This year is a crossroads for the Rockets, and it depends on Yao's foot. If Yao is healthy, we need someone to play meaningful minutes -- about 20 - at backup C. We've heard about Chandler, Brad Miller, Kurt Thomas. All of those guys would be short term fixes, but not a meaningful upgrade over Hill. Remember, Morey said Hill is the size of 50% of the centers in the league. The vet FA might outperform Jordan Hill this year, particularly in the playoffs, as experience is paramount in that context. However, Hill needs minutes to develop and that's more important than the difference in production. If Yao is healthy and we look like a top 4 seed in the West, then make a move at the trade deadline. Before then, lets see what we have in Hill (and PatPat for that matter). If Yao is not healthy, let's face it, it is time to reboot. No, we don't tank. But we play Jordan Hill 35mpg. We play Buddinger, PatPat and Taylor to see what we have. We absolutely do not want a "veteran" center taking up valuable PT in the name of trying to squeak out a 8 seed. You could argue that we could sign a veteran and then sit him if we're not a contender. However, that ignores the reality that Adelman would feel compelled to use the veteran to help win games. If Yao isn't healthy, it's time to turn the page. Sure, even if Yao's not healthy we might have to keep him. But on the court, we need to figure out what we have in Hill, PatPat, Budd and Taylor. This is perhaps a contrarian or pessimistic view, but I think this is the right play if your goal is to build a championship team.
What if Yao is out 10 - 15 games? I'd much rather have Chandler start those games than Hill or Hayes. Also, I dont think Hill can play center in the NBA yet, he'd get murdered daily. And if we're only giving up the vet. minimum, or trading expiring contracts (Jeffries, Chandler), I dont see the harm at all.
You can't only prepare for a best or worst case scenario when the likely outcome is in between. Best case being Yao being healthy for almost 80 games and carrying enough minutes to make Hill an acceptable backup. Worst case is obvious. Probably Yao is gonna play reduced minutes and be out for a stretch of time at some point during the season. Thus, if a veteran backup big man can be had without mortgaging the future/handcuffing us salary wise...we almost have to acquire one.
If Yao is out that many games, his body isn't holding up, and we're not a force in the West. Play Hill, Scola, Patpat and Jefferies.
You've touched upon my point - we need the best case scenario with Yao in order to become contenders. So we should plan accordingly. If it's less than that, we need to plan accordingy also, which means playing and developing Hill and PatPat, both of whom can be starting caliber players in this league.
This is an EXCELLENT post, that is why Chandler was so exciting because he expires this year too. Smart take Riley, well done ! You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Rileydog again. DD
If we only had a crystal ball.....the problem is that if we do prove to be a #4 seed we would have gotten there with Yao towing the line and what's to say Yao doesn't get hurt after we make a trade at the deadline? we are still left holding the bag with a second tier center for "X" amount of years. I say prepare for the worst and play your best and let the chips fall where they may....
I am not concerned with who plays if Yao is out a few games. Nor am I concerned with finding someone to fill-in should Yao go down for the season. Primarily, I am looking for a backup center to play 20 minutes a game so Yao only has to play 30. Thus Yao is more likely to survive to the playoffs. Secondarily, I am looking for that backup center to rebound and play tough defense during the playoffs.
Chuck and Hill should be good enough to limit Yao's minutes to about 25 per game. If Yao goes down completely again, we'll wish we'd signed a veteran C.
Don't agree. They need a true backup center in the worst way if Yao is going to have a successfull comeback. I will have trouble watching this team without a true backup for Yao this season, its time to lower Yao's minutes without losing a bunch of games. Hill is not a NBA center and he can play flash minutes at that position with certain lineups and against specific matchups.
repped. Makes perfect sense. I was okay with chandler because it was a better expiring contract, but we shouldn't go out and sign miller or thomas just to fill a void. Now if mutumbo wants to come out of retirement...
I totally agree. I honestly think that Hill is a serviceable 5 from what i saw last season. From time to time he looked lost in both offense and defense but that's why he needs time to learn the system and plays. If Yao goes down with a career ending injury, then we can consider trading in another vet center only if we are making a playoff run. Hill has tons of potential and he can learn many skillsets from Yao for the years to come. Frankly, we are close but not a championship caliber team just yet. Our championship journey will rest on 1.) How long Yao can hold up? 2.) How does our young guys develope and flourish? 3.) If we are able to land a GO-TO guy? Someone who can break down the whole defense and create for his own in crunch time? HI MELO From my perspective, the ones that are not removeable from the roster are Yao (granted that he will sign for cheap and give us plenty of cap space!) Hill (his ceiling is too high to waste) K.Mart (effeciency says it all) K. Low (I expect him to take over AB position once his jump shoots get more stable, i think he has a higher ceiling than AB in terms of pg ability) Ariza (Shane will never be as good as he once was in terms of defense, he has been declining the last 2 years, Ariza is not nearly as good in terms of team D but his 1v1 D is about just as good if not better than shane) Scola (Scolaaaaaaaaa colaaaa my fav player on the rox!, love his mentality and hustle plays) The rest are expandable i believe.
are you kidding me? we should sign a backup center and while we're at it, better resign lowery and scola! if we lose both of those guys and yao gets hurt, the rockets will go down like a hooker for $20!
I think Brad Miller is perfect for this team. He can Hill coming off the bench and give Scola resting time.
