I like that you are pointing out the inconsistency. As a basketball junkie I have watched quite a bit of T-Wolves B-Ball over the past 2 years, and I can tell you that Williams has that Sam Dalembert statistical pull where he can be somewhat decieving on paper. We saw first hand that on paper Dalembert averaged 8Pt, 8 Reb, and 2 Blocks per game throughout his career. But when you look deeper you see that its not that actually consistently brought you 8/8, & 2, but he was more likely to go 14Pt/10reb/4blocks one game then go 4Pts/4Reb/1 Block then next game. I see the same inconsistent play with Williams you point to here.(and its odd that this debate is coming after a stretch of 3 good games in a row) When you see his stats the good play balances with the bad and creates a false sense of consistency per 36 or 48 minutes. Sure his Minutes Played could be more consistent, but when you look at the large amount of minutes he's getting this season, he rarely gets less that 15 a game. Having that large of a palet should equal more consistent play. -So lets say he ends up becoming consistent at What He Does when he performs well. Im not going to run any in depth projections but you can kind of get an idea just by taking out his bad games, and coming up with an assumptions based on just his quality performances with 15 to 30MPG. At most he shows that he will be good for 10 to 15 FGA in a offensive heavy system. Shooting 45 to 50%, he should be good for 14 to 16 pts, and 7 reb a game. Not bad(especially as a rebounder), but he's clearly not a guy who is going to be on an all-star level. So yes, on another team I do see him as a contributor. Possibly a 14 to 16 PPG 4 man who can grab you 8 boards a game. But look at the Rockets roster and tell me whether a player like this is going to put them on another level and affect wins by a large margin? So I guess Im just confused as to why people think that he has All-Star potential? I just dont see it both on the court, and DEFINITELY not on the stat sheet.
Let be clear if telling me at the trade deadline your willing trade PPAT for Williams, I say that a downgrade for this season. I willing bet Houston will still be playoff team at trade deadline. I think making playoff is important development of Rocket players. Whatever Morey does I'm expecting him improve the roster to make run a the playoff or at least not hurt the Rocket chances this year.
I didn't say trade him for either of Morris or Patterson, though, you did. What if those players were jettisoned for a really marquee name at the power forward spot--a very likely scenario--and then Williams was brought in in exchange for junk in a separate transaction--a possible scenario since he's not worth what YOU suggested, Patterson for Williams straight up. How is a better rebounder than either of Morris or Patterson as the Rockets' first big off the bench, with [marquee power forward] starting for the Rockets a worse team? Spoiler: It's not.
When looking at his advanced stats I do agree that he is an upgrade from a rebounding standpoint. On offense, not so much. On defense, from what I have seen watching the games, he is very un-impressive man-to-man, and absolutely terrible as a team defender(big reason why his minutes are inconsistent IMO). I'm just not real excited about giving up ANY assets for this guy when he further complicates the glut of PF's that are so incredibly similar to him right now, and with having some already on the roster(not getting PT) that I see as having a higher upside in the long run at least offensively.
That I'm right? Look at his career (2pt) FG% stat. He's at that right now. on 3 pt attempts this year compared to all other PF/C his FG% is somewhere in the top 10-15 I'm not comparing his 3pt M/A % to G/SG/SF.. I'm comparing it to PF/C How many PF/C can shoot the 3 ball? He's only attempting 2.1 shots behind the arc. And for the record I do not want Josh to shoot the 3 but Mid-range jumpers and for Rebounding/Block Shots/Alter Shots.
Don't think Kahn is giving up on DWill yet. Can't afford to for his career after getting busts with Wes Johnson and Jonny Flynn already. So if Williams is showing any signs of being useful they will hold onto him as oppose to trading him for another prospect. As for the Rockets, Williams is not a bad guy to have, but his salary is really high. Unless they really believe in Williams they may want to hold on to their own prospects and use the cap room to sign a good free agent.
Your concern is warranted. How do you think Minnesota feels *drafting* Williams? They had plenty of cover for the decision, it wasn't like he wasn't a unanimous #1 or #2 pick, but still. I'm not talking about giving up vital rotation players here. I'm saying if they're willing to part ways with the guy for second rounders, you make it so faster than Captain Picard on cocaine. Another thing to consider: Because of the lockout, a lot of the 2011 rookies are coming along VERY slowly. They had no training camp, no preseason, the season was only 66 games, it's really thrown a monkey wrench into the normal development cycle. When you add together the small season last year to the fact that we're only halfway through this one, for these guys, their second season starts NOW. And you know what happens between that rookie season and sophomore season, right? Of course you do: players usually get a lot better. That's why we're finally seeing signs from other players from that 2011 draft class like Tristan Thompson, Enes Kanter, our own Marcus Morris. They've finally hit about the normal amount of time in terms of games and minutes played where they start hitting that sophomore season stride. Just something to consider.
Not really a waste. I'm just saying that's the type of player Morey is probably eyeing. Too bad there's nobody like him available at an affordable cost.
Dude, I don't care about Josh Smith's stats peaking. %44.5 fg is low for a power forward. I'm not gonna discuss Josh's 3 pt shooting because i watched him a lot and all I can say is after 14 ft, his shot is ugly for real. Some Josh Smith lovers should understand this, lots of Josh nay-sayers doesnt think that Josh Smith is a bad player. The problem is he thinks he is Rasheed Wallace at offensive end, his shot selection is very very bad. If he wont shoot after 14 ft, I would love to add him to this team but I know he will shoot whenever and wherever he wants. If he goes to Celts I'm sure he wont because the Garnett and Pierce will rip his head off otherwise, but we dont have that experinced veteran presence here in Houston, and all i know his Harden can't stop him from chucking shoots off his range.
I think the main problem most people have with Josh Smith: he is not a top 5 PF but will be pretty expensive to get. I think you can fix his shot selection - don't forget our coach who is very well respected and was an elite big man. But he won't ever be a Kevin Love, Aldridge or Garnett. And he has been in the league for 8 years now and his game relies a lot on his athleticism... But like I said before, he would greatly improve our defense, he would improve our rebounding, give us several hustle points per game and is able to create his own shot. And the thing I like most about him: he is gonna be an unrestricted free agent this coming off season and if I remember correctly has expressed his will to play in Houston before. So he is the most realistic and closest thing to a star we can get, without giving up anything other than capspace. That also means: don't trade for him, at least no key piece. Sure I'd be willing to give up one or two of our PFs - but no way in hell I'd give up one of our core four.
Oh, I didn't realize you suggesting such lopsided trade. 2nd round pick for Derrick Williams. I totally agree with - bravo. You do know Kevin Love out 8-10 weeks. Williams is going to plenty playing time. Check out some box score for Minny. http://www.startribune.com/sports/wolves/185821392.html?refer=y
Check out Morey's least radio interview. He says something about this topic: http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showpost.php?p=7520248&postcount=83
Stunning that the PG position is filled w/ young, up-and-coming talent while the PF position is relatively a barren wasteland in comparison (exceptions: Love, Griffin, Ibaka, and Favors.)
Sounds like minor moves at the back end of the roster is the only possibility if he is to be believed. Personally I think Daryl is a pretty straight shooter so I didn't really think he was lying when he said he was more willing to let this core group grow together since the team already has a top 10 player in the league. Using the cap room in the summer is obviously a better way to make an addition with out losing a core player.
