Assuming that we land DA, what do you think will be the Rocket's weak area?

I hope we will still address that with a trade, or by signing someone with the vet minimum who wants to have a shot at a ring, and doesn't need the money. Assuming we get DA, still a big assumption, CD may still have a move left in him... if not now, then by the trade deadline later in the season for some of our expiring contracts.

Regardless, you have to be excited about this season. DA is icing on the cake, if we get him.

 

Derek Anderson can play three positions......small forward is one. he's 6'5 with long arms. He can and has played small forward before. Also.......Bowen can play the 3...that's his natural position.

If we sign him.....we will need to consolidate our log jam in the back court. Get us a pass first point somehow. If DA signs.....the rockets would certainly be in the drivers seat.

 

Since you are the one assuming I will assume that DA is going to be a Rocket next season. As far as your question goes, you're right but that's really the only back up position with a weakness on the team, it shouldn't be that big of a deal as long as they keep T-Mac under 40 minutes a game. David Wesley, Mike James, Barry, Deke, Juwon Howard, and Ryan Bowen make the Rockets bench one of the strongest in the league.

 

First of all, backing up T-Mac isn't a big concern when you consider that he'll lead the team in minutes. Even if JVG tries to limit his minutes for health purposes, he'll still demand to be on the floor 40 minutes a night, so the spare 8 minutes isn't a huge concern.

That being said, Sura can backup at SF. Most SFs only have a few inches on him and he has the physical strength to keep them from backing him down. Remember how we've used Jim Jackson and Mario Elie in the past. I'm sure there are times when JVG will want to go small anyway.

Bowen will be used against bigger SFs that can score inside. And Swift will be used against hybrid 3/4s like KG and Dirk.

What we really need is to somehow turn Wesley and some other expiring contracts into a pass-first PG.

 

I love these problems. We are weak at the backup SF. It's fun being a good team.

 

I made the proposal in another thread that, Assuming we land DA, we could move him into the starting 2 positon by Feb. But I think Wesley will surprise a lot of people after he gets training camp under his belt. But if he really has plateaued, then:

SG-DA, Barry, Head, in that order.

I see our dead bench weight, plus Wesley going to another team for a PG + SF. Plenty of money and we wouldn't have to stress about draft pix, they're there for the asking. I really think that if we don't pick up a Pass First PG by the trade deadline, the draft will have to come thru, or FreeAgency '06!

 

I'd love to pick up Eric Williams from Toronto. He'd be an excellent defensive stopper, and he's fallen out of favor, and could probably be had cheap, since he's demanded a trade. Perhaps we could send them an expiring contract and a 2nd pick ...

If we really get DA, I'd still like to get someone who can start at PG, since Sura is not going to really be healed for another year. This will probably have to be some type of trade. Of course, I'd love it if we could send Howard to CHI for one of their young PGs ... of course, then we'd need to add some depth at PF.

 

How could we possibly be weak at SF, with the best SF in the game logging in 40 of the 48 possible minutes at that position for us (regardless of what you think of Ryan Bowen)? Personally, I think Bowen's disruptive high-energy style will not be "weak" for those remaining 8, but will rather be somewhat effective in a couple of short-minute bursts per game. Then, add the fact that Bobby, as well as whoever else we sign with the LLE (assuming it's either Spree, DA, or Finley) can play a handful of minutes at SF if Bowen is exposed in matchups, we should have next-to-zero concern about this position (it is, after all, our strongest, no?).

Bro, why would you say that? Tracy's 26 years old and has been logging in around 40 mpg for the last 5 seasons, and other than his last season in Orlando (where they sat him at the end of their abysmal season), he's only missed roughly 5 games per year over that stretch as well. Doesn't seem injury-prone, or that 40 mpg is affecting him.

 

I know, all things considered I think we'll be ok, one way or another

 

Backup SF isn't really that much of a concern. T-mac will play AT LEAST 38 minutes. That's a little on the low end since, he's been playing closer to 40 mpg the past few years. Anderson and Bowen can definitely pick up 10 minutes backing up mcgrady.

If we land Anderson, then I say extend Yao and then call it a summer. This team will be ready to go. Once we get into the season, we can reevaluate the team and make some roster tweaking trades with our expiring contracts.

 

How can SF position be the weakest when our best player is playing there?

 

POINT GUARD.

Sura can't cut it.

 

Our biggest problem would be too many players and not enough minutes to go around... Until someone gets injured, that is.

 

I think TMac's averaged 35 minutes a game for his CAREER. And that includes his rookie year when he averaged 18. And his sophmore year when he averaged 22. I think you underestimate TMac.

 

Out of 5 postions, the strongest is 5 and 3 no doubt. 4 got a lot better after acquring Swift. 1 and 2 is still weak compare with other contenders, especially 1. We are not getting more atheletic and younger if we sign DA. Quicker guards are still going to pose problems for us and ball handling will still be a suspect.

 

the part of compaq center floor where weatherspoon used to sit on the bench.

 

First of all, EVERYONE was in favor of the trade to get T-Mac, not just you.

Second, T-Mac's 26-years-old. He can handle 35-40 minutes per game, easy.