Rafer Alston I think we can all agree has looked pretty bad thus far. He can't find his shot and hasn't been that effective at running the team. When Luther Head has been in, it's been a whole different story. He's knocking down shots, getting into the lane like steve nash and dishing out the ball like a veteran. I really think the Rockets got a steal taking him with the 24th pick. Van Gundy needs to find more minutes for him, definitely over Alston and Wesley. I think they should even start Luther Head. Another note, Juwan has been shooting well, besides him not hitting his baby hooks, but I really like what Stromile Swift has done in his minutes. Outside of the opener against the Kings, he's looked really good. He's rebounding well, taking it to the hole, knocking down mid-range jumpers, blocking shots, I mean I think he should start. I'm not saying Juwan has been terrible, but I think Stromile should be starting and getting the bulk of the minutes. Here would be my starting 5: C - Yao Ming PF - Stromile Swift SF - T-Mac SG - Derrick Anderson PG - Luther Head Let me know what you think. Brian
Alston doesn't bring much offense off the bench. I would go with Yao,Swift,Mac,Head,Alston. That leaves D. Anderson and J. How on the bench, 6th and 7th men that are both quality offensive players to complement the defensive minded players that Deke and Rybo are.
I agree that your starting line up would be the best, but I think JVG is trying to save some players that can provide a "spark" off the bench if necesarry. In other words, I dont see the players who are starting as a problem, but some of them do need to step it up.
I thought point guards weren't supposed to bring offense? Remember all the "shoot first" and "pass first" mindset threads?
Although he's been shooting well, I doubt Head gets you 4 boards and 5 assists a game (particularly when he's struggling with the offense like Alston is). Leave Head's offensive on the bench for a spark and some energy when we need it. Alston'll find his shot and be the obvious choice to start. Swift vs. Howard, though. Ideally, I'd like to see Swift start, but I just don't think he's ready yet. And Howard's looked pretty good. 6 boards a game is about 4 more than I was expecting
I hate to say it, and I do so at the risk of being blasted for it, but I wasn't happy with the Alston for Mike James trade, and this is exactly why. I know Alston is a much better passer than James, and isn't always looking to score, but he doesn't really add the spark we need, and he can't score. I'd got for Yao, Swift, T-Mac, Wesley, and Head Justification, you ask for? Yao and Swift should be paired and Deke and Howard should be paired. This is just basic common sense. What the heck did we get Swift for? Shot blocking was one big reason. And to help Yao on defense so Yao doesn't take as many fouls. How much will he be able to help Yao when he doesn't even see the court with Yao? Yao & Howard are scorers, Swift and Deke are shot-blockers. Don't put two of the same together. About Wesley, I agree with the post above. He's familiar with the system, and his shot has to come back some time. And Head...he'll be good if he gets more playing time. With as bad as Alston has been playing lately, I say give him a chance. Houston has been notorious for getting solid your players, only to trade them away for little b/c they didn't develop in Houston (because they never got a chance at minutes), and then went to another team and really developed well. I think I'm done!
our main issue is playing flat. i would start whoever will provide us with the most energy to start the game. yao jho tmac barry head we don't have to keep this lineup in long, just enough to get us playing hard from the start.
