It's July 10th and the Rockets still have no commitment from any of the Free Agents they hoped to grab this off-season (Anthony, James, Bosh, Lowry). Parsons just signed an offer sheet from the Mavs (which sucks) and Lebron once again has the sports world in the palm of his hand as he prepares for yet another long overdue decision. Worst case? Rockets come away with nothing; they let Chandler walk and Bosh returns to the Heat. Then what? Are we ready to go to war in the west with Rob Covington as our new starting (3)? Or do we overpay for Deng or Ariza? I like Covington but not sure if we're as lucky as the Spurs to have an actual talented prospect pan out. This off-season is slowly turning into a nightmare.
If you don't get Bosh then they will match Parsons contract. As overpaid as it seems, you don't let dat asset out for nothing.
He's kinda slow and not dynamic. His upside is a spot up 3 point shooter off the bench with solid D (on non-explosive wings).
he needs another season of development to be able to contribute. how many games did he play in last year in the nba? less than 7 ?
He looks the part (long and athletic looking), but his speed, quickness, and ball handling do not live up to how he looks at first glance. He's actually more of a stretch 4 in a SF body. I think he can play the 3 for the Rockets in more of a catch & shoot role, but you lose some major play-making from the perimeter. The Rockets in this case(letting go of Parsons & Lin) would be losing their 2nd and 3rd best perimeter play-makers in Parsons & Lin. If there wasn't already alot of pressure on Harden to facilitate the offense before, there should would be alot more now. You hate Harden Iso's now.... you will really hate them now. The Paul Pierce situation to me is the most interesting. He's someone that, if healthy & in shape, has that perimeter play-making/passing skills they really need to help out Harden. If you are banking on someone like Covington to replace what Parsons does than you are going to be disappointed. Other than catch & shoot plays, he's really not going to give you a whole lot else.
Who said he had to be dynamic? People want everyone to be able to do everything these days. You said it yourself his upside is a spot up 3 point shooter with solid D. Thats what we need around this team.
For a team that values taking a lot of 3s, we didn't shoot as well last year as we should have. If Covington is reliably good from the outside and can competently defend small forwards, I would gladly give up perimeter playmaking to have him on the floor. I know this is a huge if, but, IF Houston does pull off this whole sign Bosh and match Parsons trick, they'll need to fill out the end of the roster with a lot of min salary players. I say they should sign all d-league shoot specialists. Get at least one in every size, with varying major flaws so Houston can mix and match according to the other team's lineups. Does the other team have an offensively challenged shooting guard? throw in the SG shot specialist. Small forward? Throw in the slightly bigger shooter. Big man? Get the biggest one! The point is, find ways to get shooting in the lineup in almost ever situation.
Dynamic.... I dont really know what that means, but the point of the matter is the Rockets are potentially losing 2 of their 3 best perimeter play-makers. Covington can be very good at what he does, but he doesn't replace what the Rockets biggest need will most likely be.... making plays on the perimeter to get other guys open shots. James Harden will be the sole offensive creator next year from the perimeter if Parsons is lost. If you upgrade the PG position dramatically than I feel comfortable putting a guy like Covington in the lineup, but with Bev, & Canaan I'm very, very concerned that the Rockets are going to rely too much on Harden iso basketball. Its not a Covington issue, its a systemic Rockets style of play issue. They need to be making life for Harden & their offense easier not harder.
Welcome to non-stop pick and roll ball. Since that will be the only offense we will be capable of generating this upcoming season.
I dont think people realize how big of a part both Lin & Parsons had in the offense the past two years as secondary play-makers. Lin was not very good at it, but he was still a big part of it, and was able to take pressure off of Harden at times (especially in smaller lineups). Parsons was very, very good at it, and the data showed. When he was on the floor the offense was dramatically better. You take both of those guys out of the lineup and the ball just stops in Harden's hands with everyone else just waiting to catch and shoot basically. I'm not knocking Harden here by any stretch, but this is just what happens when you have a lineup like this. Look at last years Heat team as a primary example of what happens when you only have one legitimate perimeter play-maker. Its very concerning to me, and its a reason why Paul Pierce (even at his advanced age) is starting to look a little bit better now. Trying to trade for a real PG like Rajon Rondo now becomes a huge priority as well. Harden can't do everything for this team next year (and the fans don't need to give him more grief for something that he cannot avoid even though they will).
I wouldn't feel very good about it at all. The guy completely caps out the Rockets for the next 3 or 4 years (dont have his contract #'s in front of me right now), has major ankle problems (kinda important for an attacking guard), and has had his share of locker room issues as well. Deron Williams, at his peak, was an elite P&R guard. If he has a resurgence next year with the Rockets you'd have the same type of conundrum you had with Lin & Harden. Basically two guards taking turns at running the P&R. Your ideal PG playing next to Harden is someone that can Attack & kick, and shoot or kick off the ball. Moving the ball is essential playing next to Harden. Parsons basically did this perfectly on the wing next to Harden. He was really the perfect fit. You'd ideally like both your PG & SF to be able to do that but you at the very least need one of those guys being able to do that. D-Will, if healthy, can help for sure, but even if healthy still isn't a perfect fit. Parsons is cheaper, a better fit, healthier, younger, and you dont have to give up anything to get him. Your better off matching him and sticking with this lineup than giving him up to trade for D-Will.
You have a valid point as to how they helped offensively but what about their defense? Lin just gambles and it's hit or an absolute failure while parsons is ok, but he has gotten worse each season... Both are replaceable! IMO because of harden we need more defensive minded players.
In my opinion we need a PG that can orchestrate an offense. The PGs that can drive and kick wont do anything to help but continue the same offense we have now which wont get us anywhere. We need Harden to adapt to life off the ball, which in turn allows us to have a PG like Rondo per say. Any other guards available that you think are like that but maybe cheaper?
