Agreed on those personnel needs. But, I think the absolute biggest need right now, today is to start playing much better team defense.
This is a more useful discussion to have 10 days ago or in the summer. Right now, we are talking about buyout guys and players in foreign leagues and the d-league. What the team "needs" are doesn't matter a whole lot compared to what is actually out there in a rather slim market. Like it or not, the team is most likely going to have to rely on its current group of guys to perform better.
Agree. PG and PF were two huge uncertainties heading into this season and they appear to still be uncertainties going down the stretch. Rox will be catapulted into legit contention when these two positions are at the very least stabilized. Another concern, back up 3/2, appears to be more stabilized with the addition of Hamilton. Hope some how, some way PF and PG can be more of a certainty heading into the playoffs.
The PF spot. Difficult. However during the past month D-Mo has demonstrated that he is possibly now a plus defender there. Everyone surprised? I certainly am. And that observation is supported not only by many people's eye test but the stats. Last night Blake scored 23 points on 25 shots. Better than league average, but certainly not superior. Jones allowed Blake to get completely free for buckets 3 times in the first 120 seconds of the game. There was 1 or 2 other times also. D-Mo and Asik did a credible job on Blake when they were in. The current CBA ensures that teams cannot have superior talent at all 5 positions. Even misguided attempts by Russian zillionaires are fraught with peril. The Rockets currently have about $3M a year invested in Jones and D-Mo. That is a bargain, especially when it is locked up for the following two seasons. And who is available? Charlie V? Drew G? LOL. Not very damn much. None of them can match D-Mo IMHO. And what do the Rockets need at PF? Certainly not points. Good defense, almost average rebounding, 32% from downtown. The Rockets can certainly become a championship team with that. The Rockets are most games going to win at the 2 and 5, hold their own at the 1 and 3. If they can stay close at the 4 then they are the equal of any team in the NBA. What are the Rockets to do? IMHO increase D-Mo's minutes, work Asik in when it makes sense, and play Jones otherwise. Not optimal, but probably adequate.
I believe PGs & reliable 3 pts are out problem right now. Lin playing scared and lack of confidence, not hitting 3s, Bev strong in D but next to nothing assist nor scoring. We need more snipers out there like last year with Delfino, Patterson, TD, even Morris. This year's sniping squad is a total disaster so far. No wonder our pgs have so low in assists including Lin. Hopefully Hamilton will add to the core of reliable 3 pt specialists. I hope Morey will add Jimmer here. Yes poor D but surely deadly 3 pt sniper leading the NBA at 49.6%. He can come in whenever we need 3 pts shooting. This will keep teams honest with our two stars if they want to double team them. D12 & Harden can do lots of damage to teams if they play one on one. If Lin has Jimmer & Ham on the 2nd unit to finish his assists, there will be quite some fire works of treys to see.
The Rockets do not need more points. Sorry. The Rockets are ranked about third in points per 100 possessions. At the pace the Rockets play there are not enough shots to go around. If a player is a (big) negative on defense I do not believe that Morey will consider him.
