Mutombo has been a terrific asset for the Rockets and a nice defensive presence, but we need a better offensive back up...... I would have liked to see Loren Wood in the rotation; his height at 7'2 would have bothered Boozer defensively and you have to believe that he has better hands than Mutombo.....I'm not sure if its age related but how many passes and rebounds went through his hands plus, at this stage in his career, Mutombo's height has more to do with his defense than ability.....Before you rip me apart, I know he is a backup but we can better our backup......
I was thinking the same thing a while ago that Deke should retire so the Rockets can move on and find someone younger who'll be around for a while that we can develop behind Yao. However, finding a good center is very difficult. Woods is still unproven IMO but I think we should at least settle for someone better than him if we're gonna find a backup for Yao.
Scola and Landry minutes at center were keeping Hayes and Deke glued to the bench. IMO this playoffs proved no matter how good the specialist reserve center, Yao's irreplaceable. With that in mind imo they should get a player who can help the team when Yao is on the court not only if he's out, ie get a big PF/C.
I don't know what your talking about. Mutombo showed great hands this season. I don't know what he did to improve between the time of riding the bench and being asked to be the starter due to Yao's injury but he hardly fumbled the passes.
Rocketsregle, are we watching the same games.....even Bill and Clyde make jokes about 'knowing your personnel' when it comes to Mutombo catching a basketball.....he is the epitome of the term 'Butterfingers'!
He's also the epitome of saving our asses with his rebounds and defense. Take Mutombo out of our lineup and replace him with Woods like you suggest, and we were gone in 4 games.
The names mentioned in this thread such as Woods and Butler just shows how hard it is for a good center to come by.
We just need to grab Roy Hibbert. He's raw but better potential than either Butler or Woods. If we can grab a 7 footer from FIBA ball, I'd say do it.
HONESTLY - I think he needs to have a seat right next to Jack Sikma. Coach Mutombo sounds good to me Rocket River
Please, never post again. Ever. Deke was never supposed to be our first option at center, and acting as first option he did a damn good job against what is arguably the West's best team. Mad props deke.
Ridiculous post. Deke was supposed to be a backup, and he would have been great in such a role dominating the paint on the second unit. However, he was forced into a starting role and did a commendable job, controlling the paint, anchoring the defense and providing a dunk here and there. As a starter he did commendably well, as a reserve he would have absolutely great. Woods, on the other hand, would have gotten absolutely destroyed by Boozer. Nothing I've ever seen him from him would make me think he would have made a difference. Dikembe at 41 years of age is still substantially better than Woods ever was or will be. Dikembe is a still serviceable backup center who will become a HOF member. Woods was available to us as part of a 10 day contract (whom we later signed on for the remainder of the season) and never made an impact during the spot minutes he received. Crunch time? I would rather have Deke out there, blocking shots, grabbing rebounds and intimidating with his elbows.
Obviously you weren't watching the games, Deke was out there for defensive and rebouding purposes. What he gives up on the offensive side of the ball, he makes up on the defensive end. Deke gave Boozer a very tough time and playing Loren Woods is a complete joke.
