If you could have any player in the NBA to complement Yao and Steve, who would fit?

Ben Wallace, to do all of the dirty work inside. He's a natural PF - not a center - and content to not have to work on the offensive end in terms of scoring. That way, the focus of the offense is clear, and the interior defense is nearly unstoppable with Ben and Yao. But it'd never happen.

So, realistically...the type of player to best complement Yao and Francis is a classic 3rd offensive option. He preferably plays SF or PF, and no matter where he plays, is a good rebounder. Blocking shots is helpful, but not required, as is three-point shooting - but it must be at a sufficiently high percentage to be worthwhile.

That narrows it down to two players: Shawn Marion and Richard Jefferson. Marion's more of a true 2nd option who may develop into a first option-type of player, so he doesn't really fit. But Jefferson...that's the player, and the Rockets could've had him.

 

Abstractly, the best player to compliment Steve and Yao would have the following skills:

1) Consistent catch and shoot skills (w/3 pt range) - Both Steve and Yao will be kicking the ball back to the perimeter if their path to the basket is blocked. A good outside shooter will also prevent double teams on Yao and Steve.

2) Good perimeter defense - This will help minimize Steve's defensive woes and will prevent penetrators from getting Yao into foul trouble.

3) Can run a fast break - While Steve is probably competent enough on a half-court set, he is hopeless when it comes to running the break. A player who can bring the ball up the middle and allow Steve to be one of the wings would improve the Rockets ability to fast-break.

Based on this criteria, I'm not sure who would work best. Brent Barry is a good shooter and has good handles, but his defense is suspect, may not be great on the break, and has been criticized for disappearing in games.

Darryl Armstrong might have been good 5 years ago, but he's old and consistency on any of these skills would be too much to ask.

Elton Brand is a good player, but the Rockets need outside shootign, perimeter defense and fast-breaking skills more than they need shot-blocking and rebounding. You could probably get a much cheaper "enforcer" type player.

 

Yeah, I know.

I would be happy with Brian Grant if we got rid of Mo, and Snow at the point, being more realistic.

No other enforcers come to mind.

 

Jefferson is at the top of the league in shotblocking and rebounding from the small forward position. He also shoots 50% and not all of those come on dunks off of Kidd passes, either. Yes, he's overrated due to the system in which he plays in. But, with Francis around to set him up and the need for his skills on the Rockets, I don't think there'd be a big drop-off.

And the Rockets don't need a star, they need a solid third option who won't take away - just complement - the existing two stars. Mobley may transform into that player, who knows? But it's not a star they need.

 

At PF, I'd go with Nowitzki or Rasheed Wallace, in that order.

At SF, I'd go with Marion, Battier, or Mike Miller, in that order.

At SG, I'd go with McGrady, Ray Allen, or Doug Christie & not necessarily in that order.

At PG, I'd go for Payton, Kidd, Nash, or Andre Miller, in that order.

 

I agree. But, in the line of the thread, I was thinking that'd it'd be nice to have both! After all, it's an "any NBA player" thread. But, I do believe Griffin can become that player and more...though with two stars around, he may not reach his full potential.

 

One player that people always overlook that I would want on my team is Peja Stojakovic.

Think about it, this guy plays nice, responsible basketball. Plus he can get you 20-30 points a night without showboating or anything, and he can play 3 different positions (2,3 and maybe PF). He'll knock down the open shot and is a pretty good clutch player, but most importantly he can lead if needed to.

 

The premise of this thread is to dreamcast anyone, right?
Why fool around with Jefferson, Grant, Brand, etc.

Tim Duncan is the obvious choice.

The High-Low game with Yao would be frightening.
Francis would thrive in Tony Parker's role: Shoot or slash.
The Twin Towers would smother people on D.
Francis could gamble on D and cherry-pick.
Most importantly the no-nonsense, supremely efficient decision making that would infiltrate the team is exactly what the Rockets lack.

I assume the extension of playing synergistically would be winning... a lot.

That Big Three would have the potential and youth to rival any of the Celtic, Laker or Bulls dynasties.

 

can we just start with Francis complementing Yao, first. Then go from there.

 

Damn the reality

But that's precisely why masochism is a Rockets' head coaching job requirement, right?

 

Even if we somehow can put together an impressive frontline like this

Yao
Brand
Garnett

How do you stop the dribblemania by the backcourt? I hate to see Yao shanding on the other side of the box, Brand and Garnett standing on 3pts line so that Francis can go 1on1 against his man all game.

 

Any player?

Tim Ducan

C- Yao
PF- Ducan

Try and beat that

-G'day-

 

dead on the money. You need a player that can help space the floor for Yao in the post and for Steve's drives to the basket. He is a pure shooter who doesn't always have to have the ball. Understands movement without the ball and is used to playing w/passing low post players. He is the one player I think would have the largest effect on a team like this.

 

Any player eh?

Shooting guard: 1. Tracy McGrady. 2. Kobe Bryant. 3. Michael Finley. 4. Jason Richardson 5. Cuttino Mobley.
Small Forward: 1. Kevin Garnett. 2. James Posey.
Power Forward: Dirk Nowitzki, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, Elton Brand, Chris Webber.