I think the team is one good starter away from contending for the championship. I think the #1 pick this summer will be huge. Reason- versatility of TMac We can draft either a PF, SF, 2G or PG We also need another upgrade with our MLE based upon the draft pick. When we pick we need a player that can start and contribute right away. Because Tracy can play the 2 guard and the small forward we could go either of those directions. We need a PF if that is the best player available. A really good PG would be nice. But any way, if we draft a really good player we can contend next season. This year we are going to be short at too many spots for TMac and Yao to win the whole thing. One more scorer to put pressure on the defense and make teams pay. I don't think it would hurt us to have Howard back at power forward if we had another good scorer in the lineup. We sure need to bring Deke back or get a very good backup. Deke has been very key to us since Yao has not been a 40+min player. I believe alot is riding on our draft pick.
I think what we do with the draft pick and MLE is very important. There are three key players that I think the rockets should go after withthe MLE, and they should be available for MLE money, namely stro swift, radman, and b simmons. I'd relli want radman, since he can shoot the three, and he would make defenses pay. He is also a legit small forward, so he would give us some depth at the swingman position. Unfortunately, i do not think we will be able to draft a power forward who can contribute right away from the draft, so that is why i think we should get stro swift via the mle. He is a great 4 to compliment yao. Then with our draft pick we should get a swingman, like a richard jefferson type (he was the 14th pick rite?) who can shoot and is fairly athletic. So my goal for this summer is stro swift, and a 2/3 via the draft.
I think it is way too early to even consider what will happen. There's a decent chance there will be a lockout next summer and we could miss aa big chunk of the season. Look at the NHL this year - no season at all. Second, this is a VERY light draft. Some are suggesting it won't be more than 10 decent players deep. I still think we make the playoffs which puts us well out of that range. Unlike the NFL where you HAVE to build through the draft to be successful, you can re-make a team through trades and free agency in the NBA. Though our cap situation isn't great, there will likely be some salary dump opportunities out there and we have the MLE as well as a trade exception, which could be valuable around draft time. At this point, there are just way too many variables to look ahead and predict any one way of finding a decent player. No one thought we actually had a shot at Tracy McGrady last season and we saw what happened.
Disagree. He let Andre Barrett guard Steve Nash for a lot of minutes. If the rookie earns it, he'll get minutes.
I disagree that we need a guard. We need a baning defensive power forward. We get killed but strong power forwards and have no answer and the type of player Yao is he needs that support on the boards.
Yes it is too early to talk draft, And the draft will be called light until 10 high school phenoms declare. Stromile Swift would be sweet at PF. But I am not sure we contend until we get another star talent/scorer. I like teams that put pressure on defenses with at least 3 legit options- Stoudamire, Marion, Nash Hamilton, Wallace, Billups I think San Antonio has been hurt by not having enough scoring around Duncan (at least in the playoffs) Gino and Parker may be enough. Roll players are good if you have two dominant scorers or one dominant scorer with 2 to 3 pretty good options I think our #1 was not dealt to New Orleans w/ Mo Tay because we need to catch lightning in a bottle this coming draft. A Mobley/Cassell quality pick.
That's because JVG had no one else to put in. JVG doesn't play rookies, he never has. But like you said, if they earn it, they SHOULD get the minutes. But like Jeff said, this draft is going to be very weak, so I don't see us picking up someone that could have a big impact, that is if CD doesn't throw away another 1st rounder.
what other way should there be?? if they dont earn it, i dont want to see them out there. weak draft doesnt always mean no help. many times people consider a draft weak when there is few potential impact players. but there are usually loads of role players to be found in most drafts, and gems are always slipping to later rounds only to develope into a quality player.
Right now they look like a .500 team which would put them in the lottery. Unless someone other than JVG, Dawson & Co are making the decision on who to draft, it will wind up as a wasted pick anyway so I suggest that you "Curb Your Enthusiasm" before you end up disappointing yourself.
Stro Swift with the MLE and Jarrett Jack with the draft pick or Antonio Daniels with the MLE and package the pick with the TE and a player to get back Tyson Chandler or trade the pick for Arroyo and sign Swift or trade MoT and Spoon/TE for Penny, sign Swift to the MLE, Dale Davis to the Vets Minimum or............. We gotta be looking to make another move now before the trade deadline with one of our PFs and our TE. I really think that we are gonna drop Mo and the TE for something.
