we dont need a 3 pt shooter, just a solid shooter that can make a 15-20 footer consistently and finish at the rim. both harden and lin would be instantly better with a legit pnr/pnp player. any post play would be extra.
We have T-Jones and D-Mo. They are stretch fours. We don't need to sign an expensive one. Stretch fours open up the lane, it's good. If those two were better and played against the Thunder we had a chance.
I honestly don't think we need a stretch 4, at least not one that consistently extends to the 3pt range. Just having a 4 who can knock down and pass from the elbow would be more than enough to open up space. Our bigger problem is the lack of offensive production coming from our bigs. If either 4 or 5 can consistently catch and score, that alone will create spacing as defenders will be less willing to stray from the big man they are guarding to collapse on positions 1-3. All our scoring comes from PG, SG, and SF basically.
Nice post a1130, but I think a stretch 4 only adds to the amount of space our center can work with. Also, 28% from 3 isn't the end of the world. That's like shooting 42 percent FG%. Charles Barkley is in the hall of fame and he shot 26.6% from 3pt range. The 3pt opens up driving lanes.
Ideally you would like your 4 man or your 5 man to be able to operate in the high post at the very least. There are lots of ways a coach can manufacture space in an offensive set. Just look at the triangle offense, and the princeton sets as an example of what you can do with two bigs. However, what you do not want is a cluttered paint area with little to no movement. Its just that there are more ways than 1 to create space than just having a stretch 4. There are more ways than one way to skin a cat.
I have been reading clutchfans for over a decade and have never seen anyone use the skin a cat phrase. This moment calls for rep.
If you want to limit ISO's and long offensive dry spells, you need a stretch 4 or 5. It isn't just about having another 3 point shooter on the floor, it is about opening up the lane for two of the best 10-20 penetrators in the NBA (Harden/Lin). The Rockets offense would be DEADLY with a 5 that can finish off the P&R and a 4 that is a true stretch 4. A back to the basket, classic power forward will severely limit the guard play and coupled with Asik's stone hands, you will see the offense come to a stand still.
Well... what goes up will always eventually come down right? His weight got too much for his gravity defying ups and started generating its own significant gravitational pull... to food and the floor. ZING!
A couple of points..... the farther from the paint the shooter is, the less time defenders have to quickly adjust to penetration. That is why ideally you want someone with legitimate 3 point range. The other issue is that the Rockets do not value 15 foot shots, they would rather 3's from a value stand point. A 4 and/or 5 that can finish inside obviously is a huge help, but it is not enough.
I agree a stretch 4 isn't likely to be as useful to us as a well rounded Power Forward. Someone that can score in the post or take a decent shot away from it is better then a Forward that wants to be a perimeter player and probably doesn't have the talent for it outside a 30% jumper and not trying for rebounds.
We are not talking about starting Steve Novak at the 4. There is no reason they cannot be a suitable rebounder and hold their own inside.
I still consider an elbow 4 who can pass will be much better for us if we get Howard than keeping Asik intentionally and looking for a stretch 4. TBH, we already have so many spacers. We can use Parsons IMO as a stretch 4 if needed. An elbow 4 would still keep spacing while allowing us to initiate PnR or offense from the elbow position. That said, if we don't get Howard, I wouldn't mind a stretch 4 since we would be keeping the same offense.
I agree with OP, but I'll go even further. We don't even need a post player. Literally all we need is a guy that can grab rebounds and patrol the paint, without fouling everything that moves. Think about what a season Asik had, all without a reliable 4. If he gets just a little help from the 4...
