How Does This Trade Impact The Rest Of This Season?

Budinger can still score, albeit inconsistently. Lowry, when he gets back. Andersen on a good night, when the jumpers are falling. Jordan Hill could surprise us and be good pretty quickly.

 

Keep in mind that the reason the 2nd unit scoring was so important was because the starters were constantly falling behind at the beginning of games. Adding Martin to the starting lineup and breaking up Battriza is a huge shot in the arm for the starting lineup's offense.

 

Not much better or worse, this season. It seems like it was a horizontal move for this season.

Are we going to beat a heavyweight in a series, probably not.

Next season, is pretty much crap shoot on Yao's health, if he is healthy I'd imagine the Rockets will be in top 2 - 5 again. If not, another replay of this season barely in the playoff picture ranging to lottery bound.

 

I think we have a shot to be a 6-8 seed if all goes well....even though I thought that all along

 

Also, I don't think our frontline is as strong without Landry and Dorsey. Yes, we might have more offense, but what about post offense/defense and rebounding.

 

This trade improves us on the wings tremendously. Martin can play next to either Ariza or Batter perfectly and should also do well next to Lowry. Playing Battriza all season long was a no, and playing them with Lowry was a hell no. Too bad we lost Landry; he was our most efficient offensive player. Anyone thinking Ariza will take less shots now doesn't realize that he'll just take all the shots Landry used to get.

Overall, we're the same level as before. We'll probably just miss the playoffs.

 

Immediate impact:

More minutes for Scola and Andersen. Less shots for Ariza. Less pressure on Brooks. Less time for Brooks at the 2. More rest for Brooks. Less minutes for Ariza/Battier/Budinger.

Depending on how the new bigs fit in, we may see Hayes and Andersen's minutes come down later on. When Lowry comes back, we will likely see less of the small backcourt combo as well. Too many variables with Hill, Jeffries, and Armstrong.

 

I think Ariza can be our 6th man and part of the 2nd unit. Then mix it up with our lineup come end game.

 

I dont see how. Since Ariza will probably be on the floor with one or two(or heck maybe all 3) of Martin/Brooks/Scola at all times. Throw in minutes for Budinger and he doesn't need to be taking that many shots.

 

On a real personal level, the original two trade ideas (NY/CHI) toned down my excitement for the year something drastic. I expected nothing.

But with Martin on board, I can actually feel the playoffs this year. Not saying we will make it, but now there's hope, expecations. And thats a very good thing.

As for the team, I don't know (kind of the reason I spend so much time here). But as a fan of these Rockets, I love the game, love the feeling of hope, love being a fan of Rockets and absolutely love this site. (very balance love affair I have going )

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8th seed here we come. Playoff status.

 

The Knicks played him ten and a half minutes per game.

That's not quite a significant amount, but it's not an insignificant amount either!

 

My biggest concern is how well I can play in NBA 2k with Kevin Martin. Cause I remember in NBA 2k8, I hated his shot, and he was rated really highly. Hope I can figure out his shot!

 

We still have chuck and we added two 6'10 athletes. Landry was never a defensive presence in the paint. I think we do lose some low post scoring in Landry, but we will see what Hill and Armstrong can do.

 

possible poll here man.

possible poll options:

amongst the best in the west
3-6
7-8
just short of play offs
lottery bound
who cares we miss landry

 

I think we make the playoffs with this trade. We were borderline yesterday and today I think we might have just done enough to put us in. I do not know if that is a good thing or a bad thing due to the next draft but I am hoping that I will get to see the Rockets in the post season.

 

There are a few questions we need to answer.

What is our starting line up?
What does our rotation become?
How do Armstrong and Hill fit in?
What happens with Jared Jefferies?

Overall if our lineup becomes

Brooks, Martin, Ariza, Scola, and Hayes starting
Lowry (When Healthy!), Battier, C-Bud, Hill and Andersen off the bench
Sightings of Armstrong and Jefferies

I think we finish just out of the playoffs the 9 spot. Memphis got better and so did Portland so I am not sure who we can beat out New Orleans might make a push as well. I think the Lowry injury hurts else we might be the 7/8 seed.

 

Impossible to know, ask again in about ten games. Just a guess, I think Martin could make a significant impact, not just on the basis of his play, but how he takes pressure off other players. He is the kind of go to guy that can score in the clutch fourth quarter minutes when Ariza, Brooks, et all seem to start throwing balls at the ceiling. Makes it interesting, but, again, we are really going to miss Landry. However, Scola is hugely underrated on this board and elsewhere and I expect him to get more minutes. He is a very good post-up scorer.

 

We will probably be the 6-8th seed, book it! I think we will be better than Grizzlies, Thunder and possibly the Blazers since Roy might miss the rest of the season. The Blazers also got rid of Steve Blake who I think will be sorely missed.

 

I think it all comes down to the health of lowry. As he goes, the second unit goes. Even landry's game seemed to suffer from lowry's absence. He really gets everybody in great position to score. We will make the playoffs with the seventh seed and pull an upset on denver.