Howard falling off shouldn't be disasterous. What we need from Baker is to get back in shape and grab the freakin boards and play Howard like D which wasn't much anyways. We don't need him to shoot much, just grab some boards like he use to do when he was an allstar. I think we will be fine. Sura can still rebound and he looks like he's getting back to his former self. Big thing is for Yao is to Keep FOCUS and persue the boards and not get lazy waiting for someone else to get it.
When it comes to Baker, my only concern is his "quickness" (lateral quickness). To me that is what determines whether he can defend and not pick up fouls and get the rebounds. When he got a chance to play some garbage minutes for the Rockets soon after the trade he looked like he was running in mud. Unless Baker finds some quickness, we would be better off with Spoon/Padgett/Bowen depending on our matchups.
If Strickland was starting for us last month, Baker has got a great shot at the starting 4... ex-knick and everything!!! Might take JVG a while though, might have to lose a few more home games with Spoon/Padgett starting first...
Is Elden Cambell still out there? what about Tom Gugliotta, is he in the last year of his contract with the Hawks, could he be released and then acquired? just trying to think of some options the Rockets may have...
I agree. Nothing is official just yet. Lets wait for the MRI to be completed and then we shall see exactly how long JH is out.
Hey if Baker is too slow and picks up fouls covering some speedy PFs that can be a good thing. At least he will take the brunt of the fouls from Ming. With revolving door howard he would too many times let his man fly by and straight into Ming for the blocking foul. Atleast with Baker being possibly slower -I will take that foul on him than sending it to Ming and having Ming a non factor with fouls accumulated because of the PF. Hell put padgett or spoon in if he gets into trouble (Baker) Don't underestimate Spoon for a guy his size he gets alot of those garbage rebounds. I don't see the Loss of Howard as being that huge.
I'm gonna say it now since SOMEONE's bound to say it.... Karl Malone?? J/k.... CD wouldn't do that..... Or would he?
In his allstar days baker was ligthing quick for his size. he looks like he shed most of the weight that set him back. it's all going to come from his attitude and willingness to contribute.
Losing Howard - Chemistry-Wise and production-wise Right Now is a BALL-Breaker. He has been Money from 18 feet - as they collapse on Yao or double T-mac. He has been a solid 2nd option post-up player - jump hooks. (Although I feel alot more confident that his open J's from 18 are going in) Pulls down alot of def. RB'S especially when Yao is winded. Has been holding his own at PF on D - and even spelling Yao at the 5 at times. Losing Howard Will Sting - his production will be TOUGH to replace at this point.
FYI, I believe March 2nd was the last day a team could add a player to their roster and still have that player available on the team's Playoff Roster. So in theory, if we were to add anyone, we couldnt carry them on our playoff roster. If this is incorrect, please let me know. Personally, the loss of Howard (if he is gone for the season) will be much greater in the playoffs than the regular season. I think we can "get by" without him for the regular season, but it will be tough. But in the playoffs I think it's asking a lot to have Padgett/Spoon/Bowen be able to hold down the 4 spot.
Where is my lost brother ... tinman please tinny, help me tell these fools that Howard was not doing anything that Vinny, Spoon and Padge cannot do 8 pts and 8 rebounds - Mo T couldn't get eight rebounds in EIGHT GAMES ... of all the people to go down - Howard is the least critical I am sorry to see him go, but let me be the first to say - THIS TEAM CAN WIN WITHOUT HIM (its not like he was playing defense on anyone either)
If we lose JH, it would affect the team than many ppl have imagined. Power forward is a weak link of this team simply because western powerhouses have too good pfs. In the case we lose our by far the best pf, we will be aubsed on this position night in night out. Huge mis-match almost every game. If it is ture, I hope we can sign someone to fill in the blank. But I really don't know if there is anyone really good available.
Howard has been great for the Rockets as of lately. I hope Vin can take over smoothly if Howard is to miss a good amount of time.
