I was coming in to say Ariza because of his defense is clearly the better player, but baubo's analogy is better than anything I could come up with. Plus, Ariza has significantly more playoff experience...and plays very well in the playoffs. Ariza shoots 44.2% 3ptrs in the Playoffs covering 52 games. I also agree with those saying they love Brewer with Josh off the bench, as well. I'm not in agreement regarding considering contract situations. We (Rockets Fans) need to stop weighing that considering Ariza's deal is regarding as good. It is time to win now!
Ariza, because he provides a veteran leader in the line up. He does what he does good. His shot was flat because he got over played at the beginning of the season. Now that Brewer is taking some of those minutes and Ariza is playing closer to 32 minutes a game, Ariza is playing better. But both are good players.
At the end of the day probably this... I love what Ariza brings but if we could get our hands on Kanter/Dragic/Green in a three team deal in which we only lose Ariza/Jones/Terry/Capela/pick... Then I believe you pull the trigger Howard/Kanter DMo/Smith Brewer/Green Harden Dragic/Beverly
Not that I think it'll be a question we have to face (Ariza or Brewer), but I think Ariza's defense is critical. The rest of the team follows his lead. Without him we might slip back into last year's defensive effort (but even worse, as Dwight isn't around to help erase those matador-D moments). IF one or the other were to go into a trade, it would depend on the haul. Morey is probably holding onto that "so you're telling me there's a chance....YES!!!" hope that Cleveland trades Kevin Love. If either Ariza or Brewer had to go, it'd be the former; Brewer and Love are buddies from their T-wolves days (and neither despised McHale). Otherwise, keep Ariza. But I do like Brewer and think Kpap is the trade commodity with that suspicious contract: 4.8 million a year for two years, team option after one year.
Ariza, he's more diverse on defense. You can put him on a lot of PGs and be highly effective and on a few PFs too. That diversity is worth way more than a spark plug type. ¿Por que no los dos?
Brewer is not a 3 and D player. He got off to a great start shooting the 3 for us, but that 3% is back down to 32% and his overall shooting has been falling hard. Ariza had a HORRIFIC, MISERABLE, WORST OF ALL TIME stretch shooting the ball, but he's back to being better than Brewer. Brewer 3% December: .43% (YAY!) January: 27% (YUCK!) February: 26% (YUCKY) Ariza 3% December: 28% (YUCK! This is when everyone wanted him benched) January: 34% (He look ok) February: 38% (Woo hoo!)
Based on contracts I would take Brewer. Would create more flexibility for us to obtain key players for our team. Corey Brewer $4,702,500 $4,905,000 vs Trevor Ariza $8,600,000 $8,200,000 $7,800,000 $7,400,000
Brewer has been shooting okay so far with us. So a lot of people forget that he is a career sub-30% 3pt shooter. As bad as Ariza is shooting, he is a much better long ball shooter than Brewer every single year of their careers.
Ariza if you had to choose one but as currently constructed the tandem is perfect. Brewer and Smith off the bench is amazing please please Morey keep both of these guys long term.
Its so hard to pick, I love them both! Ariza has really good defense which compliments the team however Brewer is so fierce and brings so much energy...GAHHHHH
If we could keep only one of the two, I would keep Brewer and bring in Chase Budinger. Brewer would be the starter, but Bud could enter when we needed some additional firepower. I believe Bud is going to be a FA soon, and he will not command an exorbitant salary.
It's a luxury having both of them for sure. A luxury I don't want to give up. I think it's a moot question because Morey will figure out a way to keep both unless we get something amazing back. With that said I think both of them are being severely underutilized. We desperately need a PG that can push the ball and get them looks in transition/open looks spotting up. They both struggle with these because they can't create their own shot Ariza more so than Brewer and Bev can't create opportunities for himself or others to save his life. I can only imagine how much Brewer, Ariza and even Josh Smith would've feasted had they been a part of the Suns run back in 05 with Nash running the show. Nash was one of the best because he made marginal players like Raja Bell and Barbosa good, and brought the best out of already talented players like Marion and helped him become an Allstar. Of course Nash was one of the best and there is nobody exactly like him so it's just a thought but an improvement at the 1 would directly benefit Brewer and Ariza twofold. This is the reason why I wan't Gogi or Lawson so bad.
I am impressed it is so close, almost 50/50 and even more impressed that folks have been having good solid discourse without degrading to name calling - well done CFans. It is not an easy choice, honestly they both bring something a little bit different to the table, Brewer moves off the ball and finishes well and can dribble and pass, while Ariza's on the ball defense is better, his 3ball is a little better, and his length and rebounding are nice too. I love having them both, but personally would like an offense/defense contrast to where you could sub out one for someone that is more consistent offensively....imagine Korver on this team for instance... Still, good discussions, nice. DD
I actually love seeing Ariza and Brewer on the court together. Instead of picking someone over either them that's more consistent offensively. How about a starting PG? Imagine a PG with real offensive skills like ability to create for himself and his teammates, vision, dribbling, shooting, passing, driving, ability to switch speeds and get where they want to get on the court. Now of course said PG's defensive probably won't be as good as Bev's but that's the whole luxury of having Ariza and Brewer and with a dedicated Harden we would be in great shape. They're both excellent transition defenders and they can both defend the majority of the starting PG's in the league for spot minutes. 3 and D at the wing spot is great (Ariza/Brewer). You (Bev) need more than just that if you want to be a starting PG in this league and WE (CFans) NEED more than that if we want to avoid another 1st round exit and make a deep run in the playoffs.
http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=262004 Check out this thread and poll. Goes right along with OP's.
Odd question. I like Brewer as a hustle merchant off the bench, but he simply isn't in the class of Ariza. Shocked at how many are choosing him simply because Ariza has been through his customary Dec/Jan shooting slump (it happens every single season with him). But even with the slump, Ariza is still hitting a better 3% than Brewer (even if you ONLY look at Brewer's shooting with the Rockets). Ariza's defence is on another level, and he is quite a bit 'larger', enabling him to guard the larger 3s (Brewer struggles). But why pick one? They are both ideally suited to play on a team with James Harden. Ariza is clearly better, but Brewer as the backup makes so much sense. If we had a 'real' PG to play in this squad, we'd be laughing at how ridiculously fantastic things were.
