Rockets 12

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Top FA:

1) Nene: Is the true starting C that the Rockets desperately need. With Nene in Houston the Rockets have a legit shot to compete for a playoff spot and he would be a great building block for the new coaching regime in Houston. Nene, Kevin Martin and Kyle Lowry are 3 very solid player throw in a couple of the Rockets young talented guys who knows what could happen. Nene is the ideal sign for the Rockets 2011-2012 FA class.

 

2) Caron Butler SF : The Rockets started Chase Budinger at SF for a large part of last season and let’s face it he is a solid SF, but he is not a NBA starter. Caron Butler was a very big piece of the Mavs success last season despite not playing in the Finals when his Mavericks won the Championship. Butler is an all-star caliber SF and when healthy can be a very productive player all over the court. I don’t see the Rockets going after him but I wish they would. He would be without question one of the top two players on the roster.

 

3) Marc Gosol: A highly unlikely scenario here but another C option for the Rockets to pursue is Marc Gosol who came into his on last season with the Grizzlies and proved to be a lethal scorer inside in the playoffs. Gosol would step into the starting C role nicely for the Rockets, however he is likely to sign back with the Grizzlies.

 

4) David West PF: The fourth highest rated FA on my Rockets list graded by skill/team need and potential is PF David West. West has been an All-Star PF for the Hornets in the past and has the ability to fill it up offensively and he is a very good defender. Getting west makes Louis Scola expendable. West is just an all-around PF that does a lot when he is healthy as he has battle threw some injuries in his career. He would be a nice fit for the Rockets even though they already have a crowded PF rotation.

 

5) De Jordan: De Jordan’s hometown is Houston where he has reportedly said he would not mine playing according to some sources. I am a huge fan of this guy and I have been waiting for him to get his shot as a full time starter. This is most likely the way the Rockets will go if they can’t get Nene. Jordan is a high energy guy who can defend the basket, rebound and finish above the rim he is a young guy who would give the Rockets that length they need inside defensively and a guy who can get you around 10- 15 PPG and 9-12 RPG. I would be content if the Rockets make a move for him.

 

6) Jason Richardson: Richardson does not fit a team need; he is a natural SG, however he can play some SF and he is a veteran guy who could come and help groom and lead this young team. Richardson has lost a step, but he is still a capable defender who can finish inside and hit the open shots. Whoever signs Richardson is going to get a good veteran player.

 

7) Tyson Chandler: He is a high energy defensive minded player that the Rockets need, but will most likely not get. Chandler will most likely end up back in Dallas. He is a team guy with a great attitue and is the type of player that all coaches love to have on their team.

 

8) Arron Affalo: Despite not filling a need Affalo is a great defender and scorer who will break out this seaon where ever he lands up. Hemay be the still of this years FA class.

 

9) Thadeus Young: A SF who has potential and has never really showed his full skill set he fills a need, starting SF and he is a capalbe defender wich was one of the Rockets weaknesses on the perimeter.

 

10) Jeff Green: Anohter SF who is looking to break out in the very near future.....

 

Rockets Roster

C Chuck Hayes: The teams starting C at 6"6 (with shoes) has the heart of a lion, but is not supper athletic and doesn't have a great skill set. He is just a gritty guy who can defend and rebound when called on and is best suited to come off the bench.He has surpassed everyones expectaions of him and has played his way into the hearts of Rockets fans and would be one hell of a role palyer.

 

PF Lousi Scola: He is a crafty veteran who make plays for the Rockets, however he is taking minutes from Pattrick Patterson who may be able to step up and be that next building block for the Rockets. Scola is a good player, but he is not going to carry a team or develop any more what you see is what you get...a solid PF. May be traded durring season.

 

SF Chase Budinger: Called on to start last season and did an ok job, however he is not an everyday starter at the NBA level. He can't defend and he has trouble creating his on shot a times. He a solid player,I just don't like him as a starter. He is a young asset that mey be involved in a trade.

SG Kevin Martin: Can fill it up form all over the court....thats about it he is non existant on D and does not set up his team mates as well as most top notch SG who score like him can. You can build around him if you put the right peices togeather. Some people say he is tradeable depending on who they sign I don't see that. the Rockets need his scoring ability to stay in games because there overall team D is not very good they rely to heavily on their offense in the pass and I think the new coach regime is going to be more defensive minded.

 

PG Kyle Lowry: Has developed into a very good PG. I have to addmit I doubted him at first, but he has proved me wrong and then some. He doesn't do anything execpetional he just does alot of things very well. He can defend at a high level, he can hit the open shots he can create for his team mates and ,most importantly he can lead wich this young team needs, the need a leader and look for Lowry to do that this season.

