I know it's a pipe dream, but if we could somehow sign Larry Hughes, finish Yao's extension and draft a PF, that would be a good summer. Hughes is a very active defender who brings athleticism, size and an offensive game to the table. His FG% concerns me. With Arenas and Jamison on the same team, his FG% should have been higher. The main red light I have about Hughes is he was playing for a contract this year. Will he be the same motivated player after striking paydirt? He can't be looking for a max contract like Ray Allen or Michael Redd. At 26 years old, he is moving into the prime of his career. What do you guys think? Should the Rox go after him? Is he worth 5 years, $40 million (or more)? I still feel the PG position is the primary area of need, but if we upgrade enough at SG with a guy like Hughes, some combo of Sura, James & Spanoulis might be enough to put us among the elite.
You speak as if he would even look twice at us with the pety dollar amount we would be offering for a player his calibur.
We dont need larry hughs. We've got Tmac and Yao. We need good supporting cast that can defend. Check the Spurs roster.
Uhh, if you wanna get technical here: Hughes was a candidate for Defensive Player of the Year and did lead the league in steals. .....oh and, the Spurs do have a "Big 3" which is what we would have if by some unspeakable chain of events occurs and Hughes somehow ends up a Rocket. (Still, not like Hughes to Houston is realistic....just pointing out the facts)
He was All-Defensive First Team with KG, Big Ben, Duncan and Bruce Bowen. TMac640, I can't stop laughing!! My stomach is hurting.
He is going to get offers from other teams at much more than the MLE so this topic is a moot point. Its not like he is 30+ years old and looking to win a title now. He is in the prome of his career and is looking for that big contract.
he cant shoot. opponents will leave him to double tmac and yao. also, isn't he an honorary member of dribblemania?
The scouting report says he gambles too much on the steals and is a bit overrated because of the inflated steals numbers. Just because you have alot of steals doesn't mean you're a fundementally sound defender. Seems like your typical stats player.
We arent going to be able to get Hughes because we dont have the assets but in my mind Hughes would be a great addition at the 2 guard spot. He is exactly the type of player we need to add at that position. He can play defense, can hit the outside shot, create his own shot has good size and be the team's 3rd scorer. I think having Hughes and Tmac on the perimeter as your wings really would give us some great lock down perimeter defense. I think under JVG's system Hughes would settle down a bit so I am not concerned about that. Hughes would be a great fit. But we dont have the resources to get it done.
we have the recource to get it done. the MLE! however, i agree that in JVg's system he would not gamble so much and he has the tools to be a good lock down defender. hell, he made the all defense first team this year (inflated stats or not). my issue with him is TO's and no range on his jumper.
Hughes had a great year that I'm doubtful he can replicate. I'm betting that he becomes a cap albatross for some team soon. As for his defense, his strength is steals, which JVG won't want him gambling on. JVG's defense doesn't try to force turnovers; it's about maintaining position and helping one another. Hughes can do neither if he throws himself out of position to pick up steals. Not to mention the ballhogging. So, his stock (and price) is overvalued, and he's a bad fit on the Rockets.
The MLE will not come close to landing Hughes so I should stop there, but I won't. Though I'd take him on talent alone, he isn't exactly the kind of player we need.
he was good last year too - its just stackhouse and areanas overshadowed him. put him in this lineup at the 2, tmac at the 3 and Yao at the 5. Add a decent PF and even Charlie Ward could play PG and this team would be good
This thread kind of reminds me of something I saw on a Laker board. After years of them pining for Yao to play with Kobe, Yao comes out and says that he will sign an extension with the Rockets. Then, all the Laker fans just immediately start bashing Yao, calling him soft, overrated, and underachieving. I would gladly take Hughes. He can attack the hoop, and his shot is good enough. He has the tools to be a great defender under JVG: speed, quickness, athleticism, and quick hands. He would give us some size in the backcourt. I'm not going to say he can't help us just because there is no chance of getting him.
