As excited as I am about Mobely resigning and the upcoming season, the general manager in me keeps going over scenarios of players that would fit perfect with the Rockets new system. First it was McGrady but now he is off the market. Honestly, I think within the next 2 years, McGrady will be the best SF in the league. He is similar to the early Pippen era (I can't believe I'm about to complement him...sorry) when he did everything. McGrady can pass, rebound, defend, although not as good as Pippen could, can definitely score and is a helluva shot blocker. Now, I'm torn between Shawn Marion and Lamar Odom. Both I think are stars in the making and both appear to have a good head on their shoulders. Marion is similar to McGrady except he can't pass as well but they are comparable in rebounding and blocking shots and scoring. Marion won't start if Googs comes back healthy but that is the reason why Phoenix won't trade him. I think Cato and throw ins would do it but we would be taking a step back then since it is a lot harder to find a competent center than a competent small forward. Lamar Odom is kind of an old school player and would complement our guys perfect. He would be Houston's 2nd star they need. He is very young and one of the best SF's and will only get better. I'm sure Rudy has attempted to obtain Odom but since the Clippers don't trade their own players, even if they want to leave and just extends their misery then I think that deal is impossible to make. A lot of people might not even care about reading this b/c it is pretty common sense but I just needed to get it out there. I guess I needed to vent and help me relax more. Darn, I wish being a GM in the NBA was as easy as being GM in NBA2K What is everyone elses top pick(s) for small forward. I know their are some pretty sweet prospects for the draft next year but I am looking at what's here now. And those who think Langhi might become our answer at small forward need to think again. He is a perfect backup for the team in that he can create his own shot and get himself in the flow of a game quickly, but he is not near as athletically gifted or talented to compete with the premier small forwards in the NBA. Yes a good defense is a good offense but I think we need more than that to compete. Defense wins championships, alsways remember that. ------------------
How about Cory Maggette? That way we could have Mobley & Langhi come off the bench with instant offense. If one has an off night, then the other will be on. And when they are both on, LOOK OUT! This is assuming that Langhi will perform in the regular season like he did in the RMR. Or we could go after my personal favorite, Croshere & use him as a tweener at the 3/4 positions. ------------------
Rocketeen, right now obviously the best SF is probably Grant Hill. I don't think Kevin Garnett is considered a SF even though he plays SF sometimes. In the next couple of years I think that Vince Carter, Lamar Odom, Darius Miles, Tracy Mcgrady, and Shareef Abdur-Rahim will battle for the best SF in the game status. I think that if Carter works at his defense, he will become the games best Small Forward. The most Versatile SF would probably be Odom or Mcgrady.
I see Magette as a 2 guard. I believe he is only 6'6. If we wanted a smaller SF, we would have put Shandon at SF. Plus, he didn't even get enough playing time last season to be given our starting Small forward spot. Vince Carter is a human mismatch. I remember, the Raps playing him at some PG and he is too strong for those PG's. When he is small forward, he is quicker than most SF's and can take them off the dribble. When he is SG, it doesn't matter, he does the same things to them too. So as far as classification goes, he is one of the best 2-guards in the league as well as one of the best SF's in the league. Don't get me wrong, I would love to have Vince Carter on the team. He is under contract I believe 2-3 more years. I think the last year of the contract ends this year but, certainly Toronto will pick up those options if they don't sign him to an extension first. And I would be thrilled to have Austin Croshere as well. But I doubt he is coming, guess 2.25 million and a guarantee to be paid later isn't good enough for him. If he signs with the bulls then I guess winning isn't good enough for him either. Yeah, he is a tweener 3/4 and can shoot and hustle and would be perfect for Rudy's team. He really opened some eyes at the end of the regular season and playoffs...honestly, I didn't think he was that good. But as far as the 2nd star the Rockets would need to lead us to a championship, he isn't one. But we could get him though if we were declaring our 2nd star status to a PF. And McDyess would be the perfect power forward on this team too. Swift from what I've seen as well ------------------
Langhi is the answer at SF, most of the SF you mentioned can not shoot from outside of 15 feet. I think Langhi will be one of the best in the league, given playing time. As for him not being athletic, you obviously have not seen him play. DaDakota ------------------
"And those who think Langhi might become our answer at small forward need to think again. " - ROCKETTEEN Well Langhi wouldnt be my top choice for Sf, but I dont really think we can do much better. But the thing is that Langhi isnt bad at all, and he can be capable of startin at the 3. He is 6'11, and that gives him a major advantage over most other sf's. He's got good handles becuz he played as a guard before he hit the growth spurt. He's got a mad shot as we all know as well. He's instant offense really, but his defense is lacking as you pointed out. But really all rookies that come into the league have crap defense. Langhi is actually pretty athletic for somebody who is 6'11. Even is he's not as fast as Vince Carter or Darius MIles, he's got the big height advantage which will make up for it. He's not as quick as Carter, but he's still quick nonetheless. With his long arms, height, and quickness, he can become a pretty decent defender. So really, Langhi can be a decent startin 3. He may not be a superstar, but we dont need him to be cuz we got Francis and a pretty good team. But all this is based on if he can continue his play from the summer league, and mainly, if he can IMPROVE every season. With the skillz that he has right now, if he improves every season like Mobley did, then he will be a a top 10-15 sf. ------------------ president of the dan langhi fan club.
What? Lamar Odom or Shawn Marion. There is no way they will be here this coming season, probably never!!! Guys there is no way we could get either of them. Those guys are soon to be all-stars. Why don't we ask for KG and Shareef Abdur-Rahim? I mean its not like we're asking for the top SF's in the league or anything. Guys we're not going to win the championship this season. Understand that, unless Dream shows flashes of the past and Cato becomes a dominant force offensively. I think we'll make a trade for a good/decent PF and go with that. Maybe even signing Massenburg back. SF will have to wait. We'll probably go with Williams, Langhi and Bullard. Sorry for shooting down your ideas but lets be realistic. ------------------
I don't think Langhi is the answer, I think getting Lewis next year is the answer. I forgot to mention Lewis, as he will be very very good in 2 to 3 years.
Lewis would be real nice I gotta admit. I kinda forgot bout him. But there's always the possibility that he might decide to stay in Seattle. If he doesnt though, then that's tite cuz he would almost surely come to Houston. Imagine Lewis and Langhi, 2 6'11 players, at small forward. ------------------ president of the dan langhi fan club.
Lewis is suppossed to sign a 3 year deal today, with the option to opt out after the 2nd year. ------------------ Jackie Treehorn treats objects like women!
