Al Jefferson

[texasholdem]

Three Youtube clips do not a Big Black Guy make.

It was just to show he can defend the rim.
No one is saying he's Mutombo but he's better than anything we have currently as a rim protector.
Jefferson's blocks this year = 142
Scola's blocks for his career = 100

[texasholdem]

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he's reliable but how are we gonna afford a superstar/all star AND a starting defensive big with jeffersons contract? jefferson shouldnt the starting defensive big we need. he's not gonna defend the paint that well even with hayes. the defense will be better by default since he's better at defense than scola, but that doesnt mean we're good enough to contend.

His contract aint that bad if we can include Miller in the deal
2011-2012 season Jefferson will make $14m. Scola + Miller would make $13.3m
2012-2013 season Jefferson will make $15m. Scola + Miller would make $14.5m
If we have to include Hill (which I would be willing to do) that's another $3m

[rocketsballin]

so 2 great role players (martin and jefferson) will be making 12+mil until 2013? lol thats horrible, and we still need a defensive big and a superstar haha . we'd better learn how to say "mediocre" in 20 different languages if it goes down like that. cause its gonna be a loooong time before this team becomes relevant again.

[texasholdem]

Les seems to disagree with you. If we get a superstar great but they don't grow on trees and they don't seem to want to come here willingly. And I don't think Martin or Jefferson are "role players". They aren't superstars but either one can make the AllStar team.

Houston general manager Daryl Morey pursued a trade for Carmelo Anthony, but now that the team has played so well without a big star, owner Leslie Alexander is less willing to make that type of move.

"Definitely, the way our players are playing," Alexander said. "Daryl and I always fight about this. It's all give and take. I think our guys have shown they are capable of winning a championship if we add a couple pieces to them. I don't want to give them away for some other player.

"We are young. (Patrick) Patterson. (Kyle) Lowry's just 24. Chase (Budinger), Courtney (Lee) and Jordan Hill. You can go on and on and on. Chuck Hayes (28) is not that old. Yao (Ming) is only 31. There is no reason he can't have five or six more years."

[Kal El]

^ i was actually thinking that was thread worthy. we have been playing great since the all star break. we are not championship contenders but we are just 2 or 3 pieces away from maybe, just maybe getting a big boost and becoming legit. maybe we can be like the 2004 pistons.

PG: Lowry/ Dragic - Kyle Lowry has developed so much as point guard. this season he is showing the league he is a legit starter. he is a great floor general, one of the best defender and rebounder at the point guard position. he can score and he is also a solid 3 point shooter now. kyle lowry is good enough to lead a championship team as the point guard. Dragic is a great backup. i can elaborate but he is what he is, he is great as a back up point guard.

SG: Kevin Martin/Courtney Lee - Kevin Martin may not be much of a defender, but he is one of the better scorers at his position. after kobe and wade, there is a big space in the tier down where the joe johnsons and monta ellises are and we have one of those players. he is not a closer, he is not a defender but he will put points up 20+ a night ala Rip hamilton. Courtney is martin's perfect backup. he brings defense to the table and he is capable of knocking down shots.

SF: We need our wing defender, our prime battier. i would like Iggy at this position. he is a strong, long, athletic wing player. he is one of the better wing defenders in the league. it doesn't hurt that he is also a complete player on offense scoring, assisting, and he can also rebound. someone similar would be the perfect fit.

PF: A lot will rely on patrick patterson's development. he looks like he will develop into a solid starter. he has a jumper, decent post game, and he is already a better defender than scola. if not a starter, he will still be effective coming off the bench.

C: Chuck Hayes will be the ultimate back up. off the bench, we know what were getting defense whether it be against dwight howard, andrew bogut, or lebron james that back up spot is reserved for hayes. which leaves us with what we have been looking for for a long time a big black guy at the starting center spot. first requirement is a big body that can be a defensive presence in the paint and be our teams defensive anchor. of course dwight howard a superstar first comes to mind. guys like andrew bogut or marc gasol are also capable. an offensive game would be a plus but if not, we can always find our post offense at our pf position.

without a superstar i think we can build a great team. our current squad right now has shown the potential of rick adelman's offense when everybody is on the same page. we just need some defensive pieces to change the culture of our defense back to what is once was.

[rocketsballin]

ya we should move this to a new thread