Heading into the season, i think we have three guys who can move into the starting rotation, mike james, swift, and anderson. I would start all three of them. James would give us speed, a higher scoring gaurd, maybe a third option. Anderson would give us a lot more hieght, and this way, he could backup tmac and play the 2. Swift is young and healthy. HE gives us some shotblocking and speed on that aging court. This overall makes the roster a bit younger and faster. 1- Mike james, Sura, Head, Ward, Norris 2- anderson, welsey, barry 3- Tmac, anderson, bowen 4- Swift, Howard, bowen, baker 5- Yao, Deke, Swift
bplld, there was a reason last year why Sura started instead of James. Mike provides some offense from the bench and along with Howard and Wesley, could create a great second unit this season. Anyway, here's mine- PG- Sura, James, Head, Ward, Norris SG- Andersen, Wesley, Barry, Head SF- McGrady, Andersen, Barry, Bowen PF- Swift, Howard, Baker/Bowen (depends on what PF we're playing against) C- Yao, Mutumbo, Swift.
I have the same lineup with AznxBaller....JVG trusted Sura as our starter so let's keep it that way until otherwise changed....he also trusted Mike as our backup spark...let's leave that that way as well
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting DynastYWarrioR6:</div><div class="quote_post">I have the same lineup with AznxBaller....JVG trusted Sura as our starter so let's keep it that way until otherwise changed....he also trusted Mike as our backup spark...let's leave that that way as well </div> same here ...like last year, when Yao and Howard goes to the bench, that's when Team Highlight Reel shows up old THR = James, Sura, Barry, Tmac, Deke (I like how JVG use this bunch to run with Denver...this group is good) new THR = James, Barry, Anderson, Tmac, Swift (but this group is supa good)
James did put up big points last season and could be a third option, but do the Rockets want a point guard as a third option? When James started those games at point guard, we saw big scoring performances with him. We also saw Yao's numbers drop. James was playing at a pace two notches above what Yao was used to and it took its toll. I'm not saying that James isn't fit for the team, it's just that having someone quick who can come in and give you 10 points in a hurry is the way that Houston should use James, something like how the Mavericks used Devin Harris last season. Sura is much more steady and willing to get the ball to others, and we should have him on the court for most of the time Yao's on. James is more suited to playing with the likes of TMac, Anderson, Swift and Head than Yao, Mutombo, Howard and Wesley.
I agree that James should come off the bench, but I highly doubt that Moochie or Ward will make the team............we have enough guards and these guys will never see playing time.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AznxBaller:</div><div class="quote_post">bplld, there was a reason last year why Sura started instead of James. Mike provides some offense from the bench and along with Howard and Wesley, could create a great second unit this season. Anyway, here's mine- PG- Sura, James, Head, Ward, Norris SG- Andersen, Wesley, Barry, Head SF- McGrady, Andersen, Barry, Bowen PF- Swift, Howard, Baker/Bowen (depends on what PF we're playing against) C- Yao, Mutumbo, Swift.</div> The obvious line up...........Only I wouldn't want Ward, Baker, or Moochie on the roster. I'd rather see some young guys like Baxter and Glover play. I guess we should keep they're expiring contracts, but I'm just being nit picky. I've said this before, Mike James could never be a starter. He can be very effective, but only coming off the bench. He plays at turbo speed, which would be nice to see if Yao comes out of the game. <div align="center">James Anderson Tmac Howard Swift</div> That's going to be our fast break line up right there
Im not convinced Swift will start. Like last season I think it will take a while to try different combos and see which works. I just hope Head can be a shutdown defender; then I dont see any team we could not match up agianst.
