More often then not, Battier did NOT play the 4 last year with Memphis. My bet is the starting lineup is 2: TMac 3: Battier 4: Howard After two minutes or so if it yields a favorable matchup, Howard will go out and a 2 like Snyder will come in, with TMac and Battier sliding down to the 3 and 4. Given that, opposing coaches are going to see Battier as a matchup at the 4 that they can exploit, if they got a 6-10 250 4/5 with reasonable low block moves on the bench.
I think KillBill will be our MadMax this season. The Rockets needed to get a firebrand player, and if JVG has any sense, the starting line will be as stated here: Rafer KillBill T-Mac Battier Yao 2nd Squad: Head/Sura Snyder Novak JHo Deke Training Camp/Trade Fodder, a.k.a. specialists: JLIII RyBo Jacobson Azubuike Hayes Mix/match as you please. JLIII may still demand some attention from another teams (something that can be leveraged in a trade), and RyBo is an expiring contract. I can see these two players gone, along with JHo for the two years left. Deke needs a contract extension, and I think he'll get it. We will still need a 4/5 to play to rest Deke, and play along side Yao/Deke when Battier is playing the 3, T-Mac is playing the 2. Dang the off season is taking too long.
Line up that will start the game: alston, mcgrady, battier, howard (only because he knows the system), and yao Line up that will make-up the bulk of the minutes: alston, mcgrady, v-span/snyder, battier, yao Personally, I think that howard needs to come off the bench. With the money that he is making we can't afford him going down playing starters minutes.
I was the one who was sitting in Toyota center when Azubuike worked out for the asst. coach. His NBADL work last season seems to say that he worked on his shooting a lot, which was weak coming out too early from Kentucky. If that one workout is any indication then he has tremendously improved his stroke. He was hitting almost 100% of his 2 & 3 pointers for like 10 minutes. Now, can he catch it and get it off and in consistently during the game? To be seen. But the athleticism and dunking ability were already there. Not so sure he will be only training camp fodder - I want to wait & see and then hope for a pleasant surprise.
Like I said before, I think CD and JVG are setting up a training camp war between Kirk Snyder and Azubuike and it wouldn't surprise me if Azubuike stuck and they used Snyder's contract as expiring trade bait to add to a package and acquire someone else. Snyder and Azubuike are so similar in size and athleticism that it really looks to me like Azubuike has a chance to make this squad if he beats up on Snyder and Snyder doesn't respond. On the other hand, if Snyder does step up, then we win anyways. The only way it doesn't work for us is if both guys come to camp unmotivated and stumble through it. I can't see Azubuike doing that. He wants a contract and a career in the NBA. Snyder?? Who knows how he will respond. It will definitely be interesting.
Rafer Snyder tmac Battier Yao These five will be the starters opening night, with Head, Howard, Mutumbo and maybe Hayes as the only backups sure to see significant minutes. As the season unfolds, the questions will be: Do JL3 and Spanoulis play well enough to warrant a lot of playing time? Can spanoulis and head play point (probably yes and no respectively) Can a lineup with Battier at pf be effective? If not, where do we put him? Will Hayes cut into Howard's playing with his rebounding and steals? Does Novak ride the bench all season or contribute every once in a while? Will snyder eventually end up in JVG's doghouse or contribute? Can Jacobsen or Azubuike make the team? And, of course, will we be healthy? It seems that nothing is set in stone regarding our backcourt.
