jones would probably do really well if he came off the bench after z-bo or west. learning under a vet PF.
It's all about matchups. He simply can't play against the big PF's and certainly not against any centers.....that's why a platoon with DMo makes sense. DMo thrives in the matchups that Jones struggles with and Jones thrives in the matchups that DMo struggles with. If we had a competent coach, we could work something really awesome out.
To sum up what Dmo did for the Rockets the last 2 seasons : Offense : 1. Typical Dmo 25% corner 3, the real issue is : when he shot corner 3 and often missed badly, that means he could be one of the last guys to run back in a fast break situation. 2. Ever tried driving at Westheimer and made a left turn to Post Oak while your feet never easy on the gas? That's how Dmo shot his famous sky hook in the paint - with no control, and no even aware of where he was most of the time. Defense : 1. I know my feet are slow, but I have a big upper body which I can still use Dmo. Yes, Dmo will start to learn slowly this : you only have 6 fouls to use in NBA and you should not even foul out in garbage time when you are leading by 20. 2. I can't jump over a phone book and did anyone ever teach me how to block out for a rebound Dmo.
Love or Bosh or Millsap make the most sense for next season. Even Doug McDermott makes more sense at the 4 than any of the guys we currently have.
TJ must get stronger mentally and physically. Also, shooting a 1,000 shots a day will help. It's not his form, because some the worst form shooters could shoot the rock (George Gervin, Reggie Miller etc..) . I was disappointed that he didn't play tougher on D and on the boards.
Well, unless Dream deserves sole credit, McHale has been helping Dwight with his post game and it actually has improved over the course of the season. In fact, T-Jones' post game isn't half bad for a 22 year-old. He does have a little hook shot that he can make with some regularity. If he keeps practicing that footwork and his midrange jumper, he could be a helluva player soon.
Don't think Love/Milsap can defend Aldridge any better. TJ is a consistent jumper away from a matchup problem for Aldridge. In the few possessions Aldridge has to defend TJ, he's unable to handle TJ's quickness, handle and explosiveness. It's just that we don't feature TJ on offense that much. TJ has potential to become a star himself, and it may come quicker than people thought. On similar note, the Harden/Howard ISO plays gotta stop. As good as Durant/WB/Ibaka, ISO heavy offense severly limit their potential against less talented team with better offensive schemes.
I think it'll take a couple years for him to develop into a well-rounded player. He and Harden especially need to take some lessons in defense. Hopefully, he's learned through the playoffs that defense is just as important as offense.
^ this. i dont know if you can't certainly say jones will be an all star but it is a possibility. right coaching and system. he's done pretty well at every level he's been in (reduced role for the sake of the team in college). in his rookie year, he had flashes, but still looked like a rookie. he's improved a lot since then. he did pretty good against most teams except for the ones with big top 5 PFs. it's not exactly a bad thing to do well against everyone except those guys in your second year. id only trade him if its for a top 5 PF (or close to it).
I feel like the upgrade at point guard or even small forward is more important than power forward. Jones and Motiejunas are both on rookie contract and are contributing and can improve. I don't necessarily feel the same way about the Beverley/Lin combination. Neither brings the leadership to the table that you need from a point guard. All Jones and Motiejunas need is more experience to improve their defense and jump shooting. If they can improve those facets of their game, they'll be a good one-two punch off the bench. I say that small forward is a bigger concern because I'm not sold on Parsons being the glue guy for this team, and his defense has been suspect. With Parsons as the glue guy, we're having problems with our offensive tactics. We're basically clashing between Harden in pick and roll situations, and Howard in post up and space situations. Parsons isn't bringing the leadership to the table to solve that problem and keep our stars happy, and his perimeter defense is not acceptable next to Harden. That's not to say I think we should get rid of him, but moreso that I feel like we can upgrade his position and either lose him to another team, or move him to the bench.
He's gonna be great trade bait this summer. Hope we can unload him and Asik together to get a top 15 pick. Hopefully Bosh comes to Houston.
Millsap is a great defender. He most definitely can defend Aldridge much better. Love is a great offensive player. Love will give Aldridge fits defensively and will answer him bucket for bucket in a more efficient manner. TJ is a consistent jumper away from respectability. But that "consistent jumper" is miles away from being a part of TJ's game.
Lol. Oh, this is why you are awesome BHollic. Why didn't Morey think of that before? Since we now know Love, Bosh, or Millsap would be a good fit, Morey should stop holding and NOW pull the trigger on a deal I'm sure he can get with a simple phone call. Just messing with you though. No need to start this up again. Point is - If Morey can have Any of these guys or can get any all-star caliber player, he's going to do it. McDermott is a likely lottery pick. I think mocks have him going #10 as of last time I checked. The Rockets are going to have a tough time moving down in the draft this year without putting Parsons, Harden, or Howard in a deal to get there. Asik, & Lin aren't going to appeal to a rebuilding team with a lottery pick, and Jones, D-Mo, late 1st round picks aren't going to get a lottery pick. In this draft Parsons is probably pushing it in terms of value. Even then, McDermott is a 4 year rookie. There is no telling what he will or wont be in the pros especially given his tweener status with the game of a 3 offensively, and being very nonathletic. IMO, he has the ability to be either the PF version of Jimmer, or a poor mans Kevin Love in 3 years. Either way, I just dont see Morey taking that kind of gamble at the cost of something like Parsons right now. I'm sure he'd love to get his hands on a lottery pick this year, but he's gonna have to get creative to even move down in the teens. If Morey can get either of these guys - -Love, Dirk, Bosh, Melo, Millsap, Horford, Z-Bo Its a no-brainer Now the only question is, Will Morey bring in someone that can challenge Jones and D-Mo for minutes if they can't land that type of guy. IMO, watch out for a few MLE candidates if they last awhile in free agency- -Hawes (technically not a 4 but fits with the Rockets system) -McRoberts -Kirilenko (player option) -Marion (If the Mavs can't afford to keep him) -Pau Gasol (unlikely to take less to sign for MLE) Not sure any of these guys could openly beat out Jones, but wouldn't be shocked if in the case Morey fails to get the big fish that he tries to use the MLE on a solid veteran that can play in the starting 5 rotation and move Jones to a 6th man role.
He's a great player but he's not the third best player on a championship team. Unfortunaly, regardless of his upside, he's done growing. And he doesn't shoot well enough to play the 3.
