Given the projected lineup of Ming, Francis, Mobley, the question arrises: Is there enough ball to go around? In that the Rockets need a small forward, I believe it would be best to get a play maker or someone who plays good D that does not need to shoot a lot. Surely, there is someone like that in the league that could be obtained that fits that description. Any ideas?
Ron Artest and Bruce Bowen come to mind. Neither might be long term answers (well, Artest might...), but acquiring either of these guys would allow us to draft a SF with "upside" and bring him along slowly. One other possibility (I posted this earlier) is Devean George (who is a free agent, btw).
The Rockets need a defensive 3. Someone who does the dirty work and who is willing to dive around for loose balls. We do not need a scorer at the 3. We need a doug christie type of player. Thats why im not to high on rashard lewis. Lewis is more of an offensive player and he would not be happy in our system with mobes and francis. Caron Butler would be great, but, I guess he is out of the question now.
Most of us agree that Bowen is not likely to leave SA. The aquisition of Artest would in all probability require pick #15 so there would be no SF to "bring along slowly". Although I like Artest, he has an additional downside in that he (like Odom) is a qualifying offer FA next summer. Many teams have loaded up on cap space for the Duncan derby and there could be alot of money floating around to bid up the price of Artest. There does not appear to be an easy answer for the SF dilemma.
Well given you description, your man is already on the team, Terence Morris. How can we mention Christie and Bowen, when Morris is already on our team. Sometimes I wonder. Going further, KT and EG, will play some there too. They are good defensive players too.
yao ming - my ethnicity (like Nachbar) includes some Slavic - trust me, there is a high probability Nachbar would enjoy going to Drexler's BBQ.
My guess is that the Rockets will run with a frontline of Griffin and Mo (with Griffin guarding SFs), and then draft or sign a cheap back-up SF. I think a frontline of Griffin, Mo and Ming could be formidable, even with the growing pains of Griffin and Ming.
I kind of hated seeing us trade Richard Jefferson last draft, even though we got Griffin. Richard Jefferson is the perfect player for our team, he is great on defense and can score when needed to. Too we can't trade Rice for Jafferson, that will never happen though because Yao MIng likes rice.
If your looking for a defensive 3, Chris Jeffries out of Fresno State would be a nice pick at 15, you might even be able to trade down a little and pick up an extra first rounder. I think I still like Nachbar though, he's the kind of SF Rudy likes, one who can stand at the three point line and bomb all night long.
I agree that we don't need a great offensive player at the 3, and having a good defender at that position is ideal. A role player at that position is desirable both for on-court chemistry and team salary limitations (assuming role player doesn't cost an exorbitant amount to keep). At the same time, if we want to become a team that can advance past the first round of the playoffs, I think it's imperative that this role player (or any starter) not be an offensive liability. The obvious way is by being a good perimeter shooter. It keeps the defense honest by making them pay if they collapse on Steve or Cuttino driving in. The problem with Shandon was that he wasn't a good 3-pt. shooter and couldn't create for himself either. It would be great if we could get a point forward-type SF, but it's hard to get someone like that for cheap. And in addition, it does us no good if that player isn't comfortable feeding off of Steve and Cuttino. I disagree with rezdawg that Rashard's game doesn't fit with the Rockets. He's a shooter and is exactly what we need. The problem with Rashard is does he bring that much else to the table and is he worth nearly what he's asking for. If TMo can develop a consistent 3-pt. shot, I'd start him in a heartbeat. I hope he really comes around this year.
Posted by Relativist Thats the problem with Rashard, he is too much of a shooter. There wont be enough balls to go around for cat, stevie, and MoTay. We need a defensive minded SF, not one that wants to shoot 15 times a game. Glen Rice and Walt Williams were shooters with no D. And if the shots arent falling, then they are useless.
I'm not too high on drafting players that are 1 dimensional myself. If we get a player at the 3, he need to be a multi tool player. Dog Christie and Bowen played ok defense, but Kobe stiil scored 27pt per because he was resting on defense. I like Morris and think he has all the tools you look for in a 3 man. He can score,dribble,defend,and rebound. I just think he needs to work on his jumper and stop being a nice guy. 13pts,6rebs,3asst,1.5 stl,and 1blk are the kind of number i would want my 3 to do on this team. The sf is traditionaly your most versitile and atheletic players on the team. That being said, any improvement form Rice/Williams combo is welcome. The rockets really need to improve this position if they hope to really be players in the west. I don't know what he'll cost, and at first i thought he was a bust, but Donyell Marshall would be a pretty good player on this team. He has a nice post game, long and a good rebounder. If he's offered the mce or maybe trade kt and collier for him sign and trade, that would be ok. I think Marshall on the frontline with Ming and griffin would really help the rockets defensively and offensively
I think the ideal small forward for this team would be a Cliff Robinson type player that can defend, rebound, and hit the open 3 point shot.
If we could get Bruce Bowen this offseason, I would want him. He does not demand the ball and plays hard defense. The problem with getting him is that he wants a starting job and good money, which San Antonio can provide better than us.
i don't like artest one bit. hustle points are there and he'll D up, but that's all he CAN do. he's like a poor man's doug christie...well at least christie can find the basket from time to time. artest D's up and also demands the ball...which isn't an ureasonable demand but this guy can't shoot worth a lick! ugly mechanics on his shot... bowen won't be leaving SA while duncan's still around. SA is a cushy place to play IMO. it's like 'hey we'll play here, get to the playoffs and lose to LA but that was expected of us. as long as we make it to the playoffs'.
