The Rockets' lack of size exposed in loss to the Mavs

November 20, 3:05 PMHouston Rockets ExaminerDavid Hartnett

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AP Photo/David J. Phillip

No Josh Howard? No problem for the Dallas Mavericks. On a night that saw both Josh Howard and Yao Ming sit out due to ankle injuries, the Mavericks won the game between the two injury riddled squads 96-86.

Maybe it was a sign. Maybe it was a good thing the Rockets lost. For what is lost in the whole discussion about how poorly the Rockets played Wednesday night, was the acknowledgement that the Rockets severly lack size in the interior without Yao Ming. When a team sends a starting center standing  6’6”, while the tallest player in your starting lineup is 6’9” — you're in trouble.

If you’re Daryl Morey — you call Dikembe Mutombo immediately.

You can’t play small ball, and reasonably assume you’re going to have long-term success. The Warriors had some success in 2007, but they had Andris Biedrins who hovers around seven feet, and is both an efficient rebounder and somewhat effective shot blocker. With Yao not playing, they have neither a decent rebounder, or shot blocker.  Ron Artest had a game-high 13 rebounds, but you can’t rely on one player to shut down the opposing team’s best perimeter player, score at least 20 points a night, and then get the vast majority of the rebounds. Eventually he will tire down. For McGrady he can get five or six rebounds a game, but with his knee — there is no need to put extra strain upon it.

AP Photo/David J. Phillip

The Rockets have had no depth in the center position throughout the season, yet in Wednesday’s game — it became abundantly apparent. The Rockets can’t rely on Carl Landry or Chuck Hayes to play sustained minutes at the center spot. While Landry can be a good scorer at times, and while Hayes can be a fairly good defender, if long-term success is to be had — a new Center is needed.

If you want to solve the problem that became so apparent during Wednesday’s game, it’s simple — bring back Deke.

Before the game, Coach Adelman was asked about their lack of depth, and wasn’t naïve to their problem.

"Just look at what we have tonight and make your own conclusion,'' Adelman said. "We have four guys who are basically power forwards. It's something that we really have to look at. If he goes down, that puts us really shorthanded.

"This puts a real exclamation point. If you didn't have Yao for a period of time, you'd really be in trouble and force the issue.''

AP Photo/David J. Phillip

Currently, no free agent Center other than Deke is a competent option — unless you want to see Kelvin Cato return. So Daryl Morey, call up Deke and tell him you need him. Tell him he gave the Rockets good minutes last year. That he was a fan favorite and his teammates liked him. Don’t forget to remind him this may be the last shot he has at a NBA title.

If Mount Mutombo says no, call up a few teams and see what you can get for Luther Head and Steve Francis. Neither seem to fit into the team’s plans this year. See if you can acquire a competent backup Center for their services.

If that doesn't work, consider giving Joey Dorsey a shot. At the University of Memphis he was that team’s Ben Wallace — a tough defender inside, good shot blocker and rebounder. Though the only drawback is if preseason and the summer league are any indication — he’ll foul out within five minutes.

Something needs to be done. Even if Yao comes back healthy, and remains so throughout the rest of the season — the Rockets need another Center. Someone to burden the load, someone to burden the middle of the paint  to alter an opponents shot.
 

While the game against the Mavericks wasn’t a devastating loss, it acknowledged that the Rockets still have apparent flaws which need to be addressed if certain preseason speculation is going to be proved accurate.

******

Player of the Game:

Jason Terry, 31 points (10-of-18), four assists, three steals

Terry seems to always have his best games against the Rockets. He made key shots towards the end of the game to dash any hope of a Rockets victory.

Goat of the Game:

The Rockets Third Quarter Offense, 2 field goals made

With all due respect to the Mavericks, their defense isn’t THAT good. The Rockets couldn’t seem to make a routine jump shot, or a lay-up during that span. If it wasn’t for free throws, the Rockets point production that quarter would have been in the record books.