Do the Rockets need a trade to be successful in the future?

Leebigez, thank you.

 

Teams led by Players over 6'6" or so do lead to championships generally, but we must not forget Isiah Thomas on that Detroit Team.

I am not too sure you can put any tabs on the size of the team, but you can definitely make the argument that the paint has to be dominated whether by a 6'6" forward/guard who can post at will (errr Jordan), by an Shaq/Hakeem type phenom or by a series of large bodies who can actually rebound, play D and dominate the paint leaving the O to Isiah Thomas types.

Bottomline: Dominating the paint wins championships!...based on this, MoTaylor better develop more of an inside presence and Cato better too if this team is to go deep into the playoffs, otherwise, you need to make adjustments. EG will help this cause with his defensive game and Francis and Mobes help because they can get in there. but, having a guy like Odom who can deliver a consistent post-up game, can play d and can assist inside will help more than you can imagine. he is a piece of this puzzle.

 

I was at the Bulls - Rockets for pregame and watched Rice hit about 80 percent of his practice 3's with nothing but net. He must have went 80 for 100. If we can get him and Mo back healthy that alone would be a big factor. Get Francis healthy, that's another huge factor. Not only has he missed games but he has also played hurt and not 100%.

Then take the fact we can sign and trade Walt with our picks and go after another player. Question is, with a healthy Mo and Rice what type player do you go for? Probably a center at that point, though a Rashard Lewis or Odom couldn't hurt either. Or maybe trade that package to move up in the draft?

 

i'm certainly not a doctor...but from what i've heard, i don't think rice will ever be the rice of old.

 

Count me in the "develop the post" camp. I think you will find that even the losing teams from the finals had strong post games or a strong post presence. Lakers, Portland, Suns, NY, Orlando, Sonics, Jazz etc. I guess the Camby/LJ NY team that lost to SA was the exception that proves the rule. You just dont get there with run tmc. I'm still looking for a Rocket with a post game.