great. But not at 18 feet. Gotta shoot the 3. Pick and pop at the 3 point line. But tell me what true centers are available that can do that? I say none. I personally believe Horford is a 4. While he has potential to be a great pick and pop big I don't see him being able to anchor the defensive paint and the boards. He may be able to move over to the 5 with the bench brigade and play about 10 minutes a game effectively there. But if you're going to run him out there with the starters as your defensive anchor he's simply not big enough not skilled enough defensively to carry the team. Frankly that's why Atlanta always comes up short in the playoffs. They always wind up undersized and overwhelmed on the interior. Al would be great playing the pick and pop 4 alongside a defensive anchor 5. But making him the defensive anchor has not worked out well for the Hawks.
Noel is interesting. Has the size, length, and athleticism. And he's been effective defensively. Definitely can get up and down. And we talked to Philly about him this season. But he's a very risky trade proposition because it's going to take assets to acquire him and up until now he has been a very low character guy. He's been running with the wrong crowd since high school and he lives on the edge. He has Larry Sanders fail potential. Frankly, without the character issues, this is the guy I would target as Dwights replacement. But the character issues keep cropping up. If I were a GM I wouldn't commit more than one asset in trade for him over the next few months to a year. No future picks. Maybe Dekker and DMo in a trade/sign-and-trade. And I'd have to think hard about even doing that.
1. We're simply not going to be able to outbid the Celtics and others for him. 2. I don't see how anybody could possibly believe Cousins is a fit in this current system when Dwight doesn't fit. Cousins requires a lot of touches. He posts up a lot. And He takes a lot of jumpers that are very inefficient shots. Not to mention his attitude sux on-court. Why in the world would anyone think Cousins fits this team and out system? Not to mention if we could get him we're going to have to cannibalize our draft picks going forward. Can you imagine what Cousins would do if he got 4 shots in a game? Can you imagine what Harden would do if Cousins started jacking like he does now in Sacramento? Cousins in this system makes zero sense.
You don't think the cesspool that is philly's collective team character has anything to do with his attitude? I'm willing to bet we'd see a downtick in childish behavior if he were to move here.
He was about to be a Rocket before the injury. I'm throwing shots this morning as we get ready for Phoenix mgmt, but don't look past Philly. Mr. "I'll Trash My Mansion To Make it into a TrapHouse" has been on Morey's radar for a bit. Pau and Taj aren't thrilled in the Chi, according to Mr. SMnell. Nice guy. Just some EARS I've heard. Also, Phoenix is cleaning house, and I know that for sure, obviously. TY Chan for the right price? We'll see. He likes it here, but age=desire to win. We need vets to help my favorite Capela My choice, if DM is going cheap: Mr. Bass. He has ties to Houston and wants to win. He gives you a punch at the four, with rebounding and is known to be a strong, always-in-shape, workhorse. Byron will tell you, even if his mediocre coaching a$$ can't play the right guys. Rockets in.....7
