1. Welcome! Please take a few seconds to create your free account to post threads, make some friends, remove a few ads while surfing and much more. ClutchFans has been bringing fans together to talk Houston Sports since 1996. Join us!

Bigger Need: Clutch Bucket-Getter or Imposing Rim-Protector?

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by durvasa, Jan 20, 2011.

Tags:
?

Which player would get us closer to a championship?

  1. Carmelo Anthony, in his prime

    55 vote(s)
    18.7%

  2. Dikembe Mutombo, in his prime

    239 vote(s)
    81.3%
Page 1 of 5
  1. durvasa

    durvasa Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2006
    Messages:
    37,992
    Likes Received:
    15,455
    What is the bigger need for this team right now? A guy who can shoulder the offensive load in the 4th quarter -- the clutch bucket-getter? Or is it a guy who can anchor the defense -- the imposing rim-protector?

    Currently, this team is 8th in offense and 23rd in defense. I imagine our offensive ranking goes way down in close 4th quarter minutes, though (that would be an interesting to thing to try to figure out).

    But then, as our GM would say, great teams don't win close games -- they avoid them. Might we benefit more from adding a player that would significantly improve the defense right from the opening tip and make our performance down the stretch of close games less of an issue?

    I'll put it this way. Right now, we are in pursuit of a very skilled "bucket-getter" -- Carmelo Anthony. I've never been a huge fan of the guy, but I can't deny his talent as a pure 1-on-1 scorer. He's a guy who you can drop the ball to in key 4th quarter possessions, with confidence. Sure, he'd help. But how much? Would he help us more than, say, a Dikembe Mutombo in his prime? Of course, there isn't such a player that is available, but still I am curious what people's thoughts are on that.
     
    #1 durvasa, Jan 20, 2011
  2. Vivid

    Vivid Member

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2006
    Messages:
    966
    Likes Received:
    531
    Both, we need Hakeem.
     
    #2 Vivid, Jan 20, 2011
    2 people like this.
  3. dial1revenge

    dial1revenge Member

    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2010
    Messages:
    211
    Likes Received:
    7
    DEFENSE.

    We have scorers.
     
    #3 dial1revenge, Jan 20, 2011
  4. AFS

    AFS Member

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2010
    Messages:
    3,776
    Likes Received:
    407
    This.
     
    #4 AFS, Jan 20, 2011
  5. bratna8

    bratna8 Member

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2006
    Messages:
    4,095
    Likes Received:
    4,919
    Take out Kobe from last two Laker title and insert Deke in his prime, and I don't think they win any titles.

    Take out Kobe from last two Laker title and insert Melo in his prime, and I think there's a very good chance that they win one or two titles.

    Easy pick Melo in his prime.
     
    #5 bratna8, Jan 20, 2011
  6. durvasa

    durvasa Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2006
    Messages:
    37,992
    Likes Received:
    15,455
    That argument would have more force if the Lakers and Rockets rosters were constructed even remotely similarly.
     
    #6 durvasa, Jan 20, 2011
  7. mazinger

    mazinger Member

    Joined:
    Oct 31, 2008
    Messages:
    1,226
    Likes Received:
    403

    If we were to insert either player with the current team I believe Mutombo would have a bigger impact. We have plenty of good scorers. Martin, Scola and Brooks. We could afford to have all 3 of them on the floor at the same time with Mutombo.
     
    #7 mazinger, Jan 20, 2011
  8. Thoughtless

    Thoughtless Member

    Joined:
    Nov 14, 2010
    Messages:
    90
    Likes Received:
    7
    Defense wins championships. When things slow down and your shot isn't falling, it turns into a struggle. If you have an imposing rim-protector and rebounder then it changes everything. The defensive plan. The plays. The chances and opportunities. The gambles and the risks.

    Right now we have scorers. Tons and tons of scorers. We have guys who can step up and be closers if the chips fall accordingly. We don't have a guy who can grow 6 inches and suddenly morph into Hakeem.

    As for what each player represents (Melo and Mutumbo). Not many big defensive centers who are imposing and can rebound are available. So it is a choice between necessity (f you think we need a Def Big) vs availability (Melo).
     
    #8 Thoughtless, Jan 20, 2011
  9. studogg

    studogg Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2002
    Messages:
    5,959
    Likes Received:
    2,503
    Interesting question.

    I'm not sold on Carmelo for many of the same reasons. But I would lean to bucket getter due to our lack of scoring in the clutch.

    I actually see our defense improving as from where it was to start the season. Sure, Deke would put us back near the top, but when we were at the top defensively, what we lacked was the bucket getter.
     
