Since half a season has passed and now we can reflect back and look at this team objectively what seems to be the "missing" piece? please back up your claims.. My observations: Defense? we have loads of it.. #1 defense in the league (maybe not after the last 2 losses but still tops) we also have great defensive players in Cat, JJ, AGriffin and Cato (at center).. do we need anymore defense? I dont think so. Scoring? With the players on our roster we should be scoring in bunches our guys get wide open shots all the time. SF was a 20 pt scorer last season and Cat was second on the team. It isnt that SF isnt taking enough shots for his decline in ppg its that he isnt making them which shows up in his low FG%. Yao's scoring has picked up but I dont think he takes enough shots in the game. one on one or even double teamed he needs to take his shots. The low FG% for this team makes me think we need more/better shooters which I hoped Pike and Boki would fill but have ben disappointed in them so far this season. Of course Boki is still developing and I hope he can fill that role properly. Forwards? MoT has been great and could probably start on eastern teams as PF bringing in another PF to do what MoT can do seems redundant. Center? Yao is developing into the 2nd center in the league and lots of upside with the right attitude and conditioning he will go far. Cato is an awesome back up maybe one we cant really afford but probably the best backup center in the league and a starter on most other teams. Which brings us to the guards... We have the quickest guards in the league but look to be the most undersized. The decision making is also suspect but getting better. Our backup PG while a great passer seems to be a liablity on the defensive end and slow as molasses. What do we need? What is the missing piece everyone asks about? Small Forward (someone who can consistently hit their "open" shots and plays good defense. I would love for the Rox to obtain a good SF this offseason so we can move JJ to the 2 and Cat to the bench. I would also like to start MoT alongside Yao to make defenses pay for double teaming Yao. Our scoring off the bench could then come from Cat and whoever else we pick up this offseason. Starting Line Up. SF3 - his decision making will improve and once he finds his shooting touch watch out. JJ - provides the veteran leadership and defense on the floor. Will match up better as a 2 then he did as a 3. ?? - This is our unknown. I would love a tall decent SF (hopefully Pike or Boki but im not betting on it) if not a good offseason FA. MoT - I know we will miss his scoring off the bench but having him on the floor with Yao will keep defenses honest. He will make them pay for doubling on Yao by hitting the short jumpers. Yao - The beneficiary of having more help down low. When MoT is posting Yao could also take some short jumpers. Bench Cat off the bench would bring alot of energy and scoring punch. So far our most consistent outside shooter and tough defender will give JJ alot of rest. Cato will be used in certain matchups but mainly as Yaos backup and enforcer. Padgett is an interesting backup at PF since he is an outside shooting big man. I would be really interested in developing him a lil more to see what he can really do? I wonder if MoT or Padgett could ever be developed as SF's? I remember reading something where Rudy was toying with that idea for MoT. Boki/ Pike - almost the same player with Boki getting the edge for his hustle and intensity. Pike is in a slump but can hopefully bounce back.. I would love to insert Pike into the starting SF role and move JJ to the 2. SF / MJ / MWilks JJ / Cat PIke / Boki MoT / Padgett / Cato (certain matchups) Yao / Cato I like JJ's leadership and I think in time he will become more of a leader on and off the floor. I love Cat's hustle and intensity but I prefer JJ to help SF with ball handling responsibilities and decision making. I think we are one solid SF (sharp shooter) away from being a great team. I think having 2 poor decision makers (guards) on the floor at the same time causes us problems. 1 we can deal with 2 seems to be killing us. What do you guys think? I know everyone wants a PF but I dont see where they would fit in? I think after next season we need to look at PG's too.. everyone knows MJ wont last much longer and we need to develop some talent. J
This is pretty realistic roster, goal is to surround Yao with good role players. SF and Cat for Sam Cato for either Walker or Jamison and Najera PG: Sam Cassel/ Mark Jackson/ Wilks SG: Jim Jackson/ Pike SF: Antawn Jamison(or Walker)/ Boki/ Pike PF: MoT/ Padgett/ Witherspoon C: Yao/ Eduardo Najera/ Padgett
What? Cato for Walker or Jamison AND Najera??? I would make the deal in a heartbeat, but it's so ridiculous that Dallas would not make the deal until Nowizki retired.
We need a three. Yes. Very important position. JJ should be a two. I don't want our current 1 2 and 4 either, though. Yeah, building a team, I'd go with a badass 3 and a stud 4 or 5. Indy looks pretty good built like that. Sometimes, you gotta make choices. Alternatatively, you may want a super smart, big shooter to team with Yao from the outside. But I think the natural complement is from the wing. Ray Allen, Vince Carter, Rashard Lewis, Tmac; or for d-up toughness, Ron Artest or Al Harrington. Other complements would include Harpring, Kirilenko, Donyell Marshall. I'd think Carmelo or LBJ would pose a problem, because they haven't been beaten down enough by the grind to appreciate a teammate like Yao. You need someone that's hungry; that's ready to share the ball and knows they'll still get over, like never before.
We should start printing our championship posters this weekend. This is the team that's going the distance. The roster is set.
Baring that we let the deadline pass with no activity, I wouldn't mind having Mobley, Cato, and A. Griffin coming off the bench at all. I totally agree that it will help cut down on turnovers (our #1 killer and reason for, I'd say, an extra 5 or so losses). I only worry about JJ getting into constant early foul trouble guarding younger, more explosive 2s and Pike's shaky defense. Hey, I'd try anything at this point to avoid getting swept by the frickin' Grizzlies this year...
does it seem to be a common consensus that SF + Cat = Lots of TO's? Individually it doesnt appear that way but from watching games it feels that way.. I dont know what it is. but I know SF and Cat are not the best decision makers and I would like to temper that by inserting JJ at the 2 with Boki at the 3. I know Boki is still too green but he works hard and until Pike finds his shooting touch I dont know what else to say. haha someone joked that SF JJ Boki MoT Yao doesnt sound too threatening.. but I think it sounds just fine. True this is assuming Boki develops into the player I hope he can become.. he doesnt need to be a Peja (which would be nice) but a Kukoc would be enough for me. and I know alot of people are harping on SF too but I think we will be quite dangerous once SF finds his shot. His bad decision making looks even worse because of his poor shooting right now. Once he finds his confidence or shot we will be fine. J
I think our weaknesses are Steve's difficulties playing the point position and Cato's lack of offense and ability to guard athletic PFs farther out. To fix that I think we need 1) a true point (guard or forward) with point instincts and 2) a defensive-minded PF/C like Cato but with a consistent jumper and the ability to guard forwards inside and outside the paint. This is a rotation I could picture contending for a championship: Yao Kenyon Martin-type (but with more class; don't need as much offense) Lamar Odom-type (but with better passing abilities, lower TO, and better jumper, defense) Cat Steve Bench: JJ MoT (Backup PG) (Backup Center) In this vision, point duties would be shouldered by point forward and for limited minutes, backup point. Yao would also be effective at passing to his teammates from the high post a la Divac.
