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Rockets do not need center, need backups for PJ and RoCo

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by D-rock, May 7, 2020.

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  1. D-rock

    D-rock Member

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    Rockets defense and rim protection is championship worthy when Covington and Tucker are on floor together.

    Defensive efficiency takes a significant dive when only one on the floor or if one nicked up.

    Need 2 more rotation players that will minimize production loss when either Covington or Tucker are not on floor together, tired, injured, etc. The reason why PJ and RoCo are so good together:

    Tucker
    - strength to keep bigs out of post
    - sticky perimeter defense
    - ability to help defend especially in paint

    Covington
    - active hands in passing lanes
    - elite rim protection
    - instinct/IQ to rotate on D

    Tucker backup would be Justin Anderson (trade for Omari Spellman next season)

    Covington backup should be Jonah Bolden.
     
    #1 D-rock, May 7, 2020
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  2. D-rock

    D-rock Member

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    #2 D-rock, May 7, 2020
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  3. D-rock

    D-rock Member

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    #3 D-rock, May 7, 2020
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  4. DeBeards

    DeBeards Member

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    dude, you are warming up now:rolleyes::D
     
    #4 DeBeards, May 8, 2020
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  5. krmclaughlin

    krmclaughlin Member

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    I actually don't think that rim protection/defense is the biggest problem with not playing a center. I think you're right, it'd be possible have a decent defense while still playing small.

    Where we get killed is rebounding. We were towards the bottom of the league in rebound % on the season, and I'm sure that got worse after Capela got hurt/traded. We got outrebounded by over 30 rebounds in that loss to the Knicks. Gotta fix that problem if we want to have a chance.
     
    #5 krmclaughlin, May 9, 2020
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  6. fattz

    fattz Member

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    We are a few “right role players” away from a championship. What is mind blowing crazy is the players are / were obtainable. We are / were so close. The players we need are on minimum or next to nothing contracts. Left on the waiver wire locked in a multi year / minimum deal. Low risk high reward & we had the cap space to to just sign them, too.
     
    #6 fattz, May 9, 2020
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  7. fattz

    fattz Member

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    Smart move going forward is Bolden / Anderson on ten day contracts if not ALL players come back to finish the season.
     
    #7 fattz, May 9, 2020
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  8. fattz

    fattz Member

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    Bruno has role on this team; that we have yet to see. He may fill the void but the time was not there yet to work him in.
     
    #8 fattz, May 9, 2020
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  9. fattz

    fattz Member

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    Cam Oliver is always on bubble of rotation brake through. His skill set fits “micro ball” —> obtainable/cheap solution
     
    #9 fattz, May 9, 2020
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  10. BigBum

    BigBum Member

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    We are different. I’d use full 5 million MLE to acquire a better player.
    2018 summer or good enough
    Sign Melo, MCW, Ennis
    2019 summer not good enough
    Sign Thabo, Chandler, Ben

    The best idea is to trade Gordon for 3 players, 5 to 7 million dollars each player.
     
    #10 BigBum, May 9, 2020
    Last edited: May 9, 2020
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  11. fattz

    fattz Member

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    Sure use the MLE if the “right” player is available. I am a huge proponent of moving Gordon. Turning him into one or three players does not matter much as long as they fit and are productive. How are we going to move him without FRPs to sweeten the deal. The over paying in the trading of/for Anderson, Covington and Westbrook is going to make moving Gordon a challenge even in the best case scenario. I think Gordon is a Rocket for life with his pay raise versus his production. Our reality is we need to “churn” as many players as we can to find the diamond in the rough.
     
    #11 fattz, May 9, 2020
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  12. Carl Herrera

    Carl Herrera Contributing Member

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    As we learned from Rudy Gobert, centers only bring pandemics to teams. Say no to centers!
     
    #12 Carl Herrera, May 9, 2020
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  13. prs325

    prs325 Member

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    If Jeremy Grant opts out, he would fit in nicely with RoCo and PJ
     
    #13 prs325, May 9, 2020
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  14. saleem

    saleem Contributing Member

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    Why would he ever do that, in such challenging times?
     
    #14 saleem, May 10, 2020
  15. saleem

    saleem Contributing Member

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    No harm in taking either one of them. I don’t think Tilman will pick up anyone though.
     
    #15 saleem, May 10, 2020
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  16. DeBeards

    DeBeards Member

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    Let Russ ring him up！Jeremy Grant definitely the last piece this team missed.
     
    #16 DeBeards, May 10, 2020
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  17. DeBeards

    DeBeards Member

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    Centers equals to mammoth nowadays in nba…
    [​IMG]
     
    #17 DeBeards, May 10, 2020
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  18. ApacheWarrior

    ApacheWarrior Member

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    Excellent video on opening post....me personally I still wouldn’t touch Bolden and/or Anderson in
    terms of 19/20 season completion. Possibly yes for 20/21 season pickups. Just me though.
     
    #18 ApacheWarrior, May 10, 2020
    Last edited: May 10, 2020
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  19. daywalker02

    daywalker02 Member

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    Or just Stifle Towers.
     
    #19 daywalker02, May 10, 2020
  20. DM'sVP

    DM'sVP Member

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    I think that there is a reason they brought him back and I hope they plan on having him next season. He might finally be ready.

    Bruno and Hartenstien are good players to keep developing and could help keep some minutes off of PJ next season.
     
    #20 DM'sVP, May 10, 2020
    Little Bit, Highlyrated, D-rock and 1 other person like this.
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