LOL. Yeah, we need someone to get offensive boards all right, because the open shots created by Yao and TMac won't be falling. We couldn't win not because we didn't have enough defense at the 4 (although a little more defense there would be nice). We couldn't win because nobody besides Yao and T-Mac could hit a damn shot.
I'm down for a 2 guard as well, i'm big on Brandon Roy i'm just worried he won't be available to us. I'd really like to be able to fill the 2 and 4 in one-offseason. It's all good though, we both want the best for the Rox.
The problem with guys like Miller or Bibby is that not only can they not defend, but they don't even look like they are trying to defend. You can directly attribute Sacramento's game 5 loss to Adelman putting Miller in the game for Abdur-Rahim. Even Juwan Howard who averages what, 4-5 blocks per SEASON, shows some intensity on the defensive end. Opposing centers shot 55% against Miller, good for worst in the league (http://www.82games.com/0506/05SAC16C.HTM). Miller will be earning $44 million over the next 4 seasons as well. If we want a 4 to spot up and shoot jumpers, we have Juwan.
The Rockets whole defensive scheme is designed to pack it inside and dare the other team to take perimeter shots. Our interior defense will always be great no matter who we have at the 4. There’s no point in getting a banger that’ll play great defense as long as the defense is run this way. Getting perimeter defenders is far more important to this team’s success.
We need a Ron Artest who is not insane.This guy can at least help to solve 50% of our team's problems.
This whole debate about the ideal power forward for this team comes down to where we want our third scorer to come from. I strongly believe that we need our third scorer to either be a shooting guard or the small forward who can score without having the ball and, thus, play off of T-mac and Yao. That puts pressure on the other team's perimeter players without having to use T-Mac as a defensive stopper. With that said, all our power forward needs to do is be a competent offensive player who isn't a stiff on the defensive end. If he can offensive rebound, that would be a bonus. That's a lot to ask for, and I don't know if a player like that can be acquired, but that's the type of PF I think we need.
Scoring wihtout the ball is a tall order....maybe David Blaine? I trust you mean a spot up shooter? Well, we're like Vegas, always open for them.
David Blaine? Sorry about not being a bit more clear about what I meant We need a player that doesn't have to dominate the ball a la Steve Francis to get his points. He needs to be able to score in a variety of ways: catch and shoot, come off picks and screens for jumpers, and slash to the basket. IF we get a player who can do this, we'll be pretty good IMHO.
I don't care what you say about Miller, he's a better defender than Juwan and he's a better shooter, passer, and all around offensive player than Juwan, significantly better on both ends of the floor. It would be interesting to see him playing the 4 with Yao. We would be a significantly better team. But all the same, can't see it happening.
I honestly agree with getting another Big Shot Bob. It doesn't hurt that he has no fear in taking the big shots making him clutch. What I love about him was his ability to play weakside defense and his willingness to do what it takes to help his team win. A younger version of him is exactly what Yao needs by his side.
We need a offensive PF with good rebounding and a decent defense...look at what Tim Thomas is doing for the Suns in the playoffs..look how Brand has been converted to a Shooting PF.His midrange jumpshot has been money for the Clips
You make a decent point but I think your argument is also kind of flawed. Our interior defense is great because of one simple factor: Yao. Most teams are afraid to go inside because of his presence alone which is why Yao always outplays the close-to-the-basket players like Shaq, Amare, Kaman, etc and struggles against guys that can stretch out the defense like Brad Miller. So what does your point become then, that Yao's presence will mask or offset the shortcomings we have at PF? Placing the overall "scheme" element aside, it's still very difficult to ignore the fact that we have bad defenders at the 4. I really don't like the idea that a certain style of play a team has being able to disguise a bad defender in an effective starting line-up. I hope what you're saying is you aren't content with Howard yet realize that we have a much more serious need at SG, and that upgrading PF isn't necessary until the other problem is addressed......and not that you're happy with Howard remaining the starter.
Most teams have at least one mediocre defenders in their starting line-up. Yes, you can put together 5 good defenders. But then your offense will likely suffer. Players who can play both ways well are star players. Role players who can play both ways decently are hard to come by. So realistically, you just have to put in some good offensive players who is poor at defense, or defensive stoppers who can't score. You try to hide the weaknesses of your players by complimenting the team in a fitting fashion. With Yao, we have good interior defense. Together with JVG's defensive scheme, great interior defense is not the highest priority for our PF spot. On defense, it is more important to have a speedy, athletic 4 than a slower "banger" type to compliment Yao. On offense, it is paramount important to have shooters, at least two shooters besides Yao and TMac. I would expect the SG to be able to shoot. If our PF can't shoot, then we need to find a PG who can shoot a lot better than Rafer Alston.
how about this offseason?: 2-part trade 1. TE for JR smith. 2. stro, S&T wesley, #8 for PJ brown, #12. they move up 4 spots and have a chance at carney/shelden. both of whom would do very well there. they also get a young PF for thier about-to-retire PF. and for all of that, we get JR, and a reliable vet PJ. since we need a PF who can both shoot and defend i say we take tiago splitter at #12. ESPN says he is one of the best shot blockers in the draft and has nice range on his jumper. now that we have a log-jam at the 4 we can trade Jho for jaric. then sign a SF like harpring, jumaine jones, rasul butler... yao-deke PJ-splitter-hayes tmac-harpring-bowen JR-head-sura alston-jaric-#32 (gibson, brown, etc...)
I understand the whole idea behind masking a certain player's weaknesses by them being off-set by another player's strengths. My point: that's not good enough. Who in the Spurs or Pistons starting line-up can you say that about? Under JVG we can play championship level defense like the Spurs and Pistons, which is a comforting fact to fall back on. The problem is we're too reliant on two players whereas the Spurs and Pistons function so well as a system by having five quality starters on the floor. We need to make use of the opportunities we have to add talent and youth to our core to hopefully eventually turn one of these pick-ups into effective offense/defense type starters. Championships are won that way.....not by foolishly sticking with Juwan Howard when he's already proven to be inadequete or testing out a similar "shooting PF" like him.
Your point is well taken, but neither Rasho nor Nazr are quality players or defenders. They are adequate at best. The Pistons are another story. During the Lakers championship years, they never had 5 quality starters. While each guy made contributions, their superstars Shaq and Kobe overcame the deficiencies of weaker players. I see the Rockets model being somewhere in between the Lakers and Spurs. Our team will never be like the Pistons if we have Yao and Tracy as our two best players. I agree with you on Juwan, but having different PF who can shoot from mid-range would help our offensive spacing.
I have to disagree with that man.. and that is because Yao cant do all the dirty work down low by himself.. we need a Chuck Hayes type of player that can clean up his mess and give us a stronger present in the paint.. we dont need a shooting 4, dont listen to JVG .. he is just a dumb a$$.. we've seen what a shooting 4 can do ( mr. JHO).... the biggest fact supporting my opinion is how successful we are with Chuck on the court, and how bad we suck when JHO is playing..
