I'm intrigued with Lorenzen Wright...but he seems slow to play PF...what we need is someone who hustles for the rebound and can shoot mid range jumpers
if JVG think we can get deep into the playoff with 3 mediocre at best PF, he'll be in a rude awakening. Am i the only 1 that thinks with the makeup of howard, hayes and novak, that's probably da weakest pf tandem in the league. And please dont give me this battier playin 4 crap, cause at 6'8 220, he's only capable of guarding smaller pf in the league, on a part time basis. I think if we can get a cheap cato, someone who's familiar with our system and can play both 4 and 5, would be a big help in case howard or deke struggle on the floor.
Seriously we should add to the g@y trade and make them include Lorenzon Wright they are goin to lose him anyway atleast this way they can get the exeption and a filler
Stromile wasn't our starting PF like some are suggesting Battier should be. Also, compare minutes per game. How many PFs playing 35 minuts a game in the NBA average 5 rebounds a game?
Well maybe his rebounds per game would increase if he only guarded post players. Not that I expect Battier will be our full-time PF. But it wouldn't surprise me if he's playing crunch time minutes at the 4.
If Battier is playing the 4 in the closing minutes of games, that would mean Houston wasn't able to trade for a legitimate 4 this summer. Whether you agree/disagree w/ the Gay trade, Houston has always taken bold steps to improve the (marketing of the) team and there's no reason to stop believing they would do the same thing this offseason.
Battier played the majority of his minutes at the 3 last year. His rebounding rate has been at 9.1 and 9.8 for the last 2 years, compared to Juwan's 12.3 RbR over the last 2 years. Both Battier and McGrady are uncapable of playing big minutes at the 2 mainly because of defensive reasons. Battier lacks the lateral movement, McGrady's energy is better conserved playing the 3 and he can't keep up with quick 2 guards who play well off of screens.
Instead of looking to add "affordable" PFs, Houston should sign one legitimate PF. I'm tired of seeing scrubs in the lineup.
If the Rockets use the full MLE on Mike James, or if they use the TPE on James and use the MLE on a taller SG, how do you suppose they sign a "legitimate PF". The Rockets have limited resources for improving the team. "Affordable" options are all they have.
Man, that's sad. I hope the doctors are wrong. And what does it say about Juwan's value that we can't trade him for a guy near death?
