I would have a very hard time drafting a player at the 1,2,and 3 positions that couldn't shoot. With our Core makeup, I just don't ever see us being a run and gun team. DaDakota is right, we have to build around Yao, and that means we need shooters at the 1,2, and 3 positions. I'm one of the few who still thinks that we need defense and rebounding from our pf position (above shooting); however, when it comes to our guards and our sf, I think we need shooters more than athletes. I'd like to see us grab someone like Roy, Foye, or Gay if we are drafting for backcourt. They're very versitile (Shooters and athletes). Foye can play the 1 or the 2, while Gay can play the 2 or the 3. If we have a chance at a guy like Sheldon Willimas, I think it would help our front court dramatically. I'm not high on Reddick, as I think Head will be a better NBA version. I do like the fact that Brewer is a defensive stopper though.
Luther's shooting was better than advertised for a good portion of last season but I don't think Luther will ever be as good of a shooter as Redick. Not to say that Luther is not a better all around player than Redick but I think they are vastly different types of players.
Other than McGrady's miracle outburst, when's the last time the Rockets even put up a fight against the Spurs? Are they like 2-25 in their last 27 meetings, and haven't won in San Antonio since 1997 or something absurd like that? I'd be quite impressed if we transformed the team and as a result BARELY beat the Spurs...and made it to the Finals.
We do, he wears #1, his name is Tracy McGrady, maybe youv'e heard of him. I think it's about time we got guards who can shoot the ball. Mike James really reminds me of Jason Terry a lot, I'd love to pair him with Redick. With as many open shots as guys like Wesley Head Alston and Bogans took and missed, I could'nt get enough shooting on the court with mcGrady and Yao. A line up of Yao, Stromile, TMac, redick and James. That lineup could punish teams.
that is a nice line up there....we could even run the ball. The only question mark would prolly be the 4 position.
Just because you have a center who gets double-teamed, doesn't mean you have to have guards who can shoot. Good players are good players. Clearly, Tony Parker and Dwayne Wade aren't hurt by the fact that they aren't good long-distance shooter. When Yao is doubled you can just as easily pass to an open slasher or player at the 3 point line who now has the advantage to drive in for a layup. The Rockets problem wasn't only that they didn't have good shooters, but they didn't have good slashers either. Again, shooters, slashers, up-tempo, slow-tempo...it doesn't really matter. What they need is talent, and above average talent. That puts some of your current starters as bench players and makes you a great team, if healthy.
and WOULD GET PUNISHED!!!! james and redick are both undersized ,while redick is a defensive liability. Guards zoom past them and challenge Yao...thus puttin Yao in foul trouble. Tracy would also have to guard the scorer thus making work harder and putting strain on his back!!
True. Teams like to front Yao a few times through the course of the game, in a situation like that a guy that can get to the basket and create for himself/others would be just as important. I put my trust on the Rox mgmt and would be happy with whoever they draft whether it be Reddick, Carney, of Brewer. I also think we should try to find a way for Toronto to include Matt Bonner in a sign and trade for Mike James. Bonner would be a great addition as a 4 that can shoot the ball. I would rather have him than Scott Padgett.
Brewer and Redick would be a good guard combo..jopat, you know my vision is to have both of them in the backcourt, have Brewer play point while defending the BPP, and Redick constantly moving on offense looking to catch and shoot. Defensively, he would have a height advantage over the point guard so he won't be the liability many see him to be. If the Sonics want Stro backing up Wilcox, and are willing to part with the chance to draft some muscle in the paint in Shelden Williams, i'd be all for it. Then we'd have a big backcourt. Signing James is my realistic version of pairing up Redick and Brewer.
