@basketballholic (post #3152) are you serious? You have a better eye for basketball than that. You don't think the current Rockets team is close? PG) Beverley...Isaiah Taylor/ (best PG/SG-combo player with pick #43). Keep in mind Lou/Harden/Gordon remain. SG) Harden.....Gordon/Lou/Bev/ (Jonathan Simmons or Gerald Green possibly) SF) Ariza.........Jon Simmons or Ger Green or Sefolosha or James Johnson......Ingles or Bogdanovic (higher price) PF) Ryno.........Dekker/ (if Alec Peters is there at pick #43....he will be there probably remain at #45). James Johnson C) Capela........Chinanu/Harrell/ *** ***i believe Chinanu will get playing time & even move to 2nd on the depth chart ahead of Harrell & Nene (if re-signed). Nene would be 3rd on depth chart at Center. B/R today (06/05/17) Rockets want to bring in Zhou Qi....now. I would love to have Nene back; but at what price? I like how J Simmons or G Green can play multiple positions of SG & SF. One less combo PG/SG needed. Sefolosha can guard/defend positions SG/SF/PF....teamed with Ariza would be nice & provide options. I like James Johnson to fill the role that Shawn Marion played with D'Antoni as PF mostly. I would like James Johnson on the cheap making Ryan Anderson expendable. Doesn't shoot as good as Ryno but rebounds/blocks shots/defends Centers better/runs the floor better/ dribble drives better than Ryno and Ariza. Google James Johnson you tube. Watch his drives to the basket. Ingles or Bogdanovic with probably be on the outskirts of what the Rockets can afford (without trading a player). So it would probably be one or the other unless (I'm guessing) Lou is traded. Qi I miss guessing would play mostly Center. That would complicate things as far as bringing back Nene. I could see: Capela getting 12 mins each half (finish with around 24 mins for the game) Nene getting about 6 mins each half (finish with around 12 mins a game). Play every other game if he wants. Chinanu about 6 mins each half (finish with around 12 mins a game). Play more when Nene rests for entire game. Harrell or Nene might be odd man/men out if Qi is brought in. Even if Zhou Qi plays a lot in the D-league.
Sorry. Don't like your ideas. Love Simmons.......at about 4/20. But that won't get him. Do not like Simmons at 4/40 to 4/60 which is what he will likely make. He's not a shooter. Good defender. Decent finisher. But not a good shooter. Don't want that deal clogging our cap. If we put him in the rotation we have th take somebody else out. And that means we lose shooting. So at best just trading shooting for defense but posting more for it. Like Morey says, we find the Jonathan Simmons, we don't pay them after somebody else enjoyed the value of them. The perimeter guys you are naming don't move the needle. They're just another contract we gotta deal with. We need at least one other playmaker that can create for others in our top 7 while keeping our shooting intact. None of your suggestions do that bro. That's why I don't like them.
Ok. Thanks for your opinion. I don't want to be too negative. I will just say your suggestions in post #3152 were beyond bad. We will agree that we disagree.
LOL. That's kewl. Funny how you can see things so differently. What don't you like about my draft suggestions of Bell, Mason, and Bolden?
Yes, you know I like picking your brain. It's late and it's been a long day. I would like to hear your counter thoughts tomorrow. I will say tonight you confuse me with spacing issues with a few guys I would consider bringing in; but have spacing issues with Brook Lopez (+ cost), Hezonja who shot 30% from 3 (*) , and Jordan Bell. 6'8" center in Jordan Bell? Not a viable option as the full time center and we wouldn't want him at PF. Which Bolden are you referring to? Marques (Center) or Jonah (PF)? I would like to expend on this conversation tomorrow if we can James Johnson shot 34% from 3...Lt corner(25.7%), Rt corner(46.2%), Above the Break(36.4%) Sefolosha shot 34% from 3.........Lt corner(33.3%), Rt corner(33.3%), Above the Break(35.0%) Gerald Green shot 35% from 3...Lt corner(27.8%), Rt corner(46.2%), Above the Break(36.4%) As I tracked Sefolosha.....he was shooting above 37% from left corner up until the trading deadline. Then he stopped tracking him.
