i dont think there will be much cap space left after signing mj. All we can do is to probably sign a few borderline NBA players, mostly a 4 or a part time 5 Actually the team's depth is preetty good PG: Alston/Sura SG: MJ/Head SF: TMac/Battier/Bowen PF: JHo/Hayes C: Yao/Mutombo Its actually an OK team if we play small ball
You got MJ at SG? Isn't he a little undersized to be playing SG? Where is Novak on the depth chart? I think the starting lineup will be: PG: MJ SG: T-Mac SF: Battier PF: Howard C: Yao That's a more durable starting 5 I would put on the floor.
oops haha forgot about our sharp shooter. Anyways MJ doesn't really play as a PG, he is more liek SG. The reason why he was playing PG in tor because nobody had the experience like him. Alston will still be the starting PG for next year. I think putting MJ on the bench gives the team the extra boost of firepower, ie when Tmac and Yao are down on the bench chilling out
It's imperative that MJ is on the floor at the same time Yao and Tmac, to give us that 3 point shooting threat. MJ should be like a superior version of Kenny Smith. I like Rafer off the bench in more limited minutes, as he matches up better against backup PGs.
Where is the GOOD PF we were craving for since 2003 I doubt the chance of this team achieving anything big this season with a big hole in our lineup
I don't see how we could land a quality starting 4 at this point. I think it would be great if we brought over Spanoulis. He's a big point and could be in the gam with MJ at the 2 without us being too short. We could also use an affordable back up 4/5. Perhaps Melvin Ely could be had.
I don't think it's even worth speculating until we know whether Mike James is signed with the MLE or acquired in a sign and trade. That makes all the difference when guessing who their next targets are: Though we do know that the Rockets are interested in Marcus Banks, Fred Jones and Jared Jeffries. That much has been reported.
What's wrong with james at the 1 guard? The guy averaged more assists than the ntire backcourt we had last year - with less weapons to pass to. If you have to guard the point (James 20+ points/game) and the point shoots 45% from outside, then why do you want an AND 1 point that couldn't hit a red headed step child right in front of him? How many times is TMac really a false point because bhe gets the ball, is double teamed, and has such great passing skills? Ditto yao. Fact is, we need shooters and rebounders around those two. James, Shane (Yikes!), Novak, Head, even JH can shoot. We really need to find a Otis Thorpe inside type 4 too. Chuck Hayes?
That sounds great and all, but Yao really benifitted from Alston's passing last season. Mike James is a hell of a ball player, but he isn't as good at setting up his team mates. I suspect James is going to see plenty of time at both the 1 & 2 spots. Incidentally, why is this thread called "Post Mike James Era" when the Mike James era hasn't even yet begun? The post Mike James era would be after he's no longer a Rocket, so this thread is REALLY premature!
Our lineup does not compare to Dallas, SA, etc. First we need to find a third offensive player at the wing. I don't think MJ can be that guy against better teams. Then we need to find a sizeable power forward and a sg or resign Keith Bogans. After that a backup center - Mutombo didn't contribute as much last year. This year he will likely drop off some more.
Because he really doesn't have point guard skills.. He is an undersized scoring two-guard. Many times numbers don't show anything and that is the case here, he might have had 6 assists on paper, but it wasn't that nice in real life. He might get the assists but he doesn't always pass the ball when it needs to be passed. Good example: Marbury has averaged 8 assists but he's still selfish.
As someone mentioned in another thread, versatility seems to be the name of the game. It's not like we need five bona fide stars out there in the lineup, just a number of versatile rotational players around McGrady and Yap. James gives us a sharpshooter when at the one and an undersized two, but no need to kid ourselves: the offense will still run through McGrady, so James does not need to be a traditional one. If Alston stays around, he can feed the post very well and can start the offense in traditional half-court sets. Battier can play the three in a longer lineup and the four in a quicker one. Head can be another undersized two behind McGrady, who would play both wing spots. I do agree that a more athletic post defender is needed behind both Yao and Howard, the latter of whom is just too one-dimensional to offer much else. But I still see a fairly versatile lineup if we can add that one post defender, then bring back our current free agents: 1: James-Alston-Head/Sura/Brunson 2: McGrady-Head-James-Bogans/Wesley/Frahm 3: Battier-McGrady-Bowen/Novak 4: Howard-"Mystery Post"-Battier-Hayes 5: Yao-"Mystery Post"-Mutombo
Can someone please explain the feeling that TMAC should play the three exclusively, I don't get it, what is the reasoning behind it. It seems to me he would benefit by gaurding and being gaurded by gaurds instead of forwards. I never saw the benefit of Tracy at the three but alot of y'all seem dead set against his moving back to gaurd, please explain.
after the signing of either MJ or Banks (our plan b) we will need help up front. deke will likely see more of a drop off in skill. i would like to see us grab a 4/5 with the TE. O.Harrington would probably be available. this would clear up some more cap space for the bulls to go after wilcox. both teams benifit. we could nab Doleac from the heat. he would be expendable if they sign songaila. Marc Jackson is out of the lineup in NOK. with Chandler, Armstrong, Simmons, and West on board. we could hope for a S&T for these guys: L.Wright would fit the need of a 4/5 who can guard the big pf's as well has hit a jumper. will the grizz S&T him to us? they sure owe us one. M.Ely would the cats want a TE in exchange for him? they'll just match any offer he gets IMO. D.Songaila isn't really a 4/5 but he's a 4 who can really shoot the ball. the bulls would like a TE for him since they are likely to let him go for nothing. the same thing goes for KVH as said above. Cuban won't help him come here though. K.Cato fits the need and the pistons are likely to be interested in the TE so they could add another piece. besides cato is still behind D.Davis on the depth chart (if he stays). S.Pollard is a very good defensive player at the 4/5. indy might be happy to get a TE for him. Jar.Collins is also an excellent defender at the 4/5. however the jazz have no real backup at the 4/5 who deserves PT except him. i doubt they let him go in a S&T.
Because two seasons ago TMac started at 2 at Jimmy Jackson started at 3. Once we trade JJ and slid TMac back to 3, he went on a tear and the team immediately started winning. Hard to argue with results.
I hate to say , but have to say you are WROOOOOOOOONG! Next season, the offense WILL AND MUST run through Yao!!!(at least 80%)
