Three Guard, revisited

Is the three guard set be beneficial to the rockets next year or will it be better to get a SF through the draft/FA/Trade? Will the zone effect the three guards effectiveness either way? Will the zone kill the traditional SF?

Let's assume Shandon leaves and Mo signs for 8 mil. Hakeem leaves or is in a limited role at a salary around 4 mil. Cato isn't traded and the centers go before #13.

I see the merits of a three guard set for the rockets against the zone. I believe HP was the first here to note that it allows Francis and Mobley to pull the defense (even a zone) from the middle for Moochie. Generally guards are better shooters than forwards which will help against the zone.

A general problem with 3 guard is the 3 guard gets posted by the SF. An effective zone should negate a lot of this.

A bigger problem is rebounding, specifically for the rockets. Anderson a good rebounding two had his problems in the small sampling size of games I watched in this department. The rockets need rebounding to be a plus at the three to dramatically increase their shot to win 55 with the current frontcourt. If the rockets can make their shots at a higher clip (or the opposing team shots at a much lower clip) this wouldn't matter as much. The rockets need to do something to get more boards; the SF spot is the easiest place to find two more per game at the current number of shots being taken (the zone may slow up the game so less rebounds are taken, but will also decrease FG% which means reboundings importance could go either way).

A SF may be able to help more on the defensive side than a 3 guard would help the offense. The SF wouldn't have to be as good man to man as SA, but would need to have a wingspan to cover passing lanes and maybe add a few weakside blocks.

I can't see Langhi filling the needs currently or LAC trading Odom. In the draft, I see SFs with guard like skills (maybe not good guard skills) and a couple of SGs that could use their speed to be a disruption in the zone.

BTW, I'm undecided on all the questions in first paragraph, except of course if Finley decided to sign.

------------------