None of that sounds like sitting this one out to me. That's a complete roster overhaul , not sitting out and recouping assets or bargain bin contracts. Trade Capela ?! No thanks , his chemistry with Harden is a big part of why this offense is so potent.
Brook Lopez can shoot the three and lots of them. James Johnson is likely going to get a big contract. He's not a volume three-point shooter. I like his improvement. Don't see the offensive fit here fit the kind of money he's likely to get. Thabo is aging. For the right money (low) I'd take him as a defender off the bench. But those corner three numbers aren't good. Opponents would funnel the ball to him constantly if we spotted him up in the corner. He's just not a good enough shooter. Gerald Green in my opinion us another vet minimum type player. Good to have him tucked away on the deep bench. But in main rotation? No. He is what he is. Give him big minutes and he's erratic. Not a main rotation player. Headcase. Jonah Bolden. Check him out. He should be a first rounder.
Not a complete overhaul. And you can't elect all of that to go down anyways. I'm still saying it. We need to trade Capela. Chemistry with Harden? Listen, any big man that can set a pick, then bounce to the rim and catch the ball and stuff it is going to have great chemistry with Harden. Didn't you see Harrell and Harden catching up defenses when Cairns was out? Harrell is actually a better roller than Harden because he reads the defense better and can delay the roll and change the angles to provide James with even more options than Capela does. Jordan Bell is the perfect big for our team. We need to get him out of this draft before the Spurs get him and turn him into a max player in four years.
Lou and Harrell For Okafor and TLC Them Cleans the 76'ers rotation and gives them the "bench power" they lack. They replace young prospects in draft while receiving real help that fits thier core Us Cuts back some of Ariza minutes so we get quality over quantity while growing our own replacement. A real Center, one that can grow, too. Both need real burn on a good team with a true leader and will be better that servicesable by the all star break. Cuts over 2M off the cap, too.
How likely is it we trade for Jimmy Butler I'm willing to give up any young guy. Dekker, Ariza, Harrell 2018+ 2020 for Butler that's not much. But if Bostons not willing to move their lotto picks. Who will? As a comparison Sacramento only got 1 1st rounder for Boogie along with Buddy Hield a prospect who doesn't really have much upside. If we could somehow work a 3 team trade add some more pieces in which we toss Ryan Anderson to a 3rd team in which they give another 1st to Chicago. And we open up Cap Space for a guy like Gallo. I think it would make for a great team. Add Butler is a huge upgrade he can come home and add the 2nd star we need for the third star. Maybe we can add a Blake Griffin because of the new team dyamic. If not we can do a 2 year with a 1 year opt out for Gallo then make a possible run for Paul George in 2018. Capela Gallo Butler Bev Harden A kid can dream
Interesting stats on Brook Lopez. He goes from shooting 14 3PA's in 15/16 to 387 in 16/17. So if the Nets are more competitive, do teams play closer to Brook and take him serious at 3-pt range? The Rockets main staple or diet on offense is the pick-n-Roll. Used in hopes of bringing extra defenders to the paint to create some open looks around the perimeter. Capela was the Roll-Man at a freq of 28%, 1.14 ppp, 60.1% FG, 60.1 eFG, 72.9 percentile. Brook wasn't bad: 16.7% freq, 1.08 ppp, 45.5 FG%, 52.3 eFG, 61.5 percentile. Difference between you and I "may be" that you feel the Rockets need to upgrade this position. I'm content with Capela and feel Chinanu is ready. Basically the center in the Rockets system needs to set picks/screens near the 3-pt line and roll to the basket. Chinanu performed this role with the Vipers last year. Chinanu sets PnR well. Lob dunks or gathers the lob and has enough good touch around the rim to get the ball in the hole. Nene was 90 percentile as PnR roll-man; but I don't trust his health enough to rely on when it counts. Cavs & Warriors would take Nene in a minute. This is why I would probably sign Nene......just not play him significant minutes during the reg season. Save him for PO's. I'm not good with estimating current salary since last years cap increase. I never would have guessed Mozgov would get so much. I'm not sure what Green or James Johnson will bring. I was kinda hoping Simmons and Gerald Green would give the Rockets a home town discount. I'm in favor of possibly offering Simmons a contract similar to that of Tyler Johnson. ....Signed RFA $5.6 mil(16/17)......