Yes and no, Blake would help the rockets offense but a Fisher/Terry/Atkins/ type would help alot more. In fact, the more i think about it Blake is only a minimal upgrade over Rafer and when you factor in defense (which Rafer is very underrated in) he might actually be a downgrade. That extra playmaker issue only becomes obvious when Rafer isn't hitting. As far as the ball movement, i wouldn't bet on it being used regularly. During the streak there was alot of ball movement because Rick was using the bench alot more. When you look at our 3 best players they all are either unable or unwilling to run the motion offense. That's why Adleman hasn't starting using his plays, he can't. Yao sits in the post, tmac on the elbow, and shane spots up from 3. Scola can run around all he wants, it won't change that.
True or Alston wont make the pass. He simply did not pass it to open Scola for a wide open lay up and just stood there stairing at him.
I agree. First of all Blake is good shooter a lot better than Rafer. In this offense he could even average about 4 3s a game. If he is open he just doesn't miss often. But I'm also pretty sure that Andre Miller would make this team even better than Blake. Ok maybe he is not s shooter, not a 3pt killer but this guy understands what this game is about. He's showing in Philly that he can be a great scorer, he's got better midrange game now and he is effective going to the basket. What makes his special - he can pass.
Rafer? He knows/thinks Hayes is more confident than Scola. He wants to pass the ball to Hayes, that's all. Man that decision, stupid pass to Hayes sucked.
I definitely prefer Rafer's D over Blakes. However, Blake shoots the rock much better than Rafer and is more consistent (I haven't looked at the stats and I hope they prove me right). I definitely would prefer Andre Miller's ability to get to the bucket consistently creating easy shots for everyone else. Plus no more one handed pass turnovers as Rafer is prone to throw consistently.
Last night was a prime example of what could happen in the playoffs because at this point of the season Adelman is taking everything that worked from the season and putting it all into one game plan and is running it to see what it looks like. Last night who didnt step up. Alston/Jackson/Head as usual these guys never step up when it matters or when something is on the line.
I'm fairly certain that our missing piece is a 7' 6" Chinaman we'd be talking championship with him down low... just bad luck
Someone suggested that we trade T-Mac and that is a bad, bad decision, Thats like trading away Webber from the 2001 Kings. or Thats like trading away Drexler from the Portland team. McGrady just cant be replaced and is too valuable for this team and the pieces we could get is no where near the impact or production he brings to this team. He could have had a triple double lastnight with 32 points and that cant be replaced. And we could have won if Alston/Head/Jackson had the skill set that fit in place on to what we are trying make a push for.
We obviously need a better PG. We also need more athleticism. 4 of 5 starters are relatively slow for their positions. T-Mac - slower than the league's average SG at this point in his career Battier - slow-footed... gets by on hustle and smart play Scola - slow-footed, especially noticable on defense... overcomes his slowness with hustle Yao - slow compared to the average center, especially in recent years with the increase in athletic centers Those are 4 starters that are slow and relatively unathletic. As much as people appreciate Battier, he is the most logical player to look to trade to increase the athleticism in our starting lineup. A more athletic SF along with a quicker, more talented PG would help our offense a lot. Of course, you lose some defense if you trade Battier. Is it worth sacrificing the "glue guy" for increased athleticism? Perhaps, Artest?
I suggested keeping Battier he is a anchor in 2 positions he could possibly play if we land Josh Smith or Ron Artest somehow. God the amazing thing these 2 could bring would have a huge impact. I suggested playing Battier at the 2 spot because he brings an anchor to his position that teams will never be able to find a weakness in our defense. Look at his game vs Kobe/LeBron/Anthony/Joe Johnson he held them all to below there shooting percentage average this season every game except 1 that LeBron had because he is just to big, strong, athletic, Quick for him.
If we landed Josh Smith or Artest, where would Battier play? Artest or Smith would be a starter as would T-Mac, obviously. Battier would not be a Rocket if we brought in Smith or Artest unless you think Battier would be a backup.
Battier is everything his contract tells you. He would be a piece that would subtract other 6th men out of the equasion even off the bench or incase of a emergency or incase of a crucial moment. He is a much better replacement to Head.
I hear you. He is obviously a risk a la Bonzi Wells. It would be tragic if we did somehow move Battier for Artest and then have Artest turn into a massive problem. The problem is that it is also a risk (to the fans, at least) to not make a change and possibly never becoming legit contenders during the T-Mac/Yao era. Given that, would Artest be worth taking a chance on? That is, of course, assuming he was even available this summer.
Yea but not for Battier is he the corner stone to our defense. People forget Artest and Josh Smith both can play the 4 spot so losing Landry would not hurt us much and depending what he is signed for will all depend on what he does in the playoffs. At his point to land those 2 we should consider moving Landry and not Battier. Battier is stong enough to get us through the regular season and in playoff hopes even without 1 of our 2 big stars. Getting to the playoffs is not a problem with this team even without 1 or the other super stars because Battier has a huge impact on defense to even give the LeBron's/Kobe's/Anthony's/Joe Johnson's of the league trouble to keep us in the playoff picture. Battier is indeed this good and valuable to us.
Artest does not make a TEAM better, he is a good individual player but a chemistry disruptor... We don't need him....we need guys that will enhance the chemistry .....no knuckleheads. DD
So, you think it is OK for at least 3 of our 5 starters to be relatively slow and unathletic? Throw in Scola, and 4 starters are relatively slow. McGrady does not even have average speed for a SG at this point in his career.
I disagree that Battier and Scola are slow...they may not be the best athletes, but their BBall IQs are off the charts and that means a lot. I don't remember Bird being a great athlete...but he was so danged smart.... Now if you can get an athletic type who is also smart and hustles....by all means. DD
