Why it needs to be Mobley...

Defense matters is a dumb mantra. I’m not saying that to be rude. I’m just saying that because it’s like saying dribbling matters. Or being able to run matters.

yes defense matters. Offense also matters.

the team won 17 games last year.

taking fit - because the Rockets suck defensively right now - over beat player available and best potential long term player seems like a waste of a pick.

 

Yeah I literally just noted this in my last post. It might all be 1,000% true and there’s nothing to worry about.

but there’s smoke. The fact that the article exists is even some smoke.

ain’t no one writing articles about the other here that can be summarized as “dont mistake this dudes lack of enthusiasm for not liking basketball that much”.

at a minimum… this is something the Rockets need to investigate A TON.

If you look at the relatively cursed history of the #2 picks in recent years there’s a lot of (1) obvious key missing skill sets (often shooting… or defense), or (2) lack of want to for whatever reason (Beasley had it too easy got that bag and didn’t put in the work for example).

it’s somewhat concerning that both of the above can apply to one of the choices - Green defensively, Mobley potential on the second one.

lots of debate/discussion by me on this topic hopefully is all moot. Give me Cade lol.

 

Meh, let's draft Green and see if we can hit 140 defensive rating with them on the court together.

 

Best potential long term player is Mobley.

Unicorn is not thrown around for just any player, which I've been trying to explain to @ApacheWarrior .

And DEFENSE always matters.

Dribbling is a skill, DEFENSE is a mindset.

Rockets do not lack offense, especially with an offensive minded coach and coaching staff.

But they are horrid on defense. And will be worse next season by adding another starter/key player who doesnt prioritize defense.

Mobley on the other hand is a true 2 way player and will impact on both ends of the court.

Facts.

 

offense always matters. Just like defense.

idgaf what the Rockets currently have or lack.

best player available is all that matters.

All debate should be centered on that.

Age and injury history etc being equal who wound you choose first. Steph or Harden or AD?

 

Agreed, and that's why it should be Mobley if he's not drafted first overall and Cade if Mobley is picked first overall. There's really not much to discuss honestly.

 

Your scenario makes no discernible sense, are you implying that Mobley is AD, Cade is Harden and Green is Steph?

Not to be rude, but that is a laughable comparison.

Just to play along, Rockets already have their Harden comp in Porter so the BEST complement for Harden is AD and NOT Steph.

Steph is crap on defense.

And yes, offense AND defense matters.

So choose the player who plays BOTH and has the highest upside to boot.

 

I'm strongly leaning towards Mobley based on everything I've read about him. He's 7 feet and seems like he will be effective both defensively and offensively. Also, he seems to have good character and can be a true leader. I hope the Rockets make the right move and pick Mobley.

 

im cool if thats your conclusion. I disagree … but definitely dont think fit should matter

 

no I’m saying Steph and Harden are bad defensively. Which they are. But are great offensively.

AD is really really good offensively and defensively.

if Greens peak is a great offensive and bad defensive player he’d be like Steph and Harden.

if Mobleys peak is AD, he’d be amazingly good offensively and defensively.

Any of them reaching these peaks is laughable at the moment … in the sense that those are first ballet HOFers.

so which wound you choose first?

 

...Because it will save me $1000 around here

 

Unrealistic scenario because your parameters preclude age, injury history, etc.

But based on THOSE parameters - how can the choice NOT be AD or Harden.

Harden at least can switch AND is an elite post defender.

Again, Steph sucks on defense.

Defense is critical in postseason.

Remember how Lakers shut down Rockets in the paint to knock us out during bubble playoffs?

AD was their best player in that series, not even close.

 

IMO fit only matters when it comes to breaking ties.

That said, pointing out that a player is a traffic cone on defense isn't talking about fit, that goes towards who is the better player. I'd argue a two way PF/C is inherently better than a one way traditional SG.

 

Tillman will save money picking Mobley in the long run.. Bigs won't be getting super maxes in 2025..

 

It's a matter of opinion. You are probably impressed when a player destroys highschool
kids as well.

I need to see your guy vs NBA quality players, and not being hidden in a zone defense
unless the intent is to play zone defense (which I still like Bassey better anchoring the middle).

These tissue paper centers seem to end up as paper tigers. Brook Lopez, Ayton, are proving, you
better have some muscle on your roster or it will be Bar-Ba-Que chicken time most of
the game for the opposition.

Again I'm you of the first to advocate for thin Small-Ball Centers (but with a big Big on the roster).
Now I see things trending back to the Big Big.....as long as they can shoot 3's.

Players like Capela, Gafford and Bassey types will get pushed around; but at least they
have a fighting chance. Paper Tiger Mobley will be at their mercy. Just fouling them
as they pin him under the basket. Resulting in foul trouble every game.

 

When everyone you see is a Unicorn, then that's no longer good basketball analysis - that's too many mushrooms.

LOL

Anyway, I think you're starting to take this way too personally big guy.

You can only play who you play.

So yes, Mobley dominating the teams he played against is a good thing.

That's not West Coast bias, that's reality.

And FYI - Jalen Green is from California too.

 

Yes, but he is known as Philippines.....if he when to a West Coast college
he would be hyped beyond belief. Greater than Cade.

Here is Brook. I've noted before that the facilitator keeps his dribble alive to
the baseline drawing the center (defender) off of that high PnR action.
The big dives to the rim with full momentum from the 3'pt line. Mobley
will make a business decision and bail out......not wanting his arm broken
with the rim. This is today's post up.....but higher efficiency.

Note Brook doing this in clip 3 and 4. Bobby Portia at 240 pounds also
crushing the Hawks.

 

Kid is from Merced.

Just because he's pinoy makes no never mind.

 

We shall agree that we disagree.

3 to 4 years from now I will either be saying I'm willing to eat crow because of Mobley
or
I told you so. What in the world made you think Mobley could keep guys like Embiid,
Jokic, Valanciunas, Vuc, Brook Lopez, Ayton, Kanter, KAT, Nurkic, Capela, AD,
Julius Randall, Zion, and others in the league or coming up, out of the paint?

Giving up 60 pounds to some centers. I weigh 190 lbs....nobody who weighs 130
is keeping me out of the paint.

 

Good thing I weigh 220 then.