True, the backcourt might not strike fear in the hearts of opposing teams. That's why we have Yao and T-Mac. The backcourt needs to be servicable, not world-beaters. We're never going to have five starting All-Stars. Assuming Snyder and JLII and V-Span fit in -- which is admittedly a big IF -- the backcourt might not be a strenght, but against most teams they won't be a glaring weakness.
trudat. I like the sound of our frontcourt: two superstars and the ultimate role player to complement. The backcourt just needs to be able to get the ball to the front court players, hit open shots and make sure they don't get scored on too too often.
I worry about them letting opposing guards in the lane so they can jump into Yao and flop just stay in front of their man . . and force hem to shoot jumpers hit the open shot and we will be golden Rocket River
It's still one of the weakest and most unproven in the NBA and lacks a legitimate 3 point shooter, as well as defensive presence (on paper, right now). It sucks but that's reality. And I think those are the two things the rox need the most with their personnel set up. I hope to hell that I am wrong.
Unproven? definitely. Weakest? probably not. The reason why I and many fellow fans are excited about these acquisitions is the potential that they have. You mention defensive presence and 3 pt shooting as what the backcourt needs. Snyder has all the physical ability to become a lockdown defender. Head and VSpan (out to the euro 3, but he can adjust) are good shooters. Sure Rafer's our only proven guard besides possibly Sura, but with young guys you can pull for them to really step up.
I'd agree that it is unproven but I don't know that I'd say weakest. 3 point shooter: TMac, Battier, Head and Novak. Defense: TMac, Battier, Snyder, Sura? While we have unproven guys, each of these guys have a good shot at hitting the ground running: JL3: Already knows JVG, been coached well from father, looking good so far this year. VSpan: Has plenty of professional experience ...just not NBA. He might adjust quickly. Novak: If all he does is drop wide open 3's, then we'll be celebrating ...and we know he's capable of that. If he prooves he can do anything else well, we'll pee on ourselves. Snyder: At the end of last season, he showed real signs of improved play so it's forseeable that could carry-over. He's not a rookie. So they are unproven but there is a good chance at least 2 of them can step in THIS season and contribute. Which two? Who knows!
It seems like these guys can be productive. I hope they sign JLIII maybe just to be a good guy in practice and play him if we need him..foul trouble or injuries or something. Snyder, Head, Alston, Spanny, JLIII. I like it. We also have Battier and Tmac who can play as guards as well. I guess a splash would be nice though. Please no Darius Miles though.
I am soooo tired of hearing this. "We have Yao and T-Mac, Yao and T-Mac, Yao and T-Mac... " These two guys achieve absolutely nothing other than some pretty personal stats. Neither has won a playoff series yet, and their teams barely had any significant impact in the NBA. T-Mac has already played 7-8 seasons and Yao played 4. Why? Because of this stupid "we still have two super stars" thinking shared by Rox management and some fans. T-Mac and Yao need better support, period. They need really solid, quality role players. Even healthy, Yao and T-Mac is still not Shaq & Kobe combo during Lakers' championship years. Even Shaq and Kobe in their peak can't win a championship with a team filled with Rafer Alston, Snyder, J Lucas, and Ryan Bowen! T-Mac and Yao need and deserve better supporting cast!
Please tell CD how to get this better supporting cast. We have nothing to trade. The free agents aren't that great. What are your ideas?
According to 82 games.com, Battier logged 0 minutes at SG last season, so I don't count him. Same with Tracy - he'll play it, if he absolutely has too, but neither he nor JVG want him too especially in his present state. We're left with Head, Snyder, Spanoulis, Alston, and JL3. Rafer (see clutch's research) JL3 - he might work out, nice summer league performance, but who knows? Spanoulis - Ginobili? or Benno Udrih? Realistically the odds point to the latter, but either way he has the same problems playing SG as..... ...Head. An SG without SG size. A nice player at times, good in spots, but he's going to have to step it up. I'd leave him open on the perimeter for now. Snyder - who knows, could flourish, could fizzle. Sura - ??? who knows, I sense a Jon Barry-ish comeback. The biggest problem is that we have a bunch of "what-if" guys down the entire roster. WHAT IF....JL3 really is a revelation at PG WHAT IF....Rafer magically rediscovers how to shoot and stops missing layups WHAT IF....Head develops a consistent outside shot WHAT IF....Snyder can coexist with JVG/his teammates and has a Vernon-Maxwellesque renaissance in Houston WHAT IF...... Spanoulis is an NBA player A couple of the "What if's" could come true, but it's also possible that none of them do. Time will tell - but it's obvious that the rockets needed and recogizned they needed a guard who has proven he could shoot the ball from outside and they have so far failed to get one.
