Yep... That is why I wanted MoT to come off the bench and why I want Howard to start. MoT loves to go ISO. Pass it into him, and you wont see the ball again. He's not a good passer. Howard is a little bit better at passing. But the key is that Howard is not "ISO happy" like MoT is. MoT is best coming off the bench by giving us that extra offensive spark. We don't need that when we have McGrady and Yao starting. Howard is better as the "team playing PF." I want Howard to step out and hit the 15ft jumper (to keep defenses honest when doubling down on Yao) and I want him to REBOUND! We don't necessarily need Howard to go ISO every friken time like MoT. That's what MoT be used for coming off the bench.
A guy I would consider is Eric Williams. If you bring him in to start at the 3, he's rock solid, and would allow Jim Jackson to come off the bench. This does a few things- makes us a bigger team, and relieves the swing position depth issues. As for the PG situation. Lue is a great change of pace backup. I like Arroyo. From what I've seen, he runs the offense well, is a pretty heady player, and can hit the open shot. I haven't seen enough to really rate his defense. He's the youngest by far, and it is intriguing to potentially add another 25 year old starter to the TMac/Yao combo. He's a restricted free agent, so my guess is, we'd have to sign him to a fairly sizable contract- 3/4 MLE for 3-4+ years. Utah does have Raul Lopez, so they won't keep him at all costs. I'd stay away from Alston...rather get someone who can stay in control all the time. A little too streaky/erratic for me. Fisher is my top option, but like people have said, I wouldn't sign him more than 3 years. Snow bothers me for a couple reasons- first, his shooting. The other is what we saw from Payton. I consider him a similar style defender to Payton, who used to be one of the top defenders in the NBA. Now, Payton looked like a liability on D in the playoffs, because he's lost a step. Snow's age is getting up towards Payton's...if/when Snow loses a step, he's a lesser Mark Jackson- poor shot, poor quickness, solid passer (not as good as MJax). To be paying $6mill for that would be painful. Most other options out there- Atkins, Hunter, etc.- I don't view as starters, or serious upgrades over Lue. As for backup center...Brian Skinner should be one of our top targets. Our other option IMO would be Weatherspoon for Booth. They make identical money, but Booth has 3 years left vs. Spoon's 2 years (which is why Seattle would do it). I wouldn't be opposed to Ostertag, as maligned as he is, he is a good rebounder/shot blocker. I think he's had enough of high pressure coaches after all his time with Sloan, so I doubt we'll be able to get him.
I see the Rockect having 3 priorities to address--I think they have McBeth's other roles down pat (e.g., Mo and JH are both fine in the offense and Mo also will represent a very good bench scorer, JJ is like Elie). Priority #1A: the Rockets need more weight in the PG spot Barry and Fisher BOTH present individual defensive problems. But you know what? The Rockets had a mighty fine defense with Kenny Smith, and the Bulls had a might fine defense with Paxon and later Kerr playing the 1. As long as the wings are solid, and the starters are for sure, one weak PG defender is not going to kill you. I do have more problems with Fisher, not only can he be defensively exploited, I just don't know what is left in his body. Heart I am sure, body I am not. He had an awefully slipping year all around, including shooting. Over Fish, but not over Barry, of the FAs I like Alston and Arroyo. Much better defenders than the older guys, adequate offense. Still, I like a Barry more because he is smart, versitle (can play the 2) and most importantly, a dead eye. When we hit that mad hot PG killing us on speed, we give Lue more work there, when we hit that mad hot physical PG, well, JJ or Tmac might have to shoulder some burden. No big deal, I don't remember MJ running away from tough assignments in the rare times when needed. targets Go for Barry with the 3 years MLE, than go for the others (Arroyo, than Alston, than Fish) via part of the MLE (starting less than 3 mil) or 1.7 million exemption. Marquis Daniels or Damon Jones are other options, but they are just so unpredictable as to whether they will be a steadying influence from the PG spot. Otherwise, look to trade using the TE. Priority #1B: the Rockets need another big who is a defensive presence Yao, Howard and Mo are just fairly unathletic for NBA standards. This isn't discounting Yao's defensive presence, but another presence is certainly needed. Camby, Swift and Etan Thomas are the Cadillac models out there. First approach Camby since he is unrestricted. Offer him up to 5 years MLE (5Y/30 mil) or seek to us the TE a S & T with Denver. Camby and his agent would really have to make this happen, otherwise Denver's cooperation is unlikely. Etan is probably most easily attained of