What do the Rockets need to become an elite team?

[Joseph17]

I was just thinking about what the Rockets need to become an elite team and I really can't think of anything. They have talent at every position and definitely enough scoring. They also have some decent role players and defenders. I noticed people talking about Bosh, but I think getting him would be a little redundant if Yao makes a smooth recovery. Which players do you think would be a good fit for this team and what changes would you make? The only thing that I could think of is getting a good pass first pg and a number 3 option that's not a pg.

[DakkaFromNyc]

They need Yao back and add another big man to back up Yao

[Moreyball]

Yao back healthy and a low post scorer off the bench to replace Landry (can easily be obtained in the draft).

And it would be sick and wishful thinking if we landed Manu with the MLE money. Basically a poor man's Kevin Martin coming off the bench. We could completely throttle any team in a 7 game series with that much energy.

[langer]

Houston needs a PURE PG really bad. Someone who pass the ball first, score second, big size, willing to do the defense, a play maker.
Chinese funs have been complained that Houston never had a real PG since Yao has been drafted.

[Baller 24]

A defensive anchor (Yao).

[Rendezvous]

Yao and a great playmaker.

[Aaron Brooks]

Why do you guys keep bringing up Pure PG, what will that accomplish? Make the entry pass to Yao and not space the floor? Let's compare Adelman's Kings to the Rockets...

Bibby - Brooks
Christie - Ariza
Peja - Martin
Webber - Yao
Divac - Scola

Bjax - ??????

We need a scoring spark off the bench if anything

[moofs]

We need a shot blocking big man!

Really...
We need a new backup PF.
Possibly a backup C (but not really with Armstrong and Jeffries, unless we can trade them - I'd rather not have 9m tied up between those two, but hey...)

PG: We're pretty well set, barring a sellhigh on Brooks. Temple's looking like a nice third option, really...
SG: Martin and Budinger / Ariza
SF: Battier and Ariza
PF: Scola / Andersen
C: Steel toes, steel toes... and Jeffries/Hayes

As far as starters, that's anyone's guess.
I'd be all for Brooks + Jeffries + other + picks for Wade
http://www.realgm.com/src_tradechecker/4/

[JSB]

better healthy bench and yao to be on top of his game

[Iggyemu]

A star player. We have role players...best collection of role players in the NBA. We need a legit star to drop in there. Some people on this board are really optimistic that Yao can be that guy....I seriously doubt it. Big draft coming...big off season coming...

[rocketsballin]

well first of all, a big problem in the last decade is that there isnt enough playmaking. francis wasnt enough, tmac/rafer arent enough, and brooks/lowry sure as hell aint enough. it doenst have to be a pg, it could be a wing player that creates for others...andre iguodala woulda been nice , but someone that can run the point/create shots.

[Depressio]

Bibby - Brooks
Christie - Ariza
Peja - Martin
Webber - Yao
Divac - Scola

Bjax - ??????

Uhh, Lowry? Hello?

The Rockets need a constant low-post threat. Someone to draw double teams and preferably someone really tall to block occasional shots and change others. Those aren't easy to get, though!

*cough*

[thetennisyao]

we don't need pure pg. i am happy with brooks and lowry combo. We just need yao back, and plz find him a backup.

[Fobbie]

Houston needs a PURE PG really bad. Someone who pass the ball first, score second, big size, willing to do the defense, a play maker.
Chinese funs have been complained that Houston never had a real PG since Yao has been drafted.

There aren't many PG that has ALL the quality that you just listed...I'm happy with Brook here, we just need to remain healthy or healthy once post season comes around. I'm hoping that Martin would be that someone who we could give the ball to at the end of game and say get me some points. Too many time where in closing minute, the best possible shot we got was a 20 footer or something.

[Zubby]

Why do you guys keep bringing up Pure PG, what will that accomplish? Make the entry pass to Yao and not space the floor? Let's compare Adelman's Kings to the Rockets...

Bibby - Brooks
Christie - Ariza
Peja - Martin
Webber - Yao
Divac - Scola

Bjax - ??????

We need a scoring spark off the bench if anything

I see i'm not the only one who sees this...

Also Budinger - Hedo

Anyway like that Sacramento team this Houston team is mentally WEAK!
We won't win anything w/ this lineup, probably choke.

I mean we got Brooks who is pretty cluthch like Bibby.
AND Ariza is clutch defensively.
But that won't do it...

IMO we need Martin to be our 3rd star, and get another star to play alongside him and Yao.




On a sidenote I think Okafor would be an awesome pf for us. sign and trade Scola for him, but im sure New Orleans wouldn't do that.

[Joseph17]

Why do you guys keep bringing up Pure PG, what will that accomplish? Make the entry pass to Yao and not space the floor? Let's compare Adelman's Kings to the Rockets...

Bibby - Brooks
Christie - Ariza
Peja - Martin
Webber - Yao
Divac - Scola

Bjax - ??????

We need a scoring spark off the bench if anything

I see i'm not the only one who sees this...

Also Budinger - Hedo

Anyway like that Sacramento team this Houston team is mentally WEAK!
We won't win anything w/ this lineup, probably choke.

I mean we got Brooks who is pretty cluthch like Bibby.
AND Ariza is clutch defensively.
But that won't do it...

IMO we need Martin to be our 3rd star, and get another star to play alongside him and Yao.




On a sidenote I think Okafor would be an awesome pf for us. sign and trade Scola for him, but im sure New Orleans wouldn't do that.

That Sacramento team was one of my favorite teams of all-time. I would be thrilled if the Rockets get to that level.

[Zubby]

That Sacramento team was one of my favorite teams of all-time. I would be thrilled if the Rockets get to that level.

You would be happy with being a team that plays entertaining and chokes????

Plz
Give me the '94 Rockets...
OMG if we could somehow trade away Martin, Scola, Battier and get Wade and Okafor somehow.

[Virus4762]

Everyone needs to keep in mind we've never even seen this team compete while everyone's healthy (and that's NOT including Yao). The main thing that keeps us from contention (when healthy) is leadership. We've got boatloads of talent but just about every championship team has leadership. Yao's not that guy, I don't think Martin could be that guy, Brooks comes close but just doesn't strike me as the guy you would think of as the face of the franchise. Like someone said earlier, we need a true leader to push us over the top...someone like Wade. If we gave up Brooks + some other stuff I feel like we could have a shot at Wade. I love Brooks but you have to give something to get something.

[Zubby]

^^
Well Shane is our Leader, and a damn good one at that..

We would have to include Martin to Wade, which I would do in a second.
THEN swing a trade for Okafor...

Lowry/Temple
Wade/garbge/Taylor
ArizaBattier(whichever is left)/Bud
Okafor/Jefferies
Yao/Hayes/Adersen

whatever that bench is fine, not like we need one...

CHAMPIONSHIP!

[Guy986]

^^
Well Shane is our Leader, and a damn good one at that..

We would have to include Martin to Wade, which I would do in a second.
THEN swing a trade for Okafor...

Lowry/Temple
Wade/garbge/Taylor
ArizaBattier(whichever is left)/Bud
Okafor/Jefferies
Yao/Hayes/Adersen

whatever that bench is fine, not like we need one...

CHAMPIONSHIP!

Not one person can shoot the 3 consistently in that starting lineup. They'll be lucky to get out of the first round.