With all the posts saying players like TJ Ford or Andre Miller are the "perfect players" for this team, I thought I'd give my take. I've become convinced that Brent Barry is the exact type of player this team needs if we are to move Steve Francis to shooting guard. 1.) He can be a point guard on offense. 2.) He doesn't dribble or hold on the ball too much 3.) He doesn't turn over the ball. 4.) He can guard oppsing two's on defense. 5.) (And this is a big one) He's one of the best outside shooters in the league, and would be the best outside shooter on the team. The point of this isn't just trying to come up with trade scenarios. Besides, I haven't heard anything about Brent Barry being available this offseason. Rather, the point is just to visualize the type of player I believe the Rockets would need to succesfully move Steve to the 2-guard and maximize our talent. I think the closer a player is to this prototype, the better. Anyone have any thoughts or ideas of some players who come closest to matching Brent Barry. I realize he's a pretty unique, so finding an exact replica would be impossible.
Hear, hear. Brent Barry's been on my mind for months now. I don't think there's a better complement to Steve in the league (of the role player type). The only other trait I could wish for is Elie-like defense. It doesn't really matter what you say they play, but I don't think bringing in Barry would mean Stevie switches to the '2' per se. I'm fine with Stevie initiating the offense often, I just don't want him doing it all of the time. Barry is ideal because he is a smart player, can handle the ball, and yet doesn't need the ball in his hands a lot of the time to contribute. Rather than a pure point, I'm more interested in acquiring a flexible guard like Barry. However, while this team needs a guard like Barry, I think a good complementary frontcourt player could help the Rockets more - someone who can take some of the heat off Yao, help him out in the post on both ends of the court. Unless Yao can establish himself as the man inside on both ends of the court. He's getting there, but needs to improve in many areas.
The last few years, Brent's game has grown on me. He seems to do a bit of everything- score, pass, rebound, play D, shoot the 3, drive. He would be a great compliment to Steve. But who would we be willing to give up for him?
Offensively it would be great, but.... #1 With Brent Barry paired next to Francis we would have the softest (and probably worst) defensive backcourt in the league. #2 When the going gets tough, Brent Barry goes away. I'd rather get a more physical, tougher and quicker 1 like Alvin Williams, Eric Snow or GP and then sign Brent's brother as a back up SG because while Brent has more of daddy's talent, Jon appears to have all of daddy's balls. I am not totally against the Brent idea--but we would really need a Ratliff or Ben Wallace type player at the 4 to help mask or defensive weaknesses.
I think you are expecting too much from him! Did you see him on TV playing in the Playoffs? I did and I didn't think he looked any where as good as when he played with the Kings. If he was realy that good the Kings would have kept him!
Yetti - Brent Barry never played for the Kings. You are talking about the wrong brother...go get your second cup of Starbucks...
Thanks Gater ! I just realised what I had done. Its John Berry I was refering to. I like the idea of Brent Barry as a spot up shooter, especially from the three point line. One question though, isnt he very expensive and inconsistant?
Yes, a Brent Barry like player could help this team. Besides his obvious shooters touch and good decision making abilities, Barry is a team player which is exactly what the Rockets need. His defense is suspect but having Francis move to shooting guard would allow Francis to concentrate more on scoring and defense without having to bear the load of having to be the play maker as well. This team is already athletic enough, what we need now is a more refined congitive game so that when we get down to the last 5 minutes in the fourth quarter we are able to execute our offense.
Duh. Everyone knows this. He has experience playing point guard........very intelligent. Can shoot. Perfect for our team. After Gary Payton was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks..the first game that Brent Barry played with Ray Allen....HE HAD 16 ASSiSTS!!! Then...they didn't really have a system. They were just testing. Well that fits perfectly! We don't have a system...we just freestyle! Even though he is 30....I would still like him. I'd give up Cuttino Mobley for Brent Barry. I don't think the Sonics would accept though. Their salaries are similar. Cuttino and a 2nd Round Pick for Brent Barry? They can add that bad Forte guy too...then we can waive him. BRENT BARRY WOULD BE PERFECT FOR OUR HOUSTON ROCKETS!
