Does anyone else believe that our problems is actually at 2 and 4 instead of 1?

Basketball smarts; focus; intensity.

Get players who don't melt under pressure.

I actually think we will aim for more size at the 3, along with players who exhibit the above-mentioned characteristics. Hell, if my so-called "2" or "3" is the main play-maker, so be it, as long as he can pass the rock to the big fella.

 

SF has been great the last couple of games.

 

It depends on what you call a "problem." If by problem, you mean overall talent level - well, obviously, the 3 or 4 are our biggest problems (JJ is really a 2).

If you mean "what players fit best," then you have a different answer. If Francis could consistently hit the spot-up 3, I'd very possibly feel totally differently about changing the 1. But when you have a guy who attracts consistent double teams in the post... you have to have a 1, 2, and 3 that can consistently nail the set 3 point shot.

If we could only upgrade one spot next year, it'd probably be the 3, for me. JJ can split time at both the 2... and when we go small, the 3.

An upgrade at the 4 would be nice, but at least we have depth there. Mo can score and Cato can rebound.

With Francis, I don't think you're looking for an upgrade... being good enough isn't the issue... just someone who plays differently.

 

Starting next season, I think it would be best to bring JJ off the bench to back up the 2 and 3, assuming we get someone younger and more capable to take his spot.

He's generously listed at 6'6, he's well into his 30's, and playing SF's for 40 minutes a night. We just can't put that on him.

Maybe we can bring someone like Al Harrington or Jonathan Bender in, bring them off the bench for a while, but eventually take over once they get a hang of things.

 

I think, as a team, the Rockets should be, and will be, looking for an "upgrade" at the point this offseason. In terms of athleticism there is no upgrade, period. But in terms of running the point and directing the offense, there is no question that this team is indeed in need of a point guard more conducive to the direction in which the team is heading. With that said, if the Rockets trade Steve Francis, the team will lose a tremendous athlete as well as an overall athleticism and energy to the starting five. My concern is that if the aforementioned should happen, the Rockets will need to add more athletically gifted players across the board to the roster.

As for the power forward dilema, Les desperately needs to make a push for Mehmet Okur this offseason.

 

It's somewhere between the 2 & the 4 - the 3 spot.

With a healthy Cato, I like the 3 man rotation for the 4 & 5. Spoonman does a nice job with his limited minutes as well.

Jimmy Jam may be my favorite Rocket this year and I totally appreciate the effort he gives night in & night out, but he's really more of a 2 than a 3, though he's proved he can handle it on most occasions (as long as we're not playing someone like KG or Dirk or Lamar Odom). Like Sane said, let him come off the bench and spell the 2 & 3 positions. Or shoot, let him start at the 3, but how about we get a legit 3 to back him up and play some real minutes so our 1, 2 & 3 aren't all logging in ~40 minutes a game.

 

I see significant problems at the 1 2 3 and 4. Bold steps will be needed to make the required Trades and position moves . All this could change if Francis decides to apply himself before the end of the season.

 

If the Rockets don't move Francis from the point next year, I literally don't think I can follow the team. It is just too painful to watch. I don't care where they put him or where they trade him, I absolutely no longer want to see him as the "playmaker" of the team. And guess what, two or three games don't make a season. The statistical mean tells me that he is not suited for the role he is now in. Also, we need a banging, high-scoring 4, no doubt. I like JJ at the three, and I like Cat at the 2. I don't know where Francis fits, probably on an Eastern team. Look at the five year picture and things get in focus. Look at a couple of highlight reels and you will lose perspective.

 

Our net production is best at the 5. The second strongest position we have is at the 2. The weakest is at the 4. The second weakest is at the 1. With Cato at the four, we are not going to get a lot of production because he doesn't score a lot of points, doesn't get assists, and doesn't lead the league in rebounds. What Cato does do is combine with Yao to make this the best defensive team in the league. Since he is so critical to our defense, I am willing to live with a weak production from the four, though I would love to upgrade the four spot. At the 1, we have a player whose only contribution is his personal production. Steve does not contribute significantly to our defense, and he doesn't really make his teammates better through his passing like a Jason Kidd or Andre Miller. Given that his only contribution is what he personally produces, it is a problem that his is the second weakest position on the team. In other words, no I do not think that our problem is actually at the 2 and not at the 1.

 

I'm constantly amazed that something close to like 100% of all personnel discussions around here take place in a vacuum where things like a salary cap simply do not exist.

Steve Francis, who offensively, has no closer clone in this league than Cuttino Mobley but is a much poorer defender makes more than twice what Cat makes. He puts together a few DECENT games (not quite worthy of his paycheck, but decent nonetheless), and people immediately start thinking this playground stud/NBA role player is worth the salary cap hit he brings to the table.

 

there are other 4/5's in the league who can rebound block shots and hit an open jumper, sticking with cato is a bad plan. we have a chance to dump his contract and bring in a player that fits. i think we will use our $7M trade exception on bring one in.

cato can be moved to the east for a PG who is good enoug to playabout 24MPG. it shouldnt be a problem finding a taker for that kind of a trade. if we keep steve this PG will come of the bench and bring cat and steves minutes down to 36PG each.


as for the 3. call me crazy but i like boki, and i think he can play about 18MPG next year. that will bring jj down to 32MPG. i would rather bring in a known starterm but w/o trading steve, cato and the TE are all we have available.

 

Blasphemy...don't you know? According to most fans everything is Francis' fault that goes wrong with the Rockets

 

I think the Rockets are okay at 4 with Talor & Cato, but a player like Antawn Jamison, or Shareef Abdur-Rahim, will fit much better than those two. I'm not talking about the talent, but the style. Someone who doesn't need any play calls (which Talor needs), get most of their points off the put backs, grab ~10 boards again, shoot at a high percentage. Is there anyone else in the league playing the similar style, but making less money?

Does anyone know their contract status & how much they'll make for the remaining of their contract? I'm sure no one will through the MAX at them this time around, which means an offer close to what MoT's contract is a possibility.

thanks,

--daoshi

 

wow, yetti. thanks for your great contribution and insights.

 

unfortunately I feel like the ideal 4 for the rockets would be eddie griffin.....sans wasted potential

doh!