 

SG Courtney Lee: Was a starter for the Magic and the Nets befor arriving in Houston. I think his confidence has been shot a bit, but with the new coaching staff and a fresh start he will turn back to his old ways. He can defend on the perimiter and kock down 3's. He would start for alot of teams in the league. Some people may argue that he should start for the Rockets. There is talk that he may be part in a trade that would send him to the Bulls or back to the Magic. I like Lee's game and wish we could find away to get him on the floor more.

 

PF Patrick Patterson: He could be the future for the Rockets he is a high character guy with a well rounded game and great upside. He does the little things that don't get recongnised in the press very similar to a Louis Scola only he is years younger and more athletic. I am not saying he is ready yet, but I wouldn't hesitate to give him a shot. I look for him to be the Rockets breakout player this year similar to Lowry last season and make his way into the starting lineup.

 

SF Terrence Williams: I liked him in college and with the Nets. I don't know what happened once he reached Houston, but he has been in a rutt since it seems like day one. I don' know if it was him, the system, or the coaches, but I do know a new coaching staff and a fresh slate is exaclty what T-Will needed. He is an athletic player who was known in college for his unselfish play and his ability to create for others. He rebounds well and is a good defender when he wants to be. He is a bit inconsitant at times and he is a streaky shooter. With the mind set of McHale I wouldn't be shocked to see him log in more minutes and maybe even crack the starting line up. He is another asset that could be involved in a trade.

 

C/F Jordan Hill: Is another young asset with huge upside and he has a lot of game when he is motivated. Hill gives the impression that he is disinterested in the game around at times and at other times he wreaks havoc in the blocks. If he can find some consistency he could be a valuable player for the Rockets. Another young talent that trade talk is circulating.

 

PG Johnny Flynn: Was a first round pick by the T-Wolves who showed flashes of his talents early in his rookie season, but has not delivered consitant play over his short career. This will be his first season with the Rockets and I look for him to battle with Dragic for the 2nd PG spot in the rotation. One of the '09 boys including Terrence Williams, and Chase BUdinger. Flynn is a super quick athletic PG with good defensive skills and the ability to create off the dribble. He needs to Improve his shooting and cut buck on the turnovers. Flynn is still young and has time to develop into a solid PG.

 

G Goran Dagic: He is a high motor guy who plays with a ton of energy. He has a good shot, but his handles are suspect at times and he occasionlly looks lost at PG. I think his skill set is better suited to play SG. That being said he a solid back up PG with good vision who learned alot under Steve Nash in Phenix. He is a prospect with some good potential who may find his way in a trade as well.

 

F Marcus Morris: The first of two first round picks made by the Rockets in this years draft. Morris is a 6"9 natural PF who is to small to play PF in the NBA so he will have to transition to SF where he can develop into a pretty good player. Personally I am not a huge Morris guy. I liked Kawhi Leonard and Chris Singleton more as SF out of college. I liked their defensive play and elite athleticism, but I hope the Rockets are smarter then me and Morris develops into a solid SF down the road. Don't get me wrong I know he can has got a lil game, but he has no niche. Leonard and Singleton would have stepped in and had a niche.I think his D is suspect and his ability to guard more athletic SF will be tested. Morris's mid range game is where he will make his living offensively and he has good size for a SF. I look forward to seeing what the rookies got.

 

F/C Danatas Montiejunas: I am huge Montiejunas fan! I have watched a lot of his games and high lights and I liked what I saw. He compres favorably to Dirk and Andrei Bangarni, but he also compares to Nikoloz Tskitishvili and Darko Milicic .So boom or bust? He has a smooth stroke form the outside and he has good ball skills and court vision for a 7Ft kid. He is a little thin and needs to bulk up to play with most C in the NBA. He will likely end up a stretch PF.I can see him developing into an All-Star type player in the future. I expect big things from the Lithuanian. Hope he joins the Rockets sooner rarther than latter.

 

C Hasheem Thabeet: Number one over all pick who is a bust in the making. Part of me want the Rockets to give him a chance to get more minutes. The other part of me want the Rockets to use the amenesty clause to waive him and his huge contract. He could be a defensive ace, but he is uch a liability on offense that the cons out way his pros.

 

SF Chandler Parsons: He doesn’t do anything great, but he competes on every play and he does a lot of things well. He has a decent stroke from the outside and a good offensive game. He can create for others and crash the boards. He has a long frame at 6”10 with shoes and decent quickness. His down fall will be his ability to defend on this level. He can come off the bench in the future and give you decent minute s as he does a little of everything.

 

PF Marqus Blakely: Developmental

SF Marcus Cousin:Developmental

F MIke Harris:Developmental