Let me say about CP that he has progressed at an insane level for any player. Considering he was a second round pick that is even more amazing.. Every facet of his game has gotten better. Except defense (and the ability to put-back dunk) The truth is that I don't think Parsons and Harden can exist at the 2 and 3 starting together. I don't know how many people agree but Parsons has been almost as poor as Harden this year on defense. Patrick Beverly is great on defense but it doesn't matter when the other team has a star SG or SF. PBev will be too small in 95% of these matchups. Chandler Parsons has the height, frame, skillset and work ethic to become one of the best stretch 4's in the game today. He also has a defensive center next to him that can cover up rebounding and playing inside. Moving CP to Power Forward allows us to put a 3rd star or a solid roleplayer in the starting lineup at the three. Obviously we would need this guy to be a good 3 point shooter, perimeter defender and preferably a solid rebounder. Best guy in the league for the role is Aaron Afflalo in my opinion.
He was an early 2nd round pick, it really means little. He was a 4 year college player and some teams thought he might be a risk even though his ceiling was really high. CP is practically a 1st rounder imo even though he was picked in the 2nd round. Most of the picks ahead of him were bad and stupid decisions, which was apparent even during CP''s first season where he hadn't made the strides he now has.
Sounds nice on offense until he has to guard Duncan, ZBo, Garnett, West, Ibaka, LMA, Davis There ya go. Switch on defense and let Harden get what he asked for with ZBo. Except he might be completely spent by halftime. It's ironic that we need a PF after 5 years of Morey PF fetish (which has since moved to collecting PG's).
Parsons already plays some 4. He is fine there about 60% of the time. Defensively I suspect he will improve over the next few seasons. He has worked extremely hard at the offensive side and will most likely work on the defensive end next.
The Rockets don't really need a PF. Jones does not have the 3 point shot they crave but his rebounding, shot blocking, defense (sometimes) and ability to clean up inside all are huge for the Rockets.
Parsons could guard Ibaka, easy. Or Harden did fine against him in the playoffs. He doesn't worry me.
I think the team is OK with Jones, Casspi and DMo for the moment. Can use a proven upgrade, but then you can say that about most positions on most teams. Morey had to trade/let go of a few guys in order to chase trade assets and cap flexibility-- Patterson, Morris and Robinson most recently, but also Scola, Landry and Hayes before them. Most of these guys are significant rotation contributors on decent teams.
6'9 PFs... sounds so familiar. Parsons isn't strong enough to hold the 4. Maybe for some match ups but not on regular basis.
It's a myth that we're a bad defensive team. We just play more possessions than most teams. So more points are scored against us. If we could secure our defensive rebounding more effectively, we'd vault into being a top 5 defensive team. As it is, we're top 5 FG against team, and better than league average in points per possession. We're second worst in giving up off rebounds, which results in the scores being put up.
Chandler Parsons and Harden are better defenders when they want to be. A little at the 4 spot in certain situations is okay but playing D at the 4 spot is a lot harder than at the 3 or 2. Just ask Casspi. Clearly Casspi is better D'ing up 3's than 4's. Over the long haul it wears on you on both sides of the floor. CP's spine would be whacked out of his back if he had to that long term. The best solution for Parsons is less minutes. And now we can afford to do that with our smallball lineup. I am so glad McHale put Parsons in the doghouse in the second half of saturday night's game. In the process he discovered that Harden Lin and Beverly play well together. It is a much better option than Garcia. Combined with his discovery of DMo on the bench, we have no need for Parson's at the 4. What we need is a rested Parsons working hard on D like he use to. The thing I get aout Coach now is he has to figure it on his own. Don't tell him TJones is better than Asik as a PF. Don't tell him DMo is better than TJones as a backup center. Don't tell him DMo is better than Casspi as a backup PF. Don't tell him Casspi is better than Garcia as a backup 3. Don't tell him Parsons is playing too many minutes. Don't tell him Lin needs more minutes. And don't tell him small ball solves a lot of his substitution problems. Let him figure it out on his own and he is more likely to stick with it. For all of Morey's attempts at trying to force McHale's hand, trading every PF but DMo, threatening to send DMo down to the DLeague, if he just read Eharmony's tips on how to persuade a man he would have had more success sooner. If you want a man to completely believe in your idea, you must make them believe that it was their own idea all along. Morey should have gone up to McHale last year and said... Morey: Hey I don't know what you think but I think this DMo kid is a total waste. McHale: Yeah he is kind of young and lost out there. Morey: Yeah a total piece of crap of a draft pick. Not even good enough to play in the Dleague. McHale: I wouldn't go that far. He is a big with a little mobility. Morey: Really you think so? McHale: Yeah sure. His got a few post up skills that could be improved. Morey: Really you see that? McHale: Absolutely. he needs some work but he could improve on them. Morey: WOW... You think? But how do you get it out of him. McHale: It's easy. You just got to get a player to have some success on the floor. Once he sees he can do it he will just get better. Morey: No way... You think you can make that happen with even DMO. No way McHale: Trust me, I've worked with bigger stiffs than him and turned them around. Morey: Wow, okay Kevin if you think you can do it, I believe you. I am not about to second guess a brilliant mind like you. But if you somehow can it will be magic to me. McHale: Just watch my magic at work That might have worked a little better than, "Hey McHale I'm not gonna tell you who to play but I'm trading all your PF's except DMo. McHale: Okay, F%$#k you I'm starting Delfino at the 4.
NO. Too weak son. Harden can guard the 4, he is stronger and is bout the same speed as a 4 and a 5 on defense.
I do think our best lineup or the lineup we will close most of the games are with is going to be Beverley, Lin, Harden, Parsons and Howard. Of course, it will vary with match up and situations but that lineup is probably the most balanced and can play the fastest, especially if Lin is aggressive like he has been the past couple of games. Jones still has a little going to do before he can be in the closing moments unless we absolutely need a big guy next to Howard. The one thing limiting Parsons from being a full time 4 is that he isn't strong enough. His skill set, mindset and body time is perimeter oriented. He isn't Lebron or Melo with heavy frames. If Parsons can develop a little post game and add a it more muscle then sure.