$5.9 mil(17/18)......$19.25 mil(18/19).......$19.25 mil(19/20--Team Opt) Could Rockets go Simmons? $6.5 mil(17/18)..$8.5 mil(18/19)..$17.5 mil(19/20)...$17.5 mil(20/21-Team opt) Tyler Johnson (before current contract 15/16): 8.7 pts, 3.0 Rbs, 2.2 ast, 48.6 FG%, 38 3P%, 79.7 FT%. Jonathan Simmons (16/17): ..............................6.2 pts, 2.1 Rbs, 1.6 ast, 42 FG%, 29 3P%, 75 FT% I'm of the opinion that Simmons would excel in the D'Antoni scheme. In the reg season Simmons: .........6.2 pts, 2.1 Rbs, 1.6 ast, 42 FG%, 29 3P%, 75 FT% ( see above) But: 10.5 pts, 1.9 Rbs, 1.9 ast, 46 FG%, 35 3P%, 68 FT% (16/17 playoffs) Playoff confidence will carry over into next regular season (17/18) Simmons(16/17) playoffs: 3P-zone: Lt corner 0%, Rt corner 40.0%, Above the Break 36.7% My computer is acting up. Let me reboot it and continue further
Simmons can't shoot the three. Destroys our spacing. There's absolutely no way anybody can be for paying Simmons $12-13 million a season to not shoot threes or to shoot them at less than 30% and not want a distributing point guard who is a big time passer/defender and shoots a 30% three ball.
@basketballholic Con't In summary so far: I'm good at Center; appears you would like to upgrade I like Simmons (hope for discount). You don't want to pay him big bucks. I looked at 9 recent NBA mock drafts. Here is the list: NBADraft.net: Josh Hart (43) Derrick White (45)....................Alec Peters goes pick (52) Draftexpress.com: Kyle Kuzma (43) Dillon Brooks (45).......................Peters (40) *Walterfootball.com NBA 2017 mock draft: Dwayne Bacon (43) Edmond Sumner (44).......Peters (42) SECcountry.com: Dozier (43) Bacon (45)..........................................Peters (41) MyNBAdraft.com: Sumner (43) Dillon Brooks (45).................................Peters (40) *Draftrex.com: Cameron Oliver (43) Sumner (44)..................................Peters (42) Basketball insider.com: Williams-Goss (43) Tyler Dorsey (45)..............Peters (38) Heavy.com: Frank Mason (43) Alec Peters (45) Thearmchairanalyst.com: Tony Bradley (43) PJ Dozier (45)................Peters undrafted * sites list Houston with picks 43 & 44 I'm not against the picks you listed basketballholic. They are what they are. Draft picks. Bell is a 1st round pick that could be good with Houston. Mason reminds me of D'Angelo Russell except that Russell is 6'5" and Mason is listed as 6'0". To me Russell drives and passes better than Mason; but Mason shoots better than D'Angelo Russell. Where you and I differ might be in the value of rookies. Wiggins was suppose to be the next LeBron. Not so far. D'Angelo Russell was suppose to take the NBA by the horns....not so much. Bolton is listed as something like 225 lbs. Not as bad as Noel when he came out; but will struggle initially. I'm affraid you may be tipping the scale with your finger as far as the rookies performing at a high level.......consistently. BigMaloe may be right as far as tanking. Peters is said to be a poor mans Ryan Anderson since he is an inch shorter. No doubt Ryno shoots probably better; but Peters has a quick release with range as well. Peters would be a backup on the cheap compared to Ryno. Probably 3rd string behind Dekker. James Johnson would be imo a cheaper option in place of Ryno. If Ryno stays then no James Johnson. Going back to the mocks; Dwayne Bacon looks really good to me. If Bacon drafted.........no need for Simmons. IMO. Con't
