Don't know if anybody has posted this but Mike James is going to be in studio on sports sunday ch.2 sunday night. also according to them Van Gundy showed up to Mike's house at midnight last night to talk.
I think your also under playing head there aswell, after last season, head will be a much improved player with the amount of minutes he got last season, and with another offseason under the belt I think he'll be useful, remember van gundy said something about playing head more then he probably would have if the team was healthy
I believe in Hayes' +/- numbers, and Howard is not the answer at PF. I do think that Juwan should start, but Hayes' energy off the bench and Battier's ability to spread the floor should be utilized as much as possible. Honestly, the only reason Juwan is getting minutes in my projected lineup is to justify his gigantic salary. Also, if I am overplaying Deke, who else should get C mins? There is no way Yao can average more mins than that without having a heart attack. Also, as much as I want Novak to succed ala Bullard, you are expecting way too much out of a 2nd rounder (Novak) on a team that should be looking to go far in the playoffs since they mortgaged the future for now with Battier. I do think you are right about Head. I felt bad slighting him on mins when I made this. He should probably get more mins at SG at the expense of either playing James more at PG and taking away mins from Alston or giving T-Mac more mins at SF.
I dont agree with Battier playing primarily as an SF. He was brought in to create be a PF to create spacing for Yao. Opponent Counterpart 48-Minute Production <table bgcolor="#cccccc" border="0" cellspacing="1" width="720"> <tbody><tr bgcolor="#33cc33"> <td width="80"><center>[size=-1]Position[/size]</center></td> <td width="60"><center>[size=-1]FGA[/size]</center></td> <td width="60"><center>[size=-1]eFG%[/size]</center></td> <td width="60"><center>[size=-1]FTA[/size]</center></td> <td width="60"><center>[size=-1]iFG[/size]</center></td> <td width="60"><center>[size=-1]Reb[/size]</center></td> <td width="60"><center>[size=-1]Ast[/size]</center></td> <td width="50"><center>[size=-1]T/O[/size]</center></td> <td width="50"><center>[size=-1]Blk[/size]</center></td> <td width="50"><center>[size=-1]PF[/size]</center></td> <td width="60"><center>[size=-1]Pts[/size]</center></td> <td width="50"><center>[size=-1]PER*[/size]</center></td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#ffffff"> <td><center>[size=-1]PG[/size]</center></td> <td> </td> <td> </td> <td> </td> <td> </td> <td> </td> <td> </td> <td> </td> <td> </td> <td> </td> <td> </td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#ffffff"> <td><center>[size=-1]SG[/size]</center></td> <td> </td> <td> </td> <td> </td> <td> </td> <td> </td> <td> </td> <td> </td> <td> </td> <td> </td> <td> </td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#ffffff"> <td><center>[size=-1]SF[/size]</center></td> <td align="right">[size=-1] 17.3 [/size]</td> <td align="right">[size=-1]0.446 [/size]</td> <td align="right">[size=-1] 3.6 [/size]</td> <td align="right">[size=-1] 30% [/size]</td> <td align="right">[size=-1] 7.2 [/size]</td> <td align="right">[size=-1] 3.6 [/size]</td> <td align="right">[size=-1] 2.9 [/size]</td> <td align="right">[size=-1] 1.0 [/size]</td> <td align="right">[size=-1] 3.5 [/size]</td> <td align="right">[size=-1] 18.3 [/size]</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#99ff00">[size=-1]13.9 [/size]</td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#ffffff"> <td><center>[size=-1]PF[/size]</center></td> <td align="right">[size=-1] 16.5 [/size]</td> <td align="right">[size=-1]0.454 [/size]</td> <td align="right">[size=-1] 5.9 [/size]</td> <td align="right">[size=-1] 34% [/size]</td> <td align="right">[size=-1] 11.1 [/size]</td> <td align="right">[size=-1] 2.5 [/size]</td> <td align="right">[size=-1] 3.0 [/size]</td> <td align="right">[size=-1] 1.5 [/size]</td> <td