When push comes to shove, if we end up having a shot at SAR and it comes down to a S&T and us taking on one of Portland's bad contracts it really wouldn't be the end of the world. Think about it, Portland's bad contracts: Nick Van Exel, Derek Anderson, Theo Ratliff, Darius Miles, Ruben Patterson are all good players that would contribute as a Rocket thus upgrading their respective positions. Sure, most of them have had their share of baggage throughout their career but let's not underestimate what a WINNING environment can do for somebody combined with playing under a disciplinarian like JVG, they can be controlled.
I agree it would be ideal to move Howard. But - if the question is whether we get Shareef even if we can't move Howard, I say we get him. Our team is going to feature very good "team" defense. Period. Van Gundy's track record guarantees that. I remain convinced that what kills us is when we go into those 3, 4 or 5 minute scoring droughts. If we have a front line of Tmac, Shareef and Yao, bye bye scoring droughts. Shareef has put up good numbers with little help. Well, Tmac has proven that he can make others better. You almost have to double Yao and certainly can't double off him. So we'd be talking about three huge matchup problems for other teams. If Shareef is getable, get him. Then, let's get more athletic in the backcourt. If there is a defensive problem, it is quick guards getting into the paint.
in case you haven't heard it enough, this a great addition- it gets me out of the d&d! i'd be interested in your take on marcus fizer.
Agreed. I think the lack of scoring for extended periods has really put the damper on us. Also, if you look at the Dallas series, we were lit upp from the perimeter more than in the paint. Lack of overall speed on defense is what hurt us more than the lack of a defensive banger, IMO. Then again, another shotblocker would take some pressure off Yao, maybe keep him out of trouble more. I would love to be able to get SAR and try to pick up Birdman on the cheap, even if it did mean losing Juwan. You've got to like the looks of that.
Of all the players that could help the Rockets next season, Shareef is far and away my first choice. Some players get bad reputations that are undeserved. Shareef's reputation as a loser is a perfect case. In a nine-year NBA career, he has never been in a good situation. He started with a terrible franchise in Vancouver, moved to a pernnial loser in Atlanta, then went to a Portland team that was already committed to younger players. Before the move to Portland, Shareef was always a 20-point-per-game scorer and averaged 7-10 rebounds a game every year. He's an all-star talent, a seasoned NBA veteran, and best of all, he's only 28 -- still in the prime of his career. He would be an incredible third option on a team where Yao and McGrady are forcing double teams. In addition, he could help carry the offense when one or both of those stars is resting (or in foul trouble). He increases the problems for opposing defenses, he'll cut down on the maddening number of offensive rebounds the Rockets surrender, and as someone who can play either forward position, maybe he can reduce McGrady's minutes and workload. Even though he's not a great shot blocker or individual defender, I'm confident that he's athletic enough that Van Gundy can make him effective in the team defense. Unlike Chris Anderson or Stromile Swift, Shareef is a proven starter who has shown he can handle the rigors of an NBA season. Unlike Donyell Marshall, he's not nearing the end of his career. In short, Shareef is the most talented forward on the free agent market, and in my opinion, the best choice for the Rockets. If they have to take on a bad contract from Portland to make it happen, so be it. It will be well worth the risk.
Swift and Shareef would be fine, Anderson is completely worthless. The only thing he has going for him is hustle and athleticism, he's gangster version of Ryan Bowen. I don't understand why anyone would consider him a positive addition to the Rockets.
SAR is my #1 choice as well. I would prefer to get SAR and DA in a sign and trade and then move Howard for a better fit. Then use the MLE for a d minded backup pf, or a starting calibur guard.
gimme Sar or gimme death. and if nothing else, hell be drawing more of the muslim community to games, so its a good publicity move. i like the guy. my fav so far. its funny, most people said the same about Tmac.
