Backup C?

We could use PG Insurance more than backup C. I can't get the first 2 games of the Utah series without Alston out of my head.

 

Can Arroyo help(cheap might be obtainable)? He does dribble around too much from what I remember. I haven't seen him for so long,can he defend and shoot?
I admit I kind of underestimated Dooling's importance on defense,because he isn't big. His quick hands and steals probably had to do something with Arroyo being on the bench.

 

yea thats true but getting sean williams would fix our backup center problems for years n he still can play pf n it would juss giv the team more flexibility wit our roster

 

Talking about the center position and looking for a backup, the agent for Mutumbo said he's unlikely to play for vet. minimum.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/sports/5918575.html


"Contract negotiations with Dikembe Mutombo will likely be on hold until Mutombo and Rockets general manager Daryl Morey return from the Olympics, but Mutombo’s agent, David Falk, said Thursday that he doubted that Mutombo would play another season if the Rockets offer only the veteran’s minimum.

“It would surprise me if they thought he would come back for the veteran’s minimum,” Falk said. “I’ve know (Rockets owner) Leslie Alexander for a long time. Dikembe has a very good relationship with Les. We’ll get together when we get back and see if there can be a situation for Dikembe to consider playing another season.”

Rockets general manager Daryl Morey did not say what sort of offer he planned to make. The minimum for a veteran with Mutombo’s experience is roughly $1.3 million. If he was paid the minimum, however, the Rockets would only pay $ $797,581 of that amount (with the NBA subsidizing the difference) and only the amount the Rockets pay would count when calculating whether their payroll exceeds the luxury tax threshold.

“That’s all stuff we need to negotiate with him,” Morey said. “I don’t know if what we’re doing has been decided. We’re planning to sit down with Dikembe, it looks like after the Olympics. We hope to convince him to return.”

Mutombo, 42, played for the minimum last season, but Falk pointed out that after he agreed to that contract the Rockets signed Steve Francis.

“I am as aware as anyone of the tax situation,” Falk said. “I don’t know it would be up to one guy to prevent them from facing a tax situation. He is an important building block and significant piece of the puzzle.” "


Your take?

 

I can't argue with any of your points. Very well written. I wrote in post#8 in this thread I would like to get the BPA either as a backup C or a backup PG.Kwame's point of view is different but also important.

I like the way you have addressed things in this post. A PG whether it's a starter or a backup has to be a steady hand,can't be out of control.

Matchups with Deron Williams and Chris Paul/Steve Nash bother me. A younger Brent Barry would be a great backup to Rafer who still can't be relied upon with his shooting.His finishing was better but who knows what kind of play are we going to get from him?

A younger 5/4 who is athletic and strongly built with height and length is still important IMO too.

I admit a good backup C's job is slightly easier than that of a backup PG.

The expectations here would be shot blocking,rebounding and occasional scoring. Anything on top of that like being able to rotate out on to the perimeter against KG,Dirk,Okur.Amare or Boozer who be too much to expect.

 

In my opinion, it'd be a shame to keep Head. Not just because he is a scrub but also because there is basically no playing time available for him at this point. If the Rockets somehow have enough injuries next season where Head is needed (as was the case during Head's first season), we would be doomed anyways.

Yes, I am openly a Head-hater. I was clamoring to trade him when his value was at an all-time high before last season. I don't know what it is that some people see in him. I honestly don't even think he's NBA material simply due to the fact that he is as one-dimensional as they come and is totally incapable of playing PG. He's too short for a SG that can't truly do anything effectively other than shoot spot up 3s.

If any team is willing to give us a 2nd round pick to take Head off our hands, I would be all over it.

 

I don't think Landry will not stay in houston any more.Landry is simply a money-chaser.

 

If we can't sign Deke back, how about Josh Powell?

 

I think the reason RA didn't use Deke as a backup center early on was because he was simply new to the Rockets. He obviously didn't think Deke could be of much use, or that Deke would tire himself out too quickly. But after seeing what Deke could do last year? I'm 100% sure RA will give Deke some quality minutes, situational and for benching Yao.

Deke's defense is still better than half the league's big man no question.

 

That would be disastrous. Tracy's size and presence as a passer with additional scoring responsibilities being shared by Ron make me feel a bit better but having additional help at the 1 would be nice.

 

I don't think many would try to argue that Alston is anywhere near the best in the business or the optimal PG for any team, let alone the Rockets.

The point is that the addition of Artest has greatly reduced the need for Alston to be a scorer. Throw in Brooks, McGrady, Barry and Francis' ability to play PG and that really changes the complexion of our PG situation, at least for the time being.

With Landry still holding out, Dikembe's inevitable decline due to age, the fact that a few of our other bigs are either undersized or inexperienced, it is imperative that the Rockets look for another big body to backup Yao and even possibly play alongside him against certain matchups (Amare/Shaq, Bynum/Gasol).

I find it hard to see anything more important right now than adding another 7-footer (min 6'10 w/ good length) to our frontcourt, ideally one that can play PF/C such as PJ Brown, Francisco Elson, etc...

 

Artest is gonna help us smoke the WC if Mac and Yao stay healthy

If Mac goes down in stretches, Artest is insurance.

Now if Yao goes down, how nice would it be to have someone to serve as some kind of insurance.

Deke, as much I love him, is not quite cutting it.

I would be willing to part with Battier in a deal if it could land us, for example, a Dalembert, or even a Petro.

 

The problem:

DMutumbo can't play extended minutes for a whole season.

Yao won't be able to play extended minutes all season. Hopefully he stays healthy also. But asking him to play 40m a night is too much. Based on past experience.

If we go w/mutumbo...you lose ability to score at C position when Yao comes out.

Dorsey is a ? Not bashing him...it's just he hasn't played 1 sec in the NBA and everyone is riding his jock. Could be a foul monster at least his first year. Very physical. Have to wait and see.

We need a legit backup to Yao....not Mutumbo or dorsey...even though I think the Rockets should sugn Mutumbo and use him sporadically. His knowledge will be needed most.

 

Without Greene the Rockets can now afford to put a project on the bench. Utah has a revolving door for most of their drafted players. Sloan isn't an easy coach to please. Apparently Kyrylo Fesenko is on the outer. He's a 6-11 C drafted last year. Rockets were said to have had an interest in him.

Novak for Fesenko will work since it's Utah.

 

Yep. When you already have a really good center then you don't overspend to get another one. Anyone we bring in should play for around the vets min. If Deke still wants to play he should do fine. We have the wings covered, if Landry comes back we're good in the frontcourt, but we need more help at the point.

 

Man, I'd do that in a heatbeat. But I'm not sure if there's a player that fits worse on the Jazz then Steve Novak.

 

I was thinking about replacing Landry for Josh Powell. He played well towards the end of the season.

 

Even though Luis can play some minutes as a center with Landry as the PF,having a tall and young C to backup Yao is an inevitable decision,it's only a matter of time.Getting the right guy is going to be tough.

 

I was making fun of Utah's white player quota.