It's possible, DMo is the better player but Jones is a better fit next to Howard. Also, DMo is better utilized as the main scoring option in the post. So, the more minutes he gets without Howard on the court, the better. I like him getting starter minutes as both the backup 4 and 5 with Black getting spot minutes.
I actually have a lot of good things to say about the Rockets offense. McHale goes to war with the roster he has, not the roster he wants. At the beginning of the season McHale had exactly one creator on offense - Harden. Harden actually is perhaps offensively the best guard in the NBA. However, McHale has developed Canaan and D-Mo into potent offensive weapons. 20 years ago the Rockets also had a predictable offense. Hakeem on the block. But that did not stop them. You can be predictable on offense as long as the defense cannot stop you. But honestly, defense is what wins games. That is the one area that has impressed me the most. And I give a lot of the credit to McHale.
As I have said many times - D-Mo should get 30 minutes a game backing up Jones and Howard. It may not make D-Mo happy, but it would be the best thing for the Rockets this season.
I don't think he developed DMo and Canaan. They were always these guys even early in the season. Canaan wasn't even getting on the court unless Bev was out. Canaan showed more than enough in preseason to warrant playing time.
I don't know how you can move DMO back to the bench considering how he has been playing defensively and how he seems to have a legit post game C: Howard PF: Dmo SF: Ariza SG: Harden PG: Bev -Canaan -TJones -Papa -Terry Black can get a few minutes here and there, but I think DMO, Jones, and Howard can handle the most C/PF minutes This bench is gonna be a lot better than I thought
I think Motie is best utilized off the bench. Allows us a post offensive player we can feed. Jones is our garbage man who can work wonders playing off Dwight. Stretch the floor. Put back dunks.
I'm curious if Howard will franking chill on the post ups. Dmo is already better then he is at in my opinion. Howard needs to turn into a Tyson chandler his post really do hurt this team, turnovers and missed shots.
I think you need to play black 5- 8 mins each game depending on how he's doing. Develop a trade asset and current contributor. I love black's abilities on the offensive glass. He has a feel for offensive rebounds. Knows how to use his ass to bump defenders off balance to secure the offensive rebound.
Really? You do realize that McHale is incredible at developing young players don't you? And you can look back with 20/20 hindsight and say what you did. But at the time I don't remember any posts by you supporting your proposition. 20/20 hindsight is not a reason to criticize a coach. McHale and his coaching staff function off of what a player does in practice and games. Players get PT when they deserve it. Not before.
Howard's post up is still needed. But Dmo should be our primary option. But I don't think we should just completely drop Howard's post game yet. Let Howard get the post looks in the second quarter when harden rests.
You guys calling McHale McFail is worse than NBA.com saying James Harden is still horrible at defense. I hope you guys realize this.
I've been more active lately. I know others felt the same regarding these specific two players. I don't believe we're talking hindsight here. But I will give Mchale credit. The Young players that exhibit confidence early (parsons & Bev) seem to get extra rope from him. I think Johnson will be one of those young players next year if he's still here.
I don't think we've seen Canaan and Terry on the floor together other than the game Canaan got injured. I don't see why not though since Terry has played SG his whole career! So when James is resting we need Canaan creating and Terry spotting up. So far its been Terry taking pg an Canaan sitting which, I think we can all agree should no longer be happening.
T Jones is not going to be back anytime soon, the type of nerve injury he has is going to sideline him to at least the all star break. Factoring that in, DMO will be starting for the majority of the season with K Pap fulfilling that stretch 4(what McHale loves)
Howard (34) / D-Mo (14) Jones (28) / D-Mo (16) / Papa (4) Ariza (36) / Papa (12) Harden (36) / Terry (12) Beverley (32) / Canaan (14) / Terry (2)
For those who want DMo starting in place of TJ -- I'm curious to know how you see him playing next to Dwight, when Dwight is going to want to hog up the post & relegate DMo to a perimeter shooter.
Howard's game will break our chemistry now. Our offense is fluid already, when he comes back, ISO and he doesn't pass the ball.
