Link Rockets need a third star with Howard and Harden--does Chandler Parsons need to be part of the mix to get that done? I don't think so but I think if you are looking at a Carmelo or Kevin Love, just a hunch, it may require that. In Carmelo's case, they would be looking at clearing cap room--moving Asik and Lin--to be a threat to sign him outright. I think they hope to keep Parsons. If you were to make an offer for Kevin Love, I have a hard time seeing how they can keep a straight face and make an offer without Parsons being involved. You mentioned you don't see a scenario where both Lin and Asik are on the team next <strike>week</strike>. The balloon payment is coming up for both those guys. Their cap hit is about $17 million. It's a poor allocatement of cap space and funds. It's what is holding up everything, as far as them getting that third player. They have upgraded versions of these two players. Lin is basically a backup to Harden and Asik is a backup to Howard. It's a poor distribution of funds they have to work with in order to get that third player. It's a luxury they can't afford. It's holding up everything, as far as Morey being able to add role players beyond one-year contracts, beyond league minimum deals. They really need to make this happen. I don't think they can afford to go into next season, another year of Howard's prime, without having basically cleared the works here, getting these guys off the team. Market for each guy? It depends on how they'll do that. If they need to move those guys for cap space, Asik you can move him. You'll find someone to take him outright. In Lin's case, it will require some sweetener. You'll have to give at least a first round pick--in the 25 range--and maybe more than that. It depends. If they're not looking for cap space and are trying to make a trade, find someone who is looking for Lin for one year, perhaps a NY or Toronto if they lose Kyle Lowry. It's a little different if they're taking back salary. Rockets need more help coaching wise. What is it about his coaching style that they need more help in that area? I've never really been against Kevin McHale. He gives the team a lot of leeway to run the offense. It's served the team well in a lot of ways. If you look at this playoff series, specifically the Jeremy Lin non-timeout and turnover at the end of game four and the defense on Lillard with .9 seconds in game six, the team was completely unprepared. They were not coached in those situations. Lin could have and absolutely should have called a timeout but neither did anyone else on the team and neither did McHale. It looked like they were completely unprepared. The defense on the final play, there were several failures. They lost a lot when Kelvin Sampson went to UH. McHale is great in a lot of ways but as far as Xs and Os, they need more experience on that staff. What to do with James Harden, with respect to his defense? Maturation thing, needs a spark lit or am I overestimating his ability to play defense? I don't think you're overestimating it. He's strong, he has good size. When he gets angry and is engaged, he does pretty well. It's fascinating. You've seen the videos online. He zones out on the defensive end at times. I don't know that anyone can do anything there except James Harden. I'm hoping this failure opens his eyes and makes him realize you can't take plays off. He's a supreme talent but when he's not hitting his shots, he's a liability on the floor because he's that bad defensively. Hopefully he can show improvement this offseason. What type of player(s) are they missing to take it to the next level? 3 point shooting is one of the biggest problems. They need as well a lockdown defender. Memphis has a Tony Allen that you can throw on a best player. P.J. Tucker is a restricted FA. Someone like that, who is a 39% 3 point shooter, has good size and can guard the wing. That is what this team desperately needs off the bench. Across the board, mediocre 3 point shooters. Nobody outside of Beverley could you put on a perimeter player. You can't put Beverley on a Durant. They need a lockdown defender and guys who can knock down the 3 point shot.
I also had a difficult time getting the audio feed, so thanks, J.R.! I agree that losing Sampson gave a major hit to our defense. I was concerned about it at the time, as were a few other folks around here, but most seemed to dismiss it as a potential problem going forward. Well, it sure as hell was. That's obvious. Both obvious and a bit shocking at just how much our defense was affected with his departure. There's something I'd like to know. Maybe Clutch or someone else has the answer. Contractually, were we required to allow Sampson to leave prior to the end of the season and the attendant playoffs if he got an offer like this? Because if we weren't required to let him leave when he did, the decision to let Sampson go to UH early just might have cost us advancing to the second round. In fact, in my humble opinion, it did.
I like that idea. I guess don't need another star (Rondo) to do that just as long as Harden respects him.
Thanks so much for the link J.R. How did you locate it on the site? I'm looking all over trying to figure out where you found it at there as they (610 people) screw up the audio links on an extremely consistent basis and I'd like to know for future reference. thanks.
