[Chron] Harris looks for second chance with Rockets

There is a long history of tall players who can't board either. Obviously it doesn't hurt, but if you have ever watched Jason Collins play you would understand that is just a tired saying. I mean Dennis Rodman was one of the greatest rebounders ever and he wasn't especially tall - and he did that in the heyday of 7ft+ guys like Olajuwon, Ewing, Smits, old Kareem, etc.

I agree that rebounding is an important in the playoffs, but I don't think height plays any more of a role in being a rebounder or rebounding team than instinct, boxing out(guys with lower center of gravity tend to be better at clearing a guy out), quickness(for getting in position for boards), and quick hops(for boarding above the rim).

Plus in Okur's case in the playoffs this year, the disparity isn't quite as bad as you mentioned because he played 5-6 more minute in the Rockets series than he did on the regular season so his playoff to regular season stats can't be compared one to one. Basically he averaged about 3 boards more in the Rockets series. Thats significant, but I wouldn't chalk that up on his size alone. Besides, if you want to use the size argument, Boozer is shorter than him and is a far better rebounder. I'm just saying...

..talking about Harris though, I think it's obvious he is a bottom of the roster/depth kind of guy. He doesn't need to have the height or speed to guard all star players but he has to be productive in the minutes they would give him - mostly in the 2nd team setting playing the starter's backups. If he can produce in that setting where the talent isn't quite as good, than he is of value and could make the roster. I like him for his heart but I have to admit I'm skeptical if he makes the roster with the comp he has.

 

I think Harris has proven to be a more effective player than all of those guys...including Novak. Unfortunately, Woods might get a roster spot because of Yao's injury history and Deke's retirement. Francis might stay to be part of a salary dump trade. Head is actually needed with our shaky guard play so....

who knows...i think Harris outplayed some of our players in preseason last year but i think the line of thinking to let him go is that he won't play that much while everyone is healthy and therefore won't have a big enough affect on the game to justify waiving guaranteed contracts. I wish we could get some deals done before the season starts but i fear that main rotation players and bigger expiring contracts will be given priority which really does put Harris and Novak in the fringe player category.

 

At the moment

PG Alston/Jackson/Brooks
SG McGrady/Barry/Francis
SF Battier/Green/Novak
PF Scola/Landry/Hayes
C Yao/Dorsey/?

Even if Mutumbo and Head are both gone I see no place for Harris. Novak's ability to knock a 3 down at the end of a game is more valuable IMHO than yet another undersized hustle guy being on the team. I don't think it matters what happens with guys like Head, Francis, Mutombo because even if one of Head or Francis is gone the other will probably be their at SG.

Then even if Mutombo is gone the Rockets would still probably then keep Woods or get another center. At SF/PF where Harris would be playing I don't see where he gets the roster spot. Of course Green could be a total bust this summer and get cut so you never know.

 

The need in a backup 5 especially if Deke is not back. Even if Deke is back for one more season, the Rockets will still look for a backup 5 to replace Deke when he's retired. Woods has a minimum contract. In consideration Diop can get 30 millions and other 7 footers get pay 2/3 millions for playing 7-8 minutes, Woods is a good deal with a good bang for the buck. I really think the Rockets have a good chance of keeping him if there is open roster spot.

 

Yeah, once every two years Novak makes his presence felt. Totally worth keeping

 

First, do you expect teams to sit their starters in playoffs like they do in regular season?

Okur got almost more than 50% rebounds than his regular season. If that's not a big disparity, I dont know what that is.

The fact is Okur abused all the midgets in the Rockets front court on the board. In Gm 4, I guess Okur snatched the rebound over Landry's head from the 2nd missed FT at the end of game is not enough to break your heart.

Harris can only be your 13th/14th man in your roster - an insurance good to have but nobody really cares about. If you cant see that, I really dont know what to say.

 

WE DID NOT HAVE YAO MING AGAINST UTAH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


DD

 

Let me put it this way and please dont jump on me and crucify me.

If both teams were healthy and I had to bet which team to win the series in last season, I would still give Jazz the edge but it would be a close 7 game series. Jazz had a better point differential than the Rockets and a better bench.

In that series, the Rockets didnt have Yao and suffered from many injuries. But both D Will and Boozer were floored hard in different games at the end of March. D Will still could perform. Boozer was obviously not himself and very different from the way he went off in March. Otherwise, I really think the Jazz could beat the Lakers.

