what's the obsession with small forwards?

They need a "center" in the worst way. The problem is that you have to deal with matchups. How do you matchup with Shawn Marion or Dirk Nowitzki or Rashard Lewis or Pedja Stojakovich (boy, I butchered that one), etc.? Everything in this league is based on matchups. We have NON ONE at small forward to matchup with the good SF's in the league.

Our backcourt is set. Our power forward is set. Our center position and our small forward position are problematic. We COULD continue with Cato and scrubs at the 5 if we absolutely had to, but, assuming Rice continues to have injury problems, Langhi and Morris are NOT solutions there.

Personally, I see the Rockets needs as follows:

Athletic small forward
Big man to play center
Defensive-minded swing man (2/3)
Defensive/Rebounding bruiser to back up at 4 and 5

Seems to me that the SF position is DEEP in this draft and, like most drafts, light on centers. Shouldn't be hard to find a swing man or bruiser on the free agent market as role players. The key is evaluating whether or not Ming is worth that pick. If he is, great. Take him. If not, the next best option is small forward given all the talent at that position in this draft.

 

Jeff, I totally agree with those priorities! And I have a REALISTIC trade proposal that solves almost all of them! I've posted this already at three other places on this board, but what the hell:

1. Houston sends #1 and Cato to L.A. for Olowakandi and #12.
2. Houston sends #12, #15, and Taylor (maybe Thomas instead, if they insist) to Seattle for Lewis and one of their "bruisers" (James or Oyedeji).

Athletic small forward: solved
Big man to play center: solved
Defensive-minded swing man (2/3): umm, I'll get back to you
Defensive/Rebounding bruiser to back up at 4 and 5: solved

 

Drexlerfan, you don't do justice to either the #1 or Cato for that matter (of whom I am not a fan) with that first trade IMO. For the Clips to give up just Kandiman and their lower lottery pick for the overall #1 is ridiculous on our side (have we ever come up with a lopsided trade in the other team's favor before? ) On the other hand, I don't know if the proposed Seattle trade would get it done. If Seattle still likes Rashard as much as they always have, I don't think they'd do it. If Seattle isn't as fond of Rashard as before, we might have to have the Clippers' #8 instead of the #12 and then maybe we could get it done.

You know what's fantastic? If we get Ming and he actually pans out as a Rik Smits type, I think we could very possibly solve our SF problem though signing. The Rockets haven't been as attractive to free agents the past couple of years because we've been a crappy, non-competitive team. With Ming though, we at least develop the allure of being a near-contendor, if not a contendor now. That could be enough to sign a very solid starting SF. I don't think Rashard will come back to Houston, but if we were to get Ming and were on the up and up and Seattle was stuck in the lottery, I bet Rashard would strongly consider a "hometown discount" (which I don't think he seriously considers now, besides what some pro-Rashard posters may feel) then.

 

Rashard is not the answer, esp since he wants the max. It would have been nice if we had drafted him, but get over it. Let's take the young gentleman from Connecticut...

 

It appeared the Rockets were locked in on getting a SF since we had no chance at Ming before the lottery. Now people can't get that crazy notion out of their minds. They cling to the idea of getting Odom, Lewis, MD and Butler like Linuce held onto his blanket. Guys...the tide has changed. We get a stud center. Accept it! Oh and there are a few great options for a SF latter in the draft.

 

thecabbage,

I've always felt the small forward position is the most useless one in basketball. By prototype, it is someone who cannot control the tempo on the perimeter or demand the ball in the low post. Well, that was my position...so go figure. But I could play some good defense.

 

We do not need a small forward. Everybody is focusing on positions instead of needs. What we need is outside shooting and that's what Ming is bringing. Griffin and Mo-T will have plenty of space in the post area, not that they are gonna want it that much anyway! As far as the defensive end is concerned, a shot-blocker like Ming is going to make up for any slow-footed big forward we have playing the three.

 

I think the obsession comes from the fact that the position has historically been the 'glamor' position of the league, what the QB position is to the NFL. How about:

Bird
Dr J
Baylor
Worthy
'Nique

The SF is also the hardest position to fill due to the lack of consistency at the position. Ideally, I think the SF position is that transition between the backcourt and frontcourt, a player who operates competently at both.

But then again, SFs are asked to run the offense, be the #1 option on offense, be the #1 low-post option, be the defensive stopper, be the 'glass man', etc.

Imagine being a SF in the NBA, one night you're having to matchup with Jerome Williams, next night Mashburn, next night Pippen, next night Rick Fox, and you end the week with Nowitski. That's rebounder, scorer, playmaker, defender, #1 scorer, all in a week.

Tough week.

Just my $0.02

 

The Small forwards will come to us once we have Ming.

 

I can not agree with you more. At the end of the day, the Rocks need to come away a franchise 5 with their pick via Yoa or a trade.