Post your Rockets 2005-2006 roster and how we (somewhat...) realistically get there

Using a 1st round pick to backup McGrady for 8-10 mpg is a total waste of the pick. Warrick is too much of a tweener and I don't think his college athleticism is going to translate into NBA athlecism. We should draft a real SG who will play minutes as Wesley, Barry & Sura age. I think we should regard this pick as someone who could eventually be a starter. That's how I would approach the pick.

 

I am in a little bit of a hurry, so I'm not going to check salaries or anything like that, but here it goes:

Free Agents: Jay Williams and Darius Rice
Williams is just a case of low risk/ high reward. Maybe he is done, maybe he could be just what we are looking for. The fact that he has clawed his way back to possibly playing speaks volumes about the guy. I never liked him, but hopefully this experience has removed the chip from his shoulder. Rice is a guy that could play the Padgett role for us from the 3. He is long and deadly from long range, but he isn't the most athletic guy. He would be cheap and could possibly pay dividends.

Draft: Ronny Turiaf, Julius Hodge, and Lucas Tischer
Turiaf could play big minutes for us behing Howard next year and eventually would be the starter down the road. He is everything most people wanted Badiane to be. Hodge is a jack of all trades in the mold of Howard and Daniels from the Mavs. Tischer is strickly project, but he is big and could be groomed to play Mutombo's role in a year or two (provided Yao is on the floor for 38 mins a game).

Trades: Who Knows? I'll go with the exception and Wesley for Wilcox and Jaric
Who has any idea of what trades may happen? Jaric and Wilcox are both playing behind franchise guys and Wesley could help the Clips with his experience in the lockerroom and on the court. Wilcox gives us an athlete who can guard perimeter 4s and Jaric is a solid guard.

2005-2006 Roster
PG: Sura/James/Williams
SG: Jaric/Hodge
SF: McGrady/Rice
PF: Howard/Wilcox/Turiaf
C: Yao/Mutombo/Tischer

Who knows if that is any better, but it is certainly younger. The guys who have not been in the L at least 3 years all played at least 3 years of college ball. Anyway, thats just my two cents.

 

Well YMMV, but I think Warrick can play big minutes at either forward position. He could be the matchup guy off the bench if we need to get quicker at the 4 or bigger at the swing positions. I like Warrick a lot. To me, he's a Darius Miles without the attitude, or a poor man's Shawn Marion if he could bulk up a bit.

 

I think we'll most likely just look to get the two guys we were pursuing at the trade deadline, Derek Anderson and Donyell Marshall. We should be able to get both. Marshall for the MLE, Anderson for Spoon, Wesley, and a 2nd round pick.

I don't expect much else to take place. Michael Redd or Tyson Chandler would be nice, but it's not gonna happen. It would be hilarious if Grant Hill opted out of his deal and come home to Houston to play with T-Mac, but again, it's not gonna happen.

Cuttino Mobley? He still has a grudge against JVG I think, and Kings fans have been complaining that he still plays dumb and takes bad shots.

Caron Butler intrigues me, and the Lakers may be willing to part with him for a guy like Mike James and a draft pick. Jumain Jones would be a more reasonable target, and I've always liked his game.

Shareef Abdur Rahim would be even better than Marshall, but he might be looking for something in the $8-9 million range, as opposed to the 5 that we can offer.

The Grizz would be willing to part with either Posey or Wells (preferably Wells). Bonzi's the last guy I'd want to see in a Rockets uni, but it would be great to get Posey back, even after a down year.

Chemistry guys like Sura, Barry, and Mutombo should be kept, Barry and Deke at the minimum. Hopefully neither one of them retires.

Ideally, I'd like a lineup that featured:

PG - Bob Sura / Mike James / Spanoulis
SG - Derek Anderson / Jon Barry
SF - Tracy McGrady / Jumaine Jones / Ryan Bowen
PF - Shareef Abdur Rahim or Donyell Marshall / Juwan Howard
C - Yao Ming / Dikembe Mutombo

This team could definately contend.

