Following up "Why do we need an SF?"... Why do we need to make moves? Why do we need to make trades to accomodate certain draft picks? Next year we'll have a healthy young squad that is basically filling each position's minutes. The Rocks don't need to trade anyone and most likely would have a very difficult time acquiring anything worthwhile for their salary spreads. They don't really need to get into a long commitment with any player(s) unless that player(s) throws Houston into finals contention suddenly and that one player is most likely only Duncan or another guy tall big guy being half successful containing and being able to play Shaq. Having said that, we might get excited to draft this or that guy but no player in the draft this year seems incredibly a cut above the rest or going to shift an NBA team completely. We should only be making moves if it helps us unload salary and/or land the risks of center power in Marcus and YaoMing
Good question. What were we last year? 45-37 with a healthy team? That's pretty damn good considering were in a conference dominated by big men. In the east, the Rockets would get by just fine, but to compete in the west you have to have a solid front court player. There's only one team in the western conference going to the playoffs this year that doesn't have an all-star calibur big man, and that's the Sonics. This to me is the biggest reason the Rockets aren't able to make the playoffs. I'm going to start ignoring any talk of the two guards being traded. That's just pure nonsense. But, I think the Rockets weakest position is small forward. If I had to choose I would want Kenny to start there, but he's not exactly an ideal small forward. I think that's a position they could improve on with Lewis or Odom. Is it possible? Who knows. But I think it would help. We're set a power forward with Taylor and Griffin. Mo is pretty one dimensional, and Eddie's not that great at this early of a stage in his career. But the Rockets are just going have to wait and hope they both improve, there's not much else they can do. And as far as Cato goes, even with his improved the play, you would hope the Rockets could at least try to do better, but with his cap space we might be stuck with him. Besides, the center position is so weak I don't even know if I could name a dozen other centers I would want more than Cato. So, the only position that I see a definite need to be filled is small forward. PG and SG are fine. PFs are developing. And we're probably just stuck with the center. Don't forget the bench though. I think the Rockets could stand to improve their bench.
Great question. I think most on this bbs agree that, if an opportunity to improve the 3 or 5 position presents itself, it is worth looking at, but the options seem limited outside of the draft, and the opportunities to pick up a quality 5 there are slim. Mostly, IMO, the squad just needs to mature, hopefully at a faster pace than it did between last year and this. There are so many questions surrounding our current squad, such as: 1. Can MoT, EG, and KT can play together? 2. Can Rice contribute? 3. If Cato is our starter at 5, who is the backup? 4. Can the team learn to play defense? 5. Can we learn to execute our offense consistently? 6. Are any of the scrubs (TMo, OT, Langhi, Collier, and Brown) keepers? I think the real answer to crossover's question is that if the bbs didn't discuss potential moves, this board would be pretty dead as this lame duck season winds down.
Moves don't have to be made but to not explore the options would be stupid. This team, even when completely healthy, is not yet a championship contender. Obviously, upgrades, either at the starting or the bench C and SF positions would help in that regards. Given our possible glut at PF (although I don't think it will be too much of a problem), and our large amount of inexperience, hence the possiblity of trading the draft pick, we are in a position to make a move if we so desire, but as mentioned, only if the right opportunity presents itself. we still have to first answer many of the questions already posed before necessarily making a move.
Moves are needed!!!! (Odom for draft pick will probably do it) Last year their were reasons we won 45 games. • Hakeem was a factor in several games • You can chalk Matt Bullard down for about 5-7 of those wins (we only won because of his 3 point shooting). • Shandon Anderson, outside of offense, was a bigger factor then Walt at the 3. I beleive he was the reason for most of our fast break points last year. This year we are WHAT? DEAD LAST in the league. • Selfish play is on the rise this year!! Now with everybody currently playing. This team can barely handle The Chicago Bulls. Yes Taylor & Rice are out, but what are we missing? (KT more than makes up for Taylors numbers and Glen Rice is probably helping the team, being on the IR).
I agree with this mentality 100%. This mentality makes me want to spew chucks of Summitt Dogs all over the carpet.
I believe the team is fine just as it is. It's the team mentality that needs to change. 29th in the league in assists won't get us into the playoffs. PASS OR BUST! go rockets
I think another one you guys should be thinking about is whether Mo Taylor can completely recover from his torn achilies. Athletes (regardless of sport) have a very difficult time recovering from this type of injury. It's not impossible but is very hard. I think if Taylor can come back 100% then the Rockets will be ok, and should easily make the playoffs next. If not you guys better hope Griffen can hold down the PF spot. Not to say that he can't but remember it will only be his second year, and he's still very young.
