IMHO, this stand off between Buddy Baker and Morey hurt Landry more than anybody else. As it is standing, I am not sure Rockets even want him back -- even if he signs, he is going to be a THIRD string back up at PF after Artest and Scola. There is not much room for him at center position either, even if Rockets can't sign Deke back (I still think he will be back with Rockets for one more season, especially after the Artest trade), Dorsey and Hayes can provide 12 fouls and 15 minutes rest for Yao...
Giving Dorsey more credit than he deserves at this point. He has not proved anything yet. I would take Landry over Hayes anytime. Also Rockets dont know how Artest deal will end up, either good or bad and he is in last year of his contract. If he does not like something he could bail. I think Rockets should still try to pursue Landry, but for the right price and not overpay him.
I agree with everything you posted. Dorsey is unproved and overrated, Landry > Hayes, and we should pursue but don't overpay Landry. I think there's still a place for him on this team. Yao/[Deke] Scola/Landry Artest/Battier McGrady/Barry Alston/Brooks Head Hayes Francis Novak Dorsey C: Yao starts (30-33 mpg), Scola plays a lot of backup 5 (10 mpg), Deke plays spot minutes (6-8 mpg). PF: Scola starts (18-20 mpg), Landry is the primary backup (18-20 mpg), Artest plays spot minutes (8-10 mpg). SF: Artest starts (20-25 mpg), Battier is the primary back-up (20-25 mpg) SG: McGrady starts (34 mpg), Battier and Barry play spot minutes (6 mpg each) PG: Alston starts (28 mpg), Brooks is the primary back-up (13 mpg), Barry plays spot minutes at PG when McGrady is on the floor (8 mpg) McGrady: 34 mpg Artest: 28-35 mpg Yao: 30-33 mpg Battier: 26-31 mpg Scola: 29-30 mpg Alston: 28 mpg Landry: 18-20 mpg Barry: 13 mpg Brooks: 13 mpg Mutumbo: 6-8 mpg
I'd be shocked if Artest plays more than 8-10 minutes at PF each game. I think Scola will log almost all of the backup C minutes so there will be plenty of time for Carl if he is around. 18 minutes for Scola + 10 for Artest = 28 minutes, still leaves 20 for Landry at PF.
I don't think you can necessary say that landry will be a third string back up, behind artest. I think that Artest will get minutes at the four depending on the matchups, such as a mobile PF like Marion. Landry is still able to finish the pick and roll better than artest and in fact scola. He's able to hit the mid range jumper and certainly rebounds the best among them. Artest will get minutes at the four when he is able to provide a mismatch on offense, while on defense holding his man and getting boards. All landry needs to do is work on his on the ball Defense. He's got everything else we need.
HIGH MOTION OFFENSE REQUIRES THE 4 TO ALWAYS BE A THREAT TO HIT THE SHOT FROM THE ELBOW OR TOP OF THE KEY Scola= jump shot got better towards the end of the season; a little jittery Chuck hayes= virtually no outside shot Artest will play three most of the time Harris= not in his element to hit that shot Dorsey= no outside shot otherwise he would have been a lottery pick Rockets get the check book for landry
Well, Harris has improved his jump shot and I don't doubt he can't hit it-- it's just that if we sign him, we're going to want him to be playing the 3, which is what the coaching staff told him to adjust to.
I'll believe this "Artest at the four" talk when I really see. If anything it will be like his role in Sacramento last year: 1/2 minutes at the three, 1/2 at the four. When they used him at the four it was to allow any combination of two of Martin/Salmons/Garcia to be on the floor at the same time while allowing Artest to run with that unit. You can't stick with that kind of "small" unit all game but it can definitely work in spurts. For that reason, I really want Landry back. He & Scola complement each other very well and are both the kind of scrappy, hustle type of players we need cleaning up the mess on the glass. Plus, he actually has upside unlike Dorsey, Hayes or Harris.
I too think Artest will mostly play 3 than 4. Landry is still the main backup. Dorsey may not even stay long enough on court to get PT due foul trouble. Drosey is good for the back up C.
I can't see Artest at the Power Forward position under any circumstances but I do see him as our starting Small Forward.
I dont forsee the Rockets failing to resign Landry. Artest should play mostly SF. Even with this roster, Landry will still get 20 minutes a game as backup PF.
Some basketball experts will argue that Scola is undersized for an NBA PF yet a lot of people in here keep thinking that he can be an adequate backup C. It's not like he makes up for his lack of height with length or uncommon strength. The reason Scola played some C last season was our lack of other options. Early on, Deke wasn't getting any playing time, whether it was because Adelman didn't think Deke provided enough offense or because he figured that Deke was over the hill. When Yao went down, we had to find somebody to take some minutes at C even if it wasn't the optimal situation. I'd be happy to bring Deke back for another season but I still think we need to get a younger backup C. Ideally a defensive-minded 6'11-ish guy that can play PF or C so we can put him on the court next to Yao when we face some of the bigger frontcourts (Amare/Shaq, Gasol/Bynum, Camby/Kaman, etc...).
I watched the Memphis special the other night hoping to get some insight on Dorsey. Can he really dunk? He looked strong on the defensive side but rather weak on offense. The special showed him laying up the ball a lot and missing. And the coach always seems to be riding him. Because of that I now sincerely hope we want Landry back...and get him at a reasonable price. Scola and Hayes is good, but Scola, Landry and Hayes is fantastic. Of course this assumes Landry comes back like before his injury. Damn, we're going to be good (and my wife is TIRED of me saying it )
Landry owes us an examination for the type of money he is asking for. Landry was a very good player for us last year, however, Artest's presence can mitigate Landry's absence. I don't see Novak or Head getting significant minutes. Barry's presence limits both of their minutes.
Even with Artest, Barry and Dorsey as the new additions on the rocket team, it still doesn't change the fact that Landry is the best finisher on the team.
Landry showed last year that he's a good clutch player - who could forget him taking that rebound away from Duncan and dunking the ball on Tim's head? We need guys like Landry that have a mean streak in them and losing him would weaken our team. I love the Artest trade but having Carl would just make us that much deeper and better. Remember we had a beast of a PF last year by the name of SCOLANDRY. He was a force to be reckoned with.
Name a better finisher on the rocket team. Quarter, half or full season, Landry hands down was and is the best finisher on the team. Take your 1/4 season goggles off and be objective.
