Chances we can sign any of those players to a decent contract are: Low probability: zilch High probability: zilch.
For some reason I feel like we have seen the last game of both Wesley and James as a Rocket. Both have expiring contracts and are nice players that could possibly be packaged to get the PF, SG or PG they really want. Just a hunch on my part though. Chandler is my pick at PF. Swift hasn't shown anything to me. Reggie Evans wouldn't be bad. Who ever we get needs to be able to play center as well just in case Deke falls a part next season. If Spanoulis is ready, is he going to play PG? Seems he would be better suited playing the wing spotting up off of penetration. Maybe as the primary backup to TMac? God knows he needs someone to help give him some rest. Antonio Daniels would still be a great fit at PG.
What this team needs?? 1) starting caliber ball handling point guard 2) starting caliber athletic swingman to go with McGrady 3) starting caliber power forward 4) athletic swingman off the bench Easier said than done, and won't happen in one offseason. Keep Deke and Howard as backup big men. Keep James as a solid backup PG. Sura, Barry, Wesley, Padgett, and Bowen aren't gonna cut it. Maybe Wesley, but i think we can all agree he shouldn't be playing over 40 minutes in any playoff game. The overall lack of speed and atheleticism couldn't have been more exposed tonight. The Rockets did a nice job piecing together a team throughout the year, but even they know(carroll dawson) what needs to be upgraded. It's just depends if they have the resources to do it.
A real PG is the most important. Spend big on free agent PG. This team has no clear offensive route other than T-mac and Yao's P'n R in the playoff. Besides, it's hard to find a PG from a draft who can contribute immediately. So it's better to find PF from the draft. Bad PG cause opponents' fastbreak and destroy defense, cause a lot of fouls. If T-mac handle the ball too much, he will be doubled a lot. It's like the Magics forever. Without a good PG, we cannot distribute the ball b/w T-Mac and Yao well and also have our role players contribute at the same time. A good PG helps great on offensive end. On the defensive end, We have JVG. A good PF will help to protect Yao from being fouled out.
I'd take Pierce in a second. Imagine him and Mcgrady guarding the defensive perimeter. PP used to be known as a top-flight defender, but like T-Mac, his defensive play seems to have slipped because he's been forced to carry the team. It would upgrade our backcourt athleticism in a big way, and he's very good at attacking the rim, which we could definitely use more of. I hope the Celts are looking to deal him. It's a possiblity since Bos got knocked out of the playoffs, they might think to rebuild. Maybe take PP and Lafrentz while sending them expiring contracts, Howard, and a pick. Lafrentz and Howard have the same length on their contracts, but howard's is much less per year. Then try to sign one of the decent PF's this offseason (Chandler, SAR, Marshall, Brown, Swift) and draft Hakeem Warrick to round out our forward roation. Suddenly an old and unathletic team becomes significantly younger and quicker.
Heard that before. The last year's worth of moves was extraordinary. I wouldn't put it past CD's team to make all of the necessary additions.
Time to change This serie with Dallas has shown us our limits if we want to compete for the title. We need lots of changes. Padgett and Bowen are jokes, they are not fighters in the paint. We need fighters in the paint in playoffs and they are too soft. Barry is 35. He's tired and the intensity in playoff is too much for him. Wesley as well. He disapeared in shoots and defence and is 34. Get out. Ward is 35. Get out. Sura is a sixth or seventh or eight man, not a starter at all. Pathetic yesterday. James is a shooter and not a PG. T-Mac is obliger to play like a PG. He's obliged to do all. He's not superman. When you think that we have, as well, Weatherspoon and... Baker, i'm afraid. To lose 4-3 is a performance yet with such a roster. Good for regular season, not for the playoff. And you never win a title (or be a serious contendent) in regular season. Our future can be bright with Mac Grady and Yao but let's built quickly around them, with young players. Let's keep Mac Grady, Yao, Howard (as a sixth man), James and why not Mutombo but the rest... Carroll, let's find a rebounder and shot-blocker (not a star like Brand but a strong player), a true point guard (Jay Williams ?) and a solid perimeter defender (Graham in the draft ?). Actually, our team can't win anything, too old and not enought quality of "fightness".
Still a bit down after this loss-but I'm looking forward to this off-season. Anytime your two stars combine for sixty points (the highest scoring duo in these playoffs) AND STILL LOSE --You know we need major changes I'd like to keep Yao, T-Mac, Deke, Jon Barry, Mike James, and Juwon Howard-- everyone else can go...
This serie with Dallas has shown us our limits if we want to compete for the title. We need lots of changes. Padgett and Bowen are jokes, they are not fighters in the paint. We need fighters in the paint in playoffs and they are too soft. Barry is 35. He's tired and the intensity in playoff is too much for him. Wesley as well. He disapeared in shoots and defence and is 34. Get out. Ward is 35. Get out. Sura is a sixth or seventh or eight man, not a starter at all. Pathetic yesterday. James is a shooter and not a PG. T-Mac is obliger to play like a PG. He's obliged to do all. He's not superman. When you think that we have, as well, Weatherspoon and... Baker, i'm afraid. To lose 4-3 is a performance yet with such a roster. Good for regular season, not for the playoff. And you never win a title (or be a serious contendent) in regular season. Our future can be bright with Mac Grady and Yao but let's built quickly around them, with young players. Let's keep Mac Grady, Yao, Howard (as a sixth man), James and why not Mutombo but the rest... Carroll, let's find a rebounder and shot-blocker (not a star like Brand but a strong player), a true point guard (Jay Williams ?) and a solid perimeter defender (Graham in the draft ?). Actually, our team can't win anything, too old and not enought quality of "fightness".
James just signed a contract with Milwaukee and we traded for him his contract is up in another 2 seasons
Guys, whatever changes we need to make, hopefully CD keeps team chemistry in mind. The reason we performed so well this regular season despite having a team of average joes + 2, is that everyone knew their place, was professional, and got each other's back. Whatever we do in the offseason, we cannot disrupt the way the Rockets operate by signing some blinged out nut who's ego first and team second no matter how good he is.
