I feel the same way. Last year they underachieved. This year, considering the injuries, they way overachieved, and some nights it was a thing of beauty to watch them win games with effort. Early on, tonight's Game reminded me of Game 7 with Dallas, with two guys doing all the scoring and no one else showing up. But they fought back, and even though they wilted in the second half, there is a mental toughness now that hasn't been present in previous years. The franchise is in much better shape than after the playoff losses last year and in 2005. Scola and Landry have filled a gaping hole at power forward. Battier will either return or be dealt for someone of similar talents. Yao and Tracy are still All-Stars The top off -season priority has to be settling on a No. 1 and No. 2 option at point guard. And it's not going to be easy with Alston, Brooks and Francis all expecting playing time. Morey needs to pull off a Scola-style trade in the backcourt. If that happens, I'll match our "talent" with anyone.
I intend to make a thread after some of this random love/hate clears away but basically i think the rockets need more guys who can do more things. Childress, Pietrus, really any good sized perimeter player who can create his own shot, drive, or shoot. We actually gave one up (Gerald Green). Sure you'll lose some defense or hustle but you need to be able to react when they take away your first option. Right now when they clog the lane on Tracy, he kicks it out to someone and they either shoot or stand there. If they don't make their shots they are completely useless and it shouldn't be that way.
i don't think we have to get new guys in except a real back up for Yao, what i think is important is to get landry the mid-range jumper and Novak the defense, then put L. head down to the 11th option and that will do it. proposed lineup: starter back up big forward Scola landry small forward Battier Hayes/Novak center Yao ? point guard Rafor Brooks shooting guard Tracy Boby J
I think the Rockets have enough offensive options with Yao in the lineup, they just need to get quality backups at 1, 2 and 5, to keep Alston/Yao/TMac's playing time under <35min a game. Yao & TMac will average 50 points, and Scola & Alston should provide 10-15 points each, that will give us 75+ points, which should be more than enough to go with the rest of the players output.
i don't think we have to get new guys in except a real back up for Yao, what i think is important is to get landry the mid-range jumper and Novak the defense, then put L. head down to the 11th option and that will do it. proposed lineup: starter, back up big forward : Scola , landry small forward : Battier , Hayes/Novak center : Yao , ? point guard : Rafor , Brooks shooting guard : Tracy , Boby J
trade Jackson, Head, pick for Mike Miller. battier moved to 6th man. sign pietrus or someone for an athletic wing player. hell maybe even Green.
Ah ok. I thought you meant pg. But i do agree with you. Someone like childress could be attainable especially considering Atlanta has so much young talent coming off the books, someone is gonna be expandable. Marvin Williams is another. In terms of off guards we really do need athletic guys who can attack the ring IMO. we have shooter. We need guys who can, off the dribble, find an avenue to the basket and attack the ring. Dont really know, have to have a think about it.
Despite his great play I'd be open to a McGrady trade, but I know this won't be happening this offseason. So given that we're sticking with this roster, these are the changes I'd like to see. In order of priority: 1) Get an upgrade in size, shooting and ballhandling ability for backup SG. The "third scorer" that everyone's harping on. 2) A big who can play both forward positions and who contributes to the frontcourt rotation enough to give Yao 5 more minutes of rest per game. (Battier kind of plays this role, but we need someone with more size and a more agressive offensive play.) If we can't get someone like this, it will be important for Mutombo to return and be part of the rotation from the beginning of the season. Keeping Yao fresh and relatively healthy is pivotal. Another PG would also be great but IMO this position is the hardest to upgrade. But if we can get the above two done, we should be able to get by with Alston/Brooks and Jackson if Jackson's still around. Players who may have to sacrificed to make this happen are Head, Hayes, and (as much as I hate to say this) Battier. And of course Francis and the end of the bench players (Novak, Harris, Woods), but they won't get us much.
All right I'm gonna put it out there. We're talking about upgrading at small forward. There's one guy in this league that has the ability to shoot from distance very effectively, finish effectively, is a good smart defender. To me, he's a blend of Battier/Miller/Maggette with his all around game. And he's long. I want Mike Dunleavy. If we are going to trade Battier, this is the guy I want playing with McGrady. Don't know how to get him, but I want him.
lol at Richard Justice. He initial column today was to suggest breaking up the core, then fans start calling him out, then he changes his article, presumbly before it went to print. The edited version now starts off strong and then becomes nice and fluffy towards the end. The original was spewing with hate
No more undersized players. In fact, the Rockets need to get rid of some. Luther Head needs to be gone. He's got ZER0 confidence, ZER0 basketall IQ, and those pump fakes and near double dribble crossovers from him keep my on edge. Priority List for 2009: 1) Starting point guard 2) Backup center with low post offense or high post passing/shooting ability 3) Backup swingman to be the 3rd scorer 4a) Novak defense (he's OUT if he doesn't show anything) 4b) Tall shooters with acceptable defense
This could be just a reaction from our latest playoff loss, but IMO this team needs to get away from having all these "defensive specialists." We definitely squeeze out a handful of more wins in the regular season because of them, but this strategy is too much of a handicap in the playoffs. It's kind of ironic given that everyone says defense wins championships, but having too many players with defense without offense is simply not cutting it.
I agree with both your posts.. you wana know why defense can't win games anymore? Refs! bail-out calls at the end of games have totally nullified good defensive efforts.
Additionally, I really hope we don't trade Battier... His defense is the reason we're in a lot of games and can hold the Jazz to 20 below their average for 5 games...DO NOT TRADE HIM.. just get a better offensive PF and PG.. I want Baron davis and artest.. or Brand if we can get him. He can teach landry. Scola is a good backup.
