So we've pretty well ticked the first big off-season box: namely, getting a wing who can score! That moves us onto the second issue: namely, backup C. What options remain for us at the backup C postion? And how would we obtain them? IMO: signing Mutombo is our fall-back position - I'm almost certain he'd be willing to come back for another season. But is there a way to improve the backup C position over the course of the season in the (surely unlikely...) event of a Ming injury? I'm thinking Pachulia would be outstanding - but can't see how we'd get him away from the Hawks. Full MLE at Krstic would've worked from the sounds of things - but he signed in Europe that little bit too early... The only teams I can see who have someone worth pursuing are the Nets and Sixers. The Nets have Boone and Williams as backup 5s (behiind Lopez I'm assuming) - and both of those guys can make decent contributions to a basketball team. Problem is that the Nets are on 15 roster spots, and would be looking for a 1:1 swap (whereas we're probably looking at a 2 or 3:1) That leaves the Sixers - who have some serious frontcourt beef, and only 12 guys under contract. At C, they have Dalembert for 3 more years, Speights for 3+1 and Smith for 2+1 Then PF is Brand, Young and Evans. Jason Smith is a 7' with a nice 15' jumpshot, and he is decent on the boards. If the rumours of Philly chasing Novak are accurate in any way, shape, or form, then perhaps we can offer them a package which helps them with a little bit of depth. Novak, Singletary and Hayes in exchange for Smith. They'd be taking on more salary, and using their TE to make the deal happen. Advantages for us are obvious: a 7' C who can rebound, block the odd shot and shoot a mid-range jumper. The advantages for Philly are depth and shooting. Novak brings them that proven perimeter option to free the inside for Brand et al to operate (and we could simply sign Leunen to replace him - he hasn't headed overseas yet has he?) Hayes effectively replaces Smith as 3rd string C, but brings a vastly different skill-set and defensive prowess. Singletary is a raw rookie PG who has a passable shot. Currently they only have 2 PGs under contract, so sending someone to the D-League is better than fumbling through the leftovers... There might have to be a 2nd round pick coming our way to sweeten the deal (or going to them?) But what do you think? What other options actually exist for us? It'd be nice to have a younger C on the roster in case of emergency - and someone whom we can groom to take over the backup role for the next few seasons! We'd be left with: Alston, Brooks, Francis McGrady, Barry, Head Ming, Smith Scola, Landry, Dorsey, Leunen Artest, Battier Add in either Mutombo, or Harris, and we have our 15 man roster. I'd take Harris for the first part of the season, and put Mutombo on the coaching staff so that he can scrimmage etc and keep in some sort of shape should the worst happen!
If the Rockets think Dorsey will be able to play this year, then he'd be a natural candidate for backup C as well. I think the more pressing concern is backup PG, frankly.
Great, great thread! Backup C is the number 1 issue right now, far more than backup PG. We need length in our frontcourt. We need a backup for Yao. A long, defensive-minded big is what this team needs to go after, regardless of how the Landry situation plays out.
I think you have to bring motumbo back for leadership alone. also The rox believe that Doresy will be able to contribute rightaway at center. couple that with the fact that you have scola and landry that will get mins at the 5. You need Mt motumbo to keep artest in line.
In my humble opinion, backup center is NOT an issue. How many times does Mount Mutombo have to prove you guys wrong? Two season ago people said he was done and look at what he did in Yao's absence. Last year when Yao went down, people didn't think he could duplicate his success from the previous season, but he stepped up again. He is still one of the best rebounders and shot blockers in the league. Every player in the NBA also knows how sharp those elbows are. He is more than capable of playing 15-18 mins as a backup to Yao, which would decrease the fragile Yao Ming's playing time to around 30 mpg (which is a good thing). If the matchup calls for a non-traditional center, you have Dorsey, Hayes, and even Scola who can back Yao up. PG is the key. Everything goes through that position.
Dorsey? Remember the guy can outbench Yao and has a long wingspan. I thought he was gonna be our backup C.
I hope we can get someone good (bpa). Either a backup C or a solid backup PG will be fine with me. Deke is valuable,but a young defensive minded center would be very nice. Can Elson still help? Head,Novak plus the Memphis 2nd rounder should be used.
i heared sean williams from the nets is on the trading block maybe we can get him for luther straight up he might be able to fill in as back up center i know hes a pf but hes a good shot blocker
I think Dorsey should be able to contribute in his 1st season, simply because of his physical build, the position he plays and the type of role we may look for out of him (defensive, rebounding). At the same time, with or without Mutombo, I think we would be wise to try to nab another long body for insurance. Defending frontcourt tandems like Shaq/Stoudemire or Gasol/Bynum will require two long bodies. I don't think Scola can handle any of those guys for a prolonged period of time, not even Gasol. Landry, if we get him back, is also undersized as is Hayes despite his incredible defensive abilities. I need to see Dorsey on the court before determining if he's undersized or not to play C but he's certainly raw so it's hard to bank on him. I'd love to get a PJ Brown or Francisco Elson type of player that can help against certain matchups by playing PF along side Yao. That player could also play backup C if age finally catches up to Deke (assuming we sign him as well).
I admit Deke still surprises me.If the Rockets decide to look for another PG who might be a realistic possibility(cheap and effective)? We can't rely on SF3,Brent is old and will have trouble against strong quick guys. Aaron is still learning and is short. Getting a good/experienced backup PG is going to be very tough.
No doubts Mutombo has what it takes! But every time he proves us wrong, he gets a year older - hence the need to do it again. I'm thinking slightly longer term here - the next 2 seasons for starters! On Dorsey, personally I'd rather not have Dorsey and Chuck Hayes on the same roster. So making a move would involve sending one of them (Hayes is more proven thus more valuable I'd imagine?). And if Dorsey, at 6'7, could play backup C - imagine how much more effective he'd be with his 8'11 standing reach as a backup PF!
Stay cheap. Nothing long term. No project, know what you are getting. Deke hopefully. If he retires then Horry. If Yao goes down then you make trade or cross your fingers and give Webber or Brown a call.
you know what this thread tells me...that its great to be a rocket fan! all we are worried about is getting a backup pg and a backup c
He plays both PF and C - he'd be outstanding! It'd be a shame to lose Luther Head imo. Now that we have Artest, McGrady, Battier, Barry as our primary 4 wings, Head can sit on the bench with absolutely no pressure on him at all, come on and shoot freely when needed. He gives us great depth at the wing spots - which, given McGrady/ Artests injury history, might just be needed! Williams would be a great pickup though!
Petro would be solid. Any way we could get him without losing Luther? Presti is a pretty rugged dealer (much like Morey) - it'd be tough to strike a deal there...
Petro doesn't give a consistent effort which is a big issue IMO. It's going to be hard to obtain him like you said anyway.
No doubt that it's going to be very tough. The first names that come to mind are Heinrick (sp?) and Mo Williams. Both teams have adequate back-ups in Derrick Rose and Charlie Bell. A trade of Hayes, Head, and Alston for either Heinrick or Williams works, but it's unlikely that Chicago or Milwaukee go for that. But it's worth a shot. I just don't trust Rafer and, as you mentioned, none of the other options are sure things. All very good points.
only deke is fine. with the addition of ron, i know for sure adelman will play more of the small lineup with tracy, battier, artest, landry, scola where they basically can switch off everyone.
