Some people forget the two headed Kenny/Sam combo... I'd say the current Rafer/Brooks combo is equally as good or talented... This year we didn't have our center Dream type (Yao) and our swingman Glide type (T-Mac) was not 100%... We can be just fine if all are healthy... We have our PF's... our Amigo types... We have our "Air Bullard" types (Battier and Novak).... Health is our only true need.
To me Brooks is a "gimmick" player. What I mean is that his quickness is amazing but it doesn't make up for his lack of size to warrant him playing substantial minutes at this level. Of course, he did just finish his rookie season so I am judging quite early but I just don't see the type of skill set that is ever going to make him more than a last resort, instant offense type of player. However, if the team can become longer and more athletic it may create a situation where Brooks' size disadvantage can be minimized by the rest of the team's ability to cover for him when he is posted up. As of now the team defense is very good but there isn't a big, athletic player on the team to roam the paint and be a mobile, weak side defender.
I'm suing Mr. Blinebury for stealing the last two years of my BBS posts. meh -- you make an excellent point... I agree that would be nice and in theory would work. The problem is that has so far proven to be near impossible. Rafer is consistently the guy who takes the third most shots on the team, and when Yao is out, the second most -- by a good margin, too. Most people would agree that this is not because Rafer is selfish but rather that this is what the defense gives the Rockets. Rafer doesn't take a lot of terrible shots (as far as shot selection). He's taking what's there, and when T-Mac is doing the creating in half-court sets, Rafer is going to be open quite a bit.
What are you smoking pastor? Both Sam and Kenny could shoot the ball with consistency......Brooks may prove to do that, but he is not there yet, and Rafer has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that he can not shoot. I agree, but we could use an upgrade at the PG spot....and a backup swingman that attacks the basket. DD
I would just go with brooks and back him up with dooling/dixon. I think the quickness of brooks would give opponets more problems than a standstill guy. Look at parker. U think teams think he's more dangerous shooting 3's or getting below the ft line?
Is that how he reported to training camp a little chubby? What did they have in that Gym? Dunkin Doughnuts? DD
The problem is, an "open shot" does not equate "good shot". If Scola takes an open jumper at the FT line, I would not question that shot regardless of whether it goes in or not. Whereas Hayes/Mutumbo should not even think about shooting the ball from there(shot clock problems notwithstanding) Rafer, due to his shooting limitations, should not be shooting 10-15 times even when he is open most of the time, unless he's simply hot that night. We are already limited offensively as it is when Hayes or Deke is on the floor. Another guy the defense doesn't have to respect really kills us against good defensive teams. My idea of a 3rd scorer is someone who can score who's talented enough to OVERCOME Rafer's deficiencies. That is, who can score efficiently even when Rafer's defender helps out. Personally, I think this is easier(still difficult though) than trying to upgrade Rafer. In today's NBA environment, quality PG is at a premium.
Someone mentioned Hinrich. He could be another Bibby (w/defense) for Adelman. Also, Pietrus from the Warriors will also be available. His tenacity on D and 3 pt shooting is exactly what Rox nation has been clamoring for in the SG/Swing spot.
If we could schwindle Hinrich and Peatrus, I'd be extremely happy. Dump Bjak and head for Hinrich, sign peatrus to the remainder of the mid level that Landry doesn't use. That would be a successful offseason. Wouldn't mind a Diop pickup but I'll take a little Deke if need be. Hinrich/Rafer/AB Tmac/Peatrus Battier/Novak Scola/Landry/Hayes Yao/Deke That looks pretty darn good to me. Also could give Novak a few more consistant minutes to get that shot off.
Alston was ALWAYS fools gold; if he is the starter next season, the Rockets are beyond stupid. Alston couldn't shoot, can't shoot, will never shoot a high or even average percentage. He is what he is and always has been, a decent reserve. Why are lessons soooooooooo hard to learn around here? Like the fact that TMac and Yao will likely never go through a season without an injury. They have been fragile, are fragile, and there is a HIGH statistical probability that they will continue to be fragile. Therefore, why is everyone counting on them to go uninjured next year? Myopia reigns!
I agree. Ask Lebron James if Sam can still shoot! I see promise for Brooks, but we still need a quality PG with some size and outside shooting. After all, Chris Paul, D.Williams, Tony Parker, Nash, they're not really going anywhere. Did you see that Neeto stat of the Night where Kenny Smith got more MVP votes than Dream in 1991???!! we old schoolers, know that was the Dream was hurt year, and Kenny/Otis Thorpe ran the Pick and Roll to perfection.
kirk hinrich, but im not so sure if d'antoni goes to chi. that he'd wanna give him up, i highly doubt it id personally love to see him starting with rafer as the backup
are you forgetting the league rules have changed since then.... back in that day a pentrating fast point guard was stopped by Derek Harper's arm bar... todays rule are made for quick 1 and 2s and we have none of them.... please don't count Brooks otherwise we will have to start counting bogues and boykins and legitimate championship starters also please don't compare Alston to two great rocket shooters........Rafer is a mangina compare the big balled shots those two could knock down
here are a few suggestions, not very likely I know, but still: Ramon Sessions? He looks to be a good floor general with his high assists, and amazing stats for his last few games he played, incl a 24 assist performance. I know he's only played a few games, but he's shown ALOT in the few games he played. Maybe not really an upgrade over Rafer, but he can be a very decent back-up, and we can trade Brooks away if we have him. TJ Ford? We all know of the Toronto PG dilemma between him and Calderon...(they have too many we have to few... ). Surely the raptors wants to trade him away as he's not really better than Calderon and he is really inflexible in hogging the starting spot so creating starting pg conflicts ...some of u said rafer will be a good backup, so we get tj to start and rafer come off the bench... hes from houston too, if that helps
TJ ford is one that is hard to pick. First his a lightning quick guard who can get to rim at any time, finish way better then Rafer, has alrite decent mid range game and a decent floor general. But his too small and will get abused by the post up point guards (Baron, Deron, Kidd) and in turn does not match up to Chris Paul, Nash or Parker. Getting him would mean we need Battier to shore up our overall team d. Secondly his neck has a question mark would you really want to add that neck to T-mac and Yao?
Look folks! We don't need another poing guard! We would "like" another pg, but in my opinion it is not a "need". What we need is a scorer! Someone with size and the ability to create. With size and the ability to create you have many options. When you are simply a little guy and your name is not Chris Paul or Allen you will never be a major threat! If t-mac was 6.2'' would he be as effective? Hell no he would be luther head. We have too many of these types of players on this team, and i'm personally sick of it! Bring in a legitimate athlete that can produce and we will grow as a team. Until that happens we will remain the same ole rockets. With everyone posting the same things throughout the season when one of our 2 stars go down like they always do.
Agreed, it would be nice, it is precisely why I would consider an Outlaw for Battier type of deal. DD
