What the heck are you even saying? They can't leave Asik alone because he's already in the paint! Asik isn't like Tony Allen who's standing in the corner 3 hoping someone guards him, Asik's just 1 or 2 steps away from a dunk or layup. Even if bobbles a pass now or then, if nobody guards Asik he's gonna score a lot because he can always go strong and dunk that ball. Plus, even if we get a stretch 4 it's not like DH's not gonna be double teamed anymore, in fact most teams will ACTIVELY double team him, because then they'll pick their poison and let the stretch 4 win or lose the game, unless Dwight or Harden shreds their defenders and win anyway. At least with Asik you get a lot more stuff like rebs, blocks and paint defense, the stretch 4's useless unless when he isn't scoring.
Keep Asik under all circumstances. We will dominate the board and control the paint. Much more valuable than a few more points from the PF.
The Rockets should keep Asik if all possible. $8M a year for his level of production at a position (big centers) of scarcity is a bargain, especially if you consider that he is our insurance policy in the event Howard can't play (don't even want to think about it). Trading Asik for future picks is nonsense. The Rockets are here to win NOW, not in the near future, nor do they have the time to wait and develop some high draft pick which may pan out or not. Having said all that, if a guy like LMA or Love are available and all it took was Asik + fillers, then I think Morey would do it. As someone posted in the game thread, the Bobcats were prepared for our fast break by running back down the court and set up their d. In games like these, a LMA would kill them with jumpers, with Howard being doubled teamed.
I think the twin towers lineup can only work is certain situations. Realistically the real value is having a great center in the game at all times. Dwight is gonna get nicked up and in foul trouble on a fairly regular basis, or you may wanna just limit his minutes. You can't have your D falling apart when that happens, Omer provides amazing security for Howard I know people say you shouldn't care about how a player feels, but you have to be pragmatic. If Asik's minutes shrink to 10-15 per game, he's not gonna be happy. Giving him an extra 5-10 minutes with Howard every game is worth it to keep Asik happy and his potential trade value up. Many numbers have been listed on this site, yet people still seem to underestimate the value of great defensive big men. You can only trade Omer if you are getting a great PF, or another solid defensive center in return. Stretch 4's are a dime a dozen, and draft picks are an unknown, we wanna win now. I'm fine going forward exactly how they played tonight, if it doesn't work then you can adjust.
You are not gettinfg LMA/Love for Asik + fillers. I don't think we can get equal value in return for what Asik brings to the team. I firmly believe Asik will remain a Rocket.
Some good points. Yes, I think McHale feels having Asik as backup center for defensive purposes is worth more than having a scoring PF in the starting lineup. As long as you give Asik 20 minutes a game, and the Rockets are winning, and coaches and players and fans make clear to him that he's an important part of their team, then he'll be happy, and want to stay. Also you're right about the stretch 4's: they're a dime a dozen. You don't need a big star like LMA in this starting lineup anymore than you need a scoring point guard like Lin: all you need is a stretch 4 who can hit spot up jumpers. There's that kid Nicholson from Orlando for instance, doesn't miss from outside, can't create his own shot though. Get a guy like that in free agency or trade him for draft picks; hold on to Asik. Win win.
Good players are good players no matter what position they are boxed in. If you follow basketball long enough, you will realize that position specialization doesn't really correlate with winning. From another perspective, having same position players on the court together usually only impacts a team negatively when these guys are ball stoppers or gunners. I would say having them together on the court will help the Rockets in way more games than it would hurt them in some (stretch 4 mismatches?). If you have Dwight and Omer who are great rebounders and defenders, and are a load offensively within 3-5 feet of the basket, there will be way way more positives than negatives. Clogging the lane on offense? You've got shooters surrounding them with exceptional 3 point range, should not be a major problem at all. IN fact, the idea of them clogging the lane on the defense should make us salivate instead of question. They don't need the ball every frigging time to be happy, they will get their kicks swatting away enemy shots and grabbing every board that does not go the other big.
also dont forget back to back games...it will be our huge advantage over the rest of the league to be able to cushion back to backs...
I'm in this camp. D is more important. There will be games where our O just plain sucks and we will win simply because of our D.
the reason we got so many boards is because the Bobcats didn't even bother contesting rebounds on the offensive glass. They just ran straight back.
Hey guys longtime lurker finally decided to start posting. Been a fan since Barkley was traded to the Rockets. Anyway we have to keep Asik the defense and rebounding was phenomenal. The offense will get better. Harden will not miss like he did in every game. Once Howard and Asik learn to play together things will be even more better. Keeping both guarantees we will always have a stopper on the floor. Only way I trade Asik is for three players Aldridge Love or Cousins. Screw that stretch 4 who can't grab rebounds. Rebounds is where its at. You can't score if you don't have possesions.
Keep Asik. In addition to his rebounding, he is the best man on man low post defender on the team (DH is better off the ball). Offensively, he is still working into shape - there is no reason to believe he won't improve as the season goes along and he gets used to his new role. Charlotte was extremely lucky last night. Josh McRoberts went 3 - 4 from the three point line. Before last night, in 273 career games, he was 61 - 189 from the three point line - 32%.
