We don't move our superstar out of the position where he is most comfortable. Here's how we look now: PG - Alston / ? SG - ? / Head / Sura SF - McGrady / Battier / Bowen / Novak PF - Battier / Howard / Hayes C - Yao / ? I think we're going to have to wing it at center. That means re-signing Mutombo for one more year, and sliding Howard as a backup 5 in smaller lineups. Reallistically, we have to assume that Sura's career is effectively over. We need Spanoullis in the worst way. He's a draft pick, so I'm hoping we don't have to cut into our MLE to sign him. This means we have to spend our MLE on a starting 2. We don't have enough depth anywhere else to trade for a starter. Our best bets in free agency are Mike James, Bonzi Wells, and James Posey. Which one is best can be debated elsewhere, but I will slot Posey in here for discussion: PG - Alston / Spanoullis SG - Posey / Head / Sura SF - McGrady / Battier / Bowen / Novak PF - Battier / Howard / Hayes C - Yao / Howard / Mutombo This is a solid starting lineup, but we are paper thin if we have an injury or two. Unfortunately, Les is slowly gearing up for a sale, and doesn't seem ready to break the bank to get us some instant depth.
I see it this way. Moving T-Mac back to SG is his natural position, thats what he played in Orlando and how he started in Houston when he was teamed with JJ playing the SF position. Moving T-Mac back to SG would mean that he could dominate that position with his length, he would be one of the biggest SG guards in the league at 6'8". If we don't move him back to SG, it would necessitate using the MLE to bring in a combo guard or SG to round out the roster, if we move him back to SG then we can go after Wilcox at the PF position or Claxton as a pure PG backup. Moving T-Mac back to SG gives us more flexibility to sign other players. This trade is so lopsided that it doesn't make sense. I think when we see the deal finalized, a draft pick or Kyle Lowery has to be included. PG Alston SG T-Mac SF Battier PF Howard C Yao
Remember, guys, that T-Mac was moved to the SF position in large part for DEFENSIVE purposes. Guarding the other team's shooting guard was taking a toll on T-Mac's offensive production; and Jim Jackson was too slow to guard opposing 2's. Battier will be responsible for guarding the other team's 2 or 3 (whichever is a greater offensive threat), since he is a tough and agile defender. T-Mac can guard the easier cover, allowing him to concentrate on offense. Remember, we were getting killed last year because Wesley (although a tough and good defender) was just too damn small to guard the other teams' big guards. Battier can do this. Plus, T-Mac basically plays the 2 on offense anyway. I can easily see them starting Battier and T-Mac together. If they want to label either one a "guard" or a "forward", so what. Together, they will man the 2 and 3 spots.
C: Yao/Deke/Hayes PF: Juwan/Hayes/Novack SF: T-Mac/Battier/Novack/RyBo SG: Head/Free Agent PG: Skip/Sura?/Free Agent Battier make RyBo redundant. Head is the Rockets' starting 2.
The primary reason T-Mac was moved to the SF position was because we got DW in trade for JJ not because of any defensive purpose. DW could never play the SF position so they slid T-Mac over to the SF and DW played his natural SG position. The effect of this shuffle was if you remember was that the team became much quicker and began an immediate turnaround because JJ was turtle slow.
Some possible FAs I would like to see signed on the cheap (all unrestricted btw): Forwards: Marcus Fizer Aaron Williams Devean George Keith Van Horn ( ) Darius Songaila
Every one should know now that the SG/SF positions are pretty much interchangeable. Tmac will be a SF on defense and Battier will guard the 2 or basically the opposition's best perimeter player. He is one of the only guys in the league that can guard 3 positions effectively. TMac has and always will play SG on offense, but now he can be a true SG on offense since we have a true offensive SF that can cause mismatches. The other teams SG and SF are going to have to guard two 6"8 players with excellent skills on offense and defense. Battier can create so many mismatches because he can also play the 4 against quicker PF's and now JVG will make him guard them if need be cause he probably has a man crush on him.
Exactly. And that's the way things have been in Orlando, during T-Mac's best years. As much as I admire(d) Wesley, his size definitely was a certain handicap.
I think that the trade was good for us except we should have gotten more than just Battier. I can't wait to see how he fits and how well we will play next year!
Actually, you have it backwards. The reason the Rockets traded for David Wesley was in order to get quicker defensively. The trade was made with the PURPOSE of moving McGrady to the 3. Battier is much quicker on defense than Jim Jackson was two years ago. Before the Griz got Eddie Jones, Battier spent extensive time defending opposing 2's in Memphis (does anyone here actually believe that Mike Miller can defend SGs?).
Yah i agree with ur lineup prediction for next year. Though i am still skeptical whether j-ho will be our no.1 PF for the forthcoming season.
Battier has to play SF. Having him come off the bench puts us into an even deeper talent hole. Having Head start at SG puts us into a talent hole (certainly at a size deficit). Starting Battier at PF puts us into a talent hole (again, certainly at a size deficit). This roster is in bad shape. And wasting roster spots on players like Ryan Bowen exasperates the situation. Perhaps the right move all alog was trading down and getting to #1's in the teens and drafting Brewer, or Carney, or Redick, or WIlliams and a big. We are in need of talent. I am beginning to think the best measure of a team is the talent level of your third best player. Right now, Battier has to be considered that third best player. Compare him with the other teams' third best player... SAN's Ginobli, DAL's Howard, PHO's Diaw, MIA's Walker, DET's Prince.