these guys as though he is a RFA Washington has a lot of bigs and are trying to cut salary. S&T using the TE with Washington, or try to nail a figure just higher than the Wizards would likely match (4Y/24?, 5Y/30?). Swift is about as likely as Camby, but Memphis has the right to match any offer, so very little power in the Rockets and Swift to make this happen even if they want to. If we get a Caddy who can play double duty (a la Otis Thorpe), it also means we look to ship out either Mo or Howard depending on the best deal. If we can't get a Caddy, it means we go with Howard/Mo in the 4 spot. But is also means we look among the Chevys for a legit back-up C. Foyle, Skinner, Ostertag, Hunter or Clarke for the 1.7 mil exemption to half the MLE if we still have it. We could also seek to trade for James or Booth from Seattle if they take one of our bad contracts (Spoon) or send something else of use our way (ADaniels). Might want to add a beaten down Yugo that beats hoofing in times the other cars are in the shop or when the man has taken them away, look a vet min contract player to further center insurance (Scot Williams, Corie Blount). Priority #3: another reliable swingman Preferably what we need is a guy who can defend and knock down Js (though only shoots when he is open) to back up the 2 or 3. What is nice is they can play either solely, because JJ or Tmac can move seemless between those posisions. Bowen fits the bill, but probably too costly. Peeler isn't much a defender but he isn't atrocious, and can hit shots. We could also consider Marquis Daniels for this role. Other guys include Rasual Butler, Eric Williams, or Trenton Hassell. This is a distant priority, but if we have the other's nailed, it would nice to look into. If I were to continue this dream offseason, I'd say we secure Etan Thomas or Camby (via TE) + Barry (via MLE) + Anthony Daniels and Booth for Mot (trade with Sea) Good chance at a title team year year with that. I would be happy with far less then this, but who would have thought Tmac would be a Rocket?
WOW, NIKE, you and I are very much on the same page! I think 3 guys that would help this team are: 1) Starting PG - Fisher. He is a JVG guy that plays defense and can hit the jumper. Loads of experience too. Sign him to no more than 3 years. 2) Eric Williams. Solid veteran swingman that has decent size at 6'8". We can put him on the best offensive player and give T-mac a rest. Plus gives Jim Jackson some rest time. Good team guy, good locker room guy. 3) Brian Skinner - energy guy off the bench, provides muscle and can bang. I think you could get Fisher for 3/4 the MLE and Skinner for 1/4 the MLE. You could get Eric Williams via a sign and trade with Cleveland for Pike. Fisher, Tmac, JJ, Howard, Yao are your starters. Lue, Williams, Taylor and Skinner would be your 4 top guys off the bench. Lue and Williams would bring the "energy" off the bench and Taylor would be your scoring 6th man. Or you could start Williams and have JJ as your top 6th man off the bench coming in for either Tmac or Williams. Either way, the bench looks much better and is filled with players that JVG trusts. That is important. It gives the starters more rest time for later in the season. That is a solid team and the players we would have signed would be to reasonable size and length contracts. That is important.
Great thread. I can't think of two better fits at small forward than Matt Harpring and Eric Williams. Either would make us infinitely more physical and allow us to utilize T-Mac's size at the shooting guard. Neither is a very realistic possibility though as I don't think small forward is a priority. I'm fine with riding out JJ's last years and hoping Boki develops. We have more pressing needs to worry about for now. All of the leading candidates for point guard come with their weaknesses. Barry brings the most offensive potential but as others said, his defensive troubles simply cannot be overlooked. It cannot be stressed enough that he simply is one of the 5 worst defenders in basketball. Fisher is a safe bet and brings the intangibles needed. I wouldn't go near Eric Snow with a 10 foot pole. Huge mistake. Absolutely horrendous, horrendous, horrendous shooter and aging. That entire Philadelphia offense would completely bog down at times because of Snow's inability to buy a freaking wide open jump shot. I can't even begin to explain how important it is that our role players are capable of knocking down their shots. My top choice would be Carlos Arroyo. He's a very intriguing prospect and marvelous in the open court. I hold the belief that he was the best player on Utah's team last year, not Kirilinko. Everything started with Arroyo. Someone brought up a good point that he might be yet another in the long line of Jazz busts - Anderson, Eisley etc, and I think that certainly is a concern. But Arroyo didn't have Stockton and Malone to play off of. We'll see, but this is the guy I hope the Rockets target.
