I think lately there's been a lot of talk about bringing in scoring guards and wings. There's been talk of defensive guards and even about big(ger) men. I dont think the team needs any big tweak other than solving the tmac position. One thing that is definitely lacking and has been overlooked is the role of sharpshooter. One that Novak could have had, but of course he was traded. On side note, he's had 5 games of 5 three pointers or more in the last 2 and a half months. Pretty much all offenses that rely on a big man like Yao most of the time have some sharpshooters and it seems like we're going away from that more and more. Of course 4 sharpshooters like Novak around Yao wasn't going to work, but now that we have a good number of scorers in Brooks, Ron, wafer, scola and Yao, we need to consider adding a sharpshooter. We have no one right now unless you count Barry, who rarely plays and probably will retire this summer. There's no other player who's going to consistently make a good percentage of their perimeter shots. Lowry doesn't have the range and isn't that consistent even from 15. Wafer is streaky. Brooks is streaky. Shane of course is in a mountain-sized slump and although he's been consistent with his 3s in the past, he's not a midrange shooter. Ron's not one either, although his percentages would be as high as a sharpshooter if he cut down on forced shots. We need someone that anytime he's wide open, you know it's a guaranteed score. Kapono is a good example, although he's having a slow year, his 6 yr average from 3 is 46%. I'm assuming Cook was kept around for a Novak-like role, but he's too one dimensional at the PF spot to get away with having him out there too long. So go ahead and post players who fit that mold who we could trade for this summer or sign via free agency.
i think we should inquire about Anthony Morrow during the offseason. He's not exactly the traditional pure shooter because he can score in other ways also, but he's accurate enough to be the guy need. He usually shoots a solid % whether he shoots one three pointer or 6. He also has a midrange jumper, can dribble and penetrate well enough to not just be a spot up shooter.
A Jason Kapono type to come off the bench. That was suppose to be Brent Barry but that guy looks washed up.
Lol....Ben Gordon... He's small but he's a scorer for sure and he's not going to miss many wide open 3s.
We had/have good shooters, but unfortunately, they start losing their shooting touch after came to Houston, a Rockets "disease"? Good shooter before came to Huston, o. AB -- won some kind of 3pt shoot out contest in college; o. Head -- very good shooter in college; o. Scott Padgett -- an outstanding shooter; o. the Barry brothers -- well known sharp shooter.
I'm hoping for someone with a midrange J as well though. Barry can hit it, but because of his shooting form he's not really going to get it off if he's covered. Kapono, wally Z, they can get those shots off even if defended.
It would be a waste to limit him to this role and i dont see him fitting in with ron and wafer already looking for their own shots most of the time.
I think AB has always been a bit streaky. Head was solid, but couldnt get his shot off. Padgett was just a good shooter, not really a sharpshooter. the barry brothers i think did well for us, especially Jon, Brent just hasn't been healthy or had much PT.
We don't really have a problem with that. We may not have player's who are typically described as playmakers, but having a variety of scoring threats creates open shots. The shots are there to be taken, if we dont get a lot its usually due to turnovers. However, that's why we need someone more versatile than a Novak or Cook. Guys like Kapono and wally dont need to be open to be fairly accurate, they shot up high so they can get shots off with a hand in their face. A guy like Morrow has the ability to drive to that creates space for him to get shots off. As long as we get guys with traits like that then they dont necessarily need to be set up, a second of daylight is usually enough.
This is very true. Players usually need to get into their comfortable spots, and with good timing to shoot a good percentage, that usually has a lot to do with the way the PG set up the plays. In my more than 20 years following NBA basketball, there has been only ONE player who doesn't need any of that, that's Craig Hodges with the old Bulls. That guy can sit cold on the bench for 47 minutes, then walk onto the floor, makes 3pt like a walk in the park. I think he won consecutive NBA 3pt competitions, and still holds the record for the competition. As a side note, Larry Bird was so upset with Hodges breaking his record, he complained that players like Hodges shouldn't be allowed to compete because they were bench players, had advantage due to their fresh legs. It was ridiculous came from someone like Bird.
I don't like one dimensional shooters like Novak or Cook but we don't have good ball movement on the team nor do we have players who can create their own shot or for others.
If we wanted a low cost guy who can come on just for the 3 ball then Kapono is that guy. If you want more minutes and a bit more of a game then next step is Mike Miller.
I think Kapono would be ideal, but I think his 6 million/yr contract would be too much for that role. (and y'all better not suggest Battier for Kapono unless we're a lock to get Wade or Lebron in 2010). I dont think Morey would think it's worthwile for 20 mins a game. However, we got some many players at a bargain price that maybe they'd risk it. He'd be a FA in 2011, along with Battier, landry, and possibly chuck. on a side note, can y'all believe we're paying Landry, chuck, scola, wafer, lowry, and Brooks a combined 10 million
