I never understood why we are so high on Mike James, at least we have Rafer who can play 40+ minutes every game and run the team effectively, but we have no 2-guards at all and haven't heard anything remotely interesting, other than Bonzi Wells who is out of reach. I would spend the MLE on a legit sg. We need shooting guards!!! Who can we get? No good FAs around. Worries me a lot, ideas?
Let me get this straight, you actually believe Rafer is a 30+ minute player? Either way Mike James will spend some time at the 2 when Mac slides to the 3 and Batter to the 4.
I hope we don't end up regretting not drafting Ronnie Brewer. He might have been a perfect fit at SG.
We dont want Rafer to play 40 mins a game. There are stretches in the game where he makes dumb plays, cant buy a bucket, etc....30-34 mins a game would be ideal for Rafer. PLus, we have Tmac and Battier playing the 2, 3. I dont understand why people think we need a starting 2.
MJ is too short for sg, I do believe rafer can run the team, but I don't like him defensively, he is too tiny and weak.
We definitly need a backup one, but if we paly T-mac at 2 and Battier at 3 then we don't have any backups for 2 AND 3 other than Bowen, and Novak. We need at leat another wing IMO
my god.. Tmac will be our starting SG, with part of our MLE we can pick maybe Buckner, I like him, I think he can really help us coming off the bench.
He's a better fit. And, yes, I think Brewer could very well end up being a better player than Gay. I don't know who I'd rather have. Battier is the safe choice. After months of wanting Brewer in a Rockets uniform, though, I'm just dissapointed we don't have him.
Anthony Parker from the Euroleague (twice MVP) could be a nice option, he is being strongly courted now by the Cavs.
I liked Brewer too, but I'll take Battier in a heartbeat. Sure, Brewer would have been a long wing. However, I think McGrady will do just fine there. And while I share some concerns about McGrady's back holding up against smaller and quicker players, he is the long wing we need but he can also slide down to the three just as easily. James will play some at the two, but Head (who I think is poised for a good season) will be his primary backup. Alston and James should be a good rotation at the one ASSUMING Alston is with the team; I tend to think we may be looking at Banks, then trying to trade Alston. Maybe even a Banks for Alston deal, if the numbers work or we can make them work.
Mike James is just bigger than Jason Terry (same ht, James has an extra 10lbs of muscle) and just smaller than say Hinrich and Ben Gordon. He also has an inch on Wesley, our regular 2 last year, though at about 10lbs less. Sure there are some SGs James is too small for, but James can get a lot of PT at SG. Also, just as Dallas paired Terry with bigger 1's (Harris, Daniels), James can be paired with Head (or maybe Sura) where they flip flop roles offensively and defensively. I see James as a critical acquisition, and primarily for his role as an SG in the offense, because he is so much more of a consistent shooter/scorer than Head or Alston or Bogans, or any current Rocket not names Tmac or Yao. James is a better shooter/scorer than any other free agent available for that matter, with the possible exception of Bonzi. And Bonzi makes Mike James seem like a Jedi master in terms of concentration and character.
Between James, TMac and Head our SG spot will be just fine. JVG's original priorities prior to the draft were: Backup PG (he wants three): Alston, James + unknown SG: TMac, James and Head. check Backup SF: Battier, TMac and Bogans. check So we still need to find a 3rd string PG. If Sura comes back then maybe him. Since Stro is gone, we need to find another PF/C. I'd say that is our top priority now. SG spot is set (assuming James signs).
Yeah, I don't get the reasoning behind needing a 2 guard. TMac will play more 2 with Shane playing the 3. After TMac (who is pretty good) we have Head, Bogans, Wesley (mabye) and even MJ at times. I really don't think we need another 2. Now if Shane plays more 3 than 4 (which I predict he will), that leaves a huge void at the 4 (Howard and Hayes...yikes) and backup 5 (Deke...double yikes). Filling this void should be our first priority after MJ.
If we get James we have at least 3--Alston, James and Head, and maybe 4 (Sura) guys who can man the point. I am fine with the 4 with Howard, Battier (I want Battier to 70% of his minutes here whether he starts here or not) and Hayes. I am OK with Yao, Howard and Deke handiling C. I want Tmac to get all his minutes at the 3. With Battier and maybe occasionally Bogans backing him up. If we get James, and Sura looks like he will be healthy enough to contribute, in fact I'd be fine to sign Bogans as the 9th or 10th man and call it an offseason. If Sura is not in play I'd try to find another SG with size who is a little more accomplished than Bogans.
the problem is mike james is the best 2 guard that we can afford. bonzi wells is the ideal choice but he is too expensive. who's mike james anyway?