 

We clearly need someone faster at the 2. I love Wesley, but he cannot get his own shot. He was largely ineffective in the playoffs, and that's unfortunate because we needed our 3s to fall. James and Barry both had a better series than Wesley did. In fact, we might have been better off with Jackson against Dallas. I would love to upgrade our perimeter defense and shooting. I would love to get Mobley back. He is taller than Wesley, just as good as a defender, and he can get his own shot. Also, he's got one of the fastest first steps in the game. Isn't he a free agent? I think James, Barry, and Wesley are all expendable if we get a guy like Mobley. However, I'd keep Barry or Wesley as a backup 3pt shooter (Barry is cheaper).

We clearly need a pg. I think once sura is healthy next year, he'll make a fine backup pg, but we need a starter. Watson looks interesting, and we need to take a long hard look at our Greek Euro, but let me say this: STAY AWAY FROM J-KIDD. We need to get faster, and although Kidd is the best pure pg in the game, he cannot hang with faster pgs, just look at what Maimi's guard did to him. As long as we get someone fast, with good passing skills and court vision, and good defense, we will be fine. Upgrading our 2 will make it easier to find a pg becuse shooting won't be a priority.

We clearly need a pf. I now realize that in addition to a rebounding, defensive stud, we need someone who can knock down the 18 footer. This will be very hard to find. Howard will be an excellent shooting spark off the bench, but we need better defense and shooting from our starting 4. I hesitate with Marshell because he is old and slow. We need to get faster. A younger version of Donyell is what we need. Does anyone think there is a younger version of Donyell available? I hope so, because it is our most glaring need. I'd keep both Bowen and Padget because you can never have enough of those type of players (plus they cost us nothing).

We must resign Deke. No matter what, we must.

One of the three: James, Barry, or Wesley need to go. Also, what the hell is Ward doing on our roster. Cut him.

 

three way trade involving Houston, GS, and Minnesota.

resigned Yao to GS.

Troy Murphy, Adone Foyle, 2005 1st pick to Minnesota.

Garnett to Houston.

Then...

Mike James + expiring contract + 2005 1st round pick to Chicago for signed and traded Tyson Chandler.


Your 2005-06 Houston Rockets:

Sura/Spanoulis
Wesley/Barry
Chandler/Deke
Mcgrady/Bowen
Garnett/Howard


pipe dream.

 

That's Juwan Howard, who was the 3rd best player on the team this year. When we lost him, we were no longer contenders.

 

Realistic Offseason:

1. Sign Marshall for MLE.
2. Draft Wayne Simien with #24 pick.
3. Bring in Spanoulis.
4. Resign Barry and Deke for vet. min.
5. If possible, try to trade expiring contracts for picks or a Moochie/Baker buyout. Should also look to get rid of JH.

James-Spanoulis
Wesley- Barry
TMac-Sura
Marshall-Simien
Yao-Deke

Dream/Realistic Offseason:

1. S&T Chandler from Bulls.
2. Draft Francisco Garcia.
3. Bring in Spanoulis.
4. Trade Sura for picks.
5. Resign Barry and Deke.

James-Spanoulis
Wesley-Barry
TMac-Garcia
Chandler-Howard
Yao-Deke

 

What do you and Scoop Jackson know about Yao being on a different team next year? I'm missing something - why would Les and CD pass on a guy who just ended up acquitting himself decently in the playoffs (on the road anyway) and is an international superstar?

Let us in on your secret.

 

I don't know who we should get.. but I do know what we need and what we can afford to get rid of.

what we need..

PG:
-excellent three point shooter, period.
-can run the fast break moderately well.
-can defend the perimeter and prevent penetration.

(Spanoulis? anyone, anyone?)

PF:
-rebounding machine, literally a monster on the glass on both ends.
-able to run the floor well and finish at the hoop.
-can defend the midrange jumpshot.

(Malick Badiande? anyone, anyone?)

what we can afford to lose..

Wesley or Barry: One, but not both. They provide offense from the 3 point line, but neither are great defenders. I'd give the edge to Jon because he can run the break a little better and shows signs of being a great distributor.

Howard or Padgett: These are simply not the kind of PFs we need. Juwan started to come on late in the year and sink his 15 footer, but he's simply going to get torched in the west on defense constantly. Same with Padgett.. I love his ability to pop the 3 ball and his hustle, but I'd trade him in a new york minute for glass cleaning PF.

