http://proxy.espn.go.com/nba/trainingcamp04/columns/story?columnist=bucher_ric&id=1904899 One will have to go: Expect the Rockets to move either Maurice Taylor or Juwan Howard before the trading deadline, mainly because they're essentially the same power forward. Both can score if plays are run for them, but neither is an offensive rebounder, shot-blocker or defender. The difference is that Taylor has natural talent that is undercut by mental marshmallowness – he followed a flubbed uncontested dunk by giving up a transition layup against the Kings in Beijing – while Howard makes the most of what he has, which is simply not a lot, physically, by top power-forward standards. The Rockets have been enamored with Taylor's ability to get his own shot, inside or outside, which is why they signed him to a six-year, $48.75 million deal. Howard can't create his own shot and doesn't draw double teams but has the demeanor of a Van Gundy disciple. Whose contract is more appetizing on the open market also could be a factor. Taylor has two years left at $9.1 million and $9.75 million after this season, while Howard's deal runs through the 2007-2008 season – if he exercises a last-year option – and pays out between $5.9 million and $7.375 million per year.
no way does JVG trade howard and make mo the starter. i've allways said that there still are teams willing to trade for mo. seattle, boston, indiana, miami, and milwaukee can all use him. the problem is getting something we can use in return.
Trade Taylor and it will be the complete transformation of the team. The journey to JVG's dark side will be complete...
i frankly think we have the best BACK-up poward forward in the league. there aren't to many teams that can ask a back-up to come off the bench and put pts. on the the board.. most teams use their back big men to collect fouls and watch the guards shoot.. mo coming off the bench on this team is good though because if you noticed last year whenever Mo was on the court, rather it be with Yao, Steve or Cat, the offense ran through him.. Howard doesn't need nor want the offense to come through him....
i say trade mo for croshere, they are both about the same height but i think croshere is a bit more versatile.
Isn't Mo's deal up just in time for Yao to get his max extension? And do we not need any scoring off the bench all of a sudden? Things are fine like they are, unless we can get someone who will start immediately in exchange for Mo (I still like Antonio Daniels ). No way should we get rid of one of them just to get rid of one of them though.
If one had to leave, I would actually prefer Howard to leave due to MoT's offensive firepower off the bench. In all reality though, I hope neither one leaves. No question MoT is our 6th (our Bobby Jackson), and if he leaves I don't see anyone on our current squad who could take his place. Like quoted above, Howard doesn't require a double team, and quite frankly I thought he was quite erratic toward the later periods of the last preseason game, when he clearly wanted to score over a bigger Brad Miller. Having Mutombo in running with Howard would make a huge difference I suppose. In any event, I think Howard is perfect for in our starting lineup cause he can do a little bit of everything (score, rebound, hustle, lead), and I think MoT is still perfect cause he's got the scoring ability off the bench. Bucher's analysis is off, they are not "essentially" the same player.
That's an obvious thing to most Rockets watchers, it's just too expensive to keep a bench player at $9+ mil per year. At this point, Howard fits the team better due to his better rebounding and defense, (which doesn't say much when compare to Talor who has zero defense. ) The problem is who is willing to pay $9+mil for a backup PF in this league?
Bucher worded it badly, but what I think he meant to say is that their weaknesses (rebounding, defense) are similar. Because these are the qualities that the Rockets really need from their PF, both Howard and MoT are similar in that neither are a long term solution at their position. And I happen to agree with that assessment - the Rockets desperately need someone who can block out and rebound consistently and keep the opposition's PF from scoring easily (you can't stop Garnett or Duncan, but you can at least keep them from scoring at will).
A team in which Mo Taylor wouldn't be a back up on. ;p While I basically agree with the assessment, I'm weary of getting rid of Mo at this point because he and Tyronn Lue are really our only offensive options off the bench. Everybody else on our bench seems to specialize in defense.
I think the Rockets would trade either of them depending on the right pieces being offered in return. If a team wants Howard instead of Taylor in return for someone we really want, I don't see that being a deal breaker.
Good point subtomic, but in a sense a rebounding defensive poward forward describes what we used to have, Cato. I guess what I'm saying is that I prefer Howard or MoT than a player like Cato. I don't think anyone can really ever guard Garnett or Duncan straight up (unless they've got someone who's already proven like a J. O'Neal or J. Magloire), so my philosophy right now is that we're not going to get away with single coverage on any of the true star power forwards, so let's not worry about it. Instead let's get the other team to worry about our offensive capabilities with a reliable rock in Howard and a skilled offensive forward (off the bench) in MoT.
NO WAY we trade Mo T or Howard. I agree that Mo T salary is a little expensive for a player coming off the bench, but he is an asset to this team. Howard brings to our starting line up what Mo T can't and that is veteran play. Defensively we can make up for their lack of performance by playing help D. On the boards as well because JJ, T Mac, Yao are all above average rebounders. When we really need someone defensively to hold their own we can put in Deke along with Yao, or bring in C-Spoon with Yao. Did you guys see how well he played Duncan & Shaq last year? Outstanding! That is when I became a fan of C-Spoon. What are we going to do when YAO gets into foul trouble ( and we all know he will) and Deke is left to play extended minutes. I'll tell you: (depending on who is traded) Scenario- Mo T is traded If Howard is taking a breather the Rockets will be out of sink. Tmac will be triple teamed, leaving C-Spoon, Lue, Deke & JJ to create their own shot off the dribble. Jumpshot city. By having both players on our roster, the Rockets will be always be able to throw that intial pass in the post (left block) and still be considered a threat
