There are a finite number of possessions and they have to be spread among five players at all times...the Pistons and Spurs have won four of the last five titles despite having one no-possession user (Wallace and Bowen) in their lineups. The thought that a player who can hit jumpers stretches the defense is somewhat overrated for midrange jumpers (it's more true for 3point shooters). The court is small, a player can get from 15 feet out to the basket in a second. Also, nobody will go out to guard Haslem (if they're smart) because the chance of it going in is .399 while Yao's shot inside (even when double-teamed) has a higher chance of going in. If he gets an open jumper, they aren't going to go, "OH MY GOD GET HIM AND LET'S LEAVE YAO OPEN!" The real question is this: will Haslem's jumpers (which he's going to get less of in Houston, than in Miami) make up for the loss of Hayes' offensive rebounds?
I've looked at current rosters. Clippers and Heat definitely have the biggest needs at point guard. The most expendable player on the Clips seems to be Mobley from looking at their roster, considering Maggette can play SG and Thornton can play SF. Rafer and Sura works for Mobley. Clippers: PG Cassell/Alston/Conroy SG Maggette/Ross/Livingston (IR) SF Thornton/Korolev (re-signed) PF Brand/Thomas C Kaman/Davis/A. Williams That actually helps the Clippers for several reasons. That would also mean Bonzi could then be packaged with Head for a PF. The most expendable player on Miami from looking at their roster seems to be Doleac. Doleac plus cash works for Alston. Heat: PG J. Williams/Alston/Quinn SG Wade/Cook/Richardson SF E. Jones (re-signed)/D. Wright/Slaughter PF Haslem/Walker/Simien C Shaq/Zo/J. Anthony That trade would seriously upgrade the Heat. So a possible scenario: 1. Houston does not re-sign Mutombo. 2. Houston trades Alston for Doleac and cash. Houston gets a legit backup C that fits Adelman's offense for several years for a point guard that they no longer need and saves some money. Or another possible scenario: 1. Houston does not re-sign Hayes. 2. Houston trades Alston and Sura to the Clippers for Mobley. 3. Houston can then package Bonzi and Head and a 1st rounder for another legit big PF to go along with Scola.
Haslem > Hayes. But T-mac said it best, what we need is a bruising PF who's sole mission is to get rebounds. In that case Foster fits the bill. It may mean 4 offensive players on 5 defensive players but by not keeping a body on Foster you are giving up offensive board to him. If we need offense, put Scola in. In my mind Foster makes a lot of sense, other than Deke (who won't get many minutes if any) the missing component is rebounding. Francis helps but we need a big to get boards. We've got enough scorers and Adelman will create assists with the ball movement.
In all these trade scenarios from a realistic standpoint Bonzi Wells and Mike James can be omitted. We found out trading James was not a good iidea, and Bonzi fits into Adelman's offensive scheme perfectly. My gut hunch is that this year will see a huge resurgence in Bonzi's game.
This is all that needs to be done. Rocket scientist not needed to figure out that this is common sense. http://games.espn.go.com/nba/features/traderesult?players=11~2763~2184&teams=14~14~10
I think with the Heat making first contact, I think the Rockets should play it that make sure the Heat take back more salary then the Rockets take on so there's less chance of going over the luxury tax threshold, I'm sure if the Heat only take on a $100,000 from the Rockets, Les will be happy.
Ben Wallace was their center. He was not spreading the floor for anybody even if he could shoot. Yao can shoot. He isn't spreading the floor for anybody. He needs teammates to spread the floor for him. And Bowen can shoot 3s. Where is your stats of Yao shooting better than .399 against double team? This is the only valid point you have so far. Yes, Hayes' offensive rebounding is valuable. But one of the reasons he can get so many offensive rebounds is because he is rarely the shooter. It is hard to get your own rebound unless you are close range. Same thing about Mutombo.
I think Haslem would be a great fit on Houston paired with Scola at PF. Miami might be more ecouraged to move Haslem if they can get PJ Brown to help in the front court. It was reported today that PJ is looking at Miami and Orlando. If I am Houston I would offer Alston+Head and either Novak or the rights to Carl Landry for Haslem. You have to give to get. And that way Miami gets the guard help they are looking for but also gets a front court player as well to help with the loss of Haslem. That could be key. The Rockets get their guy in Haslem and make more room on the roster by moving multiple players.
For the guy who said Haslem is not undersized: This was Haslem's draft profile coming into the NBA: "Lacks ideal height but has amazing strength. Not a tremendous leaper but has good positioning skills and plays hard. Lack of height hurts his potential." Summary: lacks ideal height, not a great leaper For the guy who said Haslem is a good shooter: "Has worked hard to get a chance in the league... Pretty good rebounder... Jump shot needs work." Summary: decent rebounder, weak jump shot I don't know that Haslem fits our needs. I like Jeff Foster a lot more.
Haslem also has no shot blocking ability. He is actually the same height as Battier and McGrady. I do not like this move. I think we can get more for Alston + another contract (e.g. Sura's expiring one).
Is there any chance whatsoever for us to get David Lee or Al Jefferson? I know their teams are pretty fond of them and they have a very, very reasonable salary, but perhaps if we take on a bad salary of theirs and include a 1st rounder? I think both of them would be perfect for us...
Obiously you didnt watch much the Rox playoff exit against the Jazz. Fact: Hayes cant score a lick, so teams sag off of him creating a 4 on 5 effect Fact: For as many open looks and easy buckets Hayes had from dishes by TMac Hayes fumbled most of them away, or just plain ol blew them. Fact: Hayes CAN NOT guard Dirk, Amare, Duncan, ect ect. Hayes Defensive numbers are inflated by the fact that he played on JVG's Defensive team. Without looking, Id guess that Most of all the Rox Defensive stats are just as gold. He played in a system that stressed 80 point games and all Defense. Fact: Hayes is a product of the system he played in. All of his points are from Tmac Feeds underneath, he cant make a shot otherwise. I cant ever ever ever remember Hayes even making a single jump shot. Seriously. For all his prowess he rebounds about as well as Stromile Swift did. Fact: If we had Haslem in the Jazz series, instead of Hayes we would of won that series. Nuff Said.
Thus becoming possibly the biggest non-move of the off season. If Bonzi can turn himself back on, fit in, and do what he's capable of doing (I hope he can and will), his game should be a big factor in the team's overall success. A very likely reinvigorated Steve Francis plus a resurgent Bonzi Wells added to current and incoming players . . . the team cup will be brimming with talent for Adelman to direct. Maybe we'll end up with a Comeback Player of the Year and a Sixth Man Award (among other potential recognition)
I agree. Haslem is an upgrade to Hayes, despite Hayes "better" defensive stats. Haslem can at least score and guard better players than Hayes as well.
Does anyone doubt that Morey will get this done? With everything that Morey has done lately, I think it's a near lock that we will see Haslem in a Rockets uni next year. btw, Are you guys really comparing Hayes to Haslem? I don't think some of you guys watch any games besides the Rockets'. Haslem is so far superior to Hayes it's not even funny. I saw someone earlier in this thread bring up his pre-draft scouting report. LMAO. He's been in the league for 4 years. His game has evolved immensely since then. He's money from mid-range. He's lost a ton of weight since his college days, so his athleticism has improved. He has all the intangibles just like Chuck, but he brings it on both sides of the floor and he's got a big size advantage on him. He's more comparable to a Shane Battier at the 4. Don't get me wrong, I love Chuck. If he's willing to play third string, I would be thrilled to keep him. However, if it comes down to moving Rafer for Haslem or keeping Chuck, I'm taking Haslem 10 times out of 10.
