I will keep track of who we have on our roster but updating/editing this thread. We finally made a move to bring in Snyder and people think he will be an excellent backup SG. That helps our backcourt finally get some size, quickness. Now if we could only find a starting caliber PG and PF. I dont understand why the Rox are going after Padgett when we already have Novak who is younger version with a better shot (IMO)? What ever happened to MLampe is he still on our roster? The lineup / rotation as I see it now. PG / Rafer / Head TMac / KSnyder / Sura SBattier / ???? /Bowen PF / JHoward / Novak / CHayes Yao / Deke / MLampe Full MLE still available TE's 2 (not sure if they have been used yet) I dont think Shane can play PF or we get outrebounded every game I see him there for spot minutes (depending on matchups). Removed JL3 because he has not signed with us (edited to update) We still need to find a Starting PG, Starting PF and a backup SF I also dont think Sura will have much impact after a year off and several surgeries later. He never had much speed now add 2 years and a few operations. We still have the full MLE are we looking at bringing over VSpan? Did we even use our TE?
PG- Alston/JL3/Sura SG- Snyder/Head/Frahm SF- Tmac/Novak/Rybo PF- Battier/Howard/Hayes C- Yao/Mutumbo/Lampe How can you not start Battier???
just to add in my 2 cents: 1. I'm not convinced Snyder is ready for starting SG duty yet. neither am I convinced sura is our backup SG. 2. I don't believe it's realistic for Battier to not start - either at 2 or 3 or 4. JVG HAS to find a spot for him. 3. Lampe is not with us anymore. At least I remember seeing him on someone else's summer league roster in Vegas 4. I doubt Novak is higher in the depth chart than Hayes ATM
I would very much like to add JL3, but that's not even a guarantee at this point. Some poster mentioned that he's being pursued by the Suns, and as many have suggested, that is the place to be to raise one's value. Houston is his home town though, so I hope we can add him as a piece of the puzzle.
What's the deal with all the posts projecting Battier as coming off the bench? Are you crazy? There is no way in hell we gave up the players we did just to put this guy on the bench. Battier is a 40 min a game player, he will definently be a starter.
Alston/Sura/JL3 TMac/Snyder/Head Battier/Novak/Bowen Howard/Hayes Yao/Dike With 2 spots left on the 15 total, I'd say a solid back-up PF/C is needed, and possibly another PG in case Sura can't go.... How about using the MLE on Banks and grab Cato for around the vet min (Or another Big like Ostertag or Olowakandi)...
Just some wild speculation on my part here ... With Wesley possibly on his way to Cleveland, I'm starting to think we might offer the Cavaliers our trade exception (plus cash/picks, probably) for Damon Jones. They have too many guards now, and I've heard his name bandied about in trade rumors. That would take care of the backup point guard position for sure (and give us another combo guard who can play minutes at the 2 with his good shooting range).
Hey guys, I'm pretty sure this is our starting lineup next yr: PG: Null Sg: Null Sf: McGrady PF: Null C: Yao
you guys are ignoring all the media reports saying that the rockets don't want tracy at SG and Battier will play PF. I think as of now our lineup looks like this (assuming Sura is a non factor): Alston/Head Snyder/Head T-Mac/Battier/Bowen Battier/Howard/Hayes/Novak Yao/Mutumbo Obviously the guards are still really weak. We need any upgrade we can get there, whether that be a point guard (I like Banks as well) or a starting shooting guard. I don't think Snyder is our ultimate solution at starting SG, but maybe our last resort if we can't get someone better. If they really still are looking for a starting SG, you have to wonder where Head fits into this roster. Another SG and a backup point could put him at the 5th guard spot.
PG: TMAC / Rafer/Bob/JL3 / Marcus Banks? SG: Snyder / Luther / Eddie House? SF: Battier / Novak PF: Chuck / Juwan (I like Howard off the bench, better against scrubs and Hayes will bring energy and hustle into the starting lineup) C: Yao / Deke / Lampe I saw Bob Sura at Chuy's and he said he plans on being in the lineup. I think TMac would flourish at the point, getting the team involved to start the game. Crunch time will see him at the 2 with Shane and Yao for sure. I'd like to see Chuck develop into a crunch time player also. If we can get Marcus Banks I think he would be good for us. If Deke stays healthy (and of course TMAC) this team can be the 5th seed this year with 50+ wins.
I’m wondering why not go after Darius Songlia. Songlia is tough and would get along great with Napoleon Van Gundy. The 8 man rotation could be: Ming/Howard/Battier/T-Mac/Alston Bench Songlia/Synder/Head
Really. Rafer averaged 12ppg and nearly 7 apg and 2.5 TO's. Two seasons ago we would die for a guy like that. If Rafer can improve on that, without having Jason Kidd, how can you ask much more from your PG? With a healthy team, I expect Rafer to prove his worth. We just need one not-embarassing PG (as in not Rod Strickland) and we're fine at PG)
Why is there no love for Rafer? You know he was 10th in the league in assists last year. That's starting caliber. His points, assists, and efficiency ratings are equal to or better than Jason Williams, who was the starting point guard on the NBA Champions. I know he had Wade to help, but Alston has Tmac to help. Please tell me how Alston is not starting caliber.
I agree. We are damn lucky to have Rafer IMO. He is a legit point guard and his play significantly improved during the 2d half of the season. If Yao and TMAC stay healthy for the whole year, I would expect to see even better numbers from Rafer next season.
I like Rafer's game and I think he will be improved in his second year with JVG. I also like him and Juwan coming off the bench at about the 8-10 minute mark in the first quarter. They would be playing against weaker players and lower basketball iq's. I think they could lead a dominating second unit.
Rafer is not going to be on the second unit...understand this! He is going to be our starting PG and a good one at that. His assist to turnover ratio last year was as good as any. Unfortunately you can't say the same about his shooting, but if everyone is healthy and playing their part this year he will improve. Most importantly last year he had the pressure to be a scorer with Yao/Mcgrady out, who else did you think was going to do it...15 flat hooks and 10 short jumpers' Juwon. If you ask a team like the hawks, i bet they would be happy to have a guy like him over Lue. In Rafer you have a pass first PG who contrrols the floor, something we need more than 31 year combo guard wanting a 4 year deal with a trade kicker, and still not happy.
Rafer's assist #'s have increased every year he's been in the league. So there is no reason to beleive he won't continue to improve. Why do you want a 7-year veteran PG who's improved every year to now come off the bench?
Alston/????/JL3? TMAC/Snyder Battier/TMAC/Snyder/Novak Howard/Hayes/Battier/Novak Yao/Mutombo/Howard Not so much a lineup but where guys could get minutes depending on matchups. TMac can certainly rotate the swing positions as could Snyder and Shane, Novak and Shane might be able to be worked in at the four at times and Deke, Juwon and possibly Chucky could play at the five in certain situations.
