I don't want to post this in the Rockets forum since it's really an NBA question and I don't want meaningless trade speculation threads to become the norm ... but taken from a Rockets perspective, which of these power forwards potentially on the block would you want most on the Rockets? I think it's fantasy that we could get any of them, but given that all of them are young, fairly unproven and have not yet blossomed, it's an interesting question to pose right now.
Tyson Chandler. I know it's a fantasy, but he was ripping it up last year on the fantasy league early on before he got hurt. Tall, long, lean, REBOUNDS, good complement to Yao.
I'd take Swift. Best rebounder (save maybe Chandler), best shot blocker, and doesn't slouch in athleticism. He's even developed enough of a mid range game. Tyson's back worries me- his blocked shots are down significantly. Kwame's been hurt all year- he's an interesting choice as well. Nene's numbers are WAAAY down this year. I wonder how much Denver liked Juwan Howard.
they are all great rebounder/defenders, and they can all play a little center. they are all quick enough to guard the gasol's and odom's, but still help with the inside defense. my point if we could get any i would be VERY happy. i pick swift because of his jumper. it seperates him from the rest on the list.
I like Nene for his fire. Playing behing Kmart really seems to have hit him in the kidney, though. Given that, I'd go Swift. He's shown he can handle Hubie Brown's minutes, and still produce. His skill set has improved.
Nene theoretically provides what the Rox need without the baggage of Chandler, Kwame, etc Swift wants too much $ long term, I think, and Wilcox I just don't know about.
If Nene was a strong rebounder he would be my first choice but right now Shift is playing better than all of the rest of them. He has improved his jumper,rebounds fairly well, can block shots and finishes nicely around the basket.
i'll go with Wilcox then Nene due to his toughness not sure Swift can guard faster 4s on the perimeter Chandler appears nice but at some stage the word potential disapears and that back of his worrying
A related question -- would the Rockets be better off if they had not done the Kenny Thomas trade? Yes, it is an exercise in futility to consider the question, but imagine that the Rockets had not dealt Thomas for James Posey (as the jist of the deal) and then had proceeded to re-sign Thomas. Since the Rockets had KT's Bird rights, we'll say that this does not affect them signing Jim Jackson or Eric Piatkowski (and any subsequent deals involving these or other players). I'll leave the question unanswered for you all. I think a rugged rebounder and interior defender would be the ideal complement to Yao and McGrady -- not too far off of the role David Robinson played for Tim Duncan in San Antonio -- and as such would have to select Nene or Chris Wilcox, who is queitly coming into his own for the Clippers. Swift is plenty athletic and wouldn't be a bad selection either -- assuming he can maintain his level of production. Kwame and Chandler are probably the wrong fits for the Rockets, particularly given the style of play the team seems to want to play and their lack of consistancy; they'd likely end up benched as well.
I think Kenny Thomas is possibly one of the only starting power forwards in the league who's a worse fit on this team than Maurice Taylor. Decent rebounder, but he needs the ball in the post to be effective and won't pass it back out, a pretty weak defender contrary to what some said, and not a shotblocker. Yao is the biggest problem on this team right now. He's not going anywhere so the only way to somewhat solve the problem is to acquire a power forward that hides his weaknesses. Of the guys mentioned, Chandler is the most intriguing. However, as pathetic and soft as Yao has been, the last thing this team needs is another big man next to him whom you don't know if he will pan out. Swift and Nene are unattainable. I'de try and deal for Wilcox.
EG could have and should have been kept, could have picked him up for a song after his contract was up and we had his bird rights. Just an incredibly STUPID move on CD and JVG's part. DD
I want Eddie Griffin. I think Wilcox would be a good fit with some toughness and close to reality that we might be able to get him providing that Clippers are cheap.