    #9 studogg, Jan 20, 2011
  10. Carl Herrera

    Carl Herrera Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2007
    Messages:
    45,153
    Likes Received:
    21,570
    I'd go after any top player that's available. So, if it's Carmelo in his prime now, lets do it. Then we can look for Dikembe in his prime and maybe trade Carmelo for Dikembe.
     
    #10 Carl Herrera, Jan 20, 2011
  11. bratna8

    bratna8 Member

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2006
    Messages:
    4,095
    Likes Received:
    4,919
    But even if we add Deke to our current line-up we aren't winning anything.

    If you add Melo, I think Morey can surround this guy with a team that can win it as soon as next year.
     
    #11 bratna8, Jan 20, 2011
  12. saleem

    saleem Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Jan 1, 2001
    Messages:
    29,311
    Likes Received:
    13,453
    Naturally,but durvasa doesn't think so.
     
    #12 saleem, Jan 20, 2011
  13. ashishduh

    ashishduh Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Aug 21, 2010
    Messages:
    1,980
    Likes Received:
    61
    That's easily the dumbest post I've ever read on these forums...wow.

    Anyway, it's obviously interior defense. Get Nene or Dalembert and we're going to the conference finals.
     
    #13 ashishduh, Jan 20, 2011
  14. Thoughtless

    Thoughtless Member

    Joined:
    Nov 14, 2010
    Messages:
    90
    Likes Received:
    7
    This makes no sense. We add Mutumbo and we make no more moves yet we add Melo and Morey can 'surround' him with pieces to win it next year?

    It's a loaded question. Because it depends on what Morey can do afterwards. If it is one and done. Considering it this way. Does a lineup of Brooks-Martin-Shane-Scola-Mutumbo fair better than a lineup of Brooks-Martin-Melo-Scola-Metal Chair?
     
    #14 Thoughtless, Jan 20, 2011
  15. bratna8

    bratna8 Member

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2006
    Messages:
    4,095
    Likes Received:
    4,919
    Wow conference finals :grin: :grin: :grin:

    Have you seen games where we struggle to score in the 4th quarter, yeah Dalembert or Nene will help in that area :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
     
    #15 bratna8, Jan 20, 2011
  16. mikol13

    mikol13 Protector of the Realm
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    May 31, 2009
    Messages:
    13,794
    Likes Received:
    27,186
    At first thought, it's a Deke type, so that's how I voted.

    What if having the Carmelo type of player would attract other good/star players to the Rockets? If so, it would probably change my answer.
     
    #16 mikol13, Jan 20, 2011
  17. RV6

    RV6 Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Aug 21, 2008
    Messages:
    25,522
    Likes Received:
    1,109
    Well, the obvious answer is Deke. It's a bigger problem and some say the best closer is defense....blocked shots and giving up less off rebounds has to improve the offense some by increasing posessions.

    But who are we giving up for each? If we're just plucking in the player, then the answer is Deke, without a doubt.
     
    #17 RV6, Jan 20, 2011
  18. Thoughtless

    Thoughtless Member

    Joined:
    Nov 14, 2010
    Messages:
    90
    Likes Received:
    7
    They could, in theory, prevent the other team from scoring in a easy way, thus either keeping our lead intact, or keeping us within range and not let things get out of hand.

    We aren't lacking offense. What we lack is defense. We have a red carpet set out for the other team to score. If we had a defensive center who could change the makeup of the team, that would keep the other team from sliding down the middle, stealing Scola's lunch, punching Chase in the eye and then making a layup with none of our guys noticing it.
     
    #18 Thoughtless, Jan 20, 2011
  19. xiki

    xiki Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2002
    Messages:
    17,501
    Likes Received:
    2,889
    Oh, yeah... :)
     
    #19 xiki, Jan 20, 2011
  20. bratna8

    bratna8 Member

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2006
    Messages:
    4,095
    Likes Received:
    4,919
    Exactly my thoughts on this subject....if Morey pulls this out and acquire Melo, he will only be one piece of the puzzle, there will be more moves to surround this guy and make it difficult for him to bolt after the season. This team will contend for a title.
     
    #20 bratna8, Jan 20, 2011
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)
Page 1 of 5

Share This Page

Toggle Width
Style
ClutchFans Original

  • About ClutchFans

    Since 1996, ClutchFans has been loud and proud covering the Houston Rockets, helping set an industry standard for team fan sites. The forums have been a home for Houston sports fans as well as basketball fanatics around the globe.

  • Rockets Content

  • Support ClutchFans!

    If you find that ClutchFans is a valuable resource for you, please consider becoming a Supporting Member. Supporting Members can upload photos and attachments directly to their posts, customize their user title and more. Gold Supporters see zero ads!


    Upgrade Now