Asik and Howard can't shoot so if one guys playing in the post you are playing 4 vs 5 on offense. If we get Howard asik is gone. Even at his worst DH is better than asik at his best.
(on a side note, i just happened to take this pic during tonight's game. can we please take it out of the lineup intro video....it's creepy as hell)
I like Howard at the 4 and all, but he's too slow on defense and Omer will have to learn to shoot the three.
I think the word "assets" should be left to management and analysts. It just don't sound right comin from fans. Or maybe just rename last night to "Consumer Appreciation Night". Yeah, actually I like that better
In this fantasy sports/nba trade machine generation its to be expected. It keeps the basketball-less Summers interesting, and keeps people coming to fansites like Clutchfans. The Rockets are sort of the dream team of that generation as well based on the large amount of moves the front office makes, and the ability they have to add suspense every draft day, and trade deadline. However, with Omer, I dont really see too many situations where the Rockets can afford to even look at him as a piece to trade for a star player unless that star is someone like Dwight Howard(unlikely) or a super-star like Lebron, Durant, etc. (no freakin way). Even though Harden is the superstar on this team, Omer is the straw that stirs the drink with Parsons coming up slightly behind Omer. However, Parsons' production can be replaced if you are willing to pay a bit to get one of those solid SF's. Omer's are a raritie in this league, and almost never replaceable. There are very few players in the league I would trade Omer for.... but yes he is probably the 2nd best asset(MVP/whatever) on this team, and has the 3rd best "value" contract behind Harden, and Parsons.
totally agree. You know what you get from Asik every single day. And considering our age and experience levels, we can only continue to develop. What is the point of rebuilding the team every year anyway?
Howard's not coming. i think the question is who would your rather have, Asik or Pekovick? ...since he's a free agent and we could realistically make a play for him.
I also wholeheartedly agree with CisBuds post. Howard probably projects to give us 6 more points and one less rebound than Asik, but it's unlikely that that translates into 6 more points for the Rockets as a whole. As to who is better defensively and by how much over the next three years or so, I don't have a clue. I don't even know if it's either/or, maybe they could be an effective twin towers. But, through our travail of the last six years - Asik has proven to be the answer at starting center (or at least a very good answer.) Replacing him doesn't seem like the place to start. I liked CisBud's "flipping players like burgers'' comment. The biggest thing that separates us from teams like Memphis or San Antonio when one of their stars is out is our lack of continuity. Their core players know where their teammates are practically all the time without looking, they're so used to each other. When one leaps out to challenge a shooter or if one gambles for a steal, there's already a teammate who has started to move to cover for him and another teammate that is moving to cover for the cover guy and it's so smooth. We always start out the season years behind other teams in terms of team play and even chemistry, then months later we start over, then the next season we start over again. Can't build anything that way.
Asik and it's not even close. Asik is playing way above his contract. Can't say that about Pekovic when he gets his 'market value' contract as a FA.
Im actually very intrigued with this years group of free agents, and some teams are really going to get some great bargains out there. The Pekovic contract most likely being one of them. Some teams are going to put a bid out there for him, but I dont think its going to be much more if not less what Omer got last Summer even with a more impressive resume going into free agency. The few teams that have cap space are going to go - -CP3 X -Howard X -Josh Smith -Igoudala (if he opts out) -Jefferson -West -Millsap -Jennings -Bynum(teams will still pursue) -Ginobili(wouldn't be shocked if the Spurs risk losing him to another team like Dallas or Atlanta over-paying) Then after that its between these guys to try and get a high dollar contract from a team that struck out on the above mentioned. -T. Evans -Pekovic -Splitter -Kevin Martin -M. Ellis (if he opts out) Teams that can offer up to and over 10 mil a year to a free agent- -Philly -Clippers(before resigning CP3) -San Antonio(before resigning Ginobili) -Dallas -Cleveland -Detroit -Atlanta -Indiana (before resigning West) -Utah -New Orleans -Milwaukee -Charlotte -Sacramento -Houston So essentially, for Pekovic to get a 10+ mil contract, If you look at salary cap, and need its almost certainly going to need to come from a deadbeat team like Charlotte, or if a team like Dallas Philly, & Atlanta strike out in other free agency situations. Even then, most of those teams have smart enough front office staff to realize the market for Pek really only comes down to a few teams and NOT offer someone like Pek that much money in this new CBA when they dont have to. Most likely I think Minnesota gets Pek back for the cheap when they get to match an offer from a team looking to get him on a value contract. Possibly 5 to 8 mil a year for 4 years.
I'm a big Asik supporter. Dude is a beast on the defensive glass. I'm not exaggerating when I say he's one of the most gifted defensive rebounders I've ever watched play the game. His hands are like glue which is funny because on offense he doesn't show the same sure hands. In my opinion in terms of importance to the team 1.Harden 2a. Asik 2b. Parsons Lin will be a free agent the same year as Asik so if we have to choice between are anchor down low and an average PG I'm sure you know where morey spends the money. I'm in the camp of developing our current crop of players.
Forgot to mention Parsons also will be an unrestricted free agent the same Summer as well. The Rockets will own their bird rights, and technically could resign all of them. Might put the team in lux tax hell if any of the 3 get a max offer, especially if they have Harden at the max, & another close if not max player. If the Rockets resigned Lin, Asik, and Parsons their payroll with just those 5 players would be somewhere between 58 and 62 million. If the Rockets strike out on another all-star level player to pair with Harden they should be able to resign Lin, Asik, & Parsons if they wish to. More than likely though, if the Rockets are trading for another all-star player, its going to be difficult to get the deal done without involving at least one of this trio both from an asset standpoint, and to make salaries match.
All I know is Wednesday night is going to be interesting watching Asik battle Dwight (and Pau) now that Kobe is gone.
