I would say the playoffs have shown that having two way bigs are the most important thing. Until Harden starts playing defense which in turn will lead to the team caring about defense, the Rockets are going nowhere. THis might shock some people but defense is half the game.
The Lakers won multiple championships with Kobe not giving a crap about defense. He would take almost every possession off then occasionally at the end of the game suddenly play hard, the same exact thing Harden does right now. Perimeter defense just isn't nearly as important as perimeter offense. Interior defense yes, is extremely important. We do already have Asik for that and maybe we will soon have Dwight and/or Josh Smith as well.
Paul George isn't a superstar, but he can very easily develop into one. In fact, I think that within 2 years, George will be considered better than Harden. The only thing he's missing is ball-handling skills. In that respect, he reminds me of Kevin Durant prior to this season, and look at how much Durant's overall game improved as a result of his improved ball-handling. How exactly is Miami injured right now? Are you forgetting that Granger isn't playing?
Paul George is like the opposite of Durant. Durant was a bad defender, but he could shoot. George isn't a great shooter.
He's not the shooter that Durant is, but he's well above average, and most importantly, he has a good shooting form. However, that wasn't my point. I was talking about how Durant's overall game improved dramatically as a result of his improved ball-handling. I think George could see a similar jump in his game.
I think George is a good shooter. Like wekko pointed out his form is good and he sets, his % will continue to improve.
i dont see why discussion is locked on george. -george is overrated -george is a superstar -george is at harden level -george blah blah.... it is not about paul george. It's about Indianas success in drafts and progression of young players, working and playing as a team and competing whoever they face.
The Pacers are a complete team. This is their final product and its a 49 win team..... They are lucky they are in the Eastern Conference and its pretty much a cake walk to the ECF, but they don't have much upside from here. The Rockets on the other hand will take significant steps forward after they round out their roster.
Pacers are young too and better. Hibbert is how old and improving? Paul George? David west is a baller. Danny Granger is the key ingredient for either an upgrade or a trade piece. Asik, good rebounder but what offense does he posses? Even if he does they won't go to him. Motie, Royce, t-rob, Lin,.... talent is very limited. Harden and a chance to sign d12 doesn't mean brighter.
The Pacers are a great team with a great future that is missing one thing: a prolific scorer that they can count on in crunch time. It just so happens. That this is the most important piece. Now George could develope into this kind of player, in fact he already is close. But until he proves, he can be this prolific score, I'd still take Houston. Plus we have the capspace that should transform into a real good player this offseason. The Pacers could definetly be a team like the Pistons, without a real star but with a great team and great defense winning a championship...
i doubt it. they played .700 ball for most of the year except the first month (until George 'broke out') and April (they lost focus and played a bottom 3 defense in the league in April, my opinion is that's just them being a young team and getting a bit tired because of no bench). If they get a few bench guys / or Granger, some experience, a bit more improvement from George and Stephenson, I guess they might get to 55-60 wins.
Hill and Hibbert are very young, they have not reached their primes as of yet. Hill has the potential to becoming a 1st tier player. Hibbert has the potential of becoming a Dominate Superstar center on both ends of the court. You are right about West.
I will go with the Pacers, reaeoning being they have their core players in place. George, Hibbert and Hill are their foundation. Our Rockets have Harden and Parson. They are looking for that 3rd addition. But knowing Morey, joker could be shopping Parson as we speak. To me thats the difference, we dont know what exactly Morey and the Rockets will do this off season. We do know Hibbert, Hill and George not going anywhere soon.
You follow the Pacers right? What do you see them doing in free agency? I know they have a few players, most notably West who are going to be free agents. I obviously don't know their cap situation as well as the Rockets, but from a quick glance on shamsports numbers they aren't going to be working with a whole lot of cap space when you consider they have to retain/replace West and add bench depth. Your thoughts?
The reason Indy is so complete is not because of George, it's hibbert and of course West. Granger is like a George clone ( hopefully they trade one of them ) but hibbert is playing like a guy nobody saw him turning into out of the draft... Everybody called him becoming a bust but his defense has been spectacular and the guy actually had post moves! It's crazy how Indy has out this together through the draft with low lottery picks/ mid 1st rnders and developed their players so well. The rockets have one position locked up and that Is sg and now sf with parsons emerging. The advantage we have at the 2 is because the number of legit 2s has dropped and Harden doesn't have much competition. Indy is nearly complete at every position except pg, if they can get a fast pg like rondo to open up the paint or a very good shooter from the perimeter they will be scary good. If the rockets grt Dwight trading ppat will look like a db move because that midrange jumper we developed for 3 yrs would be perfect for the system. That is what west is doing consistently every night.
Harden is way better offensive player than PG, but george is 10 times the defender harden is. I think both have superstar potential, but none is already there. George needs some refining on his ogame, and harden needs to play some defense. Right now... i wil take pg over harden. I dont agree, to me : PG is better than harden ( but u can go either way and u wont be wrong) hibbert is way better than asik and will always be. Parsons is better than stevenson by a fair margin, but parsons is close to peak ( in my opinion) and i dont know what stephenson can do in 2 or 3 years. Hill is better than lin by a mile probably, 2 times better defender and also better ballhandler and more consistent scorer. The homerism sometimes is terrible.
