I dont necessarily think we need an allstar at PF but wouldnt mind if we did. The problem is that that type of player would come at the expense of moving Francis. I like that our second option for scoring comes from a non-post player. All of the top PF's on successful teams have a peremeter player as the second scoring option. I think a complimentary type PF is really what we need. Someone that can play D, rebound and hit a 15ft jumper. It doesnt have to be a big name just someone like a younger version of PJ Brown (not sure who that would be but there has to be one out there).
Kings : 0 rings TWolves : 0 rings (and did nothing in the playoffs till maybe this year) Mavs : 0 rings (not a chance in hell if they can't play d and they've arguably got 3 big name F/PF's in Dirk, Jamison, and Walker) Spurs : a couple of rings How about this? The Lakers and Spurs have dominated championships recently. They've done it by having a good inside game that is accompanied by an outside game that can drill shots when open. It also happens to be exactly what the championship Rockets teams did with an above-average Otis Thorpe. Those insid-out game combined with minimal mental mistakes have been the recipe for success in the NBA for the past couple of decades going back to the Celtics and Lakers of the 80's. Good teams have studs at whatever position - not necessarily at PF. The Kings are good because they can run and gun - they fail because they haven't had a big man to counter a Shaq. The Mavs are good because they can run and gun - they fail because they've had no inside game to speak of, nor do they have defense. The Twolves had KG and up until this season have been pretenders to the coronation ceremony muchless the throne (they shouldn't have even been invited to the playoffs because you knew they'd lose). This year, they have a well-rounded game, but they aren't exactly monsters on the interior... which may be why we can give them trouble. This Rockets team can win if we can hit outside shots and Yao can find some stamina. Will adding a stud PF make a difference? Absolutely, but it isn't necessarily the catalyst in the reaction that creates a championship.
One more thing... I'm sure many Mavs, Kings, and TWolves fans have been saying for a long time, "Wow, if only we got better play from our big men, we'd be champions - look at the Lakers and Spurs!"
Taylor and Cato have come through at different times for us this season. Taylor is one of the best 6th men in the game. While neither of those guys are KG, Duncan or Nowitzki there obviously aren't a lot of players of that caliber at PF out there. Lets face it this team is set until the season is over and lets hope for the best out of these guys. While we're talking about forwards lets give some props to Jim Jackson! Great game! In the 2nd half today he really came up big!
Love to have those guys. Or at least a PF that could rebound and hit a 15 foot jumper. Cato = NOT To the bench with you!
yes... i think it's key to have a PF that can spread the floor. that's why i think an elton brand wouldn't really be ideal. don't get me wrong he'd improve the team tremendously, but we wouldn't get the most out of him since yao would clog the lane. not really a lot of those out there though... ones that can rebound and score. nowitzki would be IDEAL. but obviously not possible. wallace would be good.
Yeah, I was looking at a guy that could move laterally too. Something that Yao is not good at. They could complement each other. One guy that I keep my eye on is Jamaal Magloire. He's a 4th year guy and just keeps improving. He's an All-Star, but not high-profile. He's a 6'11", 12ppg/10rpg guy. Shoots 49%. I like! He's a kinda guy that JVG would love: blue-collar worker that just works hard all the time. Like Clarence Weatherspoon, K-Mart, Boozer and Brand. No-nonsense players.
This sums up the thread in one sentece. Everything ya'll want from a PF is what Sheed is: Big Body that can shoot, rebound, and provide some toughness around the basket.
Getting a great PF has always seemed the way to go but would that PF and Yao get in each other's way? Not that we'd get him, but, say, if we had Elton Brand, who could play both 4 and backup 5 (same height as Alonzo Mourning, who is actually 6'8", and with long arms) and can hit the midrange shot....would he work well with Yao? Not that Rasheed is much more possible. But I wonder what route we'll go in the off-season because Spoon has been getting Mo's minutes. Nothing against Spoon, he's been great for us. We need a 3 who can stick the 3-pointer. Bring me Rashard Lewis.
I honestly think that the Rox dont really need a stud 4. They have Yao and any team out there would rather have a Yao ming then some stud PF. If you look at the stud pf teams. They dont have a big man like Lakers and Rox. I wouldnt ever trade Steve for Brand. Brand to me is too over rated and has injury problems. I like it the way we have it now with Mo, Cato and Spoon. I couldnt ask for more from our 4 position.
You guys know a young solid power forward. How about Kenyon Martin? He's got everything plus he's young. Kmart can board, he can dunk, he can also shoot and a nice passer. He can also defend with block shot and run the break. Plus he brings ton of energy and give his team a shot in the arm.
If only his individual basketball mattered and you could discount his attitude, behavior and impact on team chemistry. Guys like Sheed and Derrick Coleman, as talented as they are, don't have the impact the bottom line (team success) like they should. As for the original question, I don't think we need a stud 4. The next generation of Otis Thorpe, Charles Oakley or a younger PJ Brown would do. Finding those guys is easier than a stud 4, but ain't easy nontheless. I'd love to have Kmart on the Rockets. Kmart is a top 2 or 3 PF in the East (maybe top 8 or 10 overall) who is in his prime. Much less than Brand, Gasol or possible Steve Francis (say in a 3-way trade) will not to land him.
I disagree. I think Yao has plenty of star power for the frontcourt. His teammate up front has to be able to hit his shot from midrange, and make his defender stay with him, so he doesn't double down on Yao. He should be able to rebound. Interior passing is a big plus, but being basketball-smart is even better if he going to work with the 2 guard. That guy can be a role player. It's more important to have a 3 that can deliver the ball to Yao or shoot over the defense, keeping the opponent from dropping down for the Yao sammich. A tough 3 that can snag some rebounds when Yao tip, tip tips them. A 3 that can defend and pass intelligently. We are renting Jim Jackson at that spot. He's 33 (now) and really would serve much better as backup at the 2 and 3, like the Kings had him behind Peja and Christie. If our 1 has court vision and can see through the defense or shoot over, and the 2 can take his man, work the p & r, pass it down or shoot strong, well, then Hey, we're all set .
