117 replies to this topic

[timetodienow1234567]

Here is a post for thoughts about the Howard/Asik pairing. 

 

I think it isn't working. I know it's still early, but I don't like it so far.

[BrentYen]

I think it can work. It would be better if D12 could convert on those post up tho.

[thenit]

But he has never been a great post player. He just want the tv time, instead of doing what he is good at play d and pick n rolls

[thenit]

There is a reason our offensive rating with twin towers is horrendous they basically take away what our starting wing players does well which is driving to the rim.

[Cooper]

Not looking good so far but it is an extremely small sample size. Still I'd be calling teams about power forwards if I was morey.

[Mason Khamvilay]

There is a reason our offensive rating with twin towers is horrendous they basically take away what our starting wing players does well which is driving to the rim.

Couldn't have said it better myself. Hopefully McHale is just experimenting and he will get over it soon, even Morey said it won't work.

[Mason Khamvilay]

My first choice for our 4 is Casspi, and sadly my second choice is Brewer assuming he can hit corner 3s

[ale11]

Offensively is not working because right now we are approaching the "don't make Dwight disgruntled so soon" strategy, meaning that we are trying to post him up often, and it isn't working. What's worse is that not only we are not coming up with points, is that 2 out of three times it ends in a turnover, whether is Dwight travelling or the ball is just poked away.

 

Defensively is not working because Dwight is not successfully adjusting his mindset to playing PF in that end (hopefully, not YET). He is not closing out on the PF when he stretches the floor and also is fighting the rebounds that belong to Asik (it feels really ankward when the ball is falling on Asik's hands and Dwight practically runs over him to get the rebound).

 

Howard said it in the preseason: everybody needs to sacrifice a bit to make this work and so far I don't see him sacrificing for the team. Just for the record, I'm not saying that he should do it nor that it's not awesome to see him in a Rockets' uniform, but we know that Asik is a team-first guy and Howard is all about the stats. Don't get fooled by the hope of maturation from him, we all knew he came here because Harden is willing to share the ball with him unlike Kobe.

 

It takes effort to make this work, but our stars need to lead by example, and so far both Harden (defensive liability) and Howard aren't exactly "taking one for the team". I repeat, I still believe this could work given team, but so far isn't looking all that good. Maybe I got too hyped over the idea that we could bring Howard while keeping Asik, I'd hate to see Omer go.....

[Richards]

Neither player is natural PF, so if it could works, it will at least take a long time.

For now, Cassapi's shooting and rebounding outweight production of twin tower.

[Mario Peña]

Ale11, you write "we all know Asik is a team first guy and Howard is all about the stats" and I must write in response that I am not certain either of those assumptions are true. And even if I came to the opinion that Asik is a team first guy I still see the benefit in trading him and have no qualms about it. I would rather see Asik stay and back up Howard to have him ready for the playoffs. Regarding Howard, even if one of his priorities are his statistics I see no problem with that as many great players that have won championships also cared about statistics, it's not an automatic flaw. None of these situations are that simplistic.

I still see the advantages of the tandem setting the tone but I definitely don't believe it is the lineup that garners the most minutes nor does it regularly close out games.

[rocketrick]

I truly believe anyone that even for a second believes that Harden or D12 or Parsons or Lin, et al, cares more about their individual statistics than a win simply has no clue about what they are talking about. I do believe the Rockets are building a special chemistry which will only get better over time.

[ale11]

Ale11, you write "we all know Asik is a team first guy and Howard is all about the stats" and I must write in response that I am not certain either of those assumptions are true. And even if I came to the opinion that Asik is a team first guy I still see the benefit in trading him and have no qualms about it. I would rather see Asik stay and back up Howard to have him ready for the playoffs. Regarding Howard, even if one of his priorities are his statistics I see no problem with that as many great players that have won championships also cared about statistics, it's not an automatic flaw. None of these situations are that simplistic.

I still see the advantages of the tandem setting the tone but I definitely don't believe it is the lineup that garners the most minutes nor does it regularly close out games.

 

Granted, I was simply saying that I'm not seeing the "sacrificing" part on Howard's behalf, he is just doing what he always did: dunk the ball, play defense (although he is not taking a step out of the painted area to contest short/mid range shots) and get rebounds. Period. Last night, Asik had to play PF on D as well and he did a better job than Howard to guard and contest shots outside the paint.

 

 

 

I truly believe anyone that even for a second believes that Harden or D12 or Parsons or Lin, et al, cares more about their individual statistics than a win simply has no clue about what they are talking about. I do believe the Rockets are building a special chemistry which will only get better over time.

