Give this starting 5 some time. After a couple of months the value of giving up Asik for Anderson will be way clearer. After all the trades, this is actually a time where stability serves the Rockets best. Right now the team chemistry is looking really good and its just not the time to mess with that. You also have to remember that Dwight himself said that he wanted to play with Asik. Trading Asik right now would probably annoy Dwight. That is not a path we want to follow right now. Let the man settle down. If halfway through the season its clear the trade would be best for the team Morey will at least have some evidence to back that decision.
What kind of bad/rebuilding team expected to get a top pick is likely to trade it for Asik instead of keeping it and drafting a young potential franchise star?
THIS. How much do you think Asik is REALLY worth? Look at it from a GM / FO point of view. They are in it for the $$. Example, Lin is getting paid what he is for his image and his fanbase, not his production. Everyone knows it. What following does Asik bring? Sure, he adds tremendous defensive presence. But that doesn't show up in box scores, and he doesn't get a large fanbase for it. There's not much money following him around. Considering that, even though a coach or potential teammates might want him, why does the GM do it if they have to give up talent to get him? He is not enough alone to put anyone on the next level to compete. He is a great starter for a team that wants to compete and already has a couple of stars; he is a great backup for a team that already has a couple of stars. He improves any team's frontcourt, starter or backup. But his addition doesn't bring anyone to the top tier in and of itself. He is not an All Star, and he will not net us an equivalent player in trade. I for one want to see the Howard-Asik experiment play out over the course of 20+ games. If it doesn't work then I am totally happy with trading for a Ryan Anderson or someone similar, because that's all we can get for Asik. His value is not as high as many here seem to think.
In a way, it sort of sets the market for how much you're willing to lose in a trade when your goal is to lose. In an ironic twist, injured players are probably more valuable than healthy ones to the teams riggin for wiggins.
What is this notion that Garcia could ever play the 4, even as a stretch? The guy is under 200 pounds, he has no business there.
There will be Teams which will get desperate,and Morey will Rob everyhing from them. But I think any Team which will get Omer will be happy,cause he is a Guy WHO plays with all His Heart
Twin Towers... Defense wins championship. Prime bigs are still a luxury in this league. Having 2 is just very smart and practical. I'd still think it will work. If your shots aren't falling, a good defense will always be able to compensate for it. Besides, Howard and Asik aren't big flat-footed players. They can run and that will always matter. If Rockets trade him, it should be someone like Chris Bosh. Anybody else would just mean lowering the championship chances.
Defense wins championships but this starting lineup has no wing stopper. Harden won't defend because he is going to spend too much energy trying to put up MVP numbers. Parsons is playing for his next contract, so I don't see him putting too much effort into defense. Beverly will try to cover up for those two, but he is overrated defensively and has never been tested against the best point guards.
I like what McHale said, start the Twin Towers, force other teams to adjust. As McHale said, it's easy to go smaller, but it could be impossible to go bigger if you don't have the personnel.
Jeff Green is more of an SF IMO. He is physically elite but mentally not so much, frustrating type. If Love and LMA are impossible, I think Horford would be best. Ryan Anderson would be trading down, better not to trade at all and hope one of TJ/DMo could mature into a stretch four.
Really dude? Really? Yeah that Beverly is overrated defensively. He's never been tested against the best point guards ...like...say...Russell Wesbrook
I am curious how they plan on obtaining that legit third star if our homegrown players do not take that next step.
The answer to Aldridge vs Love I believe is the same as Bill Simmons and Jalen Rose's explanation on why New Jersey will be so good this year. Take the shot selection charts for each player in the starting line-up, and you will see that they fit overwhelming well together. Sure Kevin Love can light it up from three, but we are going to need SOMEONE to take those mid range shots because that will be all teams try to give us. Why not get one of the best in the league, probably right up there with Durant and Ibaka, at that 18 footer? Also, I think Kevin Love's rebounding ability probably becomes redundant next to Dwight. Finally, I think Lamarcus might be able to play slightly better post defense. Either way, you can't go wrong with Love or Aldridge. Getting one of them though will be a huge mountain to climb.
And this is why patience is requisite on any OA (prospective) deal. The season will play out in a way that will set his market - - injuries and/or need.
I just don't see Atlanta trading Horford, although we'd then REALLY be H-town (Harden-Howard-Horford) if the impossible happened.
No kidding! The thing is, Horford has been complaining for years that he doesn't want to play center but the Hawks aren't signing any good center. He just complained recently again: Well, we could only hope!
