If you trade Budinger for Wall, you're leaving us with a huge hole at SF. Martin cannot play the position. Ariza and Taylor are not productive. We'd have 3 PG's and one aging SF. We might as well trade Bud for Turner, who also has superstar potential at a position we need, starting SF. EDIT: I know you don't like Ariza or Taylor either, so don't pretend like we're loaded on the wings.
Reggie is the one I would most compare him to. I think his D will get better cause he seems to be a REALLY hard worker. Thats most of what makes you a good defender. I love his upside and don't want to trade him unless it's for a good/great player.
I think Ariza improved a little as his role diminished, and Taylor improved a lot after the D-league. DD
Damn man, you flip flop worse than John Kerry! Dude, first you say Ariza sucks, then you think he will do well. Then you say you think Taylor is awful, then you admire him. Make up your mind already!
I like Chase, but his athleticism favors jumping over lateral quickness, so I have concerns about his defense.
Times change, situations change, opinions change. I still would like to trade Ariza and don't think Taylor is all that great, but he did show a lot of improvement so there is hope. However, if they show market improvement in a different role, I will happily change my opinion.... So, what ! DD
I'm pretty sure c-bud's going to end up being a pretty good offensive player. I'd like to see him improve his defense, though. Same goes for martin. The team's defense was really hurting in the second half of the season. I'm much happier seeing my team grind out a defensive game than scoring all over the place but giving up tons of points--tells me the latter isn't trying hard enough.
See what happens when you put a 7'6" guy at the rim...watch how magically improved everyone's defense becomes. DD
Yeah. You get him in foul trouble because Budinger, Brooks and Martin can't keep anyone in front of them. I've seen that already happen, I'd rather avoid that now.
Horse crap....Yao was at the rim the previous years with a sieve in Tmac and Rafer unable to stay in front of anyone...... Yao learned how to stay tall without fouling... DD
The only thing Rafer did well was play defense? McGrady, as bad as he was, was still a better defender than both Martin and Budinger. Brooks, Martin and Budinger is probably the worst perimeter defensive lineup in the league and you know it. It's the reason I wanted Iguodala over Martin -- defense. Even if Yao gets the benefit of the doubt on more calls now, you're not thinking of the frequency with which he'll be put into that situation. The BBM brothers are going to be a matador defense leading their guys into the middle -- Yao might get some calls, but you know damn well he's also going to get a lot more fouls called on him. If you want to reduce the number of fouls Yao gets, you try to limit his exposure to those situations. BBM only increases that exposure.
So you're counting on never playing BBM together for long stretches of time. That's fine and understandable. I'm not sure one defensive player will make up for two other spots, but I suppose that remains to be seen. It also kind of sucks how our rotation is handicapped in the view that we can't put certain players on the court together for extended minutes because of their defensive flaws. I don't think Battier is a Rocket after this off-season though. We already signed his successor and started the process of moving him to the bench. I gotta think Morey moves him for something this off-season -- for what I don't know.
Then I guess we will have to see what is next in the mind of Morey. As for the can't play people together, every team has that issue. DD
Sure, but it usually doesn't involve their best scoring options. In reality, it's basically the Rockets won't be able to get away with playing their 6th man (CBud) extended minutes with their starting PG (Brooks) and SG (Martin). That's a lot bigger problem than not being able to get Hilton Armstrong on the floor with Chuck Hayes.
I think it depends entirely on : A. Matchups B. Does Brooks improve his D C. Does Kmart Improve his D D. Does Budinger improve his D I doubt they stand pat. DD
This guy will be a beast in years to come i see him as a Ray Allen in less than 3 years i hope we keep him
DD, you and some people in this thread have gone off the deep end. Budinger was a pretty good rookie but acting like he is untouchable and then trying to downplay Martin's ability is insane. I'll trade Budinger yesterday for a decent backup C/PF.
Sorry Dave, that would not work for me....I think CBud has all star or better skills.... How far he goes will depend entirely upon his mindset. DD