 

I vehemetly disagree with you, as I think the Rockets were much better this year with Scolandry than they were last year......

And would have won because of that....

But.....it is all a matter of opinion.

DD

 

Forget Yao in the Jazz series, if Rafer was healthy the rockets win that series. Bobby Jackson looked lost as a starter (while running out of gas) and the teams chemistry was completely thrown off with the make shift lineup.

 

If Boozer was healthy, it would be a sweep.

Point differential is the best indicator of a team.

 

Opinions vary. Boozer looked pretty good to me physically (Deke checked him pretty good), I think he was alot more healthy than Rafer's hamstring (who actually missed games) Battier's (knee), T-Mac's knee and Landry's knee.

 

I like Mike toughness and hustle. He has not been given sufficient PT to prove himself. His play position and height is also not helping him. We have to cut someone to put him in our roster. Here's our team and those I think will be fighting for a roster spot

1. 12 Rafer Alston G 6-2 175 07/24/1976 (in roster unless traded)
2. 31 Shane Battier F 6-8 220 09/09/1978 (in roster unless traded)
3. 0 Aaron Brooks G 6-0 161 01/14/1985 (in roster unless traded)
4. 15 Joey Dorsey F 6-8 268 12/16/1983 (in roster unless traded)
5. 3 Steve Francis G 6-3 210 02/21/1977 (in roster unless traded)
6. 5 Donte Greene F 6-9 222 02/21/1988 (in roster unless traded)
7. 19 Mike Harris F 6-6 240 06/15/1983 (maybe traded) *
8. 44 Chuck Hayes F 6-6 238 06/11/1983 (maybe traded) *
9. 2 Luther Head G 6-3 185 11/26/1982 (maybe traded) *
10. 8 Bobby Jackson G 6-1 185 03/13/1973 (should be traded) **
11. 14 Carl Landry (FA) F 6-9 248 09/19/1983 (in roster unless traded)
12. 10 Maarty Leunen ** F 6-9 220 09/03/1985 (may not be signed) **
13. 1 Tracy McGrady G 6-8 223 05/24/1979 (in roster)
14. 55 Dikembe Mutombo C 7-2 260 06/25/1966 (maybe retired or others) *
15. 20 Steve Novak F 6-10 220 06/13/1983 (maybe traded) *
16. 4 Luis Scola F-C 6-9 245 04/30/1980 (in roster unless traded)
17. 33 Loren Woods C 7-2 260 06/21/1978 (maybe traded or release) *
18. 11 Yao Ming C 7-6 310 09/12/1980 (in roster)
19. Brent Barry G 6-7 210 12/31/1971 (in roster)

I presumed those with * still have a chance. Those with ** most likely to be out of the roster. We have 19 players, we may not need Loren if we think Scola or Dorsey can be a backup C along with Deke.

In short, we can cut our roster to 17 players with ease and we need to cut another two (hopefully via trade). So which two?

Mike Harris
Chuck Hayes
Luther Head
Dikembe Mutombo
Loren Woods
Steve Novak

 

Why are you naked in the shower with your p***y cat?

Now all this beefy references make sense.

 

i love harris and would want him on the team next year as well can never have enough all out hustle hard workers but yeah right now:

tmac
barry
alston
yao
shane
luis
jackson
francis
hayes
novak
greene
dorsey
head
brooks

are guaranteed for next season



then we have:
deke
landry
harris
woods

chances are woods is gone, and if deke and landry sign that means harris is gone too. and then on top of that we need to also get rid of a player. more than likely morey may make a minor 2 for 1 deal that includes head and hayes imo. i dont want to lose hayes just yet personally.

He could let luther go for a draft pick though to make room for deke and landry. (assuming Deke will resign with us)

unfortunately its another "numbers game" like last season and Harris maybe odd one out again

 

And that would be stupid, if Harris outperforms or can help your club more than a higher priced guaranteed contract, you keep him.....

Mike Harris is a power wing player, someone different than Barry, and able to give different looks off the bench to cause matchup problems.

I would keep Harris over Head......while Luther can shoot, IMHO, Harris has more to offer to the team overall.

DD

 

No argument about the need for a tall backup for Yao if Deke doesn't return, but I've seen nothing from Woods to make me think he fills the potential need. Yao's health concerns makes it even more important. The staff must have seen more from the guy than I did.