All this talk about trying to get "remarkably" better at the 4 position-- just to minimize the gap we face there going against the great 4s of the West: Duncan, Garnett, Nowitzki et al. Given that we typically will have a nod at the 5 (Yao) and at the 3 (T-Mac) shouldn't we focus on getting better at either the 1 (Head/Span) or the 2 (name your FA). Wouldn't it be easier to get better at the 1 or the 2 and get a leg up on the competition than to get better at the 4 and just close the performance gap a little?
This was heatedly debated to exhaustion in another thread a few weeks back. I, and a few others, completely agree with you. I think our primary problem at the 4 is depth, not the starter. On the other hand, we must completely overhaul our backcourt. However, most posters here feel we need a new starter at the 4 more than we do in the backcourt. The two most popular names that came up are Shareef Adbur-Rahim and Stromile Swift.
I think it's because all of the man crush over Swift, SAR, etc that's got us thinking about the 4 spot. Honestly, I wanted Swift as well but now I don't want to see him in a Rockets uniform at all. If we can upgrade the PG and SG spots, that would be great BUT due to the FAs this offseason, not many PGs and SGs are going to make us that much better IMO. Sure there's Redd, Jesus, etc but they're at a premium while the 4s can be had a little bit easier. For all the marbles, I rather us getting Mobley back and prying Antonio Daniels away from Seattle. And then adding Songalia. He's definitely not starter material, but he's a lot better upgrade as a backup 4 then what we had last year (bowen, padgett, etc)
from apostolic3: I think I agree with you except I think at least a back-up 4 is priority #1. Regarding our backcourt, yes it needs an overhaul but I think that won't completely happen at least until the trade deadline - and maybe next season.
I also think a backup 4 is #1, but it is very easy for us to upgrade what we have because we have nothing. You may be right about the backcourt. But if we don't have at least one new starter going into training camp who is younger and quicker, I'll be very disappointed.
from apostolic3: Agreed. Unless we do something with the backcourt I don't think we really contend. If we land Simmons or AD that might be enough help, but I really hope Spanoulis or Head are ready to contribute just so we can get more speed in the backcourt because I think we will trade James simply because of his relative value of who else we have to offer.
Generally, it's easier to find quality guards than quality PFs. We need upgrades at PG, SG, and PF. Given the market, I think this is the best year to pick up a quality 4, with Shareef, Swift, Marshall, etc. all available. Guys like Antonio Daniels would certainly help (and AD's a possibility even if we sign a FA Power Forward), but players like that are available every offseason. Generally, quality PFs are not.
Right now...this is our depth chart for players with contracts.... PF - Juwan Howard / Spoon / V. Baker SG - David Wesley / Sura / Luther Head In theory, you could probably give TMac some SG minutes and even Mike James in a pinch. And we have at our disposal a ~$5m MLE, ~$1.7m vet minimums and the possibility to SnT. I've got a few beers in me, but I can't see how anyone would deduce that it would be preferable to go after Antonio Daniels or Bobby Simmons before solidifying the PF spot. Both SEA and the Clips have cap space so expiring contracts in a SnT isn't likely to interest them. Statistically, Simmons or Daniels would get signed with an MLE. Once you have used your MLE on Daniels or Simmons, you have removed the entire threat of every unrestriced FA PF...SnT me to Houston or I'll sign for their MLE. IMVHO, it would be very unwise to start the FA off-season with another perimeter player. Best case scenario....SnT for the PF and then have a full MLE for a SG.