At point guard,there will be "open" competition,but I think it's almost a foregone conclusion that Spanoulis will end up starting perhaps as soon as the opener.VSpan has major game. Alston,while being a "pure point" just doesn't do anything for me...He just doesn't bring much to the table.If anything I'd like to see Skip's spot upgraded with someone who can play intense defense and drill the occasional three. I'd have to agree that the odds are that Bobby's career is over.Miracles happen,but we can't count on it.Tough break for all concerned,but Bob played on the edge. and was best when he finally slowed his game down at the end. On JL3,good job earning his 2 year contract,but should be at the end of the bench. Novak and Jacobsen will get a lot of minutes and most likely will shoot the 3 in the 38 -40% range. Snyder absolutely could be the starting 2 on this team,but he needs to step up and earn it.....has to bring that attitude every night,fockassed.Either way he is at the very least a solid rotation player with upside. Luther Head...This could be Luther's breakout year..or he could be relegated to rotation player...or even dealt.I know he's young,but this is a pivotal time for Luther...gotta grow that game.The battle between Snyder and Head in camp should be something to see. Juwan "sunglasses"Howard needs to go.But until then(trade deadline) he can be a functional piece. Van Gundy needs to be careful with Chuck Hayes.Careful not to rely on him too much.Hayes can be counted on for 15 -25 minutes a game.His energy and rebounding acumen are sweet,but he is undersized and gives up a lot in other areas....good role player. But we need another PF in my mind...a sizeable one who can play defense and rebound.Yes,Shane can slide over some,but I'd still like to see at the least a guy that can give you 20 -25 min/night. Battier is a fantastic acquisition who will spread the floor and play great D. This has been discussed adnauseum.So I won't dwell on it much here.Suffice to say,I've been a big supporter of the deal. TMac - stay healthy!Look for him to be play that middle and perimeter game more. Yao Ming - I look for him to be the MVP of the league.Big man should pick up where he left off last year assumming he's healthy. I'm convinced that if the Rockets stay healthy we make the finals.CD will pick up any extra pieces we need around the deadline.
CD hinted that snyder would be a starter. tmac said that he sees battier as the starting 4 with him at the 3. no reason to doubt these guys. i don't see as many question marks as most of you guys do. centers - set. you know what they'll bring. we would use one more just in case of injury. power fowards - good. shane has never played big minutes at PF before but JVG wanted a shooter there. look at other teams starting PF's...shane can guard 20/29 of them. that's a big improvement over Jho's 0/29. Jho will be a good scorer off the bench, and hayes will be good for spot duty. small fowards - set. tmac and shane have it down. snyder can fill in here too. novak and bowen will play spot duty. shooting guards - snyder is the only SG with any size. he's a lock to start. head and bill will battle for backup minutes. point guards - rafer is the starter for now. will his poor shooting put vspan ahead of him? will JL3 earn himself minutes moving vspan to the 2 and pushing luther out of the lineup? on paper this team has everything but an extra shot blocker and an extra athletic swingman. the only questions i see is who will earn PT.
Oh? Is Azubuike working out at TC? Would they send him to the NDBL and keep Jacobsen over him if they sign Jacobsen?
All I can say is check out the '05-'06 best dunks... <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/mqBl6n58iCI"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/mqBl6n58iCI" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="213" height="175"></embed>
Doom, gloom & agony on me! PLAYERS 5 Yao, JH & Deke 4 Battier, JH, Hayes & Novak 3 T-Mac, Battier, Novak, Bowen & Jacobsen 2 Head, V-Span, T-Mac, Jacobsen, Snyder & Azubuike 1 Alston, V-Span, JLIII & Head My starting lineup(I changed my mind while making the list). Yao, JH, Battier, T-Mac & Alston
Rafer (may be supplemented by VSpan by the end of the season) Battier TMac Yao Miles ( ) Bench: Span Chuckie Snyder Novak
JVG is banking of the hope that at least one of our youngsters would emerge this season a la Smush Parker or Delonte West.
Im definetly with you on this lineup. I think it will be between KB and Luther for 6th man. Novak and JL3 will get spot minutes and Deek will play about 2 to 3 minutes a qtr. I think there is a good chance that the Rox best lineup will feature KB at the one and Luther at the 2 on offense and vice versa on D. If the Rox can stay healthy I have a lot of faith on the moves they have made this offseason and think that they will be able to make a strong case for the 2nd place in the SW div. peace!
Any of you guys gonna check out my video? It's the top 10 plays of the year and one of them is with Kirk Snyder #2...
What is the attraction with Haryasz?? I would rather have Badiane. He can spot both the 4 & 5 spots - a current team need. Both Haryasz and Badiane are projects, far from finished products. But at least Badiane would improve 2 of the 3 weaknesses at PF - rebounding and shot blocking. Haryasz, at best, is just a softer version of Juwan.
