The solution is somewhere in between. Wood is too good offensively and too compatible with Harden not to start. Longer 3-D players around Wood in starting 5 that will help him on defense. One of those longer (6'7+) 3-D players have to be capable of playing small ball 5 and defend 1-5 when Rockets have to switch everything. If that new 3-D player can also help with playmaking like Jeff Green, even better. Keep an eye on Aaron Gordon when Rockets play Magic.
Boogie is a must have. We don't have anyone else who can do what he can in the paint defensively. Everyone else is a form of luxury on the 2 or 3 or 4. We need another bruising backup 5 to rebound, hold down the paint, and set picks. Or just go small ball. And feed the efficient shooters on the night, don't try to get literally everyone on a roll because we obviously can't.
I agree with you. I think Wood is 25 too so...the only way he gets better defensively is if you play him and he's already grown jaded on teams before the last thing you want to do is upset him. I just worry that people underestimate the value of height and length on the court. While PJ Tucker can play center, I'm not sure you want to have to rely on that (and as you pointed out, the Rockets didn't plan on relying on it) too much. And yeah, I wish the Rockets could straight up trade our Gordon for theirs. With their record though I don't see that trade happening soon?
James Johnson and Larry Nance Jr. are other fit options. Both 6'7 and can switch 1-5. But both are also playing well for Mavs and Cavs too.
Larry Nance makes a ton of sense. Cavs are surprisingly competitive and might want a veteran guard if they are not set on tanking and it looks like they are not. Yeah I'd think that's a good trade for both teams honestly.
I think you’re talking about an earlier thread. Those two guys that did that, whomever they were, were stoo-ew-oo-pid.
im wondering with fultz going down if they would trade for Wall who has looked healthy. Would be great to break his 40 million up into 3 good players. something like Gordon Ross and Bamba would be great. MaybeAminu
This season gives me vibes of that disastrous 2015-2016 season. I was in this weird place where I obviously wanted our team to win, but also wanted some embarrassing blowout losses to accelerate the McHale firing. Almost to that point now — hoping for some Ls to accelerate a Harden trade.
how many permutations are there? maybe we could set an NBA record this season and proclaim WE'RE NUMBER ONE!!
