Would putting the ball handling responsibilities in Tmac hands, and getting a pg that is great at draining the spot-up shots and playing tough D the answer for the Rox?
That is basically what they are looking for. A PG out of the John Paxson - B.J. Armstrong mold. Which goes to my point... The Rockets might actually go into the season with Lue as the PG. What you described is basically Lue. He brings that intensified full-court defense and he's a pretty decent spot up shooter. When you think of a one dimensional pg like John Paxson or BJ Armstrong...who do you think of? I think of Fisher first, and then Lue second. After that, the pointguards become more 'create' oriented. The thing about the Rockets offense is that a average PG can run it. All he needs to do is space the floor, keep the defense honest, and either shoot or swing the ball when Tracy or Yao create an open shot off of double-teams. Does anyone have the Stats from JVG's 1999 NY Knicks PG play?
Actually, I just get the feeling that the Rockets are looking for a steady player that can contribute in different ways if his shot ain't falling (like the other two role players in the starting lineup). I keep getting this sinking feeling that we're trading for Howard Eisley.
Why would they get Eisley then if they're looking for someone who can contribute even when his shot isn't falling?
Great A/TO ratio EDIT: And, of course, he is most effective when his shot is falling. But like JJ, he has blowup potential. Every few nights he has one of those 18ppg, 22ppg nights when you wonder why he isn't a star.
The Rockets haven't shown any signs of going after Eisley, and I don't think the Suns are going to trade with the Rockets anyway.
Eisley has the same problem as MoT in that he is overpaid and therefore not very attractive in a trade. Eisley is more overpaid than Mo. Why bother with a guy like Eisley, when your team is young?
essencially if Tmac would serve as a point forward and the Rox are looking for a lights out shooting/ defender minus ball handling skills, Rox can sign/trade anyon from the 3 to the Point. A Tall and quick 1-2 at the point, or get a good 3 and have Tmac/ JJ at the point. Pretty much The Rox has a versital group, so no one should panic, unless tomorrow is opening day.
Exactly Phizz. Heck, who knows, when preseason comes around we might find the right PG playing on the preseason team. Also, teams might start dumping players, by trade or waived or cut or whatever, to free up money or roster space or shave roster space and give other players playing time. Anything can happen if the Rockets don't get a PG soon. Now, obviously, I would prefer a PG now, but no reason to panic.
If the Suns added Barbosa along with Eisley, I would take on his contract. 6 mil for the next 2 seasons is not that bad. It’s at least better than Fisher’s contract.
I hear what your saying but there is 1 HUGE difference between a Paxson/Armstrong and Lue and that is SHOOTING. Lue is an average to below average shooter with limited range while Paxson and Armstrong were one of the BEST wide opened spot up shooters in that era. IMO, With Yao and TMAC, it is crucial that we surround them with good shooters to keep defenders honest.
Statistically he's not that far off from Paxson and Armstrong. Paxson was a career 35% 3-point shooter, Armstrong shot 42%, and Lue shoots 39% from 3-point land.
Can Van Excel be taught to play team defense (rotataing quickly on the perimeter and fighting through picks and screens?)
