Rockets to Experiment with Dwight at PF

[BwareDWare94]

Rockets will experiment with Dwight Howard at power forward, Omer Asik at center
By Ethan Rothstein  @ethanrothstein on Aug 17 2013, 12:49p 20

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports


 Rockets GM Daryl Morey revealed on Reddit a surprising idea for the team's front court.

Rockets head coach Kevin McHale will experiment with a lineup of Omer Asik at center and Dwight Howard at power forward, Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said during an AMA on Reddit.
 
The notion is an interesting one, to say the least. It would no doubt be one of, if not the best, defensive front courts in the league. The concern would be offensively, where neither player is much of a weapon away from the basket.
For the lineup to work, presumably the other three players on the floor would have to be adept three-point shooters. That may mean James Harden running the point with Chandler Parsons and perhaps Omri Casspi, a career 35 percent three-point shooter, on the wings. It could also mean Jeremy Lin at the point with Harden and Parsons, with the Rockets praying Lin significantly improves his three-point shot.
Expect to see this lineup in a few preseason games and possibly in the regular season if it performs well.
 
 

 

 

[BwareDWare94]

I can't get the post to set up the way I want it to, but it's clear enough.
 
I'm very intrigued by this, and I don't fear the idea of this lineup against a stretch four as much as some people do. Neither Dwight nor Asik is slow, so as long as they don't have to be in the 4's face, they'll be fine. Obviously, a lineup like this would potentially struggle against a team like Dallas, with Dirk playing the 4. I think Dwight could keep up with most fours, but covering more of the court on the defensive end could hurt his fourth quarter stamina.
 
Either way, this would immediately solve our weakest starting position and, with its defensive potential, I think Houston would be foolish to not even try this, at the very least. I don't know if it'll work, but they might as well find out.

 

[elcheato]

Rockets to find out it won't work

 

[BwareDWare94]

Rockets to find out it won't work

 
I actually think it might, but we'll see. That's why the play the games.

 

[jonathanlambert33]

It won't work

 

[Pugz]

its not gonna last long. these two are like drummond and minroe(perfect example imo). these two truly are not fast enough.

 

[BwareDWare94]

How much speed do they really need? Most of the PFs in the league aren't exactly three point threats, and as long as Dwight can stay inside the half circle, I'm not that worried about it. It might not work with certain matchups, but it'd be foolish to not try to use it right off the bat, and if it doesn't work constantly, it'd definitely be somewhat useful situationally. 

Offensively is where it'd probably go in the shitter. I don't think defense would be much of a problem.

 

[jonathanlambert33]

Howard and Asik would be a spacing nightmare and severely hurt Harden.