http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/front/2642809 We knew about Fisher, but the other two names mentioned in this excerpt intrigue me as well: Free-agent point guards also could be excited about a chance to succeed Francis. Troy Hudson played with McGrady in Orlando and was used more as a passing point guard last season in Minnesota. "Sure, he would be interested," said Hudson's agent, Bill Neff. "A lot depends on what happens with the trade, obviously. But Troy is a big fan of Jeff Van Gundy." With Gary Payton returning to the Lakers, guard Derek Fisher is expected to opt out of his contract this week and would also seem a good fit. "The Rockets are a great organization, and Van Gundy is a terrific coach," said Fisher's agent, Mark Bartlestein. "We have to get him opted out first. But it's certainly a place any player would look at." With Cato gone, the Rockets will also likely need another backup center. Free agent Brian Skinner, the former Baylor center who as a Milwaukee Buck just enjoyed his best NBA season, is an athletic power forward/center who can play in the middle and would bring the physical style the Rockets have hoped to add.
I was just glancing over Skinner's stats from last year. Averaged 10 and 7 in 28 mpg. He'd be a nice banger off the bench. I'd love this lineup: PG: Hudson SG: McGrady SF: Jackson PF: Howard C: Yao With Nachbar, Skinner, Gaines and Taylor coming off the bench.
Isn't Hudson a PG more in the Francis mold? If he leaves Minny because he didn't like being a more passing oriented PG, then it seems he wouldn't have much of a place here.
I agree. I just think having both Howard and Taylor both coming off the bench is redundant. It'd be nice if we could move Taylor for another guard slot or a true backup center.
I'm not really sure what kind of PG Hudson is. However, I was very encouraged by his agent saying he was a big JVG fan.
Skinner is a solid backup at the 4, but I am not so sure at the 5. He is only 6-9, after all. With Mo around he would have to spend most of the time at the 5 and that would seem to play to his height weakness. Hudson wasn't really a passing point guard in Minny...he has never even averaged six assists. He is a good player, though, and his five assists would go along fine with McGrady's five. His defense is probably not as good as Fisher's, but he seems to be a better player (although we have to be honest and say that he really has only had one decent - for a starter - season and one great postseason that same year). RM95's lineup would be a good start (with Lue added), but I really think we need a solid backup 2/3 or starting 3 so that Jackson can become the solid backup. I think that should be the priority after finding a pg.
he is a real Center - abeit an eastern conference one- he played some PF last year because they had a couple of 7 ft Euros, but he position is listed as the 5 - and he plays big He is a good rebounder and shot blocker
Skinner was a superstar at Baylor. Guess who else went to Baylor? Carroll Dawson (GM). Dennis Lindsey (Director of player personnel). I think the Chronicle is right on Skinner's chances here. I think he's a solid backup.
Hudson is more of a scorer but he is OK at point. Its fine to take him so we have back up at PG and SG also. Skinner is undersized but he can defend and rebound. The trouble is we already have MoT, Padgett, Spoon and may get Howard. Too crowded.
Thudson is a fine PG when hes healthy.. he can shoot lights out and plays tough defense. not as atheletically gifted as SF3 but definate asset to the team. He lost his starting job to Sam I am so he is probably looking for a team to start on. J
Euros? Daniel Santiago and Dan Gadzuric Euros? Methinks you were probably trying to refer to Joel Przybilla but he is not a Euro either (at least not that I know of). And btw, Skinner was listed as center last season.
Padgett can come an go without a big deal. I'd like to move MoT or Spoon. Maybe package one of them with the TE to bring in a big salary. Or maybe Mo for Croshere straight up to fill out our lineup better.
I would be happy to get Hudson, if only he could shoot. That's the number one thing we need from our point - a sweet jumper, and he's only a career .400 shooter. He is a scoring point, but was damn effective a while back before Cassell took over. Minnesota seems to cast off a lot of good points - Billups, Bobby Jackson, now Hudson. He's got real skills. It will be interesting to see his market value - should be better than say, Carlos Arroyo, but not necessarily for us. I don't think Tmac and Yao are going to need a traditional John Stockton pick and roll point, or a fast-breaking Jason Kidd point. They need someone to dump it off on one side of the court to Yao (or other designated entry passer) or on the other side to Tmac, then spot up. The Rockets point should be able to move the ball after he gets it back from Tmac or Yao, or score it. The Rockets point should be able to get the ball up the court past the line in a hurry, and set up the offense quickly. A little defense would be a great help.
Agreed. Assuming we get Howard, Taylor needs to be moved. If we can get a solid 4/5 backup who can defend and rebound (Skinner?), then trading Taylor for Croshere straight up would be OK. Croshere would just be a situational PF who can shoot the 3. But I'd rather getting a good backup guard for trading Mo.