DON'T GET Eric Snow....that guy can't shoot!! Everything else about him is great ...except shooting..but Rox need to surround Yao & Tmac with good shooters. Here are the players they should get: FISHER (he's the ideal choice for ROX since he is a dundamental player...will destroy team if they leave him open...can pass but will have a hard time guarding Bibby, Parker and Nash). BARRY (A much better shooter than Fisher but he's old...still have a lot of years left....can play PG but probably have a hard time guarding Bibby, Parker and Steve Nash). ANTHONY PEELER (I would sign him as backup support and will play him with Yao and TMac cuz he will make you pay for leaving him wide open as he's a 3 point champ last year i think...getting old though) TROY HUDSON (Only 28, but he seems wild and not fundamental. I might be wrong ....he's a good shooter but like all other can't defend. Out of all the 3, he is probably the least adapt to the JVG's system). ......if ROX can get Fisher and Anthony Peeler....they're set to go!! But they're not finished...they need some tough tall big man to support Yao. They need a PF and C that play good defense has long length, can block shot and can nail open shot...that's a lot to ask and probably will never find one....but they need them to contend for the Championship this year. Howard and Taylor will get killed by those of Webber, Duncan and Garnett, if they can get someone like Cato to support Yao...that would be awesome...and that player don't have to contribute much in offense...he just have to be an awesome defender...block shot...rebound and good defense all around. Adonald Foyle will be great for Yao i think but i wonder if Rox can lure someone like Okar from Pistons...that would be great.
Yup Macbeth always has excellent posts lol. For point guard..I like Derek Fisher. Eric Snow would be good too. We need somebody..Steve Nash would be great lol. Small forward..I like Bruce Bowen..a lot..Trenton Hassell can't shoot. Battier would be good. Maybe Nachbar will get more minutes. Eric Williams is great I would like him. I think Brian Skinner would be a good pickup. Eddie Griffin lol.
This trade's 'role players' -- because of the the moratorium, does this mean none could be retraded before 29 August (the 60 day rule kicks in immediately or does that '48 hour' window pick up after the moratorium)?
Personally, at pg the Rockets are ok with Lue. He's quick, doesn't turn the ball over and can hit the open 3. Just look at his yrs spent at La. At the 3, we have to hope Nachbar can take the spot away from JJ at at least contribute good minutes there. I think the hub of the team is set, although i think the next priority should be moving Taylor..
Would you (and the Rox and the cavs) move Mo for Battie and Ollie (or Wags)? If Howard is in my plans I would certainly consider this.
I like the Idea of Matt harpring. His got a Soft hand, Deadly from beyond the Arch and has some nice moves in the low block!. Oh yeah, Erck willams is another i lie. h ould be a spark plug off the bench. he and JJ will complement eachother real well....
I'm not too crazy about the two headed monster routine of last year...not when each has a distinct weakness which directly bears on Yao's effectiveness. McDyess? Not really what we need, IMO. I agree that, among the polular choices ( Snow, barry, etc.) Fisher is the best fit, much as I don;t like him.
A) Thing is that, with the point position, you;re really putting the keys to the whole vehicle in his hands. In general I'm all for developing younger guys, but if you're going that route, you gotta be prepared for a lot of bumps in the road, and as noted elsewhere, while not a troublemaker himself, T-Mac isn;t exactly the best backseat driver for a bumpy ride. B) Fisher might not have a decade left in him, but it's not like we can never get his replacement in a couple of years or so.
But doesn't that still allow the double? Your idea is fine, if we just need scoring. But I fail to see how we stop those late doubles, which end up with Yao getting stripped so often, unless all of the perimeter players can nail the 3. if you can think of a way to prevent/punish the double with only 1 or 2 good 3 point shooters, I'd love to know. But I'm not seeing it, absent perfect ball movement, which is harder to get than another 3 pt shooter.
