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Can someone tell me why Juwan Howard starts or even plays for that matter?

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by JBIIRockets, Nov 13, 2005.

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  1. JBIIRockets

    JBIIRockets Member

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    I was watching the game tonight and suddenly I was inspired to write this. This has been building up in my mind for a while. I guess I am spilling out my frustrations.

    What has Juwan Howard done so far to earn the current role he has on this basketball team? Is it because of his contract that the Rockets had to inherit in the T-Mac deal? Does the Rockets brass feel like he absolutely has to play because of amount of guaranteed money he will make? Is it because of his years of experience he has gathered in the NBA?

    This is not an insult to JoHo's character by any means. I am thrilled that he recovered from his scary heart condition, and it's great that he is one of the good guys in the NBA.

    As far as his playing ability however, he is just not a good player and I think the Rockets would be better off in the long run if he was taken out of the playing rotation for good. He's in the twilight of his career which means he's not going to get better.

    Why not give Baxter more of a chance? He's young, probably eager to prove himself. Who knows? Baxter may give you more than Howard's current 6 rebounds a game. Baxter may not be known as a perimeter shooter like Howard is, but Howard isn't a reliable perimeter shooter anyway.

    Sure Howard will make a few here and there, but he's not a threat to the opposing team. I know this, opposing teams don't care if Howard shoots the rock from 18 feet because how often will Howard make every shot he takes like he did in the Rockets win in Dallas last year? Not often at all.

    I truly believe that Juwan Howard is only delaying the Rockets' transition of changing from a decent team to a championship caliber team. That sounds harsh, but the truth hurts sometimes and the Rockets organization needs to realize this.

    When Howard went to the Magic in 03-04, he was known as key free agent acquistion that would further help improve the Magic. What happened? The Magic finished with the worst record in the NBA.

    Here's another example. Why didn't the Spurs win the championship in 03-04? Because in the playoffs, softees like Hedo Turkoglu and Rasho Nesterovic played like crap, to the point where their mere presence on the court was hurting the Spurs. So what did the Spurs do? They were smart and did not resign Hedo, and in 2004-05, Rasho was "riding the pine" while tough guy Nazi Muhammed was in the starting lineup helping the Spurs to a championship.

    So, if not Howard, then who? Anyone that is younger, heck go to the nbdl if you have to. Start Stromile and let him continue to fit in. The guy is young and does show moments of brillance at times. He can block shots. He doesn't rebound either but, overall, he is more of a threat the Howard is. Give Baxter a chance to make an impact.

    Just because Howard has years of experience doesn't make him a good player. He's over the hill and the Rockets need to move on and play players that can make a difference.
     
    #1 JBIIRockets, Nov 13, 2005
  2. Zboy

    Zboy Member

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    I agree with everything. Juwon is a liability on many fronts. We are not going anywhere as long as we depend on him making significant contributions.
     
    #2 Zboy, Nov 13, 2005
  3. giddyup

    giddyup Member

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    I would bet that Baxter is a better perimeter shooter than Howard and an equal rebounder. Not sure about defending-- but that's not Howard's forte, is it? Give him a shot.

    I've only seen one Rocket game (loss to Miami)-- whatever was the big fuss about Swift? Harsh judgement perhaps, but how can you be 24-25 years old and be so fundamentally unsound?
     
    #3 giddyup, Nov 13, 2005
  4. gucci888

    gucci888 Member

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    ^ I highly doubt Baxter has a better jumper than Howard, but that's just me.

    I think it's time to put Swift in the starting lineup, we need more of a athletic lineup to start the game, to help get things going.
     
    #4 gucci888, Nov 13, 2005
  5. oschadha

    oschadha Member

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    Baxter is not a better mid-range shooter than Howard. Judging by his days at Maryland, I would be surprised if he indeed did have a shot. His game is built on put backs, rebounds, and banging.
     
    #5 oschadha, Nov 13, 2005
  6. JBIIRockets

    JBIIRockets Member

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    All things Howard really doesn't do even though he has that reputation. Time to give Baxter a shot.
     
    #6 JBIIRockets, Nov 13, 2005
  7. franchise23

    franchise23 Member

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    I agree. Let Swift start the game and then bring in Howard off the bench. Additionally when Yao is not in the game I would like to see Howard get some touches in the post. He has a decent hook shot and i think it could help out our offense when Yao/T-mac are on the bench.
     
    #7 franchise23, Nov 13, 2005
  8. michecon

    michecon Member

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    because SS is a chichen without a head.
     
    #8 michecon, Nov 13, 2005
  9. oschadha

    oschadha Member

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    I'll would tend to agree with that, although Howard does have his moments. I just think it depends on the matchups. When we play teams like New Orleans and Charlotte, I could see Baxter being much more effective. However, against a team like Dallas, I would definitely go with Juwan.
     