 

Before you can begin to make fixes, you have to identify the problems:

PROBLEM #1: Athleticism.
No surprise for one of the oldest teams in the NBA. You need to draft a young power forward who speeds down the court and eats glass. He should be quick enough to guard small forwards too. Nothing is more important than getting a young rebounder, especially when you consider that Yao is a phonebooth rebounder. If Hakim Warrick is on the board, I say take him - he'll never be a star, but he can deliver what the Rockets need.

PROBLEM #2: Backcourt.
Sura, Wesley, James, and Barry are all very good backups, but that's all they are. You can get by with one as a starter, but not two. I think you spend your full MLE here and beg Cuttino Mobley to come back.

And your 2005-2006 Rockets are:

PG: Sura / James
SG: Mobley / Barry
SF: McGrady / Padgett
PF: Howard / Warrick
C: Yao / Mutombo

This group beats Dallas hands down. And you've still got several expiring contracts (Weatherspoon, Wesley, Baker) to add a piece at the trade deadline.

 

List of FAs that is more interesting to look at:

PG:

1. Marko Jaric (Restricted)
2. Sarunas Jasikevicius
3. Antonio Daniels (Player Option)
4. Gary Payton
5. Brevin Knight
6. Earl Watson
7. Damon Stoudamire
8. Jeff McInnis
9. Chris Duhon (Restricted)
10. Damon Jones (Player Option)
11. Nick Van Exel (Team Option)
12. Dan Dickau (Option Declined)
13. Tyronn Lue
14. Darrell Armstrong
15. Jacque Vaughn (Team Option)
16. Howard Eisley
17. Tony Delk (Player Option)
18. Steve Blake
19. Keith McLeod (Restricted)
20. Milt Palacio
21. Travis Best
22. Frank Williams (Option Declined)
23. Erick Strickland
24. Jannero Pargo (Restricted)
25. Rick Brunson
26. Kenny Anderson
27. Tierre Brown
28. Keyon Dooling (Player Option)
29. Anthony Carter
30. Jamison Brewer
31. Eddie Gill
32. Andre Barrett
33. Luis Flores (Restricted)
34. Lionel Chalmers (Restricted)
35. Junior Harrington
36. Mateen Cleaves
37. Omar Cook
38. Quinton Ross
39. Mike Wilks
40. Anthony Goldwire

SG

1. Ray Allen
2. Michael Redd (Player Option)
3. Larry Hughes
4. Joe Johnson (Restricted)
5. Cuttino Mobley (Player Option)
6. Eddie Jones (Player Option)
7. Bobby Jackson (Team Option)
8. Kerry Kittles
9. Latrell Sprewell
10. Ronald Murray (Restricted)
11. Willie Green (Restricted/Early Bird Rights)
12. Jon Barry
13. Casey Jacobsen
14. DerMarr Johnson
15. Juan Dixon (Option Declined)
16. Raja Bell
17. Keith Bogans (Restricted/Early Bird Rights)
18. Maurice Evans (Restricted)
19. Kareem Rush (Option Declined)
20. Shandon Anderson
21. Dajuan Wagner (Option Declined)
22. Anthony Peeler
23. Greg Buckner (Player Option)
24. Matt Carroll
25. Damien Wilkins (Restricted)
26. Richie Frahm (Restricted)
27. Ron Mercer (Player Option)
28. Eddie House
29. Laron Profit
30. Erik Daniels (Restricted)
31. Tamar Slay (Team Option)
32. Romain Sato
33. Steve Smith
34. Wesley Person
35. Horace Jenkins (Restricted)
36. Qyntel Woods
37. Adrian Griffin
38. Kedrick Brown
39. Dion Glover
40. Cory Alexander

SF

1. Grant Hill (Player Option)
2. Bobby Simmons
3. Vladimir Radmanovic (Restricted)
4. Kyle Korver (Restricted/Bird Rights)
5. Bonzi Wells (Team Option)
6. James Jones (Restricted/Early Bird Rights)
7. Luke Walton (Restricted/Early Bird Rights)
8. Eddie Griffin (Restricted)
9. Devin Brown (Restricted)
10. Gerald Wallace (Restricted)
11. Glenn Robinson
12. Bostjan Nachbar (Option Declined)
13. Walter McCarty (Player Option)
14. Jason Kapono (Restricted/Early Bird Rights)
15. Brian Scalabrine
16. Scott Padgett (Player Option)
17. Lee Nailon
18. Chris Crawford
19. Matt Barnes (Restricted)
20. Rodney Rogers
21. Josh Davis (Restricted)
22. Ronald Dupree (Player Option)
23. Matt Bonner (Restricted)
24. Nikoloz Tskitishvili (Option Declined)
25. Calbert Cheaney (Player Option)
26. Devean George (Player Option)
27. Toni Kukoc
28. Ryan Humphrey (Option Declined)
29. Darvin Ham
30. Rodney Buford
31. Theron Smith
32. Ryan Bowen
33. Pape Sow (Team Option)
34. Jamal Mashburn (Player Option)
35. Donta Smith (Restricted)
36. Stacey Augmon (Player Option)
37. Damone Brown
38. Chris Jeffries
39. Bryon Russell
40. Jerome Beasley