"Today's NBA" just means the league is becoming more suitable to an uptempo style of play. The rule changes have allowed guards and many perimeter-slasher types to be more effective insofar as getting to the basket. Also, last I checked, the Heat are in the Eastern Conference. The Rockets need to concern themselves with getting out of our own, "more dominant" conference before they start worrying about what happens in a lesser conference. The Suns may not "currently" be playing with a team that has many great players, but that still hasn't stoped them from running us out of the gym nearly every time we play. I could also easily make an argument that the Suns have a highly more talented roster than does Houston. And to add to what I said above, the Suns are in our conference. We need to put together a starting five and bench that is able to play that style as well as still being able to take advantage of our current mismatches, noteably the 5. We must have that versatility. It is imperative. The Mavs have that versatility. It's what allowed them to beat the Spurs as well as the Suns. The ability to play two completely contrasting styles of play from one series, one game, and one set to another is what allowed them to kill us in game 7 last season and is a big reason as to why they are where they are today. Sure, they may be a "good team". But is just a "good team", good enough to get out of the west? I have my reservations.
You call this sensible???? Do you really think Brewer is another Parker or D.Wade????? Are you loony, we wouldn't be able to get either with the 8TH PICK OF THIS DRAFT.
You do know Parker was the last pick of the first round in what was considered a weak draft. And where does he say Brewer is another Parker or D. Wade, he is just pointing out that they are not hurt at all by not having great long range shooting. Brewer is a slasher that can get to the basket, we could use one of those players as well. Loony? Didn't you just try to make a point about JJ by comparing him to Sam Cassell, Jason Terry, Steve Nash, Gilbert Arenas, Jeff Hornacek, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson or Reggie Miller?
Parker would be completely exposed if he did not have Duncan and good 3 point shooters around him. The fact that if they double him he can pass is exactly why he is a good player, but the team he is on matters a LOT in his case. Same thing for a lot of players. DD
I agree with everything you said, of course, but you still missed my point. Yes, the Mavs have versatility, and can play in different styles. That's because they have good players. Again, I repeat, the Suns seem to be the only team in the entire league where so-so players can became above average to great players, because of (1) the system and (2) Steve Nash. Even still, you can see where that style will only get them so far, and without better players, they won't make it further than they have. My point is this: There is absolutely no reason to change what "type" of player we are targeting because of a perceived change of style in the NBA. At the end of the day, the type of player we should be targeting, by and large, should be the same regardless of our main style of play. Athletic, good shooting, intense, competitive, strong defensive players. That's the same type of player we would be targeting 5 years ago, 10 years ago, 15 years ago. And, at the end of the day, the team's that are winning right now: Mavs, Spurs, Pistons, Heat, even the Cavs, Clippers are all good in very similiar ways to good/great teams of the past. A dominant, MVP caliber type player. One or two really good secondary/third options. 6 to 8 solid role players, some who may have had all-star caliber seasons once or twice in their career and whose strenghts and weaknesses compliment each other. These teams are ALL deep, versatile, good offensive and defensive teams - it's why their good. The question is how does this relate to the Rockets? Personally, I don't think we should be targeting a Josh Howard type player anymore than a Rip Hamilton or Manu Ginobili...who really cares what type of player it is...I don't think it matters. The key is that they are all good in one way or another, despite their unique styles. So whether that means Carney, Brewer, Reddick or someone else - the key is that have to be able to really excel in one or two ways in the NBA while constantly working to minimize their weaknesses. Any good coach should be able to utilize a good players skills.
On Parker, I disagree. He is probably the fastest player in the league. Without Duncan he may be a lot worse, he may actually be better. On a lesser team, but one that plays an up-tempo game, Parker could probably excel offensively. He is a really good player, with or without Duncan, imo.
Man, people talk about JJ Redick being a one dimensional player. Tony Parker is just as one dimensional as JJ or more, just in different ways. All Parker can do is run past guys and get layups. He can't hit the beach from the ocean shooting the ball. He's not the smartest player, he basically has quickness, that's about it. He's just as one dimensional as JJ.
I think the Rockets have to have more guys that can create their own shots. When you play the mavericks in a playoffs series, Reddick want have that open jump shot. They will put a bigger man on him and make Yao and Tracy beat them.
It's 3 teams that are better than the Rockets. The Spurs,Suns, and the Mavericks. Those teams have size. The object of game is to try to make your team to be on par or better than the teams you're trying to overcome.
