Raptors only had ONE power forward before acquiring Ibaka. Pat is still going to be an important rotation piece for them.
If we get Memphis in the first round, Marc Gasol is going to make dog food out of Capela and we will have a difficult time winning that series. You are being totally unrealistic about where Capela is in his career progression and what is required of big men in the playoffs. Capela is nowhere close to being capable of holding us well enough that our offense can win us the series. Nowhere close.
Agreed Playoffs games a diferent. The arm get shorter, defenders plays harder and shooter miss more shots so rebounds counts playing strong in the paint counts with Capela and RA we have no chance poor Harden
You may be right. You also may be underestimating Capela. The last two games have been more indicative of the Capela we need. I hope we are not judging him by his immediate time back from the fracture. I give the coaching staff props in getting our guys ready each game of each series.....making the necessary adjustments in the playoffs. Quick story. I saw the Grizz destroying teams with the tandem of ZBo & Gasol. I picked them to beat a Spurs team in 13-14 playoffs. I felt Splitter would have trouble against either ZBo or Gasol. Duncan guarded Gasol. Pops fronted ZBo with a wing coming along the baseline. Nene on Gasol, Capela fronting ZBo. Grizz don't usually play both players together much nowadays. They start JaMychal Green (6'9" 222 lbs). My point is the coaching staff can adapt with a simple adjustment. I know what you are going to say. It's D'Antoni......not Pops. Lol. Got to have faith brother. Dekker vs JaMychal Green when on the court. Nene vs Gasol when on the court. I'm with you on Nerlens _hollic. Take care buddy.
I hear you. I'm not saying the Rockets don't have flaws (every team has flaws it seems). Times have changed from 14/15 season. Grizz got away from jumbo package of Gasol/ZBo last year. If they turn to that we will probably go small with Nene-Dekker. Every team will present different tweaking more or less. Not too long ago I asked Tha_dude & D-Rock if the Rockets can win a championship this season? My answer would be possibly. It would take a perfect storm of luck, health, & skill. Health of opposing teams factored in. Kevin Love knee injury would be an example. If something like Westbrook getting hurt vs Beverley in a playoff game. Anything can happen. Again, I hear you. I think Houston lacks a piece or two to take it to the big house. Some production off the bench to replace Brewer minutes would go a long way. Mr. Reliable (Duncan) isn't there any more to bail out the Spurs when they need to end a scoring drought by hitting that elbow bank shot. Will Kawhi produce when teams gear up to stop him exclusively? LMA can carry a team and shoot them out of a playoff game or 2, or 3. Pau numbers have been inconsistent this year. Simmons, Bertans, Dedmon, Murray are raw. The Warriors are not perfect either, but they are better balanced than everyone. I like these forums to play Internet GM. These few weeks leading up to the deadline are my favorite. After the deadline I fade away. Grade any moves the Rockets make. Then reappear close to free agency & draft time. Followed by preseason win-loss predictions. Thanks to all for patience with my long posts.
P.S. Fun little factoid: Kawhi Leonard in 13/14 was in his 3rd year had a PER of 19.4. Harrell in his 2nd year (this year) has a PER of 19.4. I know PER stat is not the tell all stat.....both had/have flaws. Ryno may be our weakest link in the playoffs from our starting lineup.
From our conversation last night. I could see the Rockets dealing KJ & 2nd rd pick x Dunleavy at the last minute followed by Brewer & (2) 2nd rd picks x Boban M. Possibly throwing in the rights to Gentile in one of the deals. Boban has a PER of like 24 according to ESPN trade checker. I know PER can be deceiving. Terrence Jones had a PER of 19 his second season & look what happened to him. Good talking to you about B-ball _holic.
Not sure if this is thread worthy...if anyone thinks so feel free to move this. Reegie Jackson and Drummond (more of a longshot for him but still...) are available per Lowe. http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/18686427/zach-lowe-andre-drummond-reggie-jackson-detroit-pistons
http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=hrccs9e Add a few draft picks and we have a 4th guard and another 3 and D wing. Then we sign a PF/C. (Pipe Dream)
a more glaring need is the 3. i think a 3 will bolster this offense greatly. we saw it with brewer in his first year here. i would love someone like wilson chandler here, but i think denver is making a surge for possibly the 8th seed? don't know if they'd be on board with our scraps. while rebounding may be a concern, i think harrell can alleviate some of the burden on clint/nene
Would be interested in Jackson, but his contract is bad for a backup PG, Chalmers would make much more sense (plus Chalmers is a better shooter). His main skill is getting into the paint to pass, subpar finisher at the rim. Not a great shooter. Interest level low, unless he's coming as part of a deal for Barton/Chandler/Gallo
@DonKnock personally i'm not sold on Reggie, he does have talent and he can score, but he's not really a pg, he doesn't make good decision with the ball, his shot selection is kinda meh and he's not exactly a positive presence in a lockeroom...i mean, he's one of the reasons why the Pistons are not working at all...tbh i don't really see him work with James, he would be great off the bench but i'm not sure he's willin to do that at this point of his career. Overall yeah, give Chalmers at a minimum salary every day over Jackson.
http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=zftjhrq http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=jkldjbg Add Lou Williams and Tim Frazier Lose KJ/Dekker/Ennis/Onuaku Harden/Frazier PatBev/Gordon Ariza/Williams/Brewer Anderson/Harrell Capela/Nene
http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=hh9ondg Maybe a first round pick or 2 2nd rounders Then sign Larry Sanders with the open roster spot