align="right">[size=-1] 5.0 [/size]</td> <td align="right">[size=-1] 19.4 [/size]</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#99ff00">[size=-1]16.7 [/size]</td></tr></tbody> </table> (repost of MRC at BBBnet) Battier did a good job defending the PF position at Memphis. "Battier played a good deal of his minutes at the 4 spot last year, and the players he defended at the 4 only shot 45.4% against him. Compare that opponent FG% to 49% for Juwan Howard, 48.8% for Pau Gasol... even a defensive stud like Brand let his opponents shoot 46.8% against him, but he played the majority of his minutes at the 4 and carried a larger burden."--MRC So I guess I would disagree with your rotation entirely. My proportions would look more like this: Alston(28mins)/James(12mins)/Sura(8mins) James(18mins)/T-Mac(14mins)/Wesley(8mins)/Head(8mins) T-Mac(24mins)/Battier(12mins)/Hayes(6mins)/Novak(6mins) Battier(24mins)/Howard(10mins)/Hayes(8mins)/Novak(6mins) Yao(34mins)/Howard(8mins)/Mutombo(6) This gives the following minutes to players: T-Mac: 38 Battier: 36 Yao: 34 James: 30 Alston: 28 Howard: 18 Hayes: 14 Novak: 12 Head: 8 Mutombo: 6 The two biggest problems for Yao were the (1) fronting defense and (2) the double team. (1) The fronting defense cut off passes into the post and the double team caused him to turn the ball over. He's getting better at passing out of the post and I think Van Gundy's plan is to put a shooting PF next to Yao Ming so Yao is kept double-free as much as possible. Shane Battier shoots at a solid clip from the perimeter and the stats show he is a good defender at that position as well. I dont doubt that Van Gundy would like to play Battier primarily at the 4. Howard is our most consistent scoring option at the PF position and is nearly automatic with an open shot at the elbow, stretching defenders away from Yao. Novak shoots tremendously from outside (like Radmanovic) again helping to thin the opponent's defense. Chuck Hayes does little more than rebounding and is the biggest defensive liability at PF and a dark spot on offense because he has zero range. His range is why JVG only plays Hayes next to Deke because if in with Yao, Hayes would clog the post for Yao and cut driving lanes for McGrady. Dont get me wrong, I love Hayes coming in as a spark... he grabs those offensive boards and recharges the Rockets... the just need a blow in the right direction so that the right people can steer. (2) The Rockets seem to be intent on acquiring guards that can penetrate, run the break, and play good defense to create the break (Mike James, Speedy Claxton, and Fred Jones). Penetrating creates opportunities to execute shorter, crisper passes to Yao when fronting defenses make it dangerous to pass to Yao from the perimeter. Vice versa, penetrating may influence the defense to start sagging into Yao which creates open opportunities for excellent shooters like McGrady, Battier, Novak, Luther Head. Their defensive awareness and stinginess in the passing lanes allows them to take advantage of their quick 4-guard rotation, running the break and allowing Yao to rest between possessions. Avery Johnsons perimeter defense allows Dallas to fully appreciate their transition speed. I think its very possible to trade for Mike James, saving us the MLE to spend on a shot block threat and banger in the post (Francisco Elson) and a lock down perimeter defender with speed (Greg Buckner).
TManiAC my friend, Battier only played 1/3 (or even less) of his playing time with the Grizz at PF. In other words, he played at PF when it was reasonable to match him up with the opposing number at PF. His numbers wouldn't be so great if he played against the likes of Duncan, Garnett, Brand etc. That's why he'll play for us at PF only FOR STRETCHES, just like he did in Memphis. He'll still log the most minutes, as well as be starting, at SF. It'll be similar with Mike James if we sign him, most minutes at PG and some at SG.
