Something I've been thinking about. When you look at the elite teams in the west, with the exception of the Lakers, what do they all have in common. A star power forward. Here's the list: Kings: Webber Timberwolves: Garnett Mavs: Nowitzki Spurs: Duncan Now take a look at the top three Eastern teams, in terms of playoff viability: Pistons: Sheed/Wallace Pacers: O'neal Nets: K Mart This is a pretty stunning coincidence. Now, of course, all those teams have other great players, but anyone hoping to break into the elite better have a stud power forward to keep these teams honest. This only convinces me further, that if the Rockets have to move SF they should at least try and get Elton Brand. Of course the Lakers are the exception, but they lost last year, and barely beat the Kings the year before that. But let's localize this further. Both the Mavs and Spurs have star power forwards, and if the Rockets ever hope to win their division, they need a guy who can matchup better with Duncan and Nowitzki. Raven
those are all guys at the top of their games. anything we line up at the 4 is gonna look like crap when matched up to them. when yaos in his prime, anything they line up at the 5 will be crap against us.
Because SHAQ make nobody want to play as a center.(Now finally YM comes.) We don't have to have a stud PF, since we have YM.
We don't need a STUD PF for the same reason the Lakers don't. However, we SHOULD get an excellent PF for the same reason the lakers have. I think it's important to have ONE dominating figure in the paint, and another player supporting that player. For example, yao sometimes has trouble rebounding, so it's important that our PF be a good rebounder. Also, Yao gets a lot of double teams, so it's especially important that this guy be able to hit the open jumper out to 15 feet. We don't want Yao getting into foul trouble, so this guy needs to be able to take care of his own man. Sometimes Yao runs low on energy, so this player needs to have certain motivational/leadership qualities. Nowitzki doesn't play PF btw. Jamison and Walker play PF, while Nowitzki alternates between C and SF.
That's true...that's true, that's why i want Rasheed Wallace to play along Yao. Since all the elite teams have a star in PF, Rox need to get someone to nullify that weakness in that position OR they're going to get screwed by a PF everytime they play those elite teams cuz they don't have a good PF. Getting Brand or Wallace will put the Rox on the elite map no doubt about it!
Those teams have good power forwards but look at their centers. Yao and Shaq can dominate and while i'd like to have a better Power Foward, the rockets can compete with anyone down low as they stand now.
That is also true, Rox don't really need another superstar playing PF but one that can shoot consistently from outside. Someone like Dirk who are not looking to post that much (since Yao will do be doing that), but taking shots from all over the court. That maybe the kind of PF that the Rox need.
Rox need a banger 4 who can lighten the rebounding load for Yao and, to a lesser extent, the guards. Not necessarily someone who has a great post game, a midrange jumper would be great, but someone who has a knack for knowing where the ball will go. Think Cato with offense.
I think your list illustrates the importance of a good big man. But I could take your list of teams and make the opposite argument as well. Kings: Bibby Timberwolves: Cassell Mavs: Nash Spurs: Parker Pistons: Billups Pacers: Tinsley Nets: Kidd Those are all very good point guards. That to me says that we can't go anywhere without a decent PG.
It boggles my mind that Karl Malone isn't even mentioned but Kenyon Martin is? Kenyon can't even imagine doing the things Karl Malone has done in his career and I honestly think that even at 40 Karl Malone is as good or better than Kenyon Martin.
Ummm. No. three reasons: 1. Good teams have good players. Surveying the league, I'm sure you'll find that good teams have more stars at most positions than do lesser teams. 2. It's necessary to have a quality big man. Since there aren't many C's, most good teams have star PFs. If you do have a C, though, then you've got your quality big man. 3. Having two great low block players is a bit redundant. Sure, it's better to have them than not - but it's better to invest at other positions first (SF who can hit 3's and pass to the post, please). What Houston needs is a star player who can hit open jumpers and rebound. IF Spoon were 3 inches taller, he'd work nicely.
Cato is doing an adequate job at PF. I think the Rockets need a good SF, someone who can fill the lanes, drive and shoot lights out. They should of made an effort to get Steve Jackson, which would of improved the team tremendously. ~ Kountzer ~
Adequate job? Please. There's a reason why the team plays better when Spoon's in the game. Cato rebounds adequately and plays decent defense. His shooting is horrific. His hands are abysmal. His passing is atrocious. It's almost like playing with 4 guys on O. All he can do is alley oop. To prevent the soft Yao doubles from the PF, you have to have a PF who can hit an 8 foot jumper. Poor Cato is hopeless even at that range. Cato's been terrible. He can dunk nicely on alley-oops.
Maurice Taylor makes around $10 million on average till 2006/2007. Anyone thinking the Rockets are going to spend that much more money at the power forward position are thinking Les Alexander is wanting to lose money.
Problem is that there are really no powerforwards like that around who can bang, today we were getting killed inside when Yao was benched.
Rasheed or Maglorie would do just fine!! Pack Mo's bag if need be. I can't imagine paying him 10 mill in a couple of years.