I think this will be our active lineup for the season... PG- Sura, James, Head SG- DA, Wesley SF- Tmac, Barry, Bowen PF- Swift, Howard C- Yao, Deke not active (ward, moochie, baker)...hopefully one of them gets "cut" to make room for Lonny
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting LiQz:</div><div class="quote_post">Anderson is coming off the bench until he proves to the coach that he's a starter.</div> Anderson needs to start. He'll prove hisself, but everybody knows that DA needs to be starting. There is no way Wesley should be starting over anybody.
my rotation would be... starters: PG- Sura SG- Wesley SF- McGrady PF- Swift C- Yao Significant bench players: Deke, Howard, Anderson, James bit players: Barry, Bowen, Head (although its very possible that Head is sent to the NBDL)
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Shooter:</div><div class="quote_post">my rotation would be... starters: PG- Sura SG- Wesley SF- McGrady PF- Swift C- Yao Significant bench players: Deke, Howard, Anderson, James bit players: Barry, Bowen, Head (although its very possible that Head is sent to the NBDL)</div> There is no way I would start Wesley again. DA is better in almost EVERY aspect of the game. His athletism and speed is too much to have him on the bench. I don't know if I would start Swift either, until I see if Howard is healthy.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> There is no way I would start Wesley again. DA is better in almost EVERY aspect of the game. His athletism and speed is too much to have him on the bench. I don't know if I would start Swift either, until I see if Howard is healthy.</div> Shooter has some good reasoning there. Although I would go with my lineup, Andersen can provide much more spark off the bench than Wesley- giving us a very quick and powerful second unit. Mike James is also almost better in every aspect of his game compared to Sura but provides us with the sixth man role. Same reasoning. For the Swift thing, I would try out both and see which role fits each player the best, and then work it out that way.
Houston looks really solid. Every spot is filled and the have good backups to come off the bench. It should be a great season.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AznxBaller:</div><div class="quote_post">Shooter has some good reasoning there. Although I would go with my lineup, Andersen can provide much more spark off the bench than Wesley- giving us a very quick and powerful second unit. Mike James is also almost better in every aspect of his game compared to Sura but provides us with the sixth man role. Same reasoning. For the Swift thing, I would try out both and see which role fits each player the best, and then work it out that way.</div> Yeah I was thinking that you'd want your starting lineup to be the most cohesive lineup...therefore, I'd want Wesley starting...I dont see him finishing games, but I'd want his shooting in there with Yao and TMac...I also threw Swift in as a starter because he'll provide weakside defensive help for Yao, while also providing a lethal fastbreak combination with TMac...Howard is more suited to less minutes off the bench as someone who can score well for you as a post player...he's more offensive-minded, and I think that J-How, MJ and DA would be a deadly offensive trio off the bench, as well as having Deke, MJ and DA capable defenders as well...
My projection... PG- Sura SG- DA SF- McGrady PF- Swift C- Yao DA starts over Wesley because he is a better 3rd option on the floor, to make it easier for Yao and TMac. DA can create his own shot and is more than capable of hitting the same open jumpers Wesley got last season. Having Wesley come off the bench to play with the second unit works better as well. Mike James is more of a shoot first guard, and DA will end up taking low percentage shots like he did playing alongside Damon Stoudemire in Portland. It's hard for DA to get into a rhythm when he's not sure whether the PG is going to kick out to him, or take the layup. Wesley is better spotting up and doesn't need time to get warmed up in a game. Starting DA will also help TMac out on the defensive end. DA can exert his energy more on defense and protect TMac from having to guard the better of the SG/SF on the floor. With Wesley started your really limited on your defensive schemes, because he's generally smaller than his matchup.
I think JVG could let james start, he gives us a good third option, which is our biggest need. A lineup of james, anderson, tmac, swift and yao will be fast. Most of the top teams in the WC are fast. Dallas, Sacremento, Pheonix, Denver, Seattle, Golden State.... I think we have a much better chance of winning these games with james running the point for longer durations than sura. And our bench wont be exactly dry. You still have anderson, who comes in for tmac.
James would be the third option on offense, and that's what I don't like. James is someone who does a great job of putting the ball in the basket, but he makes bad decisions at times with the ball and Yao gets a lot less touches with James in the game. If we didn't like Francis starting at point guard, then we wouldn't like James. He'd be best in a situation without a guy like Yao holding the offensive set-up up. Besides, Anderson is most likely going to be our third option on offense and he's just as good a scorer as James.
