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What to do with Omer Asik?

Recently, Omer Asik requested that the Houston Rockets find him a new home. The reports surfaced after playing only four minutes in a loss to Philadelphia and receiving a Did Not Play (DNP) the following night in Madison Square Garden. The beleaguered big man is rumored to have told coach Kevin McHale that he was not prepared to play against New York. The Rockets have subsequently denied Asik’s request. Rightfully so. The speculation that has emerged after this request, however, has created a great deal of extra commentary that obscures a few fundamental lessons we can glean from this situation.

Omer Asik is not above the Rockets

Quickly, identify the last malcontent to have been on the Rockets roster. Did you guess Royce White? Good. Royce joined the Houston Rockets as a rookie with anxiety disorder. The logical ends to dealing with this disorder, per his chief advocate; himself, was to dictate to the Rockets the terms of his employment. The result of this attempt to assert himself as more than the Houston Rockets was his subsequent trade to Philadelphia and, ultimately, his status as an unrestricted free agent in his second year in the NBA. Clearly Omer Asik presents a different situation. Asik has had no grandstanding, no prospects of being out of the league so quickly, and has definite value in the NBA. What the two share, however, is pride. Pride comes before the fall.

In this instance, Omer Asik’s pride after the Dwight Howard signing lead to his first request for a trade. His pride after the twin towers experiment ended in underwhelming fashion lead to his second request for a trade. His pride had lead him to take himself out of the lineup against the New York Knicks. The last time a player allowed pride to keep himself away from the Rockets he was isolated from the team until Daryl Morey could do something with him.  In this instance Asik still ahs value. He is still one of the best centers in the NBA. The unfortunate reality for him, however, is that he plays on a team with the best center in the NBA. The emergence of Terrence Jones and Omri Casspi as ideal complements to Dwight Howard limits Asik’s playing time in a major way. What it doesn’t do, however, is relegate Omer to obscurity. Asik needs to acknowledge that he can contribute to a winning team for twenty to thirty minutes a night if he can expand his offensive game to a mid-range jumper. Arguably Asik signed with the Rockets to expand his game anyhow, now’s the time to make good on that justification. If, however, Asik decides that expanding his game and earning back his minutes is beneath him he should give Royce White a call.

Asik’s value is not diminished in the slightest

It’s not. Anyone arguing otherwise is either in denial or unaware of just how much of a premium an elite defensive center is in the NBA. The Miami Heat will be the first team to inform you that an elite defensive center can solve some major problems. Roy Hibbert terrorized the Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals last year. A presence such as Omer Asik could have served as a counter to Hibbert’s dominant play. Granted, the Heat advanced past the Pacers but they could have done so with fewer sleepless nights had they had a center to keep Hibbert in check. Asik’s dip in production while playing next to Dwight Howard will not register concern for most NBA executives. It stands to reason that Asik’s productivity would decrease next to an All-NBA talent like Dwight. Executives are quick to understand that Omer is more the legitimate seven-footer who averaged a double-double last season than the hapless big man playing sidekick to Superman.

This raises the question as to what the value on Asik is, however. Asik is solidly in the second mid-tier of big men in the NBA. Howard occupies a tier almost exclusively at the top. You can argue that Roy Hibbert and Marc Gasol are in or around this level as well. None are as transcendent as Dwight Howard. What Hibbert lacks in defense and rebounding Dwight has and what Gasol excels in defensively Howard can eclipse. Asik falls into the second tier with players like Robin Lopez (Yes, a center needs to rebound the ball) and Marcin Gortat; reliable starters that flash either well-rounded play or one elite skill. This won’t fetch you a superstar but it will be a strong starting point for a conversation that can lead to one.

Don’t close Asik’s coffin yet, he’s alive

The Rockets haven’t hit the point of no return in their relationship with Asik. Both parties are at an impasse but one that can be rectified. The Rockets are yet to play teams that are vulnerable to the twin towers. The Pacers, Grizzlies, and Spurs are all vulnerable to the impact of Howard and Asik. Dwight Howard’s presence mandates that more often than not a floor-stretching four will be necessary. The unfortunate implication is that Omer Asik doesn’t really have a place on the floor unless Dwight hits foul trouble. Additionally Kevin McHale’s preference for small ball will continue to raise questions about Asik’s usage. The season is young. The Rockets are 7-4 and there’s 72 games left to play. The All-Star break is still three months away. The team has come out in support of Asik as a teammate and Asik needs to reciprocate that faith by producing on the floor.

One thing is for certain, however. The Rockets are handling this Omer Asik situation properly and will make the right call when the time comes.

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Total comments: 14
  • rockets best fan says 1 month ago

    although bynum's last year was quite a saga to watch!

