howard has played center in his career. its probably his most natural position. he is a post up player on offense and defense for that matter. not saying he's good, that's just his natural game, also played center in college. its not that far fetched in terms of fit. now production, that's another story.
I suspect Mutombo will get a lot of DNPs. He won't consistently play anymore than he ever has on this team, simply because many teams do not play true centers all the time anymore--if ever in a game. Deke seems as important being a practice dummy for Yao as a guy who will get backup minutes. So what does that leave: JVG wants to test Hayes and Juwan for backup minutes. Either would allow JVG to try to create a fast backup squad. Relatively speaking, Hayes/Juwan would be considered mobile centers to many other centers out there.
Actually, I think playing Howard at the 5 might not be so bad. Since he is a better perimeter shooter than a post up player, we could play him and Bonzi together. He could help unclog the lane and Bonzi could be the key post player!
In other words, JVG wants CD/Morey to work those phones and balance out the roster. Wanted: better PG. Wanted: Backup center/power forward. I had a feeling that Juwan would be pushed into backup 5 duty. His lack of rebounding worries me less than his "defense" and his inability to block shots.
JVG is just placating Juwan with the suggestion that he'll play at center. No way we'll he get significant minutes at center unless the opposing teams go small. JVG is going with Novak and Hayes over Juwan in the preseason and if it works, Juwan will be cheerleading from the bench most of the time during the regular season. Guys that want JH traded may get their wish if this new team look works during the preseason, I can't see the Rox keeping Juwan and his 6m/yr contract around to play third string minutes for another three years.
we can all read between the lines here and come up with different "truths" what we can all agree on is that JVg wants a 3pt shooter at the 4 at all times. this is very good news for novak and his fans here. it is also good news to those who want scotty to make the team. i just don't see juwon fitting here anymore. he doesn't fit at PF (slow, cant shoot). he doesn't fit at center (defense, rebounding). hayes should be the backup 5 and deke plays 3rd string 5 in case of a big matchup. jho is on his way out. the problem is, who will take him? i think JVG will have to show him off for about 10 games or so, just to find someone that might be interested in trading for him. you won't find that GM if this old man and his oversized contract lost PT to 2 young unprovens.
This is a surprise. Seems like JHo is going to have to settle for a reduced role. Looks like JVG bought into the various stats that show our ineffectiveness when him and Yao are paired together. I think he'll do fine splitting backup 5 minutes with Deke. He'll be adequate when we go small ball with the 2nd unit. He did play high post pivot at Michigan. If his attitude really is "whatever helps the team win" - fantastic. Every winner needs great professionals that are willing to do whatever. I'm also excited to be able to see Hayes and Novak more.
That's not what JVG said. he said "if you're big and you're not a range shooter [read: Battier/Novak], you're going to have to be a rebounder, screener, defender. [read: Battier/Hayes]" Sounds like we did indeed target Battier as a starting 4 from day one of the trade. I don't see JVG saying he'll only use 3pt shooters at the 4 with Yao. We can play Hayes with Yao for some minutes for that rebounding and overall intensity, as long as everyone else can stretch the offense....[read: maybe Alston won't be on the court with Yao at the same time Hayes is].
What Van Gundy said about PFs either having to be a range shooter or a rebounder/defender/screener conforms with the +/- numbers of the Rockets PFs over the last few years. The guys with the higher +/- on the team over the last few years are guys like Hayes, Padgett, and even Cato and Spoon-- specialists either in rebounding or 3 pt shooting. Meanwhile, Mo Taylor, Juwan Howard, and Stro Swift (3 guys supposely counted on to play good rotational minutes) each had underwhelming +/-. What do all 3 of them have in common? Each are relatively decent midrange shooters (compared to the likes of Jeff Foster and Chuck Hayes, especially) but none of them are above-average rebounders and none of them have 3pt range. Mo and Stro are gone, and I don't know how many minutes Juwan Howard will be able to get on this team. I doubt he'd be happy just being a mentor, but my guess is that he'll eventually accept the role. Besides, if injury bug strikes again or there is some specific matchup in the playoffs, then all of a sudden Juwan could be useful again (though still too expensive as an "insurance policy") As for trading Juwan... just don't know if there is a trade that makes sense out there. Sure, 21 mil for 3 years is a lot for a player who doesn't have much of a role on the court, but is there another team that has a role for Juwan worth that kind of money? And also keep in mind the guy you bring back would have to at least either make less money or have a more useful role on the court. Hard to say who it could be... So... maybe Juwan just does get stuck as a mentor/insurance big for the next couple of years.
Howard is not average at the mid-range. I think he's 2nd tier. David West and a hand full (and I really mean like only 4 or 5 others) of other big men are elite shooters. Howard is behind them, so above average would be a more apt label. I've spent so many days this summer going through all the hotzones for pretty much every NBA player, so I think it's a fair assessment. The problem is as you stated. Not only is it his "greatest strength", I'd argue that it's JHo's only strength. He's terrible to average at every other facet of the game. That's why the Battier trade really makes sense. They knew that spacing was important, but it was impossible to upgrade JHo without losing the jumpshot spacing (because David West, McDyss, Malik Allen, KG, and the other Big Men who could hit a jumpshot were all unattainable). I'm just so pysched at the overall Team Speed that the Rocks have on offense and defense this year. Their rotations will be crisp and their ball movement should be good.
the way i read it was in context to juwon switching from the 4 to the 5. if your not a range shooter (if you can't play the 4), you're going to have to be a rebounder screener, defender (you going to have to play the 5).
Van Gundier: What makes you sure that Jacobsen and Padgett will make the cut? Remember only 14 players + Sura at 15
This is what I was wondering. He did extremely well playing back-up minutes behind Yao. I believe he could be valuable especially in the West....If nothing else he gives you 6 extra fouls against the likes of: Dirk, Garnett, Shaq, Duncan ect. In answer to your question, I was listening to 610 on wed. and they were saying he hadnt been signed by anyone yet. They also thought he would be asset if signed.
I'm not sure Jacobsen and Padgett will make the cut. I think it's gonna be a matter of who among the non-guaranteed guys step up and not screw up tonight and for the rest of the pre-season. As for Sura... I really don't have that much faith in his recovery.
