I'd like a PF that can block shots and rebound. We need a defensive presence in there to go along w/what we have already.
damn i like this trade... but umm and unprotected 1st... has me kind of iffy on the situation but Mickael Pietrus is a stud on the court
Yeah we need a 4/5 rotation player to scoot Deke down the roster. With Stro gone, and Deke barely able to walk without a cane, we're in a tough spot that 15 or so minutes Yao will be on the bench. I like the PJ Brown and Lorenzen Wright ideas. they both have a nice shot from mid range and they can play the 4 or 5 spots whenever needed.
How many of those guys have a traditional power game? Brand and JO have somewhat of an inside game, but they do take alot of perimeter jump shots.
How nice would it be to find out that Steve Novak could play a little defense and his shot was so accurate from the outside that JVG just could not keep him off of the floor. I'm not saying that it is going to happen but with Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady on the court what we want from a power forward might be exactly what Steve Novak can bring.
I'm not satisfied with Battier as our power forward, but when I listen to CD and JVG talk now they're talking about guards. They're saying we need shooting guards and a back up point guard. Well, I can do the math. That means they don't envision McGrady playing shooting guard for us this season. That, in turn, means they don't envision Battier playing small forward or shooting guard. That leads me to believe they feel Battier is the shooting power forward that they were talking about before we acquired him. I don't think it's satisfactory, but I think it's what they're thinking.
What about Kurt Thomas??? Good rebounder, decent shotblocker, good defense, enforcer-type, has good range for a PF. He is a gigantic improvement over Juwan Howard. His contract is relatively expensive but it will expire soon. 2006/07 2007/08 $7,355,625 $8,091,187 We will never be under the cap anyway and itll expire soon so its not that big of a problem. Plus i think he can be had for cheap cuz Phoenix's frountcourt seems a little crowded now with the return of Amare Stoudamire. They would have Amare, Kurt, Marion, and Diaw.... One of them have to go and theyre in love with Diaw. Also Kurt has fallen out of favor of Coach D' Antoni(remember in the playoffs after his foot injury he never played much). He is also the type of guy we were looking for someone who is interchangeable and could play the 4 and the 5. I think if we give Juwan, (and anyone to make salaries match, most likely an expiring contract). Throw in Head or a future first round pick(they need these to save money and for next offseason to sign diaw and other young players.). Make sure it is lottery protected also. The only problem is I dont know if they want to take on Juwans contract.... But Kurt's contract is bigger so they would be getting some salary relief. Juwan would also fit in with their system cuz they like PF's with range and juwan has a reliable 17-footer. Then sign mike james and this would leave us with a line-up of: Rafer/Mike James Tracy/Head(if hes not traded) or some scrub like Wesley Battier/Novak Kurt/Hayes Yao/Mutumbo/Kurt
Kurt Thomas is almost 35 and just coming off of a big injury. Jeez, how hard is it for the Rockets to sign someone under 28?
Well, we don't have a starting 2 or a legit backup 1. Even when that's taken care of with our limited resources people are suggesting we pursue a 4 now? APO3 nailed it. What do you expect us to be able to do? Does anyone remember JVG saying he wants two more pgs? This board has been so strange lately, so many think we're going to be WC contenders this year and I just see holes at every position. As much as I like Battier's game I still think we'll regret the trade. And though he may be shorter version he still reminds me of OT with a nice jumper and much greater range. At this point if your wishing for another 4 I think you logically should be quite miserable.
No matter who we get, we're still not athletic enought to complete with Dallas, San Antonio, or Phoenix. Our team is slow and just got slower with Novak. Mike James is 31 and he his a stubborn 2 guard acting like a 3. What is wrong with our front office, last year we hated Mike James and Loved the Stro Show, this year we love Mike and hate Stro. Make up your minds ladies and lets move on.
I understand that. I don't think most of the people here wishing for a power forward do understand that though. They seem to feel that McGrady is going to be our shooting guard and Battier our small forward, leaving our biggest hole (in the starting line up anyway) at power forward. I posted that I think Battier is our new starting forward and lots of people kept saying how it's insane to be content with Battier as our starting power forward. I thought I'd clarify that I'm not content with Battier as our starting power forward, but I think he is our new starting power forward nonetheless.
Yah I would love Kurt Thomas on this team as he can rebound, hit the mid-ranger, and play very good defense and I think he can be had for cheap with Stoudemires return.
ok lets get tyson chandler. seriously. he has good D. the only stupid thing is that guy gets into foul trouble EVERY. SINGLE. GAME. but i think we need his defensive presence.. beside tmac, the only defensive force now is battier. we can put chandler in PF then we're set. all he has to do it rebound, both offensively and defensively.. lay up [i hope he can do that]