Speaking of which...I would LOVE Jon Barry as a backup 2-guard. Just think, a backup <b>shooting</b> guard who can actually <b>shoot</b>. Pretty novel concept, isn't it? Back to Brent....some things you just have to trade off. I'd be willing to trade off some of the defensive toughness for someone who can actually consistenly hit some outside shots. I mean, what's the point of Yao Ming drawing double teams if we can't hit the shots when he kicks the ball out? This is where Eric Snow worries me a little, but I would still prefer a Snow/Francis combo to another season of the Mobley/Francis backcourt. I actually kind of like the idea of Alvin Williams. As far as who we could possibly give up for Brent Barry, I don't know how serious the Sonics were talking about trading Rashard for Eddie, but....
Not exactly Some people would prefer TJ Ford or Andre Miller. More guards who dominate the basketball and can't shoot.
How good is the Sonics' defense? It must be horrible...since they are all soft. Brent Barry is not very expensive. I don't know if he is consistent or not...... Our defense would be a little weaker...but hopefully Yao Ming and Eddie Griffin improve and become a great blocking couple....twin towers. But our offense would be very exciting! Score more! Or we could sign Alonzo Mourning.
Why not just change the offensive concept instead? Barry is a good spot up shooter and decent ball handler, but horrible defender and pretty softt. If the offense utilized the best pass on the team (Ming) to initiate the offense, you wouldn't have to worry about bringing in a softie like Barry.
If brent barry comes to Houston with the current system, he will be Scottie Pippen 2.0. He will stand around and watch and be disgusted, as Rudy's offense bogs down into Iso's and backdowns from the left baseline, as it has every year since 1997.
Leeb, b/c Ming cant initiate the offense EVERY single time. Especially in this day and age, you absolutely must have a guy on the perimeter that can effectively initiate the offense even if you have a dominant big man. Also, the initiator on the perimeter needs to be able to help this team get into transition and get easier baskets. No team runs the exact play 80 times a game, its a mixture of various things. That being said, Brent Barry is not the only one that could achieve what the Rockets need; there are many good options including Lamar Odom, Andre Miller, Jamaal Tinsley, Tony Parker, Eric Snow, etc. The two big offseason priorities need to be as follows: 1. An initiator of the offense that can help this team in transition (either a true PG or one of the two wing players discussed, Odom or Brent Barry) 2. A tough PF that can rebound and defend 3. Shooters There are a ton of names out there this summer, and the Rockets have a good number of tradeable commodities (Griffin, Mobley, Rice, maybe Cato) so they do have the flexibility to address the needs.
I read on another site that Brent Barry wants to stay in Seattle because his wife os from there and his kid(s?) are going to school there. I think he has one year left on his contract and wants to work out an extension before the season starts. His brother seems pretty happy in Detrot as well. On the other hand, they were both ball boys for the Rockets when their Dad played here, so who knows. j
I'd am glad others also raised the softness in Brent Barry. Francis and Barry would be awefully weak defensively. That could be overcome however. The Spurs and Wolves have pretty crappy defensive back-courts yet pretty good overall defenses. If you are long, quick and physical as a group in your 3-4-5 you can still have a very good defense with crapy defensive guards. You somehow manage to get a mobile athletic defensive stalwart at the 4 sandwhitched between the rangy Posey and the long--Yao that just might anchor a tough defense. So Brent Barry alone is not an answer, but you get a Ratliff or PJ Brown or if you want to really stretch--Brand--then I would be more favorable toward Brent Barry. Also, just maybe Orlando will win tomarrow and Jon will look to sign with a team with more talent.
This is understood, but look how teams like Sac starts their offense. most times it starts with a high post feed to Webber at the ft line elbow. The guards set the guy up and sometimes gets a back door cut or a open jumper. Its subtlethings the Rockets could do to get the ball out of Francis hands, but still have him very effective. As far as starting the fast break, Once Francis gets the rebound or another player, the break should be started. This is just instincts.Barry could help in this area, but he scored some of his points shooting the 3 in transition. How could he do this if he has to start the fastbreak.
Ok, so not only do you think that the Rox didn't underacheive this year, that it was not unreasonable to expect them to make the playoffs, but now you are actually defending their mighty ISO-spokes and wheel offense? I guess you can do so, at the peril of your credibility. Was Posey disgusted? I don't know. Maybe he enjoys standing around and bombing 3's. Walt certainly does. Scottie Pippen obviously didn't, and made his feelings known. But who am I to speculate? Maybe Brent Barry will be perfectly happy parked on the three point line like an abandoned Buick, and and a year from now we can argue about the earth being flat again.