In your posts you are leaving out the defensive end of the floor. Looking at roll man stats doesn't get it done. Look at Harrell's roll man stats. Basically the same as Capela's. And I dare say Harrell gets up to set the pick, even if impeded, and actually sets a better pick than Capela does. But that's just the offensive end. It's the defensive end that's key for NBA 5's today. You gotta have a man in the middle that drives down opponents shooting efficiency at the rim. And that's the key to the upgrade needed. Perhaps........perhaps Nanu will be ready to step into the rotation next season. That would be great. He's got more defensive potential than Capela does. So I'm open to that. I'm not open to going back to Capela and Nene. And I'm fine with Nene as a backup vet. Hey I'm fine with Capela as a backup big. Basically we have three backup bigs. And defensively they go like this: Nene is the best defender, and then it's neck and neck between Capela and Nanu with Nanu having more defensive upside. We still need that horse, that starter who will knock down opponent scoring efficiency in the paint and deter opponents from even coming in there. Nanu could become that guy. I don't know. Gotta see more of him. Nene has been that guy. But he's too old to do that for over 2000 minutes. And Capela....simply isn't that guy. He hasn't moved up defensively in three seasons. He has consistently shown he's better defending 4's and playing alongside a defensive force in the middle like Dwight or Smoove. And he's consistently shown when you put him at the five that he can't handle it. He can't stop the penetration and the finishes. That's why I'm still looking for an answer at the 5. And I know simply getting Dekker or Millsap or some other 4 out there won't help enough. Capela simply isn't quick enough, powerful enough, nor does he have enough stamina to be a lock down rim protector.
@basketballholic Con't James Johnson was similar on "Catch-n-Shoot" stat to that of Harden: 2016/17: James Harden: ........38.3 3P%............57.2 eFG% James Johnson: ......38.1 3P%............56.0 eFG% A guy I left off yesterday was Tucker. I knew I left off one or two guys that could help Ariza at SF. PJ Tucker: reg season (16/17): 40.3% Lt corner......... 47.7% Rt corner..........36% Above the Break .....................playoffs (16/17)..: 50% Lt corner............26.3% Rt corner..........41.0% Above the Break Yes, I'm big on spacing. I've been so against the Tony Allen, Sefolosha, Andre Roberson types. Unlike Tony and Roberson........I've come to see Sefolosha as good for the Rockets. He is up in age, so we are talking about a one or two yr contract. I'm a big fan of Ariza, but even I have to admit Ariza can't guard PG's anymore. Now this yr I saw SG's give him some trouble as well. Now Sefolosha is often ranked as the #1 SF defender. Even at his age I believe Thabo can still guard SG's/SF's & some PF's. If Thabo can bother Durant and LeBron like Roberson or Wes Mathews give Harden some problems. That "might" be a good thing. If Sefolosha can make LeBron or Durant work.....and say decrease their point totals by 8-10 points. That would go a long way. Instead of the Warriors posting 115 points against the Rockets without Thabo; we may be talking about the Warriors scoring 105-107 points instead. Rockets can find a spot Thabo shoots his best. Iggy of the Warriors shot from 3: (16/17): Lt corner 26.8%.....Rt corner 39.6%......Above the Break 33.0% In the Playoffs team tend to guard the paint more.......cheat a little more. Iggy shot from 3 in the Playoffs: (16/17): Lt corner 34.8%.......Rt corner 22.2%.....Above the Break 35.0% So why mention the Warriors? If you want to be the best, you got to beat the best! The Warriors post all stars: Curry/Klay/Draymond.........then they add Durant Houston has Harden......Gordon almost made it this past season. Team....not just 3-pt contest. Keep in mind Houston went into the season with new offense (Head coach D'Ant), new defense ((coach Bezdelik), Bev hurt the first 20-something games, 14 out of first 20 games on the road, incorporating new players (Ryno/Gordon/Nene/Dekker......later Lou W), get use to no Howard, build Capelas minutes, Harden new role. Rockets won 55 games. My vision was to keep the team much intact. Spacing is there. Morey said recently the team will try to go some in the defensive direction. How good can the defense get with Gordon DRtg stayed at 113. Ryno?? I believe if Houston starts strong they can add to last yrs win total. Perhaps 59 wins. The Rockets might just surprise you and have Harden/Gordon/Capela in the all star game. Ariza with more rest during the season may turn the clock back some......Guard some SG's better. Have gas at the end of the season. One more post. Con't
