Building the Perfect Power Forward Next to Yao Ming

The answer has been right under our noses all along.



Link to official tribute thread:


http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=169476&highlight=kelvin

 

Would surprise me if Amare winds up here. It is more than just T-Mac. I think Miami is where he is going.

Jefferson is good. Would provide all those things you spoke of. But his contract is huge and you would have money invested into two big man who have trouble staying healthy.

 

I picked the following:

Height / Size
Speed / Athleticism
Great Outside Shot
Great Rebounding

Height and Rebounding because we need someone that can rebound above the rim and currently no one on the team does that. Plus even is he is not a great shot blocker, Height and Athleticism alone will cause him to alter a lot of shots. I chose a great outside shot because I like Yao when he is close to the basket plus with both Yao and the PF able to play away from the basket it will keep the lane open for AB, KM, Ariza and company to drive to the basket. I especially wanted speed and athleticism so he could run the court with AB, Martin, Ariza, Lowry and Bud.

The one asset I did not choose which I might change my mind on is Passing. I might be convinced to change out passing for Speed / Athleticism.

 

I think we need someone who can stretch the defense for sure. All the other traits would be nice to have but I don't think its necessary. In the past, we've had several pfs next to Yao, and they all bring different things. Chuck brought defense and hustle yet was a nonfactor on offense. It seems that in order to be successful next to Yao, you need at least a respectable midrange game.

My ideal pf would be a good shooting defensive minded pf that is a good shotblocker and rebounder. I think that's what we were going for with Eddie Griffin.

 

I counted at least 3 Cato References. What's today, his birthday?

 

Here are my suggestions:


A taller Chuck Hayes with Karl Malone's jump shot.

An athletic, jump-shooter with above average rebounding skills

A rough and tumble type player who can rebound and play defense (Charles Oakley, Bill Laimbeer, or Buck Williams)



We do not need an all-star player at power forward, what we have now with Scola is fine for the time being (and possibly Hill and Hayes). I'd put more efforts in backups or the back court, especially at center (like, Mutombo). The team's deficiencies will shrink once #11 with an above average backup center are in place. If the Rockets get high profile pf from the draft that is totally fine with me, though (Monroe, Cousins, or Sanders).

 

Shotblocking, shooting range, height, and rebounding ... in that order.

I think our defense would once again become feared if we had Yao taking up space and a great shotblocker next to him. Bosh is obviously a very good fit for all of these attributes ... but I think we could end up with a long-term upgrade through the draft.

 

Charles Jones. Staright up.

 

I struggled weighing the options then I realized it almost doesn't matter. You cant build the perfect partner, you have to take 1 road and build (to a lesser extent) around it.

You could put a great passer at the 4 and it could benefit our entire team. Someone running the offense from the high post, you move Martin around relentlessly, and pick n roll with Brooks, all the while you have Yao as a safety net.

Or you could get that guy that can stretch the floor, give Yao space to work.

Or you opt for the defensive athlete that can clean up the weakside, play some 5 and get to those rebounds Yao cant get.

This is what I am getting at, you cant place a player next to Yao and be good. You place a certain style of player next to Yao and then you make your next strategic move to maximize that acquisition. We could add Dirk and play a certain way, we could add D. Howard and play a completely different way... there is no right answer or perfect fit to compliment Yao. Its simply the next step in the master plan.

 

The fact is that he is one of the most beloved Rockets of all time regardless of whether or not the haters admit it.

 

Here's another one:

A taller version of Udonis Haslem. His mid range is pretty decent and he's hustle player with good defense for his size.

Charles Jones...wow that's old one. I'll use a more respectable choice...Caldwell Jones.

 

seeing as how we almost landed Amare at the deadline, it isn't completely out of the question. The only thing that worries me and sounds kinda fishy is why the Suns wanted to waive the physicals? Are they hiding something? If he is healthy and passes the physical we should do a sign in trade. Battier+Scola+Jeffries+and Knicks picks for Amare

Brooks/Lowry
Martin/FA
Ariza/Budinger
Amare/Hill
Yao/Camby

 

SF man I beat ya to it first page

 

ditto - Yao has the shooting touch - we need these four IMO

 

Height/Size, Range, Rebounder n post defender. Range will help Yao from being double teamed. And to be a good rebounder and post defender, you need height n size as this will take the load off Yao to be the only post defender n rebounder hence less fatigue. IMO Scola does a great job as a PF, but would take Amare over Scola any day!

 

Robert Horry would be the ideal guy IMO.

 

And I would rep you for your Catomic-ness, but I must spread etc.

 

Someone with the skill of Dirk Nowitzki would be PERFECT to play alongside Yao.

(Know that I'm not saying Dirk, but someone LIKE Dirk)

Brooks
Martin
Ariza
Someone like Dirk
Yao

Yao can just sit down in the paint, wait for the ball, then pass it out to one of the 4 shooters, or take it himself.

 

I figured most people would choose height, athleticism, rebounding and shotblocking, with tenacity and toughness. Those are the most visible traits that show up on TV. PF talks always seem to be about that glass cleaning tough "enforcer" type next to Yao. Its not just the complimentary skills but that contrasting MINDSET from Yao's perceived docile personality.

I'd choose young Kevin Garnett easily. All the traits you can want in a power forward. He wouldnt be quite the "paint clogger" next to Yao like say Tim Duncan. A great 1-B scoring option with outside game. Not to mention he has both an MVP award, Defensive MVP, and has won a title.

In second I'd go with Chris Webber. All around All Star talent, outside game, shotblocking, one of the best passers at the PF spot, and a proven player that made the Adelman system sizzle. Plus he'd have Tyra Banks show up to watch the games at courtside. And we can see him go in meltdown mode when asked about their "involvement" with each other.

Current option, Chris Bosh.