    Bynum's hair was so bad I wanted to take a set of razors and cut him bald myself :lol:just because you are famous don't mean you can stop combing your hair. that kid is a mess both mentally and physically

  • Losthief says 1 month ago

    I'm afraid big hair won't cut it :lol:

    although bynum's last year was quite a saga to watch!

  • rockets best fan says 1 month ago

    Brook Lopez, not robin lopez, is in the second tier of centres. Unless you have an unbelievably high opinion of the value of big hair in the NBA.

    I'm afraid big hair won't cut it :lol:

  • areteejay789 says 1 month ago

    Brook Lopez, not robin lopez, is in the second tier of centres. Unless you have an unbelievably high opinion of the value of big hair in the NBA.

  • tombrokeoff says 1 month ago

    (continued from what i just put directly above) I know its a small sample size, but if his play stays consistent and Morey obviously isnt going to rush anything with Asik, it only helps the entire situation (aside from Omers personal happiness) for a few reasons.

  • tombrokeoff says 1 month ago

    T Jones' great play the past 4 games is really opening up Morey's options in trading away Asik.

  • rockets best fan says 1 month ago

    I'm not sure if there are better parallels but in the same way Horry and the Rockets were at an impasse after that trade didn't go through he decided to become invested in the team and that is what Asik has to do now. This is easily one of those cheesy retrospective topics they do during television introductions during the playoffs, imagine the Rockets get to the conference finals and after the Dwight signing comes the flashes back to Asik-gate before the game broadcast begins.

    I agree there is no way his value diminishes. Whether he plays or doesn't is irrelevant.

    As to players being above the Rockets brass well to me the last serious case was Lowry. There was a guy who was too big for britches and McHale and Morey weren't having it.

    Overall I believe everything is set up for Asik to bounce back and this team will hopefully be closer for it. I still would like to see Asik stay here this year but there's a very good chance he is gone around December 15th or the trade deadline.

    well said............totally agree. the hand writingis pretty much on the wall in Asik's case........he will be traded. however it will be when the Rockets are ready....not the other way around. been monitoring ATL, Portland, Minny and Milwaukee.......right now all but Milwaukee look pretty good. I'm hoping one of ATL, Portland or Minny fall apart at the seams making a star PF available.

  • Chichos says 1 month ago

    So who else do we have a reasonable chance of getting on the "second tier" Anderson Varejao? Maybe we could get a second rounder alsoif we threw in some cash. I am having a hard time thinking of borderline allstar defensive centers we could get our hands on...

  • feelingsupersonic says 1 month ago

    I'm not sure if there are better parallels but in the same way Horry and the Rockets were at an impasse after that trade didn't go through he decided to become invested in the team and that is what Asik has to do now. This is easily one of those cheesy retrospective topics they do during television introductions during the playoffs, imagine the Rockets get to the conference finals and after the Dwight signing comes the flashes back to Asik-gate before the game broadcast begins.

    I agree there is no way his value diminishes. Whether he plays or doesn't is irrelevant.

    As to players being above the Rockets brass well to me the last serious case was Lowry. There was a guy who was too big for britches and McHale and Morey weren't having it.

    Overall I believe everything is set up for Asik to bounce back and this team will hopefully be closer for it. I still would like to see Asik stay here this year but there's a very good chance he is gone around December 15th or the trade deadline.

  • Richards says 1 month ago

    I won't blame Asik. He was the only Rockets played entire regular and post season last year and was 2nd most important member of success.

    Now, he was ditched in favor of Howard. No question Howard is a better player and more expensive piece. And coaches wasted about 10 possession a game to please Howard by using in post up situation. (not my word, read grantland and others to see how coaches are bending backward to make Howard happy). This is how Asik and most players in any ultra competitive sports were treated. Treat them well while they were on top, beat them down while weren't needed. Very expensive business with ruthless tactics. Tough to blame anybody here. This is a dark side of business.

  • John P says 1 month ago

    Agreed...I support Asik fully for all he has given the team.
    I do think his choice to opt out of playing in games while being paid millions to do so is BS though.
    I am sure he feels somewhat betrayed for all of the great work he did for the team last year but the place for that is to talk to McHale and Morey one on one and express his frustration...even anger, etc.... but not do it in public and not affect the team play.
    I see lots of games down the stretch where Asik could play big minutes...if not the majority of the games. In games with weak teams Asik could maybe even start to give Howard rest and Asik more time on the court, but his days of starter on a team with a health Howard are gone.
    Anyway, I am rambling. I feel for Asik but just hope he learns to deal with his frustration in a more constructive way.

  • 2016Champions says 1 month ago

    I love Asik, I could never hate that guy. No matter what happens he has my support.

  • Cooper says 1 month ago The asik situation is irepairable unless Dwight is gone and it's an easy choice between Dwight and asik.
  • timetodienow1234567 says 1 month ago So Asik is too prideful?

    But his value hasn't diminished?

    You assign him a character flaw then say it doesn't matter to other teams? I'm confused.