I ask you other members your opinion. The Center position has evolved over the last 15 years from a large individual (7 + 270+), shot blocking, rebounding, 10-15 ft jumper to a more agile 6 10+, on the dribble, shot blocking, longer range individual. With all the lineups that Rudy uses, do you think we need a larger individual (aka Luc Longley) or a smaller individual (aka Mark Jackson, MoT, or someone else that fits the description)? Keep in mind the salary parameters. My opinion is that with the chemistry of our team (smaller, more athletic players), the Rockets could go with a smaller individual that has greater leaping (shot blocking activity). He wouldn't necessary have to bang on the inside (like Larry Smith), but he would be expected to hold his own in the middle and be a presence. Comments please.
I see both types of centers in our offensive scheme. 1. Shot-blocking, rebounders, that defend the paint. Rebounding to get fast break started. (e.g. Cato, when he decides to play) 2. Outside-shooters, who can put the ball on the floor and score. Sometimes the defense stands around more when the big men don't run the length of the court. (e.g. small ball with Taylor at center) I think who we will use could depend on game conditions. I see one of the essential offensive roles of our center is to facilitate the running game. Although I do think that Taylor will do more than that on offense. I see in our draft a commitment to team defense, where the center gets as much help as anybody else. I think the idea might be to maintain consistency in the running game with substitutions in the front court. This kind of thinking would lead me to think that Taylor/Cato will be our center this year. Collier could be seen as having elements of both Cato and Taylor and would back each of them up. I have read that management is content with the situation at center, perhaps this is why.
win14me, what he hell kind of logic is that? Don't you know that everyone here believes we must have a superstar at each position? There's no room for role players on this team!
Ted . the only reason the center position has evloved to smaller guys is because there just aren't any big guys out there. Maybe it's genetics or sun spots or something but the plethora of agile 7 footers of the 80's has just dried up. Other than Shaq where is a 30 year old Ewing, Mutumbo, Dream, Walton, Kareem, Chief, Sampson,Gilmore, Wilt, or Russell? All the guys with size seem like stiffs, and all the guys with moves are either less than 6'10" or less than 250 lbs. There may be a new generation on the way with Diop,Curry and Brown (or not like Yinka Dare ) The luckiest team in the NBA since Orlando drafted Shaq will be the team with the first pick in 2003 when Kendrick Perkins graduates from Beamont Ozen. But to give an opinion on your subject, The Rockets could do without an offensive threat at center ala' Hakeem because they have enough scoring threats, but they have a definite weakness in inside rebounding. rebounding that is required to get second shots and to start the fast break to take advantage of their superior speed. So yes I think we need a big body at center, one motivated to bang, to own the lane. and probably the only candidate out there is Jahidi White.
