McHale wavers on pairing Howard, Asik in Rockets' lineup

Honestly I think Greg Smith is more than ready to be backup center 15 minutes a game. Our defense will suffer when Dwight is off the court, but our offense will be elite 48 minutes a game if we get a legit stretch 4.

 

Hopefully he is just being nice to Asik, it is crystal clear to everyone that it is not working, and it was crystal clear to many of us that it would never work even before it was tried.

DD

 

Mchale can't be this dumb to think he can run the TT lineup out there all year and win a championship. Let's be real here.

The twin towers blows as a regular line up. Save that junk for when we are struggling against the spurs or Memphis. Otherwise, kill that noise.

 

What makes you think so? The team was just horrible when Asik was off the court last year and any of the other guys, mostly Greg Smith, played center. I haven't seen enough of Smith in action this year to believe that he's improved significantly-- and more importantly, would not bet on such an improvement with my roster until I've actually seen some evidence.

If Asik is to be traded-- and I would do it if the return is right--, I'd prefer it if the team would acquire someone who can actually do the job (doesn't have to be a star, could be someone like Chuck Hayes) in the same deal or a separate deal.

 

Wait, are you saying those are teams where we could trade Asik and get someone back so that we could retry Twin Towers here in Houston?

Or are you saying those are teams that currently have "Twin Towers" that somewhat work?

Because if the latter, I think you're misinterpreting "Twin Towers" to mean essentially "any Center and PF in the league" lol.

 

It doesn't have to be a star,but Asik is worth considerably more than Chuck Hayes( and I like Hayes).

 

Let's say we've fast forwarded 2 months into the future and TT is still not really working (similar to how it is functioning now). How comfortable would you be with an Asik for Ryan Anderson trade, and where we re-sign Camby (back from injury)?

Again, not how "preferable" the deal is, but how comfortable would you be with that deal going forward?

 

I think he meant in addition to the PF we get, i.e., refer to my above hypo post.

 

Agreed. I never believed in TT. I'm not against to try it out and experiment it during preseason games, and I think it may work against certain match ups, but it is not sustainable in the starting line up. Many have predicted it to be a failure. Let's see how soon McHale can correct his mistake.

 

What is with this infatuation for Ryan Anderson? We don't want that guy. Asik will only be dealt if it truly isn't working out. He will come off the bench and produce at a big rate more than likely before we decide "hey, it's not working", but i still doubt he gets dealt.

I look to see Asik being dealt on draft day potentially.

 

I agree, of course. My bad for not being clear: Don't mean to say that Asik should be traded for Hayes at all, but more like if Asik is traded for someone (like maybe Millsap), I'd want the team to also acquire someone like Chuck Hayes, who has proven that he can at least somewhat competently play center (not a shot blocker, but a good charge taker and rebounder and offers some degree of paint protection).

 

I'd very much be in favor of a deal that landed us Millsap + Hayes or Millsap + signing Camby, where all we give up is Asik. As great as Asik is, $16M on the bench (him and Lin) just doesn't seem that efficient...esp. with the way TT is working out so far.

 

I think you are missing something here. Yes, Twin Towers doesn't work now, nobody says otherwise, thing is, what if it works? Yes, while you trying it you can lose few games but that's not too important i guess. I mean, for about 10-15 games, start slow, don't blowout teams, i don't care, there is a potential and Rockets should be sure that won't work before giving up.

 

It's still very early in the season and I like that McHale is giving it every opportunity to succeed.

With his past playing experience and success, I gotta believe that when he says "... Every time I think I am done with it, they do something that makes me want to keep trying it.", that he sees potential which we cannot see while staring at our screens, or watching from the stands.

 

Insert "I hate to be that guy but" -

Time for Asik to man up for the team. He needs make a sacrifice and tell the coach to play him as a back up for Howard. This is the best way and only way out for the Rockets as a team.

 

McHale really shouldn't have to wait for Asik's say so to bring Asik of the bench. McHale at this point should be able to realize this combination is not that successful and start bringing Asik off the bench. Plain and simple. If Asik pouts, oh well, look to trade him for the right player. If Asik is the professional they keep saying he is, then this shouldn't even be an issue. He probably won't be over joyed but Asik shouldn't be seen as bigger than the team.

 

I really don't worry about Lin. He's playing 30+ mpg whether starting or coming off the bench. Whether he is overpaid or not, there is no minutes issue that's resulting in an under-utilization of his value.

In other words, Lin is playing basically the same kind of minutes that he'd play for any other team, so there is not really any inefficiency to exploit.

If Asik and Howard do not play together, however, then there is such an inefficiency: Asik would be a 13-15 mpg + injury insurance backup to Howard for this team, a valuable role, but not nearly as valuable as the role he can play for another team as a 30 mpg center.

If you can get in return for Asik assets worth a 30 mpg center of his caliber but one who can play more minutes than Asik does for this team, then it would be worth it for Morey to do it.

 

My plan...

Trade Parsons/Jones/1rd for Greg Monroe.

Trade Asik for Korver/Lou

pg:Lin/Bev
sg:Harden/Lou
sf:Korver/Garcia
pf:Monroe/Casspi
c12/Monroe

If D12 gets in foul trouble we can easily move Monroe to center.

DF