I think the "Yao-Cato-MoT" combination has some serious problems: 1) Cato is an offensive liability. 2) MoT is a defensive liability. 3) Yao is not very effective when playing 40+ minutes 4) None of these guys can stop the face-the-basket type of PFs like Dirk and AK47. ... How would you like to solve them? My suggestions: 1) When Cato and Yao play together, play Yao more at the high post position. Use his shooting, passing and the ability to set screens for cutters. Give Cato more space to manuver at the lost post. However, this would take out the inside-out game the Rox is playing now. 2) Start Yao and MoT. Use Cato and Ford as the 2nd squard. Let Cat play with the 2nd squard to provide offense. This would give Yao more resting time. 3) Make a trade for a defensive minded PF who can knock down 12-15 footers consistently: PJ, AD, Grant... 4) Switch to zone when Cato/MoT cannot stop the quick opponent PF (Dirk, Ak or today's Marion out of position).
We should get Braggs back. He was solid. Cato should some ability tonight. But other than that, he's a waste of money.
To some extent, they are already doing this. I've been seeing more of Yao in the high post and not just on high PnR'S. But IMO it is going to depend on the matchups and it will not be available all the time in everygame. For example, a Yao pass to Cato is easier over Brand than AK47 or easier over Radmanovic than Dirk. Disagree. At some point, you will have Moochie, Ford and Cato on the floor together at the same time. Combining the aforementioned 3 with any 2 of the following...Francis, Mobley, JJax, Piatkowski, or Padgett. None of these combinations are O & D balanced IMO. Given that the JVG Rockets play a low possession game (last in the leagure in FGA's), we need at least 3 scorers on the floor at all times. I have nothing against extending the rotation to include Ford or even Nachbar, but until they can prove themselves they are too easy to leave to double someone else. First, IMO 25 games is way to early write off the Cato/Mo T PF combo. Secondly, you expressed a concern about matching up with Dirk or AK47... none of PJ, Antonio Davis nor Brian Grant solves these matchup problems. With the possible exception of PJ, Cato is as quick as any of them. Plus, two of the three (AD & Grant) make substantially more than Cato and are much more higher mileaged. Although I like PJ, what does Houston have available that the Hornets want? IMO, Houston does not have highly desirable trade commodities (unless you are talking Francis or Yao). Mobley is perhaps the best commodity. But the league (particularly the EC) is awash in shooting guards and most are taller. Mobley is highly comparable to Ricky Davis who netted Eric Williams and Tony Battie in trade. (One could argue that Mobley is better than Davis, and I would agree but not significantly better...not enough better to net PJ Brown). Further, trades can upset the elusive "team chemistry". Perhaps our best bet is to be patient and to hope the Knicks won't pay Kurt Thomas more than the MLE to backup McDyess and that Thomas will take a Rockets' MLE offer next summer. But Thomas is older and not a WC starter. Although older, a big plus to Thomas (beyond his shooting range) is that he allows Cato to exclusively backup Yao. And he opens up the option of playing some "tall ball" with Mo at SmlF and JJ at SG. In principle, a very good idea. But if you watch closely, you will see the Rockets are already using zone fundamentals as part of their defensive schemes. Instead of playing the passing lanes, the Rox defense waits until the offensive player puts the ball on the floor and almost immediately run that player into a perimeter double team. And an NBA zone is not kind to defensive rebounders. There are too many holes (seams) where the offense is not boxed out (zone covers an area on the floor not a man). Again, the Rox play a low possession game and giving up second chance points is a very detrimental.
You are right, GATER. PJ, AD or Grant..none of them could play Dirk straight. But offensively they would be able to take the double-team pressure away from Yao, MoT or Cat on ISO plays and even from our perimeter shooters. That's the main reason i'd like one of them play PF instead of Cato. As for the trade, it'd be perfect if we get Davis/PJ for Cato/Francis...well...sounds like a pipe dream
iOrange - FYI - Brian Grant will turn 32 during the current has 3 more seasons at ~ $43m on his contract. Not counting his $12m for this seaon, Antonio Davis is currently 35 has 2 more season at ~ $25m. Change your opinion at all? PJ turned 34 at the start of the current season and has 3 years after this at ~ $24m. These guys are all going to be very old starters if the Rox make the WC Finals in 2 or 3 years. Personally, I'd pass on them as major components of a trade.
With all our complaints about the backcourt, our forwards are arguably the worse starting combo in the west. I love what Cato does defensively, but his offense (the Phoenix game notwithstanding) is a nightmare. Jackson is playing out of position at the three. He's doing an admirable job, but he is still out of position. Best case scenario, he is your first back-up 2/3 of the bench. Unfortunately, the Rockets don't appear to have any other legitimate options at either position. We can complain and grouse all we want about the backcourt, but it is the lack of legitimate forwards that is a much bigger issue for this team.
Agreed, I think we need upgrades at the 1,3,&4. Some may disagree with the 1, but SF, like him or not, ain't a PG.
Definitely agree! We just are not getting enough production from our Forwards. Like you said above, we can get upset about our backcourt play but it is our Forwards that is the biggest problem right now.
