now examine the bench that houston has... our starting 5 isn't bad i admit but we have no depth and no potential. If we dont do significantly well next year, there is no young player developing that might help push us further. Dikembe Mutombo Chuck Hayes Steve Novak Ryan Bowen Luther Head albiet the offseaon is just starting but at this point lets hope there are no injuries and no one gets very tired in the games because this bench couldn't beat the comets starters.
Yeah, I can see some light. This trade, it seemed to me was done due to the concern on McGrady. Maybe the management reckoned McGrady has another 3 years or so before his back become a serious problem. I remember I read in an article that Rockets is talking about now and not the future. I believe Rockets will be looking seriously for help in this year FAs. Rockets for CHAMPIONSHIP NEXT SEASON.
Yes those are some fancy stats over there, but according to 82games Battier is more valuable than guys like Joe Johnson, Kurt Hinrich, jason Terry, Josh Howard, Tracy Mcgrady etc. and I would trade Battier for any of those guys. Battier is a 10 and 5 guy, not bad for a 3, but middle of the pack.
We have a large Trade exception and a ML exception as well, not to mention we can still bring V-span over too. This is going to be a very interesting off season. Rudy Gay may turn out to be Dwayne Wade, and we will moan like crazy, but not for at least 4 years....and we want to win it in the next 4 years. DD
Also, you win championships with your starters, not your bench...you need 3 solid bench players....maybe 4. The only problem I had with it was getting rid of Swift, but they must know that he is just not going to fit in with Yao like they thought. DD
It's a mediocre lineup for a mediocre team right now. How exactly does this lineup combat the Suns who whooped our ass when we had a healthy T-Mac and Yao? What exactly does this do to help against the Mavericks depth, and size? Who's the third scoring option? What's our future look like with these aging veterans? Where's the size and athleticism that JVG was talking about prior to tonight?
So you're saying you need 9 players on your team to be good? In other words almost 2 different lineups?
Who is going to guard Yao? Who is going to guard Tmac? If you double Yao and we have Novak and Battier on the perimeter with Mike James, that gives you THREE 3pt options. I think this team is not all that far away, just need some good Free agent signings, and use that trade exception wisely and away we go. DD
You need to have 8 or 9 rotational players with good chemistry and complimentary skills, and I think the Rockets picked up a good one in Shane Battier tonight. One who can contribute RIGHT away, and then we still have some holes to fill elsewhere. Also, I think Novak can potentially be in the mix, he is a Matt Bullard style of player. DD
Why are we assuming that Mike James is coming here? I'd say that there's maybe an outside shot of that happening.
Why? Starters player 3/4ths of every game, and the reserves play far less, how is that a funny statement? Was Dwayne Wade a bench player, Tim Duncan, Hakeem, Jordan, Magic, Bird? Well you get the point, starters are key, bench players are generally important role players who spell the starters for a bit, but your starters are your bread and butter and they generally are a bigger factor in wins or losses. DD
Bench players are the ones that keep you in the game or let the game get away...they are the true life-line of every team. Not more important than the starters, but essential for a championship caliber team.
Because we've promised him a starting position: Alston James Battier Hayes Ming bench: McGrady (best 6th man to ever play the game) Howard Mutumbo Bogans maybe Sura Head Novak
In one breath, you say starters win championships as if lack of depth doesn't matter much, in the next breath you say you need 4 solid bench players, that's 1 short of the 5 back-ups. Also, look at Dallas and Miami, how they get to the finals this year and tell me bench depth isn't important.
Haven't signed Mike James. So right now its all speculation. Battier is a good shooter, but I suspect he'll get worn down like every other good shooter has under JVG. Novak is at best going to log 15 minutes a night. I'm hopeful he does pan out to be like Scott Padgett though. So basically all your hopes hinge on Mike James being signed. And while I liked Mike James, the chemistry on the court with him and Yao didn't click, and you can bet it won't click if he becomes a starter. His role on this team was instant energy off the bench and nothing more. And as arrogant as he's been to the media do you think he'll be content being a bench player?
omg, mike gansy didn't get drafted!!!! i think we should sign him, hes like a david wesly player. he and head could back up battier.
So what happens when our threes don't fall. Who is going to create by driving the lane? Who is going to run with Rafer on our fast breaks.....are we going to be able to create more fast breaks? Who is our change of pace guy?