    #9 oschadha, Nov 13, 2005
  10. parlaynhustle

    parlaynhustle Member

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    i dont know what ya are talking about...swift has sucked every game until today, he might of done good on offense today but his defense sucked...he kept leaving lafrentz open and thats what killed us in the first half...atleast jho was puttin a hand in his face
     
    #10 parlaynhustle, Nov 13, 2005
  11. Rocketeer

    Rocketeer Member

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    Because Juwon is a guy that can nail that 15 footer consistantly. His man cannot afford to go over and help on Yao. As the season goes on, I think we will see Swift get more minutes. I think it's just taking him a while as he isn't the fastest learner out there.
     
    #11 Rocketeer, Nov 13, 2005
  12. JBIIRockets

    JBIIRockets Member

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    Is that really true though? I've seen him miss a lot of wide open jumpers also.

    If I were a Rockets opponent, I'd want Howard to shoot because I don't think he can sustain that consistency for a full game.
     
    #12 JBIIRockets, Nov 13, 2005
  13. AroundTheWorld

    AroundTheWorld Member

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    Houston Trade Breakdown
    Outgoing
    Moochie Norris
    6-1 PG from West Florida
    1.3 ppg, 0.7 rpg, 0.8 apg in 6.5 minutes
    David Wesley
    6-1 SG from Baylor
    10.9 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.9 apg in 34.1 minutes
    Juwan Howard
    6-9 PF from Michigan
    9.6 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 1.5 apg in 26.6 minutes
    Incoming
    Anfernee Hardaway
    6-7 SG from Memphis
    7.3 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 2.0 apg in 24.2 minutes
    Change in team outlook: -14.5 ppg, -6.6 rpg, and -3.2 apg.


    New York Trade Breakdown
    Outgoing
    Anfernee Hardaway
    6-7 SG from Memphis
    7.3 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 2.0 apg in 24.2 minutes
    Incoming
    Moochie Norris
    6-1 PG from West Florida
    1.3 ppg, 0.7 rpg, 0.8 apg in 6.5 minutes
    David Wesley
    6-1 SG from Baylor
    10.9 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.9 apg in 34.1 minutes
    Juwan Howard
    6-9 PF from Michigan
    9.6 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 1.5 apg in 26.6 minutes
    Change in team outlook: +14.5 ppg, +6.6 rpg, and +3.2 apg.



    Successful Scenario
    Due to Houston and New York being over the cap, the 25% trade rule is invoked. Houston and New York had to be no more than 125% plus $100,000 of the salary given out for the trade to be accepted, which did happen here. This trade satisfies the provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
     
    #13 AroundTheWorld, Nov 13, 2005
  14. yamingx

    yamingx Member

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    I almost watched the rocket games this season except tonight game. according to Swifts defence and his offence technique, starting him as a PF is just a joke. Although today's score data is ok (many scores are from trash time), the rebounds is not good. Howard is still our decent PF.
     
    #14 yamingx, Nov 13, 2005
  15. PhiSlammaJamma

    PhiSlammaJamma Member

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    We are 2-4. How bout a change. It'd be nice to see Stro work with some space on the court. He can protect Yao. Let's just do it. Yao is setting all the picks anyway.
     
    #15 PhiSlammaJamma, Nov 13, 2005
  16. Rockets111

    Rockets111 Member

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    Like it or not, Howard's been one of our most consistent scorers and shooters over the past few games...you can always count on him for atleast 10 points and 6 boards per, which is more than what you can say for Swift...
     
    #16 Rockets111, Nov 13, 2005
  17. pradaxpimp

    pradaxpimp Member

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    yeah, and he's very efficient on the blocks. Incredible post game, only hampered by a little of god's doing, Heigth
     
    #17 pradaxpimp, Nov 13, 2005
  18. pradaxpimp

    pradaxpimp Member

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    that was van gundy going to the trap, that wasn't stro.

    That said, Stro is a fantastic one on one defender, but subpar help defender.
     
    #18 pradaxpimp, Nov 13, 2005
  19. tinman

    tinman 999999999
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    you must be an accountant.
     
    #19 tinman, Nov 13, 2005
  20. TigerBait

    TigerBait Member

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    What game where you watching? LaFrentz hit the majority of his threes early in the game, and that was due to the fact that Juwan was trying to help protect against the drive or Yao failing to come out on him and get a hand in his face on the pick and roll. Swift might have given up one three to LaFrentz and it was because Davis drove and jumped up for a shot so Stro went to get a rebound but Davis passed off to LaFrentz in the air, honest mistake. Other than that Swift was blocking shots and getting steals (had 3 blocks and 3 steals) and put great pressure on the ball using his long arms and athletic ability whenever JVG called a trap, which Juwon wasn't able to do.
     
    #20 TigerBait, Nov 13, 2005
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