After watching that Suns/Mavs game, it's pretty apparent that their level of play is on a different level than us. The rockets can potentially match-up if everyone plays up to their ceiling and the team really gels together, but that has yet to happen, and I still get the sense that we're missing a few pieces. So in your opinion, which piece could we use the most: 1. Big Point Guard/Point Forward- A bigger point that can bring the ball up, who can guard 2's or 3's. This would allow us to put in Luther and his clutch shooting without taking a hit on the defensive end for playing a small backcourt. This guy would be more of a facilitator and a guy to bring the ball upcourt, than a pure PG, since big PG's that can create are few and far between (and highly coveted). 2. PG that can create for others off the dribble- We've got Rafer, but he's more of a facilitator/spot-up shooter. He doesn't penetrate with any regularity (and not only does he settle for too many pull-ups, a lot of times, he pulls up without even initiating the offense), and when he does drive the ball, he's more likely put up an ugly floater than to create a shot for someone else. It would be nice if we had another guy besides T-mac who can get open looks for people. 3. Guard or Swingman that can create for himself- We still only have one guy on the team that can get a shot for himself: Tracy. And considering that he's also the only guy that can really create shots for others, we should really do something to take the pressure off him. This was supposed to be Bonzi, but he can't seem to get his act together. He keeps on missing games, and when he does play, he hasn't even been that good. 4. Big athletic PF that can crash the boards (especially the offensive glass)- We're the best defensive rebounding team in the league, but only 21st on the offensive end. The Mavs have the best record in the league in large part to their strength on the offensive glass. That was the only thing keeping them in the game against the suns, and it was a big reason why they beat us. We've got Chuck, but he's a walking foul and can get exploited due to his size. So an upgrade at the 4 could help us a lot in trying to match-up with the top teams.
I would argue the PG, but he also has to be able to shoot and not turn it over. (hint: not vspan). Big power forward would be my 2nd choice.
I would go with PG. Just a regular, competant PG who can penetrate, knows how to run the team, will keep the turnovers down, can hit the outside shot, and can play decent defense. That will allow us to reduce Rafer's minutes significantly, and should make us more efficient offensively overall (assuming the PG is any good). Hopefully Lucas or Spanoulis (or maybe Luther) can develop into that player next season. Getting another PF who can rebound will be a must in the offseason.
I vote for big point forward/big point guard. A big of either would allow us to play Luther Head more minutes at PG. Reason: If you leave Rafer Alston open, it may or may not hurt you. If you leave Luther open, it will hurt you (more often, at least). Defensively, I don't think Rafer is all that bad. It's what keeps him in the starting lineup. Those steals and pressure D are deadly to other teams. If you relax, Rafer's pressure can take you out of rhythm. Offensively, Rafer just can't shoot. If he could shoot, the lanes would open up for him to be this 'creator' that you all seem to be looking for.
A PG like Billups IMO. He can play in a half-court system,shoots well,can post up smaller guards,defend and most of all he is confident and doesn't get intimidated by guys like Nash,Parker.
i voted BIG pg. if along with tmac and battier on the perimeter we had a BIG pg... OUR DEFENSE WOULD BE SICK
imo we need a guy like Shawn Marion or Kirileko, and put him at PF. which makes Rox able to defend the small ball teams.
I want a young, tall PF that can shoot the 3 ball and is a decent rebounder/defender, a young Rasheed Wallace without the attitude, a young Raef Lafrentz without the injuries. Somebody that can take Juwan's minutes but spread the floor even more than Juwan give us more range on the perimeter with a 40% 3 ball. We still have not got to see a lineup with a 3 ball shooting PF in one corner, Battier in the other corner, Yao in the middle, with McGrady at the top. We need to trade Juwan, Novak, Head, and our first rounder this year along with our first rounder in 2009 for Rashard Lewis. Then sign Steve Francis to the MLE after the Knicks buy him out this summer. Francis McGrady Battier Yao Rashard Now, that is a dynasty. Hayes, Deke, Rafer, and Synder off the bench.
u just described Scottie padgett. and Rashard/Battier at 4? and 4 players that need to have the ball to be effective in a lineup.
I agree with everyone who says pg. And he doesn't have to create as much as be a solid backup/push rafer for starter. guys like: Atkins Stoudamire, Damon Knight Arroyo Daniels, Antonio Ewing etc...
Padgett, no. 1. He's old. 2. He can't rebound or defend any. Yeah, I think we could go with Rashard at the 4. Look at Phoenix. How many big banging 4s are left in this league that play alongside a low post center? Phoenix is running Marion at the 4. The Clips have basically two mid to low post players in Brand and Kamen. San Antonio runs Duncan at center probably half the time now. Most teams in this league run one low post player and spread the floor with their other big, whether it is the 4 or the 5. Dallas: Damp/Diop on the block, Dirk up high. Phoenix: Amare in the block, Marion slashing from outside. San Antonio: Duncan low, whoever high. Elson essentially plays at the top with Duncan. Horry for sure plays outside, and if they bring in Oberto or somebody like that, we can counter with Hayes in the block with Yao. Utah: Boozer low, Okur high. Lakers: Kwame low, Odom high. Sacramento: Nobody low (maybe Corliss or Thomas), Miller high. Denver: Nene or Kenyon low, Camby high. Clippers: Ok, there's one. Portland: Zach plays from high to low. His game starts on the perimeter. New Orleans: West plays high. Memphis: They have nothing besides Pao in the post. With out defense, they play right into our hands jamming up the paint with some banger PF. Minny: Garnett plays all over. Can't match up very well with him with anybody really. So, it don't make no difference. Best thing offensively against them would be to force Garnett to have to defend the 3 point line or the post, pick your poison. Seattle: Wilcox low and they are developing centers. Not even a playoff team. GS: Another run and gun up and down Dallas/Phoenix on the rise. They for sure ain't going to play 2 low block guys at the same time. This is the NBA. The emphasis is on high-scoring entertainment. It isn't going to go away. More and more teams are going to the faster style of play. We've got the halfcourt game down pretty good. We need to get lighter, faster, quicker, to better match up with these teams and make them run up and down against us. It will only serve to make Yao and Tracy even more effective in the half court game that typically winds up deciding over 90% of the playoff matches.
A big point guard would allow us to play Luther more minutes at point guard????? You mean play luther at the off guard? That make a bit more sense but why does he have to be big or why a forward? Anyway, we already have a big "point forward/guard. His name is Tracey McGrady - in case you haven't heard of him - seem slike a lot of people haven't....
They need someone who is passionate and has attitude. An enforcer if you will. Someone who will yell at T-MAC when he shoots too many outside shots, someone who will get in Yao's face if he becomes passive, someone that will foul someone hard rather than give up a dunk... A Mario Elie or Avery Johnson type guy. The kind of guy that becomes a coach one day. Im talkin Demeco Ryans of basketball.
