So I know most of us consider Rafer to be a bit of a problem for this team. But what can we do about it? This thread is to have a look at the PG stocks, and see what possible upgrades there might be! Now I'm all for moving Rafer, but in NO WAY do I think we should move him if it is going to compromise our 3pt shooting, defence, or scoring. So with that in mind, let's check it out: Guards whom I would consider moving Rafer for: Kirk Hinrich Mike Bibby Mo Williams Not considered: Nash Davis Paul D Williams Billups (horrid contract) Arenas Parker Calderon TJ Ford Harris Foye Most of them are just signed to their teams, and so unavailable, Billups is not worth considering due to his age and length of sizable contract. Of the rest, there isn't a lot to write home about Andre Miller can't shoot so wouldn't fit. Fisher won't leave LA (and I'm not sure he's an upgrade...) Earl Watson Steve Blake can't create a shot - but might be worth considering if we got a big time 3rd scorer. Brevin Knight - can't create a shot - in fact can't even shoot! Anthony Carter - can't shoot Raymond Felton - can't shoot Marbury - insane, egomaniac, loser (as in record-wise) Jameer Nelson - $7.6mill per year through 2013. I've probably forgotten somebody in that analysis - but unless we want to bring in an inexperienced player (and why we would do that with Brooks already on the roster), then we'd be trading Rafers horrid finishing at the rim for a whole other set of issues (like can't shoot, lengthy contract, etc) And since it SEEMS like Morey is trying to create cap room in 2010, it probably rules out Hinrich and Mo Williams - meaning we either get Bibby (have we even got $15million worth of players that we'd happily trade away for an ancient PG?), or we're stuck with Rafer again. I'm definitely hoping that we get a significant upgrade, I'm just not sure one is available.
Mike Bibby is so terrible anymore I can't even begin to describe it. Jason Terry is my personal preference. B-Jax/Brooks/picks-cash-whatever gets it done. Dallas is currently carrying too many big contracts and in Terry's case their options are to either play him behind Kidd, who already plays 40 MPG, or play him as an undersized two. Cuban would probably never do this simply because its Dallas-Houston. Although, if he acts now B-Jax's expiring deal is an attractive trade chip for a trade happy owner/GM like Cuban for February. Add to that the idea of stealing a young guy like Brooks from a division rival in possible Scola-Houston fashion, that's pretty attractive too.
As terrible as Bibby is, he's better offensively than Alston (would get punished on D) and he's a "clutch shot maker" still (showed that in Atlanta). But I have no clue how we could get him without giving up Alston+BJax+?? which is SO not worth it! I'd like Terry (forgot about him) - but the guys contract is devious! 11.2mill in 2012. He'll be 35 then - which isn't ridiculously bad, and he'd fit in our offense in terms of bringing up the ball, handing off to Tracy or penetrating for the basket. At the moment, aside from Terry, the only guaranteed contract the Mavs have in 2010 is Nowitzkis 21million. So maybe they might offload him to get into the next Lebron sweepstake?
Kyle Lowry For those of you that think Hinrich can't play, look at his shot chart on nba hot spots, look at the last 3 years his shot chart and compare it to Rafer. Now, remember he's also giving you 6 assists per game even though he played for a crappy Bulls team last year. Next. remember, he is one of the best defensive point guards in the NBA. Then remember he is one of the highest bball iq players in the league. And last but certainly not least, imagine what his shooting percentages are going to look like taking those tosses out from Yao and McGrady. Hinrich would be great on the Rockets. However, if you make a trade for Hinrich, you're pretty much doing in all your assets and we still need a 3rd swingman to take up 25-30 minutes a night playing with and spelling McGrady and Battier. I'd rather give Rafer another year, see if Brooks is improved and use our assets to get a quality swingman that will allow us to stay potent offensively even with McGrady off the floor.
Nice one Buy does he fall into the basket of "can't shoot"? He's never been a great distance shooter, and, provided we want to stick with Ming, it's crucial to get a volume shooter as a starter?
