in Adelman's system, the PG's duties are basically bringing the ball up the court. after that, every Rocket on the court shares playmaking duties depending on their ability, largely BB IQ and passing. when that fails to score a quick and easy bucket, then it becomes dump it to Yao in the low post or throw it out to T-Mac in the perimeter, playing to their strengths. even then they can still create for their teammates instead of bulldozing to the rim for a non-call or turnover, or jacking up a jumper. as for the logjam at PG, i don't see anyone with the professionalism of Juwan Howard, in being relegated as a cheerleader without any drama until an injury occurs. but who knows; if someone like Bonzi could be sent to the doghouse for basically the entire season and not be a significant distraction, then maybe none of the Rockets' PGs need to be cut/traded.
I'm going to think out of the box here on this. Let's see who will most likely be here next year. PG - Francis, Brooks SG - MJ, Head SF - T-Mac, Battier PF - Scola, Hayes C - Yao Deke and Bonzi will assuredly be gone. So out of the remaining players we need a backup C, and some depth at each position. Out of the current players we have, I'd like to fill those spots with Alston, Butler, Snyder and Harris. You could convince me that Landry will be more valuable than Harris. So at this point, in 2007, the team should be: PG - Francis, Alston, Brooks SG - MJ, Bonzi, Head, Snyder SF - T-Mac, Battier PF - Scola, Hayes C - Yao, Deke, Butler The 15th player IMO comes down to either Harris or Landry. From a pure position stand point I think I'd prefer Landry, so he can be the 3rd string PF and Snyder can be the 3rd string SF. This way, Landry can also play in the D-League to hone his skills for '08.
Snyder had a broken wrist last year He's actually a pretty decent shooter from 3 point land and more importantly when healthy Snyder can get to the rack and finish.I'd expect Adelman's system and attitude will bring out the best in in.Remember before he got hurt how he played early..Snyder is a good defensive player.The guy is a specimen with enough skills and this team needs athleticism. And I definitely believe we'll pick up at least a quality rotation player for our scraps.
keep: Harris, Landry, Alston cut: Novak, Snyder, Reed, JL3, Sura It might make sense to keep Snyder or Novak instead of Alston seeing as the Rockets have enough point guards, but the reports on Alston have been positive enough to imply he could be staying. Its likely we may see some offenses with two players that are considered PGs on the floor at the same time.
Yes,tough injury we haven't seen everything from him and from Steve Novak also,so I expect better season for those players.
PG: Steve Francis/ Mike James/ Rafer Alston/ Aaron Brooks SG: Tracy McGrady/ Bonzi Wells/ Luther Head SF: Shane Battier/ Mike Harris/ Steve Novak PF: Luis Scola/ Chuck Hayes/ Carl Landry C: Yao Ming/ Dikembe Mutombo/ Cuts: Justin Reed, John Lucas III, Bobby Sura, Jackie Butler, Kirk Snyder
i think we know that yao, scola, shane, tmac, steve, deke, hayes, bonzi, luther, james, rafer, brooks, and butler will make te squad. that leaves 2 spots for harris, landry, reed, snyder, novak, and lucas. snyder and reed are too expensive to cut. i think that will be the determaning factor.
I agree with your reasoning. Furthermore, I'm beginning to think that the Daryl Morey might end up making a trade that Rockets fans won't like in order to alleviate the team's salary situation. All I'm saying is, don't be surprised if the Rockets pull off a trade similar to the Kurt Thomas deal this summer. Given that the Rockets will undoubtedly have a very late first rounder, it's not out of the question that Morey would be willing to part with it in order to off-load some salary (i.e., Rafer, Reed or Snyder). With all the money that Les Alexander has spent this summer to improve the team, I think the least Rockets fans can do is allow him to make at least one move possibly detrimental to success for financial reasons.
Problem is our backs are against the wall as far as pre-season trading. Barring an injury on a team that would spur a trade most teams will let the cuts happen before they will make a move. The Rox would end up paying the guaranteed $$ and losing the guys they cut if Morey can't swing a trade. As far as I see it the competition is between Snyder/Harris and Novak/Landry/Reed for tha last two spots on the roster: Snyder is the keeper of all five of these guys for this year, hands down. Harris reminds me a lot of Bonzi. He's an athletic big SF/SG. If there is any way the Rox can work it out to let him hone his game and save him for next year then my call would be this move. If not, then do what you have to do to keep him to take Bonzi's place next year. Reed has the most exprience of these three. Landry apparently has the most all around game and is bigger @ 255 but signed late, is behind now and his only position is PF. Novak is this year's less athletic Boki Nachbar. To me, the last spot it is between Reed and Harris at this point. Harris seems to be more versatile with a lot more upside than Reed. He could possible play three spots (PF/SF/SG)(same size as Hayes). Reed has more money guaranteed, though. So if I am Morey, and really in love with Harris then I do what I have to to trade Reed to keep Harris. Wait and see I guess.
Snyder has been on 3 different teams in as many seasons. Third time lucky, maybe he's safe for this year?
That's my point. Teams that realize the Rockets' position (and that they could just wait and pluck guys off the waiver wire for nothing) might be willing to trade for the Rockets' players (and their salaries) if a first round pick is thrown in as a sweetener.
i'd be fine with that. just looking at it from our teams owners perspective, i see this: morey specifically had reed added into the james deal, only to cut him? no way would i allow a waste of that much money. morey also baught the draft rights to landry for about a mil. no way does he get cut. since he was signed to a contract, we cannot hold his rights once he's cut. snyder is an expensive cut, but hes als good trade bait. ending contract, athletic and young. my gut tells me that morey is working on a deal for a rafer/snyder package. sura, lucas, novak, and harris will be cut.
Here is the real scoop. Sura cut Lucas cut or traded for 2nd round pick Alston traded for 2nd round pick Reed outright cut Novak and Harris battling for last spot. Snyder willn't be cut has potential trade value. Butler has size and potential and with Yao injury problems and Deke age safe bet. Landry will be sent to the D-league invested too much in him and atleast want to look at him next year. Scary scenario if Harris can rebound anywhere near as good as Hayes thinks get interesting. Same height, Harris has some handles, can shoot better, and is a better athlete. Novak would have to be lights out before it gets to Harris against Hayes and that is very unlikely.
I think the whole "we wanted Justin Reed" thing was just Rockets brass putting a positive spin on things. More likely, the T-Wolves wouldn't trade James for Howard (giving up the better player) without the Rockets having to take on Reed's contract. When Morey said, "we wanted Reed", I think he was referring to the fact that the Rockets (at the time) actually had a place for Reed on their roster. I don't think it was the Rockets' intention to make Reed a part of the deal.
Source? I actually think that Rafer will end up staying. Think of it as insurance in case all the other PGs flame out with their shoot-first ways.
Shouldn't we at least see them play 1 preseason game before already trying to guess who gets cut or traded?
based on last season's performances, i would cut luther (For playoff chokes) novak (the most 1 dimensional player) the upside is minimal and funny thing is he couldnt even drain his specialty during the chances he was given last season snyder or mike harris: don't know much about their upside jl3 and sura apparently are goners already so.. there you go
