How many minutes can Asik play with Dwight in a game?

Close to zero. On offense it's a complete disaster, especially on spacing. On defense it's a disaster if the opposing PF has any kind of jumpshot.

50% chance Asik is traded before the season. 100% chance he's traded by the February deadline. The guy is a proven full-time player who has no business being a 15-20 minute backup to Dwight. When another team meets Morey's asking "price", he's gone gone gone for a PF or PG. Rockets will NOT keep him the entire 2013/14 season.

 

Wrong forum, and I agree with A_3PO. Very few.

I could see them playing significant minutes together against certain teams with big and slow front lines, such as Memphis and Cleveland, but against most teams it should be 5 minutes at most.

 

Lately we talk about Rockets in the Dish?
I am all ears.

 

5-10 wouldn't be bad, plus Asik needs the mins.

If Howard's playing lets around 32 mins a game, does anybody really expect Asik only to play 16 mins a game? Hell no, 22-26 mins should be minimum.

 

Very smart, putting it in the Dish to get out of the madness of the GARM.


Unfortunately, 0. Maybe in some very special circumstance, like late in the game, when we absolutely need to get the offensive rebound, we can put the two there to grab it, or if Howard is on the line, sub in Asik as one of the rebounders, but apart from that. You get a stretch 4 in there and they'll destroy Howard or Asik, the same way Okur did with Yao.

 

About 28-30 minutes.

 

I think it depends on the team they play. Also even though it seems like any team with a PF with a mid-range game means bad news for an Asik, Howard combo, I wonder if limiting the opposing team to a long-two and a one shot possession each time would outweigh the seemingly obvious disadvantage. You have to admit visualizing both of them crashing the boards at the same time is scary.

 

I agree asik 100% chance is traded by deadline

 

As many as he wants once he is traded

 

he can play up to 18 as a backup, keeping dwight at around 30mpg and fresh/healthy for the playoffs. i'm sure they will attempt it for like 5 mpg in preseason to appease omer but it won't last.

 

Close to 0


I fully expect Omer to be gone by the deadline. He won't be a happy guy sitting on the bench and playing limited minutes

 

The last 5 minutes with a 10 point lead

 

Even then its debatable with certain teams. If the opposing team has an athletic sharp-shooting PF, or they go small with all long range shooters, its going to be tough to not match up with quicker (not bigger) defenders.

So really, your looking at the spotty minutes when the Rockets are looking to sustain a lead against a team that would need to score points in the paint almost primarily.

 

Yeah, so the Rockets can blow the lead and lose.

 

I agree with the first part, but the percentages are hyperbole. I think teams have had plenty of time to trade for Asik is they wanted him before the season. Yes, Asik deserves to be a starter.

Rockets will not give away Asik as he has a lot of value as a backup center. Asik and Lin's contracts come off books at same time...the same time Aldridge will be a free agent. I also think Morey thinks he will has good odds that a decent starting PF emerges this season out of Motiejunas or Jones.

Camby is a nice pickup, but I don't think the Rockets want to trust Methuselah with backing up Dwight. I just don't think there is a big list of PFs that are available for Asik that are an improvement over Motiejunas in 36 minutes against starters, that Asik is over Smith when playing against backups for 15 min.

I don't think it will be easy for the Rockets to find a trading partner willing to offer fair value for Asik. I can't think of a PF that the Rockets would trade for with Asik that hasn't been in an all star game.

For PGs, I like Lin and Beverley. If the Rockets traded for a PG, I suspect it will include Lin for salary matching purposes.

 

I don't think the Rockets play Asik and Howard much together. That said, I don't think many teams want to go small against the Rockets (Miami not included) as it allows the Rockets to go small 1-4 without penalty while having Dwight at center.

 

I am no basketball genius, but I wouldn't trade Asik. With him you have 48 minutes of rim protection.

 

What I mean by going small mostly is to put shooters at the 1 - 4 positions to try and make a run from 3 point range in the last few minutes against the Rockets if they go big with Asik & Howard.

A team like Portland might match up Batum with Asik on the defensive end, and kill the Rockets from 3, or force Asik/Howard to come out to the 3 point line and open driving lanes for their guards.

If Im an opposing coach and I see Dwight and Asik coming on the court to play together, Im hoping they pack the paint with those two, try to get them switched with some back cuts along the baseline, and try to go for a run with several 3 pointers.... just my thinking.

Point is- I dont think McHale will just automatically throw out Asik & Howard on the floor if they are up at the end of the game. Alot of teams now can spread the floor with shooters.... even lesser teams like Phoenix with the Morris twins and Channing Frye, and the Pelicans with Ryan Anderson & Jason Smith.... The Rockets could see problems going big against teams that can shoot the 3, and go smaller.... If they INSIST on going twin towers consistently.

 

If teams go small on the Rockets, play a 4-1 zone with Dwight. On offense, pound the ball to Dwight everytime. Easy win.