 

 

I might have no clue then. Sorry for blending myself amongst elite posters who are much more smarter than I, my apologies.

[rockets best fan]

trying to stay positive, but it's clear to me the Asik/Howard combo isn't working. defensively it looks ok, but offensively we have experienced confusion. will it change? I'm not sure it will. Morey should be on the phone right now trying to find us a PF/backup center. ship Howard back to full time center.

Edited by rockets best fan, 06 November 2013 - 05:15 PM.

[Dmes]

Ale11, you write "we all know Asik is a team first guy and Howard is all about the stats" and I must write in response that I am not certain either of those assumptions are true. And even if I came to the opinion that Asik is a team first guy I still see the benefit in trading him and have no qualms about it. I would rather see Asik stay and back up Howard to have him ready for the playoffs. Regarding Howard, even if one of his priorities are his statistics I see no problem with that as many great players that have won championships also cared about statistics, it's not an automatic flaw. None of these situations are that simplistic.
I still see the advantages of the tandem setting the tone but I definitely don't believe it is the lineup that garners the most minutes nor does it regularly close out games.

what's wrong with making assumption? we are fans. and you have just written your own assumption about great players

[Richards]

trying to stay positive, but it's clear to me the Asik/Howard combo isn't working. defensively it looks ok, but offensively we have experienced confusion. will it change? I'm not sure it will. Morey should be on the phone right now trying to find us a PF/backup center. ship Howard back to full time center.

Absolutely agreed. Offense was suck while they both are on the floor.

[Dmes]

trying to stay positive, but it's clear to me the Asik/Howard combo isn't working. defensively it looks ok, but offensively we have experienced confusion. will it change? I'm not sure it will. Morey should be on the phone right now trying to find us a PF/backup center. ship Howard back to full time center.

imo the hawks is the best option
1. they have milsap and elton brand that we can use
2.horford said that he wanted to play with asik/noah
3.most importantly they are in the east
4.after seeing asik's defensive versatility and the way anthony davis is balling,asik -anderson swap is a no no. western conference is already very tough. rocket will get the short end of the bargain

[Dmes]

Absolutely agreed. Offense was suck while they both are on the floor.

i still don't get why rockets only focus on howard , if they really want to try two towers. something doesnt add up

[rockets best fan]

imo the hawks is the best option
1. they have milsap and elton brand that we can use
2.horford said that he wanted to play with asik/noah
3.most importantly they are in the east
4.after seeing asik's defensive versatility and the way anthony davis is balling,asik -anderson swap is a no no. western conference is already very tough. rocket will get the short end of the bargain

this is why I disagree.........

1. I don't think Milsap can help us all that much. we can survive at PF without Asik......the problem is who will play backup center?

2. if we make a trade with ATL it's got to be for Horford......a PF who can play backup center

3. I agree we want to ship Asik east unless trading for LMA or Love. if we're not getting one of those two, Asik in the east is a priority.

4. I also agree Anderson trade would be a mistake for Rockets. we already have his skillset in Casspi.

 

trying to keep Asik happy by playing him next to D-12 is killing us offensively. every time we go to the small lineup it seems we surge in the game. some of the teams we have met were simply outclassed in talent. as we start to hit more of the top teams in the league our weakness trying to play the Asik/D-12 combo will be exposed to a greater degree. Asik being in the game not only affects D-12 getting clean looks, but slows the ability of the perimeter players to drive to the basket. this is why I think both Harden and Parsons seem to be off to slow starts this season

[Richards]

i still don't get why rockets only focus on howard , if they really want to try two towers. something doesnt add up

They sold Howard on "legacy of centers" and playing him PF. A joke.

 

Today in NBA, center position wasn't critical as in the past. Last year final teams, Heat doesn't have one, Spurs center was a fifth wheel. Totally beyond belief why they are installing two centers on the floor at the same time. (I agreed having one is important)

 

Morey and McHale knew that championship window is very narrow. They must achieve at least conf final or conf champ in three year. Otherwise Dwight will be moving. 

[Mason Khamvilay]

They sold Howard on "legacy of centers" and playing him PF. A joke.

 

Today in NBA, center position wasn't critical as in the past. Last year final teams, Heat doesn't have one, Spurs center was a fifth wheel. Totally beyond belief why they are installing two centers on the floor at the same time. (I agreed having one is important)

 

Morey and McHale knew that championship window is very narrow. They must achieve at least conf final or conf champ in three year. Otherwise Dwight will be moving. 

To be fair, Morey didn't bring him in to play PF--that was McHale's doing. It's still early so if there's anytime to experiment, that time is now.