As Shareef is my favorite player, I've been following him since his rookie season. It's mostly bad luck and bad fit that he's been a perennial loser. 1. Initially, he didn't have much help from his teammates, such as Byron Scott, Greg Anthony, Kenny Gattison, Big Country, Lawrence Moten, Sam Mack, Aaron Williams, Ashraf Amaya, etc. They were either old or marginal. 2. When things started to look promising (Bibby, Dickerson, Swift), they didn't have a good coach, time, and money to build the core as the team moved to Memphis. 3. When there were established teammates such as Robinson, Terry, Jackson, and Ratliff around him, none can lead the pack. Terry was never a pure PG despite being asked to do so. Also, all were bad defenders except the injury-prone Ratliff. 4. Finally there's a primary player in Randolf, but he played the same position. Coming off the bench for Portland really hurt his game. Also, it did't help when the team was falling apart. While I would prefer Swift as our PF, the idea of having SAR as our third weapon is still very intriguing. Look at teams that go deep into the playoffs (except Miami and Seattle), they have at least 3 starters that can score a bunch of points. Pistons: Wallace, Billups, Hamilton, Prince Mavs: Nowitzki, Finley, Terry, Howard Suns: Nash, Amare, JJx2, Richardson, Marion Spurs: Duncan, Parker, Ginobili Pacers: JO, Jackson, Reggie, (Artest) We scored a lot of points as well, but that's because we have our big two and good 3 point shooters in James, Padgett, and Barry. But we have the disadvantage of relying on our bench too much, which also isn't young, fast, or starter material. Just my 2 cents.
Good point, but I never felt that about Tmac. And I've always felt it about SAR. So I'm trusting my own reads I guess
This point is spot on: Translated: If the Rockets want Shareef and can sell him on Clutch City, the mid-level exemption may not be the route they have to go. Portland could play ball by dealing Shareef with a bad contract (like Derek Anderson) in exchange for 2006 expiring contracts and draft pick(s). That would get Shareef closer to the cash he wants and the Rockets in turn keep the MLE to sign another player. Legitimately (because Blazers and DA desperately want a divorce) the Rox could swap Wesley, Mooch and Spoon + #1 for SnT SAR + DA. SAR would not replace JHo but, instead, get his 30+ mins by playing 3 & 4, with Tracy getting some requisite pine time and/or some D2. Against certain small ball match ups JHo would be at the 5. This is my personal #1 off season hope.
You'll notice that the formula those teams use is one scoring big man (Duncan, O'Neal, Amare, etc.) surrounded by several perimeter players. (Parker, Terry, Nash, Billups, etc.). They all also have a big man, next to their star big man, that does all the dirty work (Ben Wallace, Dampier, Marion, Mohammad, Foster). I have just never liked the idea of 2 big men being the primary scoring options on the floor. I would pass on SAR.
?????? Anderson has had injury problems the past two seasons, is overpaid and is only an average defender. Those are the only negative things I can say about him. I'd love to know your reasoning behind labeling him "worthless." He's a quick, explosive guard with athleticism capable of taking the best of them one-on-one. Sure, he's a streaky shooter but certainly not a bad option off of the bench. Hmmmm......sound like Jerry Stackhouse to anybody else? And labeling him a gangster or anything like that is very inappropriate. Not only has he been a tremendous influence in the Portland community, he's been with that sorry ballclub since 01-02 and has always been a positive influence in the locker room. While everyone else was out getting arrested and suspended, he was quietly averaging 14 PPG as a 3rd option.
"Anderson is completely worthless" He's a better basketball player than any guard on our roster(assuming we classify T-mac as a SF) And this what this team needs more of, just better basketball players. That is why i would be in favor of getting SAR. The suns, spurs, mavericks, heat, and pistons all have suppporting players who are true basketball players who can accept their role. Im tired of one dimensional role players.
I was referring to Chris Anderson, not Derek. Although, I do not want Derek Anderson or his contract (especially if it comes at the expense of a #1 pick). We just dumped Mo and now we have good value in expiring contracts, let's not make the same mistakes we have in the past.
Agree. That's why I think a player like Swift is a better fit. But if there's a possibility for JVG to make him a third option (when both Yao and TMac are out) instead of Mike James, and we are able to bring in a defensive PF, I think this would work. Ego-wise there shouldn't be a problem. Most importantly is if he can adapt his game to this team.
I could care less if we are one dimensional with T-Mac & Yao both on the bench with two minutes left and the Rockets up by 20. Yao & T-Mac both on the bench is a good problem - well, most of the time
DA's contract isn't really that bad. It only has 2 years left on it. I think that we would be stuck with Darius Miles on this deal. He's got 5 years left. He is young with a lot of potential though. I think having reef on the other block would really open up Yao's game and DA or Miles would give us that athletic 2 to matchup with the Finleys, Stackhouses and Josh Howards of the world.
