Alright,. I see several people say sign smith if the price is right. Not sure I can agree with this. Yes, dude won us game 6. But honestly. What do you think his ratio is? 2 maybe 3 ***** games for every good game. What value does that bring. Only way I bring him back is if he agrees to counseling. Figure out what the hell is in that head of his. If there was a way we could change him from swinging like a pendulum and harness his natural talents more consistently then I like him. If he continues to lay 2 or 3 eggs for every gem. I am not sure I want that.
I simply ask of this: Don't go full 2008 Suns and 1996-97 Rockets on us, Morey. Don't make moves just to beat one team.
I think that's going a little far. In the regular season, he had far more good games for us than bad. Especially once that initial experiment with him as a starter was put to rest. Now in the playoffs, it was a different story. He had 1 1/2 bad games vs the Mavs and 3 1/2 terrific games. He was awful in 4 games vs the Clippers and amazing in the final 3. And he had only one good game(Game 4) against the Warriors. But here's where I'd cut him some slack. Smith wasn't the only one who had bad games for the Rockets in the postseason. Brewer was dreadful in the WCF. Pepperoni was a no-show. T-Jones had some good moments, but overall was terrible. Terry was inconsistent. Hell, even Harden laid two massive eggs in Games 3 and 5 and fumbled away a chance to win Game 2 at the end. I want Smith back if the price is right. But he needs to be kept on a tighter leash next season. Most importantly, the Rockets cannot be put in a situation where they're relying on the guy in order to win playoff games. Part of that will be fixed by the return of D-Mo. I think Smith is perfectly suited for being a spark off the bench. T-Jones was so bad throughout most of the postseason though that McHale was forced to put more of an offensive burden on Smith.
In order of need. Playmaker - Any player that can create shots for himself and others. Preferably this player does not dominate the ball, can shoot, can also play off-the-ball, and defends. Ideally a PG. I'll concede defense if he is coupled with Beverley. I would love to keep Beverley, especially if he's coming off the bench. PF - We have 3 good ones now. But I just one that is consistent. A player that brings it every night, doesn't fade when the stage is big, doesn't need to be finessed into the system (like when DMo struggles in the post alongside Dwight) and most importantly - can protect the defensive glass. This player doesn't even have to be that good. He doesn't have to offer weakside shotblocking or floor spacing. There is no particular skillset I covet. Just consistency. Like Haslem was 5 years ago. I'd start this player and let DMo absorb most of the backup center minutes. Continue to rest Dwight on back-to-backs. Offensive Improvement - We need to infuse some diversity into the scheme. Harden needs to get the ball in different scoring positions. Burdening him with PG responsibilities night in and night out hurts his efficiency. More movement. I'm fine with the 3's but we need more movement. Our Free Agents - There's no way to tell what will happen right now. As always we're flexible. Morey says he wants to bring everyone back. I'm actually not partial to anyone. My perceived value, in order of importance to this team - Beverley (even if he doesn't start he's by far the most important to me), Brewer (I wouldn't pay over $6), Smith (I wouldn't pay over $7.5). Terry and Prigioni are minimum guys. I'd only keep one. But I'm not keeping one if that means we have to cut a Tarik Black again. Shooting - We need shooting. Lots of it. Preferably a wing, not a stretch 4 (personally I do not like stretch 4's and also hope DMo can accomplish what we need from range). I'd replace Brewer who is inconsistent with a consistent shooter any day of the week. I'd prefer an all around good, high IQ player, not a specialist. Even Ray Allen would be fine. If we added a wing shooter + starting PG that shoots well -- that would be huge. Center - Tarik Black would have been nice.... I like Capella but I'm not ready to hand over the reigns to him yet. He's raw, a weak post defender and disappears on the defensive glass. I'd also be giving DMo a ton of minutes here so there isn't much room for PT. But you need size and toughness in the west from time-to-time. Rostering a consistent, established 5 with legitimate size is important. This player doesn't have to be that good. Just move, rebound and shoot 55%+ from the line. If Capella emerges you cut or trade this guy.
Capela will spend the offseason in the weight room and become a better rebounder next season. He's only like 20 years old.
My(realistic) dream scenario this of season goes a little something like this. Trade k.paps expiring(ng contract), t.jones, nick Johnson, nop1st, nyk2nd and rights to Sergio lull for lowry (they very well may be able to talk him into coming over with Cap space and a starting job). Smith is eligible for I think a non exclusive 2.5mill exception that wouldn't hinder or MLE, convince him to sign that. With part of the MLE sign Dunleavy. I would love a redick, korver type but we can't afford that. Mike is older and cheaper (veteran ). He plays average defense and can really shoot. Thinking around a 2.5mill per on a two yr contract. Sign Teletovic with part of the MLE, stretch 4 shooter off the bench. Thinking the same 2-2.5mill per yr on a two yr contract. With the remaining MLE (somewhere between .5-1mill) resign kj McDaniels. If it's not enough no big deal to me. We have brewers restricted bird rights so match whatever decent contract he receives. Something like 3yrs 15-18mill. We also have Beverleys restricted rights and match whatever offer he gets add long as it isn't ludicrous. Something close to 3yr 15-20mill. Being back Terry for the vet minimum. Solid veteran and locker room presence. Buy a 2nd rounder with cash and draft a shooter. It's time to pay for quality players surrounding Dwight and harden. The 2yr contracts and 3yr contracts help with a (possible) Durant hunt next off season. Lowry/Bev/Terry Harden/Dunleavy/2nd rd shooter Ariza/Brewer/McDaniels Dmo/Smith/Teletovic Dwight/Capella/Dorsey
Get Lawson and try to get W Chandler in the deal,then get Ryan Anderson .Is that possible under the cap?
We need a whole new bench, outside of Capela, Beverley and D-Mo is he's not starting. You're not going to win championships with Terry, Prigioni, Brewer, Josh & TJ. Only re-sign Jet and maybe Brewer for the minimum.
New starting PG, proper back-up SG who can shoot and defense and maybe a new starting PF / back-up are key.
Woj says Kevin Love is to explore free agency. Woj mentions Boston, LA, and the Texas teams -- including specifically Houston-- as potential suitors for Love. http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on...ly-set-to-explore-free-agency?FTAG=YHF7e3228e
Maybe so. as far as brewer was concerned that was the max I'd be willing to go. He really does have a nice role on this team. good to great role players IMO are worth MLE money. Personally I wouldn't give him that much but since he's under contract I would match and give it to him.
Houston would be the most negative team in the league if Love signed here. Dwight and Love!!!!!! Would be a punching bag for jokes
Remembered something else I want... kind of a sleeper improvement that I think would make a big difference. Post Offense - We need to get a lot better at the post entry pass. No more bounce passes to Dwight or DMo. I think we can achieve it through a combination of practice and personnel. Smith and DMo are our best post entry passers right now, that's just... weird. And we need to get Dwight to post up a lot deeper. He needs to be 3-7ft from the basket. Get the ball to him IN THE PAINT. It will take a slight philosophical adjustment, players looking for Dwight early in the set without stopping the ball, and most importantly - Dwight needs to establish deep post position. Like Shaq, Yao and Ewing used to. We didn't bring Dwight here to score 25ppg but we're still doing a terrible job of tapping into his offensive strengths. Deep post looks, a secondary player that can collapse the defense and better shooters make Dwight significantly better without him even having to touch the ball more or develop new, polished moves.