I agree with the group that says if it is not the weakest in the NBA it is darn close to. Certainly no playoff team has anything near as weak. The guard play is what worries me the most on the roster, because I want Battier and Tmac to play most all their minutes at the 4 & 3--the way to g in todays faster NBA and the best compliment to Yao's strengths and weaknesses. I'd like to see the Rockets bring in Fred Jones for the rest of the MLE. He would give us another option in the event some or most of the unproven guys are not NBA ready next year. Remember guard play was the failure of the Rockets team that had Hakeem and Chuck plus guys like Pippen or Drex, and Wills--basically great front lines. We don't want to be screwed if Head has a tougher 2nd year, VSpan proves not ready, or Alston or Snyder are erratic. All are likely scenerios. Jones gives us another vet with some all around game, some upside and some different contributions (more physicial/athletic guy).
"As of today" Lucas is not on the Rockets roster. He hasn't been signed yet and the Suns are interested in him. Nobody knows if Sura can play again. There's still a huge weakness at the PG position. I looked at Spanoulis' assist/turnover numbers last year and they're not what you would want from a PG. They better sign Lucas, because right now they have only ONE point guard on their roster who can play--Alston. If Sura plays, and I doubt he will, does any one think he'll be able to stay in front of a quick penetrating PG?
ivanyy -- Agree 100% that we shouldn't be complacent. You're right. Yao and T-Mac need good role players. They certainly deserve more than a group of scrubs. And there's no reason to just loaf around and hope that they'll will us to victory by their twosome. That being said.... aside from the Rudy Gay trade, for the past two years, I think that the Rockets management is doing just that. They're improving the role players. Battier -- heckuva role player, a great shooter. Snyder and Novak: better shooters. If you look at this roster compared to the roster we ended the season with, the role players are much, much better. I agree with you in spirit, it's just that I don't know what more we can expect as far as "Splashes." Role players, by definition, are not very splashy. They're the kind of non-ESPN-front-page signings that don't raise too many eyebrows, but end up with lots of Ws down the road. We're not getting AI or Ben Wallace. We don't really need AI or Ben Wallace. We just need the best role players available. And aside from the Gay trade, and arguably the bungling of the Mike James signing, they're trying to do just that.
In a recent interview JVG said that the biggest problem last season was perimeter defense, too many and easy penetrations. Does the "new crew" address that problem? Doesn't appear to. Maybe Snyder. JLIII, no. Alston, not last year. Head, maybe. VSpan, maybe, and so on. No "lock down" defenders here. If you move TMac or Battier to the frontcourt, yes, but that is not where they need to play. Shooting was an obvious problem, the "brick brigade." Any sharpshooters in the new backcourt? Doesn't appear to be. Several "maybe's." Snyder has relatively high percentages. Everyone says JLIII is lights out, but I have yet to see him make a shot in the NBA. Guess I missed it. VSpan is largely a mystery. Alston was very erratic. Head hit early and faded badly. Mike James, I don't blame you for not coming, but we will miss you.
I am unsure how this group will shake out. However, Alston was a disappointment. Will his and the stars' health make him the player traded for? However, Head hasn't added 4" of verticality, has he? However, Snyder was offloaded by a team off put by him. However, Sura may contribute - or retire. However, Little Luke is still free free free (for a cost, of course). However, KillBill has not yet been to, let alone through, an NBA camp so what will he be? Unproven, unknown and at a time in the NBA timeline where backcourters/swingmen are king. I wish I wish I wish for one solid, experienced, proven shooter/defender 6'5" (or taller). (And it ain't the backcourt but I wish I wish I wish for a 4 upgrade.)
LOL If Battier is guarding the opponents shooting guard we may want to start printing up Greg Oden Rockets' gear. Battier will guard a shooting guard, only when the Rockets are shooting for an NBA record for most points given up in a game, or something. Or maybe when trying to tank games at the end of the season. If you think Battier has the ability to play quick shooting guars.....maybe you should watch some NBA games first then come back and join the discussion.
Really cute! Certainly, Battier can't go one on one with most SG's in the league, but he does have decent lateral quickness and he is big. I think he could hold his on, with help, but I don't think that is where he belongs. Put downs of other posters are so unnecessary, just state your point. Most people on this board are very familier with the NBA. By the way I saw Rudy, Calvin, Elvin, and Moses play "live." In fact, just about every player who has ever played for the Rockets. Gee, Mr. Wizard, I hope you will let me back in the discussion.
