What, exactly, are they? As our starting PF, does this team (or, rather, the team we will have following a trade for McGrady) need a scorer or a defender/shotblocker at the 4? Regardless, we need someone that can rebound, but is it more important to have someone that can take the scoring load off of T-Mac and Yao, or someone that can keep our defense among the best in the league? I don't think we'll get a player who can do both with the MLE or trade exception; there just aren't too many out there in the first place. Here's my take: The past two years we were very good defensively, largely because we packed the lane with Yao's size and Eddie/Cato's athleticism. This allowed the guys on the perimeter to play more aggressive defense, knowing they had a big man to help. When Cato was injured late in the season, the defense suffered noticeably. On the other hand, Cato's lack of offensive skill and bad hands, as well as Eddie's passive attitude on offense, allowed opposing big men to double down on Yao. There were many times last season in which Cato had a chance at a lightly contested layup or short jumper, but tried to dump it off to a tightly covered Yao which would often lead to a turnover. There were also times in which Yao got hit with an aggressive double team and tried to get it to Cato, who would fumble the ball underneath the basket, allowing the D to recover. It was obvious that we looked much better offensively with Maurice and Yao together, and Mo generally player most of the 4th quarter both this season and last. Chew on this: In 02-03, when Eddie Griffin, our starting PF, scored 10 points or more we were 20-10. When he grabbed 7 or more rebounds, we were 21-11. When he blocked 2 or more shots, we were 21-10. In 03-04, when Kelvin Cato, our starting PF, scored 10 points or more we were 8-2. When he grabbed 7 or more rebounds, we were 24-11. When he blocked 2 or more shots, we were 16-7. Really, all of those stats just tell us that if we can find a PF who scored, rebounds and blocks shots, we'll be a much better team. Well, number one, we all already knew that. And number two, as I said before, I don't think we'll be able to find both. Obviously, the wild card is Eddie; if he's in as good shape as reported, and CD and JVG are willing to bring him back, he would likely be capable of 10-7-2. But that's a whole different argument. The only other "complete" big men on the market are probably unavailable. Okur and Rasheed will likely command too much cash, McDyess doesn't look like much more than a rebounding specialist now, and I don't think we'll be able to steal Stromile from the Grizz, though I love his game. So, do we sacrifice offense and look for a replacement starting PF in the Cato mold? Or should we just settle with an adequate scorer/rebounder in Juwan Howard, and accept the hit to the defense it will bring?
I'm all for Mcdyess and have a feeling he would play here cheap. Maybe even a 3 year contract with a player opt out clause after 1 year to prove that he is back and his old self. But doing so we have to trade either Mo, or Howard. Trading Mo is almost impossible. I'm not sure what if any trade value Howard has either. But i think Howard will play better D under JVG than he has in years past. This creates a log jam a the PF spot with alot of money on people who play the same situation. Not a great idea if we can't move soemone. We still need a good PG and back up center.
I agree with you about Howard, personally I don't think he's that bad of a defender individually. What I especially like about Howard is that he's tough; Spurs fans are still complaining about the time he knocked Bowen on his ass a few years ago when he was with Dallas. But I wonder if we need a shotblocker to patrol the paint when Yao steps out on the pick and roll. I'm just not sure if McDyess can block shots anymore with his knees the way they are.
Blocks per 48 minutes 5) Calvin Booth - 4.02 16) Etan Thomas - 3.11 26) Mark Blount - 2.12 32) Mehmet Okur - 1.91 43) Drew Gooden - 1.62 Juwan Howard - 0.37
After watching the Spurs and Pistons win the title the past 2 seasons, I think those are the type of teams Van Gundy is looking to model after. Not a glitzy offensive-oriented team like the Lakers, but a blue collar type of team. So at the 4, I think the Rockets will be looking for a rebounder/defender instead of a scorer. Not a Kelvin Cato type of rebounder/defender that spends most of his time in the paint. Yao can handle getting rebounds inside the paint and defending the paint. He just has a lot of trouble going out on the perimeter and getting those loose balls. Therefore, we need a Kenny Thomas type of power forward that can chase down rebounds and defend on the perimeter. I’m really not worried about offense at the 4. I think Mcgrady and Yao will attract enough attention from defenses to make marginal players on offense look good.
i agree that we need a better shot blocker at the 4. howard doesnt block shots at all. in an ideal situation, we would be able to move mo, and use the TE on a PF/C who can block shots and hit an open jumper.
