What about Harrell instead of Capela? Bev/E Gordon Harden/Brogdon Ariza/Dekker Ryno/Nene Capela/*Larry Sanders (signing) http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=hxvfj5x
I like your first deal of adding Jamaal Franklin & York. Franklin does look like a taller Beverley. I've always been big on Covington. I like that you put Dekker at PF. Typical Morey moves. I would scratch off Smoove. Just my opinion. Don't see the Magic as sellers on Aaron Gordon.....but I really like the idea of bringing in Larry Sanders as a fall-back plan.
Dekker is absolutely a small ball 4, especially in MDA system. He's always goin to struggle guarding traditional 3s, his lateral agility is no where as good as his straight line speed. Just needs to work on 3 ball consistency and get back to rebounding again.
They play 2 entirely different ways. Harrell will never be the lob finisher that Capela is, Capela will probably never hit an elbow jumper. They attack in PnR 2 different ways. Montrezl got big boy'd on the boards many games recently, he just can't consistently get up there high enough. They are so different, it's not a valid comparison. It's like comparing Chuck Hayes to Yao, sure they both play center but that's about where the comparison ends. Noel was and probably still is my target, him and Gallo would round out the roster.
I know we've had some defensive and rebounding breakdowns recently, but...there is a common theme developing here. When Gordon is out of the lineup or his shot is off, we struggle mightily. To a lesser extent, Ryan Anderson too. I honestly think we need to add some more capable offensive players who can step in. Brewer just doesn't cut it. He can't shoot well enough to be a consistent threat. Another guy that can come of the bench and drop 20-30 points on any given night would be invaluable.
Tough question jbarrachina. Who becomes a champion? Usually requires a team to have a good balance of skill on offense & defense, health (or adequate backup depth), and a little luck. I've seen an 8th seed (Mutombo-Denver) beat a #1 seed (Supersonics). Wins during the season don't mean squat in the playoffs if a team matches up vs another teams weakness or weaknesses. I believe @D-rock, @BigMaloe , @craguin , @Tha_Dude , Myself (& others) have noted some issues & have tried to address some of these issues via trade(s). One such issue reared its ugly head last night vs Boston. Boston made a concerted effort to attack the rim & challenge rim protection. Interior defense is an "Achillies Heel" ue....continue later. My internet is acting up
Agree with everything except part that Harrell is not great lob finisher. Biggest difference is rebounding and nastiness. Neither are elite or even good rebounders, but Harrell brings an attitude and intimidation that no one but Bev can come close to matching. Love Noel for this team too. Imagine Noel running same PnR with Harden boggles my mind. Noel is better than Capela in almost every way other than salary. He's longer, more bouncy, faster, better rebounder, better shot blocker, much better steal rate, better FT shooter, better jumper, better perimeter defender, better at closing out, better at getting back to rim after challenging shooter, better endurance, nastier attitude, etc. Noel can be elite at several of the above categories, just not seeing that with Capela, who is very good but not potential superstar good. I remember how raw Hakeem was when he got to NBA. All he seemed to do best was finish, block shots, steals and rebounds. His offense was very unpolished but his raw athletic ability, length, speed and chip on his shoulder reminds me of Noel. Not saying same players but similar attitudes and athleticism. Noel's speed, bounce and agility are gazelle like for a guy a shade under 7 feet.
Do you you have to do to get Nurkic. Rumored the Nuggets want a 1st for him. Give it up, you wont find a player as good as him late in the 1st. Throw in KJ to make salaries match. Nurkic solves rim protection/rebounding issues. Trade a 2nd for Hardaway Jr. Adding him reduces Ariza's mins and adds another badly needed shooter. I really like Gallanari on this team but Morey doesn't have enough to get him. IMHO These 2 moves will put the Rockets in the 3rd seed.
@Jbarrachina ....con't . Rockets are currently 3rd worst in the NBA in defense of < 6 ft. at 64.6%. Rockets are only better than Dallas (29th) & Lakers (30th). Utah is 2nd best & San Antonio is 7th.....followed by GSW (11th), Grizz (13th), Cavs (16th). So in a "punch the shoulder & see who flinches first." The Rockets would probably flinch first. Boston last night engaged Capela or Harrell (as centers) and then kicked it to weak-side attacker to test the Rockets weak side rim protection/rotations. Dekker/Ryno/Brewer were exploited. Cavs & Warriors have less holes to fill since they were in the finals last season. The Rockets faced a total nuke rebuild this past season. New coaches, new players & new systems. Cavs have an estimated $129 mil. The so-called greatest player in the world needs more?? The Rockets have come a long way on the fly. The Rockets are in striking position, as a top 10 team, to advance. I believe the Thunder were a 1st seed destined to advance to the finals when Westbrook injured his knee against the 8th seeded Rockets as the playoffs began a few seasons back. Kevin Martin and Durant had to carry the team; but failed to make it to the finals. Every team is one injury away from being removed from contention. Knock on wood. If the Rockets fall short of the finals this yr; well then they are in position to tweak the lineup or roster accordingly. Personally I don't understand using a 1st rd pick to move Brewer in the summer as opposed to now/trade deadline. Unless the issue is to keep Ryno or upgrade due to defensive abilities pending playoff performance.....I just don't get not shoring up the teams depth now.
@Deuce. One of the main contributors on this thread. Didn't mean to leave your name out earlier. I couldn't think of everyone. Sad thing is, Dallas has the 4th highest payroll with one the worst rim protecting defenses (Bogut/Boban). Is it defensive scheme? Help defenders? So if the Rockets get Noel to go with Capela, are the Rockets still vulnerable? Because of help defenders? One of the reasons I'm strongly considering Sefolosha. Sefolosha is shooting about 37% from corner 3-pt line while supplying Grade-A defense. Rockets would need to accentuate his positives and put him in places where he can exceed. Same was the case with Jordan Hamilton when the Rockets traded Brooks x Jordan. I looked it up after that trade. Hamilton was shooting something off the charts from left corner 3 at the time. Some players just don't have the drive to succeed. I think Sefolosha would be different because he works hard on defense.
No, I think it's Bilbo's half-witted brother. The black sheep of the Baggins family. Such a ne'er-do-well that Tolkien only mentioned him in the Appendices of ROTK. Although why we'd go after him when we need rim protection, I just can't guess.
yes. I always get him confused with Mejri. Thanks for the correction.. Pistons are in the playoff hunt. Did you hear a report saying they are shopping him?
