Do we have any 1st round pick during the draft? Any decent college or hs pf we might take a good look at?
Personally I think this is huge news. We badly miss Howard ... not to mention we could be facing the Spurs in the first round. But no matter who we face, we took a hit in the rebounding department and more importantly, we lack that presence to knock down mid-range jumpers that takes some heat off of both McGrady and Yao, This is a real stinger, no doubt.
I competely agree, I pointed this out earlier in this thread, but for some odd reason some posters here are forgetting that the Rockets have NO depth (of talent, that is) at the 4 spot, and that is why this really hurts. Also, IMHO, I think J Ho is a very underrated team defender, he is not a very good one-on-one defender, but the guy rotates well on the PnR and helps out decently in that aspect of the game. Still, clearly, the one thing we will sorely miss from him is that sweet 15-18 footer that he can make on consistent basis (which none of our other PFs can do), which makes the opponent team pay for doubling Yao/McGrady. It is not that he is just a role player so we should dismiss his importance to this team, it is that his role in the team can't be adequately filled by any other player we have, so that hurts the team even more. If Taylor was still here and actually put some effort forward after this had happened, it would have softened the blow a bit, but not by much because Taylor was/is a terrible rebounder.
I really feel sorry for the guy. He seems like a good guy an and off the court, which is rare in today's NBA. Plus, he is the best PF we have. This is really sucks!
The welfare recipients on the Rox is truly amazing, Baker, Mooch, Ward All paid big bucks to absolulety do nothing. We have a major weakness at the 4 At the time Howard went down, if Van Gundy gave Baker a 'mission' in the next 3 weeks to get in proper shape which would be reciprocated in more minutes and a chance to get back in the NBA then who knows Baker's last year production in decent minutes with the Knicks gave the same production numbers as Howard this year 03-04 -- 54 33 24.3 .481 .333 .726 2.10 3.10 5.201.2 .54 .59 1.43 3.00 9.8 I really don't believe Baker would have fallen off this level of production taken into account this year the Knicks didn't play him at all and we gave him all but some scrubby 10 minutes or so in 2 games. How can this guy contribute and show anything if he hadn't played all season? All we could have expected from Baker was to get some boards and take a few cheap fouls in the interior to protect you know who ala Cato did last year. If baker contributes to some blocks and a few put backs all the better, but right now all he is is a welfare recipient wasting a seat on the bench.
Here's to Juwan getting healthy and coming back, not that I don't think a PF that can challenge him for the starting role isn't a real priority. In sports you just can't plan injuries, ect. It sucks but it's the hand we've been delt. I am MUCH more concerned with this team showing up again, like right now. It is now almost a desperate deal, with Denver et all breathing right down our throuts. And no, I never thought Mo Taylor should have been let go. Still, here we are dorothy! We need to beat Kobey and company or it won't matter soon anyway.
This is terrible. JH did a fine job for us. Being out not only for the rest of the season but 4-6 months because of viral myocarditis is tragic. We are all praying for you Juwan. I'm sure he will pull through and be back next season but our need for a PF is absolutely urgent now.
