by Fenix on Sun Dec 25, 2005 8:25 am
Well, it was kinda obvious that D is going to be a problem. Van Gundy thinks that he'll miracously improve the defense of his team if he slows down the tempo of the game, but that just means less shots taken. When you have likes of Alston, Derek Anderson, Jon Barry and others patroling your perimeter, you know you have troubles. Alston is useless, Anderson is a shadow of his former self, Wesley lost a lot of his quickness (he is still decent defending opponent's PGs, but that won't help you if his backcourt buddy is 6'2'' 170 pounder who is terribly incosistent on defensive end), Mutombo and Howard are aging and Stromile is once again underachieving - what else is new? All these thing were obvious even before the season began. We also knew that Yao is nothing more than a very good role player and that this team will only go as far as Tracy takes them. And when he got hurt, he wasn't able to take them anywhere and there is where they went - nowhere. They need:
1. Stromile to wake up. I don't expect a lot from him. I know he's not a great rebounder, but he sure could provide that much needed dose of athleticism in the paint, both on offense and defense.
2. Bring another source of low post scoring and move Yao to the high post where his shooting and passing ability can be properly utilized. He should become more of a Brad Miller type of centre.
3. Bring a defensive minded PG, who doesn't make a lot of mistakes and can shoot the lights out. Mcgrady is the playmaker of this team, so that isn't that much of a need, but it would be nice to see him playing off-ball more and coming off the screens for a change.
4. Bring an athletic, defensive minded swingman who would take the defensive load off Mcgrady's chest.
5. Get rid of Jeff Van Gundy. This midget is overcoaching. He should let Mcgrady more freedom and move Yao into his more natural role.
While I was writing this, a trade came to my mind - Swift for Diogu and Pietrus. I doubt that Golden State would do that and Houston would lose its source of much-needed frontcourt athleticism, but just think...
Yao in the high post
Diogu in the low post
Mcgrady controling the game with his playmaking and scoring
Pietrus defending and penetrating
Head defending and shooting
This lineup would be young and filled with potential. Mcgrady is still in his mid-twenties and he could easily wait for others to mature (which would happen as soon as next year) and they could only upgrade their bench via MLE and draft. Too bad Pietrus is injury prone though...
"Sometimes a player's greatest challenge is coming to grips with his role on the team." (Scottie Pippen, #33)
to T-Mac.
