I didn't get to see too many games last year, being in Iowa City. And the highlights were few and far between on CNNSI and ESPN. So if anyone could please answer: I like the idea of getting a solid power forward for the team, but am wondering, with the way we drafted, and the way the team is set up now, are we going to use Walt Williams as the power forward? He's 6'8", long-armed, hits the outside shot, opening lanes for the guards. Can he defend power forwards better than small forwards? (Doesn't say much, I know, but any improvement....) Even if he does, he doesn't seem a long-term answer, but maybe those of you who got to see the games will help me out. I ask this in case we make no moves between now and the start of the season. ------------------
Walt is not in any way a PF. He does have long arms, but he does not have bulk on his body, and is not a physical player. At times last year we did go small, and play with a lineup of Steve, Cuttino, Shandon, Walt, and Cato and of course in that lineup Walt was the PF. He might can play it in random spurts for a few minutes a game, but there is no way he is suited to regularly be a power forward. I have faith we will bring in a good PF with the trade exception though, so don't worry too much about using Walt at PF. ------------------ Looking for next year's Dan Langhi? Draftsource.net Vote in the 64 player 1 on 1 NBA Tournament! (Second Round) http://bbs.clutchcity.net/ubb/Forum2/HTML/000965.html
If there is no movement between now and the beginning of the season: KT Carlos Rogers Jason Collier "Pig" Miller (if he is re-signed) will be the PF's on the Rockets. You also may see a twin towers of Dream and Cato, depending on Dream's health. ------------------ "The day after tomorrow is the third day of the rest of your life." ---George Carlin
Size-wise, I really think Walt could pull off playing the 4 spot and he has the versatility to play the 2 and 3 as well. What many people may fail to realize is that Walt is 6'8 230 lbs. That's not a horrible size for a power forward, considering that Othella Harrington was 6'9 235 when he played the 4 for us, and the likes of Antonio McDyess and Rasheed Wallace are sub-230 lbs (even though they are 6'9 and 6'11) As you could see last season, Walt was able to create mismatches big time against opposing teams at the 4 both because of his relative shooting range, speed and ability to put the ball on the floor. The defensive end, I agree, is a whole other story (mismatches go both ways) and the Wizard certainly won't be winning any rebounding titles anytime soon. I think it was a genius move on Rudy's part to insert Williams as a PF offensively...but defensively, it'd probably be best if he defended the opposing team's 3. In a nutshell, Wiz is not the long-term answer at PF, but I love seeing him there to wreak havoc from time to time. I like Walt's game and I for one wouldn't trade him unless we were getting a pretty good deal out of it. ------------------
