Pretty dependent on how much you're buying his #'s as a rim protector, wouldn't you say? If he's truly an elite defensive big who can pass, rebound at an average-to-above-average rate, and score at an average clip? That's pretty valuable.
Morey has shown he does not think this way. Undersized (relatively) athletic players can be replaced easily, i.e. Jones. He has also replaced point guards in a revolving door of solid players. Brooks (MIP), Lowry (franchise player), Dragic (borderline all-star), Bev (all defensive NBA player) Bev is overrated on this board and very expendable as I see it. Yes, he's a good fit next to Harden with his skill set, but I'm not fond of a point guard that has zero ability to run the team getting heavy minutes. Even Rafer Alston for as bad as he was could run the team when the ball was not in McGrady's hands. An additional point is that the rotation has the opposite problem as last year. Too many guys who are specialty defense players who cannot do too much else. Ariza is great at what he does, but let's be realistic, the ball should not be in his hands to create as much as it is. This is entirely a byproduct of a lack of a play maker next to Harden. D-Mo has a skill set that is not easily replaceable. I understand the frustration with his rebounding, although I think that is overdone. But some players just do not rebound at the same clip as other. Are Marc Gasol and Al Horford bad players because of their lackluster rebounding numbers for their size? No, in Gasol's case he just plays next to a guy that gobbles up rebounds at a high clip. Sound familiar? Regardless, his defense is above average. His post ability translates well to playoff basketball when you need a bucket inside and can't rely on sweet regular season type put back dunks. His passing ability (in flashes when he can) has proved to be above average. I just don't see the Rockets giving away such a talented player at his size that easily. Brewer provides too much production off the bench at his very reasonable contract that leads to him being less likely to be moved. And realistically a team like Phoenix has no need for him if they are trying to get talent back for Dragic. We already did this trade once in case you have all forgotten. Aaron Brooks for Dragic. So I still think Phoenix wants young talent which we can provide in Jones/Canaan/Johnson/Capela. Some cap relief so they can go after a free agent this summer which we can provide in Terry/Papa. And future considerations we can provide with our potential lottery pick from NOP.
I can't help you. It's been explained many times. For starters scola wasn't 7ft tall and his defense wasn't anything to write home about. DMo's skill set, size and speed makes him very unique.
So unique in fact that he hasn't been able to beat out Terrance Jones and/or Josh Smith as a starter. That unique.
the more i think about, the less i give the suns in a potential dragic deal. they take the young assets with upside now or get nothing when dragic leaves in free agency. dmo is off the table and so is pap. the rockets have too many players coming off contract to trade them.
Scola hit midrange jumpers as part of his skill set and D-Mo is overrated defensively, though he is better than Scola was. For all of D-Mo's physical attributes, he is about as efficient as Scola. Being 7 feet tall is great for getting drafted, but I don't see that he is using his height or length to be that much better than Scola in actual NBA games.
DMo is 25 and can actually back down PFs in the post. Scola came into the nba at 27 and could never back down anyone in the post. Scola had a good midrange jumper. DMo needs to work on that. Nothing overrated about DMo's defense.
Man, Scola in his prime would be NAILS on this team with his rebounding, and midrange game. He is exactly the type of player this team needs, DMO could become that, but he has to add the mid-range elbow jumper to get there. DD
Probably not but with time DMo will be our #1 post option so we won't need him to take many shots away from the basket.
The problem is I don't think Morey will ever allow him to develop that midrange game which is a shame. The game plan is in the paint or at the three point line.
But somehow Morey let Landry and Scola (later Patterson) develop and use that midrange game. Dayum Dorrell Maurney always holding this team back.
D-Mo's mid range came has been completely nonexistent his entire career, and when he's taken one the past couple years it looks so very alien to him, and out of rhythm. At least the 3 point shot he's improved on this year, and looks to only shoot it when he gets it in rhythm and is wide open. He's learning when and where his shots should come from. Its like when Weezer tried to make hip hop songs.... stick to what is working. I'm maybe the biggest Scola fan ever but his defense man.... horrible. And the PF spot in the West is the most difficult position to guard regardless. D-Mo is a good position defender already in just his 3rd year. Playing and practicing with Asik is what I think really developed his defensive mindset & physicality to hold his own. His lack of verticality will always be his detriment on the boards, but he's still learning how to use his body better to block out. He's going to be a adequate rebounder in a couple years. Scola was amazing for the Rockets but I think folks need to move on. He was still a very flawed NBA player, and this team would probably need to do better to be elite defensively. Lets please move on.
I agree that Morey is waiting knowing the PG market. And the reason he can wait is while he REALLY loves Dragic, he won't over commit assets to get him. Morey has attached a value to Dragic and will only pay that price. I don't think anything happens with Dragic until the Feb trading deadline. But in the meantime, it would be great for the Rockets if Terence Jones could get back out on the court before the deadline (it will be close), to prove he can play.
Did Cyberx ever recap the Morey to Cuban trade discussion prior to the releasing of Tarik Black? If I recap correctly, he made mention Morey called Cuban and apparently, per Cyperx, the exchange was funny. Sorry if he already posted the story - just didn't see anything through the last several pages.
