Rockets have enough 4's with Ryno, Trez, Dekker and Wiltjer. Rockets need a Lebron stopper, a Durant blanket, a versatile player that defend or play positions 1-5, depending on matchup from post to the perimeter. Aaron Gordon not only fills this need but is crazy athletic, long, tenacious and most importantly, young and still 2 years left on rook contract. He can PnR with Harden, facilitate for short periods, block shots, get steals, switch on D like a madman and run N jump like there's no tomorrow. Championship Winning Roster: Beard / Splash Bev / Jimmer Ariza / AGordon Ryno / Trez / Smoove Noel / Clint / Nene
Doesnt matter how the fans feel. What matters is how the guys in the locker room feel. If they'll accept him and welcome him in then great. Still not sure morey and Cuban deal with each other. But hey, obstacles are meant to end overcome right?
Like him too, Chandler has really improved his shot and ball handling but still not quite the ball handler or lockdown defender that AGordon is. He's also 29 now, Gordon is 21. Aminu is another good one.
@D-rock I feel like you get much bias from flash and athleticism. You seem to rave in potential, whichisn't necessarily a bad thing. But nothing I've seen screams what you described. He is still on rook scale contract and does have the potential to get better. But he doesn't block shots or get steals at any type of impressive rate at all. He's not a very good rebounded given his size and athleticism. He's not efficient at all including being a bad 3pt shooter. Now sure I wouldn't mind him and see if he's can continue tomorrow. Taking a flyer on him is definitely a morey type move, but he's not the missing piece to a championship.
His freakish athletic potential is intriguing but that is not the primary reason why I am advocating for him. His best stats are hidden, think Battier. AGordon is a very disciplined and effective defender, especially against SF position. AGordon makes the best player on the other team work like a mofo, using his length, work ethic & athleticism. http://www.nba.com/magic/news/aaron-gordon/film-room-defense-impressive-early-cohen-20161030/ http://www.nba.com/magic/video/teams/magic/2016/09/20/1474378617855-gordon6092016-787312/ http://www.nba.com/magic/news/gordon-will-be-challenged-guarding-durant/ He's also improved this season as a 3 point shooter, nevertheless I do not believe he's the missing piece to a championship just an important role player if we want to maintain that level of play going into the future. Even if AGordon never improves to his max potential, Rockets still need role players willing to do the dirty work like defending the Lebrons, Griffins or Durants. Just as importantly he's only 21 with 2 years left on his rookie contract. Ariza is much older and may not even be re-signed. Beard-Splash-Ryno do not need more offensive minded players around them, they need more complementary D minded players.
Rockets should keep existing team members and add one more 20 plus shooter, rockets can win the champion. Eg. Cousion, Dwade, Chris paul, Randolph, Antonio Davis etc
I wouldn't so blithely toss Dekker into a trade, especially for a player who can walk at season's end.
Buy low / good fit candidates, imo: Atl: Korver, Thabo, Splitter, Scott Chi: Felicio Mil: Henson Phi: Noel Dal: Bogut Den: Gallinari, Chandler, Nurkic Min: Muhammad Phx: Chandler, Tucker, Len Pdx: Plumlee Sac: Koufos
As per sig, I'll take one Noel and one Gallinari. Lol I dont think my sig carried over, anyways... Beverley/Gordon/Harden good guard rotation. Ariza/Gallo good wings that can stroke the 3. Anderson/Dekker 4s that stroke the 3. Noel/Capela very similar players. After watching Harrell play, I think a change of pace is nice but I'd rather run a well polished machine for 48 minutes.
I figure any deal we do will be a small one. Here's a few I could see: KJ McDaniels to Brooklyn for Justin Hamilton. A three way where KJ goes to Denver and Ennis goes to Miami, Dragic to Denver, Farid to Miami, and Udonis Haslem here. Brewer (or KJ and ennis) and a secound rounder or two, for al-faroq aminu.
Larry Bird is all about adding high character players to his teams evidently. I wonder if Paul George was ever ready to leave if he would accept a package of Ryan Anderson, Sam Dekker and a future 1st for him? Does that sound like a Bird type move to y'all? Would losing Anderson and Dekker and adding Paul George bump us up to that next level or would it kill the spacing we have currently with Anderson in the starting lineup? Thoughts?
