Ok, lemme say right off that I am just trying to get differing opinions and brainstorming ideas, that's all. Gone: Collier, Tito, and (sadly) TMo. Ok, if nothing else, that leaves 3 roster spots to fill. If we pick up, as speculated, Piatkowski and ADaniels, that still leaves one more spot to fill. Assuming we get Pike and AD, who's the third guy? Not counting that final spot, the roster would have: 1's: Steve, AD, Mooch 2's: Mobley, Pike 3's: Posey, Rice, Nachbar, Hawk 4's: MoT, EG 5's: Yao, Cato Now personally, I believe that since a) Posey can swing to the 2 occasionally, b) adding Pike makes for a 3-deep 2-guard spot with Mobley- Pike-Posey, and c) we are very deep at the 3 spot.. something tells me that JHawk does not make the squad. So we should have at least one, maybe two spots to fill, even after picking up Pike and AD. Question is then, what positions does the team need most ? I am not talking about starters as much as I am talking about practice bodies, people to bang, learn, and develop, while taking some of the load off the starters in the daily grind of day-to-day game prep. Looks to me like our biggest needs will lie at the 4 and 5 spots. Anybody know of a cheap, young, hustle-hungry 2nd rd draft pick who might fit the bill? Just guessing, but the vibe seems to be that the kid makes the roster. Then, either keep Hawk, or bring back TMo, and we would be pretty well set. But in the vast knowledge and experience of some of youse fellas on the board, I was wondering if anyone has any ideas as to what the 'ideal' roster makeup is, for most purposes? As much as we may like Hawk, do the Basketball Gods demand we fill those spots with big bodies, ANY big bodies, or what? Or do we have the luxury of keeping whoever seems to be the best athlete, or who has the most 'potential'? Just seems like if we have a better idea of which spots the Rockets will feel compelled to flesh out, the better chance we have of divining who might be the best targets upon whom to set our sights. (because, as everyone knows, CD does not make a move without checking this board first..) My guess is that Badiane makes it, and then heck, why spend big $ on free agents who you don't plan to play anyway.. keep Hawk, TMo, or even God forbid, Collier.
Who said we are getting Antonio Daniels and Eric Piatkowski? If we do anyways.... Steve Francis/Antonio Daniels/JASON MIKIRI (sp?)/Moochie Norris Cuttino Mobley/Eric Piatkowski/Juaquin Hawkins James Posey/Bostjan Nachbar/Glen Rice Eddie Griffin/Maurice Taylor/Malick Badiane Yao Ming/Kelvin Cato That's 15. Not including trades..
I agree, barring any trades, that looks like what we are going to war with. Badiane and Mikiri(sp?) have been very impressive but if we could switch Pike with Jon Barry, I would be VERY happy.
With KT getting Mo Taylor money, i think we'll either lose Posey or overpay him. I was thinking that mle type money, but KT and Philly killed that idea. KT will be traded 3 times before that contract is up.
I agree about KT and his contract. I always liked KT's hustle. If he was 3 -5 inches taller he would be an all-star. I truly do not want to overpay for Posey if we can reel in Jon Barry. He would be a very good fit for this team, especially with more emphasis on the inside -out game. That will mean alot more wide open threes.
I don't think Thomas' contract will affect Posey. Thomas is a better player than Posey. I don't think we should sign Piatkowski if we get Daniels (or vice-versa, but I prefer Daniels). That adds too much depth in the back and not enough in the front. I think we need a vet PF to catch us if Griffin and Taylor disappoint. And, I don't think Badiane is the answer here. His summer league performance is encouraging, but he is a rookie and he is a second-round pick. I doubt he'd get off the pine even if we are unhappy with Griffin's and Taylor's play.
Thats true, we need more depth up front. I say go after Elden Campbell. He is big and bulky. Although he may have a higher opinion of himself ( $$$) than what he is worth. Who is out there that is left PG wise?
Behind Portland, we have the most expensive bench in the league. How many teams can say their bench makes more than their starters?Rice(9),Taylor(8),Cato(7) and Norris(3.5) =27.5 m on the bench. Thats almost what La needs to get to the league minimum.
