This is impossible to answer. If Asik were given the minutes I think he would bring the most value to the team, a la last year. That doesn't mean I think he's the best/most talented. Just most valuable. If Lin were given the keys to the offense (basically, if Harden wasn't on the team. I'm not arguing Lin is better than Harden...) I think he would be better and more valuable than Parsons. As it stands, I think Parsons is the most valuable to the team since Asik's minutes are limited and Lin's touches are limited.
The question is who is the 3rd best player on the Rockets. Last year, the 2nd best player on the Rockets is without a doubt Asik. How does Dwight Howard joining this team make Asik the 5th best player?
+1. This is one of the reasons I didn't vote. For all the crying Screaming A. Smith did during Linsanity about how a shoot-first floor general is bad for the team, he's not saying a word about Harden being a shoot-first floor general. Hmm. I wonder why...
Talent wise: 1. Harden 2. Howard 3. Asik 4. Lin 5. Parsons 6. Beverley Contribution wise: 1. Harden 2. Howard (if no Asik, Howard is #1) 3. Parsons 4. Lin 5. Asik 6. Beverley This may change if they can really find a way to fit Asik next to Howard, but I highly doubt it.
that seems to be the sentiment here. I find it interesting that our number 3 is almost as good as if not the same as our #5.
Parsons did well, but he may not do as well on another team. He had more opportunities because Rockets lack of strong PF, and Lin creates a lot for him.
Are you saying that Lin is utilized as the floor general on this team? He is the point guard, not Harden? I'm not talking about titles, I'm talking about actual roles.
I think Harden creates more shots for Parsons than Lin does. In either case, he definitely benefits from having those two on the team.
Did you see the shot chart they did of Parsons on the Grantland preview? He is the most complete shooter on the team. With Dwight as your #1/#2 player, Parsons by default becomes your #3 player because he opens up the court for Dwight. If you have Harden (your other 1/2 player) on the opposite Parson on the court, that leaves a lot of space for Dwight, very important! If the question is, who is your 3rd most talented player? Then I can see somebody saying Asik. Best player on this team to me also includes the roles that they play and who they fit in the overall picture of the team.
The thing is, Parsons doesn't have a whole street team of fans dedicated to mentioning any little good thing he does. People talk about Lin averaging 14.9 ppg and shooting 37% from the three post all star break like everyday. No one mentions how Parsons averaged 18ppg on 51.7% from the field, 43.9% from the three with a 62.5% TS post all star break. Dude played like a white Durant out there post all-star break.
It depends on roles and touches, but Lin has the highest ceiling, followed by Parsons. As good as Asik/Bev are, I have hard time seeing them as future stars. Lin and Parsons has a chance. That being said, Asik/Bev can be extremely valuable in a lot of ways.
I'm biased being a GATOR, love what Parson's brings on both ends of the floor and if he fixes that lazyboy jumper of his he would be flat out awesome... U can't jump/lean back on 3 point shots, not enough arch to become a consistent 3 point shooter.
