Rockets Howard/Asik as told by a Scout

The Rockets have had an up and down season and at times you have seen parts of what this team could be. Early on the Rockets employed a 2 center lineup which consisted of the team’s newest toy Dwight Howard and last years starting center Omer Asik. After a few games Head coach Kevin McHale decided to go in a different direction and scraped the lineup, and seemed to hasten the end of Asik’s career as a Houston Rocket.

On Thursday November 14^th it was learned before the game with the Knicks that Asik through his agent had requested a trade and wants out of Houston. Asik since the ending of McHales big line up has seen his minutes shrink from 23 minutes down to 7 minutes a game the past 3 games including being benched on Thursday and Saturday. Last season before Howard, Asik was averaging 30 minutes a game, his role has been cut and it’s clear he wants out and now has asked twice to be traded since Howard become a Rocket.

When speaking with an NBA scout I went in to determine Asik’s value to the rest of the NBA and while talking with the scout he went on to share “he (Asik) actually may be more impactful offensively than Howard at this point as Howard seems to have regressed”. When he told me this I had to follow up and really wanted to understand what he meant, so the scout shared “he (Howard) has 0 post moves nor does he work to get the ball. He's playing like Eric Dampier, makes a move and doesn't take up space or fight for "real estate" when he makes his move.” While the debate is moot because Howard can catch the lob pass and can dunk the ball, the scout is right every time Howard shoots the ball it’s more luck than skill if he makes the basket. Howard on the season is second in the NBA with 23 dunks so far this season.

Asik has plenty of value to teams and proved last season he can be a legit starting big man, last season averaging a double double. This season Asik was phased out by the ultra-athletic Howard and Asik seems to not even be in the team’s plans going forward as he been benched in the past 2 games. The scout went on to say the Bull’s would take him back, and mentioned that Daryl Morey could be looking for “a high unprotected pick, in my estimation, along with a role player to strengthen his bench.” Lots of teams could you use this big man on their team. The question is where is he going and what will Morey get back in return!

   

NBA Start of the Season Power Rankings

Season starts tonight and right now here are the power rankings for game 1. Lots of changes happened this offseason players being moved including lots of coaching changes. So which teams are the hot teams at the start of the season and who is down near the bottom......

1. Heat - They won the championship last season and they still got Lebron James so they get the number 1 spot in my power rankings.

2. Pacers - 2nd best team in the Eastern conference is the 2nd best team in the NBA, plus they got stronger and they get back Danny Granger who spent almost all of last season injured.

3. Clippers - The team was good last season, they kept Chris Paul and they finally get a REAL NBA head coach in Doc Rivers.

4. Spurs - Last season they were a 3 pointer away from winning an NBA Championship, but their BIG THREE is OLD so you have to wonder if they can hold up.

5. Rockets - James Harden and Dwight Howard per NBA GM's are the top players at there positions, plus they have an ever improving Chandler Parsons.

6. Grizzles - New coach same hard nosed defense? You sure as hell hope so, plus they add sharpshooter Mike Miller.

7. Warriors - Last season they had the highest 3 point efficiency in the league at .403% and the come back with almost the same team plus they add ultra athletic Andre Iguodala.

8. Thunder - Just having a Kevin Durant on your team makes you a top 10 team, if Russell Westbrook was starting the season uninjured they'd be a top 5 team.

9. Bulls - They were right behind the Pacers without D-Rose last year, now they get D-Rose back it's kinda like picking up a top tier free agent in the offseason.

10. Nets - This is the 2000 All NBA name team, but really is a collection of old stars enough to get you very far in the playoffs. If that wasn't enough they will be coached by 1st time coach Jason Kidd.

11. Knicks - Carmelo Anthony is the only reason the Knicks are this close to the NBA top 10, with out Anthony they would sure contend for the bottom 10 rather then the top 10.

12. Mavericks - Dirk Nowitzki gets something he hasn't had in a while, fairly good guards Monta Ellis and Jose Calderon join the team, plus hopefully an added focus on the D.

13. Hawks - Reworked roster that still has a very decent center in Al Horford, but adds Paul Millsap who could have a breakout season with the Hawks.

14. Pistons - This isn't your brothers Pistons but hey this year they wont be that bad, Josh Smith makes these guys a playoff team for the 1st time in the long time.

15. Nuggets - They were a good team last year, but traded George Karl for Brian Shaw and I am not sure that really helps your team.

16. Pelicans - A loaded young team outside of center, you wonder how long it will take for these guys to gel but they sure are a fringe playoff team.

17. Trailblazers - 33 and 49 last year Damian Lillard is a star in the making and he alone his continued growth pushes them ever closer to .500

18. Wizards - John Wall and Bradley Beal make a good 1-2 punch plus they get a sorta kinda good big man in Marcin Gortat look for them to finish 10 through 8 in the East.

19. Lakers - Can they hang around till Kobe gets healthy, they got a decent team but for so many years they have been Kobe heavy… What will they do with out Kobe?

20. Timberwolves - I am a believer in Rick Adelman and his scrappy group of Kevin Love and friends will surprise some teams but will still finish below .500

21. Cavaliers - The growth of sensation Kyrie Irving and now he gets a real head coach in Mike Brown, who can hopefully make these guys competitive.

22. Jazz - These team was blown out last year and is different at every position, you gotta wonder how long it will take till they gel

23. Raptors - 1, 2, and 3 not to bad for the only Canadian team but at 4 and 5 the just has bodies and not real NBA talent

24. Bucks - Brandon Knight breakout player?? Why not, this team might come up and bite some people but just wont be consistent.

25. Celtics - Don't really feel Rondo makes it a whole season in Boston, but if he does they could finish high, Rondo is that good!

26. 76ers - This team might be good one day, but not this year not sure if I believe in the MCW and J-Rich back court

27. Kings - DeMarcus Cousins a futrue top 3 center, or will he continue to be a head case….. Will Ben McLemore work well with Cousins?

28. Bobcats - Micheal Jordan would make this team better! As a player, not as an owner…. The team is a waste of an NBA Team.

29. Suns - You wonder how the backcourt of Dragic and Bledsoe work out, porbaly not bad but the rest of the team sucks.

30. Magic - In the mix for the most ping pong balls next season already, most teams have 1 star Magic have negative 0 stars