@basketballholic Con't I think the "we need play makers" is over blown. 2016/17 assists/ game by players: ...............................Warriors..............................................Rockets.................................. .....................Draymond 7.0...........................................Harden 11.2................................ .....................Curry 6.6...................................................Beverley 4.2............................... ....................Durant 4.8..................................................Gordon 2.5................................. .....................Klay 2.1......................................................Ariza 2.2..................................... .....................Iggy 3.4........................................................Lou 3.0..................................... _________________________________________________________________________ ..........................23.9 ast/game...........................................23.1 ast/game Rest of the players on both team get less than 2. James Johnson in (2016/17) had 3.6 per game. This notion that you load up on PG's and when run of the 3-point line attack the rim. You may not be so lucky as defenders get back and block a lot of those shots below the rim. I'm told the great fast break is passing the ball the length of the court with the ball only being dribbled only once or twice. That's how I would like me half court offense run as well. Harden/Capela PnR, kick out, run of the line, dribble once of twice to draw the defense, pass again. Either Sean Elliot or Brent Berry told a story of when Danny Green arrived in SA. Supposedly Popovich told Danny, " learn to sit at the 3-point line, take 2 dribbles, and either pass or shoot." "Or you won't be around here very long." I'm in full agreement on that. Here is James Johnson. Watch him block shots, and more importantly drive to basket. I'm ok with his drives. Much better than the smaller Ariza and Ryno. There I'm done. I give you the last comments basketballholic. Take care
I was on red94 the last year D12 was with the team. On that site I was preaching how the Rockets needed to decrease D12's minutes and give Capela more time. Capela is just moving from the baby pool towards the middle of the pool. One yr does not make a career. This year was a blur for him. And you may not be taking into account how teams will isolate Brook on an island on the perimeter and take advantage of Brook every trip down the floor. Their doesn't seem to be the perfect 2-way player available......for the money we have. What I like of Capela is his defense on the perimeter which may be more vital since 3's are worth more than 2's. Capela blocks enough. He was one of the best players on the court vs OKC. The much advertised front line of Adams/Kanter/Sabonis/Nick Collison/Taj/Grant. The number 1 ranked rebounding team. Even the young rooks will be schooled. Bell won't dominate like he did in college. Not year one. Now SA had different skill sets with their bigs than OKC. More territory to cover. If Nene hadn't been injured the series may have gone or ended differently. Not sure. I will say this. Harden playing SF cost the Rockets in the end. What happened quit often with Popovich is...he recognized the weakness of Harden having to rotate defensively from SF to center under/near the rim. If you watch the videos Harden is often forced to body up against LMA/David Lee/Gasol/Dedmon. SF is our biggest weakness. Now Gerald Green is thin; but can run the floor, space the floor, and may be long enough or jump high enough to block a center like Gasol........at the rim. I would hope he could regain his Phoenix Suns form of a couple yrs ago.
I would stay far away from guys like James Johnson, Jonathan Simmons, Green. Career scrubs, very inconsistent shooters, had breakout years (except Green) before hitting FA. It's a trap, JJ and JS will get payed. Sefelosha/Tucker I would consider for room exception type deal since they are proven vets who can give some defensive spot up minutes, I wouldn't spend real cap space on either though. Outside of the available Allstars (CP3/Hayward/Lowry/Griffin/Milsap) I like Ibaka, Mirotic, Dedmon, Patterson, Len, Bogut, Baynes, Mejr as bigman options For the backcourt would love to nab either Holiday or G.Hill I don't see any wings I like in FA outside of Hayward and the restricted guys (Porter/KCP). Though I think Covington would be perfect here, Philly may be willing to let him go considering his age and contract situation.
