Where Do the Rockets Go From Here – The Power Forward Position

Atlanta is not giving up their franchise player for Asik. That's laughable. And Lin is not an upgrade for them over Teague...who has now been extended under contract with the team when ATL matched the Buck's offer sheet.

Those are the guys Atlanta is building around. They're not trading them for our backups. Give Duke grad, Danny Ferry, just a little more credit.

I fully expect to go into the season with both Lin and Asik on the roster, playing key roles, and contributing to our success...at least until the trade deadline .

 

i'm still hoping for an under the radar PF trade by the wizard..DMo and TJones won't get it.

 

yeah i think it will come down to if either can become elite in just one skill. can jones become an elite defender at the 4? can dmo become an elite shooter?

if either one does, they can be a contributor, but STILL not a starter. in order to start they will need an elite skill, PLUS not be a liability on the other end.

in other words, for jones to start, he needs to be an elite defender AND develop a reliable mid range jumper. for dmo to start he needs to become an elite shooter and a reliable defender.

if either of them shows up to camp close to being elite in their best skill, that still leaves them a year or so away from being a starter. i don't buy all of this "jones or dmo will start at the 4" talk by morey. he's pumping up their trade value like he does with all the players that he wants to move. there is a better chance that both 4's show up to camp without much improvement, in which case morey will look to move them before they are not seen as having "potential." he may tell mchale that one needs to start in order to pump up his value for a trade -- a classic morey move. but at after the trade deadline, neither will be starting, one or both may not even be on the team.

i believe our best lineup in last years playoffs was chandler at the 4. casspi will be chandler-light as the backup 4. dwight will guard the other teams post player, and most teams don't have 2 post options to defend. i think chandler and casspi at the 4 will give more teams problems guarding us than we will have guarding them.

if there is a trade at the deadline (which there always has been under morey) then it will be to upgrade the 3. i think lin and asik are staying for at least this year, and harden and parsons will be the 2/4. so that leaves jones/donuts, non-guaranteed contracts/vet minimum players, and our future picks to be moved in an "all-in" type of move at the deadline, for a 3/4 who can shoot, dribble, and rebound. maybe he steal delfino back?! i wish.