Spoiler My issue is I haven't seen anything from Canaan in an NBA game to indicate he'll be a good backup on a contending team, at least not anytime soon. Small sample size so I could be wrong, but I don't think he'll becomes the guy we want him to be while on his current contract. But I do understand the logic in keeping Canaan over Ish even if I don't agree with it. Ish ain't all that and maybe I'm being too hard on Canaan. We'll see, but I may whine a bit when Canaan is given a spot over Ish without earning it.
Honestly, I don't see any way Canaan "wins" the backup spot without front office intervention (which means they probably cut Ish). He's clearly the veteran out there and is doing the things he knows the coaches are looking for in practice and the games. Veterans have been through camp for years, know pretty much all the sets, and have relationships with coach around the league much more than young players. Someone like Canaan is at a disadvantage just by not having that experience. Like I mentioned before though... its a comfort food situation like we've seen before. Just cause Ish knows how to win minutes in training camp, doesn't mean the Rockets are a better team with him as their backup PG this year as opposed to another option/better long term option. Canaan might or might not be that better option, but they probably won't know without the front office intervening on this particular case.
The plot thickens. Dorsey playing well (apart from FTs), Black getting some burn with the starters etc. Even Terry seems to have a little bit in the tank still. I stand by what I said a couple of pages before: one of Canaan/Smith and one of Garcia/Adrien won't probably be on the team.
If the Rockets were trying to win now, like they should be, it would be easy to see who gets cut. The problem is Morey is never trying to win now, so we're left with trying to figure out who the best assets are rather than the best players.
I would cut Ish, he can't shoot and doesn't run an offense well enough to be valued. I think T Jones should start at the 4, but D-mo should get serious minutes
Ish and Canaan don't really excite me. I only like Canaan at the 1 when Harden is at the 2 or Terry at the 1 and Canaan at the 2, but they could play Daniels with Terry.
Honestly, I really don't feel comfortable with Ish or Caanan as our backup point. One can't shoot and all the other can do is shoot. Any chance of Terry becoming our backup point? Beverley/Terry Harden/Daniels Ariza/Papanikolau Jones/Motiejunas Howard/Dorsey Bench - Garcia, Adrien, Caanan D-League - Johnson, Capela
This is what I would want. Except maybe black instead of Dorsey. Feel like Terry and Daniels together would be lights out
I think Canaan's safe. When you're talking about the end of the bench, you go with upside guys and he still has upside. Also fits as a 3 point shooter if nothing else. He may get traded for a 2nd round pick though. We probably cut Ish Smith and one of the PFs, likely Black since we're looking to win now. If he doesn't get picked up elsewhere, Black is perfect for the Vipers.
Thanks. I just think Dorsey gets the nod due to his contract and how high Morey was on him. Black will be a major player on the Vipers I feel. Terry and Daniels will kill it from downtown and both can excel next to Harden. Papa has shown that he is a jack of all trades type. Motiejunas can potentially be the go to scorer of the bench and I believe Dorsey can bring it defensively and rebound. Garcia and Adrien provide some grit and hustle as reserves and Caanan is the third PG in case of injury. NJ and Cap get PG in Rio Grande.
Beverley (33)/ Terry (10)/ Smith (5) Harden (38)/ Daniels (10) Ariza (35)/ Papanikolaou (13) Jones (25)/ Motiejunas (13) Howard (33)/ Motiejunas (8)/ Black (7) Benchwarmer: Adrien Cut Covington, Garcia, Cannan and Dorsey (of course try trading the last three for picks before cutting them outright). Nick Johnson to the D-League No idea what's going on with Capela. Roster, D-League or Eurostash since he wants to play now.
