It’s been a tough off-season for the Houston Rockets, who finished last season in frustrating fashion, left wondering what could have been if CP3 stayed healthy.
They were cornered into giving Paul a massive four-year deal, but that was a no brainer, even though they know it could haunt them in the final years.
The season the team had, and the way it ended, gave them no real choice besides giving it another run. We all know they weren’t going to be able to make this team better in the short term by letting Paul walk.
The real problems came after this move, as Trevor Ariza was wowed by a one-year, $15 million contract with the Phoenix Suns. Once they lost him, it became increasingly important to retain Luc Mbah Moute, who has since signed with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Neither one of those guys are the big names, or put up the flashy numbers, but their presence was obvious when evaluating how well Houston was defensively. Both are good defenders, and their versatility on that end allowed them to switch against opposing offenses. Not only switch, but really not lose a step by doing so.
Now, with very legitimate concerns about how the roles of those guys will be filled, reports are circulating that the team is focusing in on bringing Carmelo Anthony to town.
Wait, what?
Yes, the interest in him is nothing new for Houston, and in many ways it doesn’t seem like a terrible idea. That is, until you remember the void that needs to be filled on the wing. Instead of finding the best possible candidate to fill that void, they have focused in on attaining the polar opposite.
Carmelo Anthony in his time with the New York Knicks. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
A fair point is to be made by saying he will relieve some of the offensive pressure James Harden and Paul are forced to carry on this team. That’s reasonable, and quite frankly, correct. He will make the jobs of the superstar guards easier over the course of the regular season.
After last year’s performance, the regular season isn’t very important to this team, as long as they make sure to be around in the playoffs. Once there, they would hope to this time overcome Golden State, but that goes from very difficult to impossible if Carmelo Anthony is getting even decent minutes in the series.
His defence has never been anything to write home about, but last year he took it to a whole new level, becoming borderline unplayable in the biggest games of the season. So Houston, who had built a roster designed to have a chance in a series with the dominant Warriors, is now going to try out shooting them?
That is impossible, and can only end in ugly fashion for anyone not in a Warriors jersey.
Oh yeah, one more thing, Houston still has Ryan Anderson on board at a whopping 22 million. If him or Melo are asked to be on the floor against the Warriors come playoff time, one of the five all stars on GS will be able to feast, leaving the Rockets with no chance.
Houston, we have a problem.
Jed Lanyon
Roar Rookie
I think Melo could be useful to the Rockets but only if he is willing to accept a lesser role. It's just that time in his career. He could be a spark plug as a 6th man off the bench scoring for their second unit. Unfortunately I just can't see him being willing to sacrifice his game to win.
Mushi
Guest
But they can't afford a true replacement for Ariza. Read a decent report on Melo's "best" defensive attribute being switching so he's no Ariza but the rockets scheme is suited to him. Still I think it needs to be a 10-15 minute thing with more when scoring is tough to come by. Will be interesting if he accepts that role after being waived. He said he wouldn't in OKC
Garrett Brooks
Roar Rookie
Yeah I understand the thought that he is worth rolling the dice on. What I find to be a mistake is him coming in after Ariza and Mbah Moute left, unless they make another move with a Melo move that addresses some of the defense they lost.
astro
Guest
Melo probably isn't the best fit, but if the Thunder stretch and release him, he can sign for the Rockets at a relatively cheap price, so he's well worth the gamble. He'll also be better playing with CP3...just about everyone is.
Jerry
Guest
Oh yeah, I don't think he'd be GOOD for the Lakers, just better than he would be for the Rockets. His only place for the Lakers would be playing 15-20 minutes in the 2nd unit anyway and he probably wouldn't accept that and would be a locker room distraction.
Garrett Brooks
Roar Rookie
Yeah I have to agree with that kind of situation being the best fit for him at this point. Specifically a team that lacks players who can get buckets in a slowed down game. I do think he would be a terrible fit on the Lakers though. He doesn't have the ability right now to be efficient in the flow of the offense, and I think the Lakers are better off not bringing him along. They're young players have shown effort in ball movement, I would hate to see Melo come steal those possessions only to jack a mid range jumper off the rim.
Jerry
Guest
Yeah, I don't really get why Houston has any interest in him. He'd be ok, just, for the Lakers who need someone to score against the second unit - but that would require him to accept being a bench player which he's shown no interest in previously. To be honest, the best fit for him is some lottery or fringe playoff team who needs his scoring.