At this point it is obvious that neither Weatherspoon nor Bowen/Padgett are going to be much help at the PF. The only way to somewhat salvage the season is to at least give Vin Baker a shot to see what he has left in the tank. If he gives us nothing, then sit him back down on the bench. But if he is a pleasant surprise ala Deke then the season could be salvaged. I think this is a no-lose proposition because we are going nowhere if we stick with a Weatherspoon/Padgett/Bowen combo at the 4.
I agree, I'd even start Braggs over Spoon, Padge, and Bowen... JVG must get that "you've-been-on-the-roster-all-season-long-so-you-should-start" mentality out of his head or we're gonna be out of it quick...
Start T. Braggs- he is more physical than Padgett- whose shot has been inconsistent. Braggs has more stamina than Spoon...
Thats nuts, start a guy that hasn't played in over a year except for a few minutes in which he has showed nothing during the most critical stretch of games the Rox have had this season. I thought VB had something left before I saw him play, he just coasted during the 10 minutes I saw him play, displayed no athleticism or speed whatsoever and his shot is rusty.
are you kidding me? Baker is a shell of his former self, it isnt a coincedence that he has ridden the pine for so long without any signifigant minutes.
Some people here are missing the the point of this thread... It's not saying that Braggs and VB are going to be a quick fix to this problem at the 4, but at this point, we REALLY need to try something different, now with JH gone for the year, what do we have to lose?!? That something different needs to be more Braggs and VB in the rotation IMO, who knows it may just work out ...ESPECIALLY in the WEST playoffs where size and post play are going to be PARAMOUNT!!!
Baker no longer has any muscle mass... he gets banged around like a rag-doll in there. Really, I don't even know why he has a roster spot... perhaps even Moochie could hit 1 out of every 8 open 3 pointers... that's how bad this shooting is getting.
Baker is done! Forget it guys. Just from the short time he has gotten minutes since he has been here he has looked god awful! Absolutely NO quickness at all. There is a reason we signed Braggs, and that is Baker being done. I think we just have to stick with what we are doing at PF right now. Spoon, even though he is VERY substandard, can still hit the outside jumper and that is key for us. Perhaps Braggs should get a few more minutes but other than that, not much we can do right now. Just hang tough and make the moves we need to make in the offseason.
I agree and for god sakes our 4 spot hasn't the reason we have lost the games we have. Our guard's shooting has been horrid, once we find that we get back on a roll. Remember JVG sees VB everyday at practice and it's pretty obvious he has liked what he's seen.
Can the Rockets add a PF and will he be able to be on playoff roster?? Who is out there anyways that can help the Rockets??
The guards are the problem.. Too old and not enough energy. A young fast team will outrun them as proven (Phoenix, Golden State, etc.). A 6'11 VB playing down low can help with rebounds and scoring since the guards can't shoot. Give Vinny and Braggs a shot! Nothing to lose at this point. Bowen (too scared to shoot a jumper), Padgett (too inconsistent, gets run over by bigger PF), Spoon (probably slower than VB and launches air balls).
You named all the negative characteristics of the other guys and none of their positives. Why give Baker a shot if he has more negatives than the others?
The guards negatives are outweighing the positives. With a young and fast team (after a full season and they are too old, banged up and tired), the positives won't matter. This has been proven if you have been watching the games lately. Also, they need to encourage Dike's offense. Dike getting a hook shot or a dunk is better than them missing all those 3's and jumpers. You can tell Dike wants to turn up his offense if you watch the game after they give him the ball which they rarely do. With the forwards: Spoon defense compared to VB is the same or worse IMO. I think VB can help more rebounding and scoring down low. Padgett gets run over on D. His defense can't be better than VB or Braggs. His inconsistent 3's are not enough and he virtually doesn't even attempt short range jumpers. Bowen is good on D and a hustler but he is too frightened to turn up his offense. I think VB and Braggs want to prove themselves. I think Bowen has better D than VB so have him come off the bench. VB can probably score better down low and help out Yao and get more rebounds than Bowen. Braggs might do a better job on offense and about the same or a little bit less on D than Bowen. Fire JVG! Just kidding.