No, he's not a distance shooter. But he is improving. And more importantly, he is a foul magnet. He draws a ton of fouls and he finishes at the rim very well. Can't hardly beat his efficiency for under $2 mill per year. I think he would be a fit here to help us get to the foul line earlier. When the opponent is in the bonus, Yao has a field day against them. He is unstoppable. That's where a player like Lowry comes in handy.
I watch 90% of Hawks games every year. You'll just have to trust me on this one! Example: Game 7 - Atlanta/Boston 25 min: 2 pts, 2 asts, 1/3 shooting Yes, that was his stat line. A guy that's supposed to be all intangibles, clutch and a dangerous offensive weapon....washed up before the age of 30. Terry makes a lot but I don't mind paying him that kind of salary in his mid-30's simply because he's a great shooter. Great shooters can play forever, just ask Reggie Miller.
I love this thread... I dont think there is anyone out there thats a better fit for the rockets than Alston. At least one that we can get. Just looking at the teams in the east... their PGs all suck. The teams in the west won't trade with us unless they suck or its a steal. Like it or not Rafer is the best thing we have and is going to be our starting PG at least until his contract runs out. He brings excellent help defense, a floor general, leadership on the court, damn good ball handling, and more recently he's been spacing the floor well. Houston fans are just going to have to accept that.
Good thread. The only starting position that the rockets need to improve is the PG positon! Rafer is not good, and at his age he only can get worse. In fact, he is getting to be injured easily since last season.
Nuerburger: I don't know what the *** you're talking about when you say all those PGs can't shoot..since when did Rondo know how to shoot? And where is the championship now?
I'm going to have to presume this post isn't meant to be sarcastic... if its a serious post...then...I don't know what you can say about the likes of Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Tony Parker etc...you probably have to fill out 20 lines
Oh just to clarify this is a friendly question...although I am a bit irritated by all your stuff about PGs suck cos they can't shoot... Remember: THE PG IS THE DISTRIBUTOR, thats why there is a guard called shooting guard...Raymond Felton would be perfect for us. Its pathetic Rafer only gets 5 apg when Felton can get 7 apg in the Bobcats
They're not available. That's what he's saying. Who is available that is an upgrade over Rafer and enough of an upgrade to justify spending more money on him? I think he's right for the most part. I think we're better off to go to camp with Rafer and Brooks and see where we stand. What if Francis has something left? I see no rush here. I think Morey should wait it out and spring for the biggest name he can get. I think he should be going after a superstar to add to our base of 111 plus Battier and Scola.
Why do u think they signed Eddie House and then Sam Cassell? It wasn't for their defense i'll tell u that right now. Celtics won that championship because of their team defense. Rafer with all his shortcomings is a great team defender.
I'd keep Alston...for now. You could bring in a better back-up when Rafer falls into one of his dreaded cold shooting nights, or bring in a third-scorer/make Scola the permanent 3rd scorer to lessen the load on Rafer. Then draft another PG, preferably a bigger player ala Vasquez/Calathes; assuming there would be no gaping holes in the Rocket's roster.
There's no way we can get a Chris Paul, Deron Williams or Tony Parker without losing Yao or T-mac. Right now our best bet outside of Rafer is if AB improves drastically. Basically i think our PG problem isn't really fixable so it's not really that big of a deal.
Theres no way we can get jason terry. He makes twice as much as rafer and hes the starting 2 for a division rival. Not to mention that he's also a fan favorite in Dallas.
I like Terry a lot. But he is not a PG, at most he is a combo. I don't think there is much realistic option to upgrade Rafer. I think Rafer is good enough for Rockets. Rockets just need both Yao/TMac fully healthy to be true contender. If they can add a third scorer by expired contracts, they will dominate the league.
I would bet Terry is quietly being shopped. He's the starting two, yes. He's also 6'2" and is essentially playing there only because Kidd logs so many minutes at the point. Add to that the contractual mess Dallas is accumulating yet again. B-Jax/Brooks/whatever makes sense, the problem is Cuban would never agree to it simply because it's us. If we got Terry for essentially Brooks + B-Jax's expiring deal and kept our core intact he knows that makes us tremendously better. Cuban's not stupid but at the same time it never hurts to pick up the phone & ask.