After taking a quick look at the FA list and assuming we were doing a SnT for James, here are the players I would target with the MLE! F/C: Ely (Shooting PF), Songaila/Cato (Bruserish PF), Evans (rebounder!), Wilcox (Athletic PF) SG/SF: Murray (scorer off the bench), Patterson (Good size, good scoring, ok D, lots of problemes!), Ariza (young athletic swingman), Butler (athletic 3pt line camper). I left out Harpring (2nd major knee injury), Van Horn (slow), Stevenson (Athletic 2/3 who can't shoot=Bogans), George (SF who can't dribble).
If I really have to chose between those players: Ely (PF) or Butler (SF) Ely could give us some shooting range at the PF positio and Butler has a winners mentality , is a good defender, can shoot 3pt ... so it 's up to you CD! But I hope the Rockets keep Frahm, coming off the bench shooting 3pt.
i haven't made it thru all 14+ pages, but just in case there's no link: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2505884 near the bottom.
JVG will likely put McGrady on the Duncans and Garnetts. Battier is reasonably strong and quick enough to defend the PF. He's 6'9" and has a good wingspan. Yao is 7'6" and TMac is reportedly 6'10." I think that front court is tall enough to be a good post defending team. And if you've watched the Rockets at all last season, you know that JVG stresses team defense rather than individual defense. Why else would Yao chase a guard out the perimeter? Ive already explained the offensive benefits of having our PF float out to the perimeter. Any defensive or rebounding risk of having Battier play his minutes at 4 is inconsequential given the clear offensive benefits. I agree that Mike James isnt the solution at 2. I would much rather have another person to fill that role, ideally Greg Bucker who is an excellent perimeter defender. James also needs a ball handler next to him in the backcourt as hes not the best point of offense. McGrady can bring up the ball but that limits his offense.
Dallas Morning News: "Mike James, who played last season for Toronto, has been offered the Mavericks' mid-level exception, worth about $5.5 million. The hang-up, apparently, is length of contract." It isn't a done deal here obviously...
Wow, you'd throw McGrady at Duncan/Garnett? I believe we want to focus T-Mac's energy on other things than guarding post players... How come everyone adds inches to our players but not opposing ones? Is it related to weather in Houston area? Last time I checked, we're coached by JVG, not Mike D'Antoni... so I don't believe we'll be putting potential offensive benefits ahead of defense.
Yeah I would, who would you throw at them? Chuck Hayes? Juwan Howard? McGrady can actually do a good job of guarding them with his long arms. That is his actual height, buddy. Youd be right if it was just potential offensive benefit and clear defensive risk. But its actually the opposite, every statistic indicates that Battier would be capable of guarding PFs and every statistic indicates that Battier with his offensive ability, will create spacing for Yao. If youre so against playing a non-traditional PF, go talk to Avery Johnson, Mike D'Antoni, Flip Saunders, Hubie Brown, Eddie Jordan, etc etc etc
Hornets are about to land Bobby Jackson as Speedy's replacement. New Orleans is doing some nice things with their squad this offseason...
Whoever it was that pointed out the fact that Mobley, at the same age, got a five year deal so we shouldn't hesitate at giving James one has a good point. We need scoring, he fits the bill. Plus, anything to keep him out of a Mavericks uniform.
Hes our answer at the 4, Seriously we should add to the g@y trade and make them include Lorenzon Wright they are goin to lose him anyway atleast this way they can get the exeption and a filler
I know for a fact Battier wont be seein that much playing time at the 4. He will be our starting sf and will see some time at the 4. I like your Buckner Idea, he is not a lockdown defender but he could be close to one in houston.
No ****in way will Tmac ever gaurd Duncan, maybe KG but with Tmacs history the last thing you want to do is put him on a 260+ pounder. Seriously stop with all the these false scenarios they will never happen.
The Grizzlies won't do anything to help us. I think the Rockets were considering offering them a 1st Round pick for Swift but they turned it down so we couldn't use the MLE.