PF.

1. Shareef Abdur-Rahim
2. Antoine Walker
3. Tyson Chandler (Restricted)
4. Stromile Swift
5. Keith Van Horn (Player Option)
6. Udonis Haslem (Restricted/Early Bird Rights)
7. Donyell Marshall
8. Reggie Evans (Restricted)
9. Danny Fortson (Player Option)
10. Kwame Brown (Restricted)
11. Darius Songaila (Player Option)
12. Brian Grant (Player Option)
13. Chris Andersen (Player Option)
14. Othella Harrington
15. Austin Croshere (Player Option)
16. Tony Battie (Player Option)
17. Mark Madsen
18. Robert Horry (Player Option)
19. Alan Henderson
20. Christian Laettner
21. Malik Allen
22. Michael Ruffin
23. Sean Marks
24. Aaron Williams (Player Option)
25. Tony Massenburg
26. Bo Outlaw
27. Jahidi White
28. Lawrence Funderbukre
29. Jackson Vroman (Team Option)
30. Marcus Fizer
31. Brandon Hunter (Restricted)
32. Jabari Smith
33. Samaki Walker
34. Tom Gugliotta
35. Zendon Hamilton
36. James Thomas
37. Jackie Butler (Team Option)
38. Jerome Moiso
39. Ben Handlogten
40. John Thomas






With that in mind, the bolded names are the one that I think we could REALISTICALLY get that would make us a better team.

PG:

Stoudamire-S&T or try to convince him that 4 mil a year is a good thing . He's proven that he can be a good PG and he can knock down the 3. A little bit undersized and old but at least you know what you're getting.

SG:

Flip Murray-He's proven that, when given minutes, he can produce. Trouble is Seattle might match any offer thrown at him. Make him the 6th/7th man alongside Mike James and we'll have a good 1-2 punch coming off the bench.

Raja Bell-Hardnosed defender. His shot is sorta suspect but he's a more than capable scorer when compared to Bowen. With him, we get a perimeter defender that could help Tracy out.


PF:

Reggie Evans-the dude averaged 9.3 rebounds per game playing ONLY 23 MINUTES. He was top 10 in offensive rebounding as well. Horrible FT shooter and I don't know if he has anything resembling game, but if he's a workhorse on the glass and is a capable defender, he might be what we need.


"Realistic Dream" scenarios:

1. We do a S&T and get Cuttino back. Joke all you want, but Mobley would be a great #3 option. Case in point: He was the #3 option a year ago behind Francis and Yao and he averaged 15 points while shooting 40% from the perimeter.

2. We do a S&T and pry Dalembert away. I'm pretty sure they could use a Sura or a Wesley along with an expiring contract *coughBaker*

I can only wish

 

What types of players to bring in?

Ok, we all know that we need quicker guards and a big body, but I was wondering what type of players to bring in. If we look at guys like Barry, James, Wesley, Deke and Sura, they are all role players that play their role. I loved this team in the playoffs because it just seems like a good group of guys that enjoy playing together. There was chemistry which is why I think we took it to Dallas as hard as we did.

With some of the names thrown around in guys we need to get including Ron Artest, Chandler, Miles, Kwame, and Swift, I'm wondering just which of those players can fit with the team. I think chemistry is more than just how a player would fit within our system but how a player would fit with the players around him in other ways. I think the players on this team this year had the attitude of us against the world. My question is which guys should we bring in that can just gel with the team.

 

I posted this on another thread, but count me in the camp to get Cuttino back. I think the dude can be a legitamte #3 option on a championship team. Secondly, the rockets just need an overall talent upgrade in the backcourt. No more supporting players who are one dimensional role players. Give me a true basketball player. Probably won't happen, but exactly the kind of basketball player we need.

