I like the Howard pick up (he and JJ are GREAT 3rd options night-in-night out) For those JH haters in the crowd... exactly WHO do you want to replace him ?!? PS - what is the over-under on the number of posts this thread gets before tinman weights in
I agree with you Sherlock, that is why it's so important to get that second shotblocker ie. Mutombo or Clark to always play along side Howard or Taylor when Yao is out of the game. Some people on this board may not realize but Tim Duncan dropped 47 pts on Orlando this year with Howard playing alot of that game. He needs a legit shotblocker watching his back out there so he can crowd and harass a guy like Duncan on the defensive end. One of the things I really like about Howard is he is a smart basketball player and is more of a good fit chemistry guy for the rockets and I think he will be able to flourish playing off of Yao and T-Mac.
These two post pretty much sum up the reality of the situation. Howard is no "superstar." He's just a good all-around PF that rebounds/passes a bit better than MoT. It's going to be intresting how well Yao and Howard play off each other; double-teams and such. It would be nice that we can have a starting PF that can rebound AND hit the open 15 footer. This is why it's sooooo important for Howard to rebound more than his customary 7 rpg.
some people just feel he is redundant He is MO T all over again to alot of folx I will just wait and see Rocket RIver
With the exception of Jamison when he was in Dallas and the Lakers while Karl Malone was there, there hasn't been a 17pt/ per player on a team and he isn't the 1st or 2nd option. I see this as a win- win for Houston. He stuggled in orlando while being the second option mainly because T-Mac was going to get his and teams simply clamped down on everybody else, because orlando was that bad. Playing alongside Yao, T-Mac, and JJ teams don't have that luxury. They have to play everybody.
I think people are hoping for too much. Sure we can pray, but we can also be realistic. We all (or at least most of us) want a solid 4 who can grab rebounds, play defense, and score when asked. Well we can't always have what we want, so we have to make do with what we have. Everyone wants to trade JH for that perfect 4 we all want, but unfortunately it's just not realistic in most cases. We'd all like to get rid of him to get someone that would be perfect for us, like Ben Wallace, but that just isn't happening. Lets be happy with what we have and if we get lucky enough then fine, trade him for exactly what we really need, and if not oh well. We can't have exactly what we want at every position. Pugs
This pretty much covers it. Give me Juwann over MoT, but Juwann can bring back assets and Rox still have Mo, and still have Mo, and still... Good 6th man, not so good 4.
I don't think JH is such a big drop-off from Amare and Kenyon, he does something worse and other things better. Never mind those guys make or will make close to the Max $. I do agree that JH is not as good as Nowitzki, KG and Duncan ... Oh hell, why didn't the Rockets trade Cato for those guys instead ... stupid CD ...
Howard was only ever so slightly worse than career averages in all categories in Orlando. 17 points, 7 boards isn't really struggling. That said, it was a struggle for every player on that team due to the complete lack of chemistry and wins.
It's the $ 105 mio. contract plus the fact that he has always been a huge fantasy basketball disappointment...
Howard is absolutely fine by mine. As long as he can pull his defender away from Yao, and knock down the jumper if he's left open, he'll be effective. I think he's better than Mo T because Howard can play off Yao and McGrady, while Mo T can't. Howard's defense is going to be better with Yao behind him, including the rebounding. When he was teamed with Webber, he was more effective. Mo, on the other hand, is completely incapable of playing any kind of team game. The sooner we terminate that kind of cancer the better, even if we have to pay to have him eliminated.
I think he's going to be a nice 4 for the rockets this year. Not an allstar but a player who knows his role and is happy to play hard each night.
Well, Howard is the best we've had a Power Forward since unfortunatley Kenny Thomas. Taylor is a defensive/rebounding dud. Cato was r****ded on the offensive end. Griffin jacked nothing but 3 pointer his whole career. Anyway anyone cuts it, Howard will have been the most complete Power Forward the Rockets have had in quite a while. Sure, everyone sees Garnett, Duncan, Webber, Nowitski, etc. and we get jelous that we have a slightly below average Power Forward. But don't you guys think other teams look at their center position and their shooting guard positions and ENVY the Rockets Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady tandem. Come on, our Power Position is respectable. Taylor is the perfect 6 man, solid offensive talent off the bench.
Howard brings something we have not had in a long time, and that’s consistency. You can count on him to have the same numbers every night. His only deficiency is defense, but I have faith that JVG can improve this.
I actually feel that Howard will be a good addition to this team. Another good veteran presence in the locker room ala Jim Jackson. Howard will be more effective with Yao at center. And teams wont be able to double off Howard like they did with Cato while Yao was in the game. I really think the role player additions of Sura and Howard will surprise people. I think they will make a big impact to this team this year much like Jim Jackson did last year. Those 3 role players along with our two stars in McGrady and Yao make a pretty nice starting lineup.
I can see MoT beating out Juwan for the starting PF spot. Although most people here seem to think otherwise. Even if he doesn't start, I believe MoT will get more PT than Howard.