 

Juan Dixon and Chris Duhon would be nice young addition to our back court

Chandler would be nice at the 4 and so would Wilcox

Hodge could be a nice late draft pick

 

This is probably a little bit of a dream scenario but I could see it playing out.

1st Move: Trade Wesley, James and maybe a future pick to Indiana for Artest & Gill

Indiana may be sick of dealing with him and they get a solid SG (take replace Miller) and a solid PG to backup Tinsley (especially how injured he has been). Artest would be a great fit as the primary defensive player (so TMac doesn't have to be) and he brings a "no holds bar" bulldog mentality to the team.

2nd move: Work a sign-and-trade for Reggie Evans.

3rd move: Sign Antonio Daniels.

4th Move: Draft an athletic combo-forward

5th move: Re-sign Barry, Deke & Padgett

6th move: Talk Ward into retiring and buyout contracts of Moochie and Baker (unless they were used in a trade)


Roster:
Yao/Deke
Evans/Howard/Badaine
Artest/rookie/Padgett
TMac/Barry/Spanoulis
Daniels/Sura/Gill

But, like I said, a little bit of a dream scenario but me likes.

 

We know that Cat doesn't want to stay in Cow Town (unless they just way overpay him). Denver will make a play for him. Who else would we need to beat?

 

I would say that perimeter defense/playmaking is our biggest issue IF Howard comes back and contributes the way he did the second half of this season. Also, we are building a Dynasty, and we need to ensure that we bring in guys that can be here for at least 3 years and will grow with T-Mac and Yao.

That being said, I would make Marco Jaric of the Clips our #1 priority. (I dont think the MLE can bring us Chandler) He's 6'6" with great perimeter D and can play either gurad spot and his three just as good as Wesley's in my opinion. The Clips have Shaun Livingston as their future PG so I think he could be attainable. I would say that any combination of three from the following (Wesley, Sura, the TE and a #2 pick) would help facilitate a Sign & Trade if to bring him to Houston.

I would aslo consider Kerry Kittles. He's another good perimeter defender with a great outside shot and after being injured much of this year, should come cheap. If not Kittles, then certainly Raja Bell.

As for frontcourt help, again I think Chandler/Swift will cost too much and Marshall is just a bit too old. (I like Marshall, but the full MLE is just too much for a 32 year old) I would consider Abdur-Rahim or Kwame Brown. I think Washington is finished with him and his stock is as low as it will ever be. I think a change of scenery would be good and he has all the tools to be just what we need. He can easily get 10 pts and 10 boards next to Yao and is athletic enough to "show" on pick and rolls and still get back to his man. Abdur - Rahim is just a younger, more athletic version of Juwon Howard so he would be a nice fit too. If Grant Hill opts out and wants to play with T-Mac then I'm all for it. (I seriously think this could happen b/c Orlando is a TERRIBLE situation) Either of these guys would be great candidates for the MLE provided we havent used it to bring in my man Jaric.

* I know it was suggested to bring in Wilcox along with Jaric, but I live in L.A. and I get to see him pretty often. HE SUCKS. If he isnt in position to dunk then you dont want him.

As for the draft, we should just take the best guy available regardless of position b/c we could use help anywhere.

Even though I consider Spoon, Baker, and Wesley to be dead weight at this point in time they will be very valuable next season leading up to the trade deadline.

**Recap**

Resign Deke and Barry

Sign & Trade Sura & #2 pick for Jaric

Sign K. Brown for full MLE
Sign Kittles or Raja Bell for the vets minimun

Draft Hakim Warrick or Julius Hodge

Keep Wesley, Baker, Spoon to trade for a 3rd star during the season IF the right deal comes along. (Could net us the PF stud we want next to Yao)



*******Your 2005-06 Rockets*******

Jaric / James
Kittles / Barry / Wesley
T Mac / Kittles / *Draft-Pick*
K. Brown / Howard / Padgett
Yao/ Deke/ K. Brown


We'd still be a bit thin at the point, but with Baker, Spoon, Wesley, Ward, Moochie wewould have tradeable peieces during the season to make a move. Kwame is still a big ??? but I give him the nod over SAR just because he could play more than one position.