Houston Rockets: Searching For the Perfect Fit – Paul Millsap

We have been talking about bringing in a third star to compliment Dwight Howard and James Harden for quite some time now. However, often times what people neglect to look at is what star would be the most ideal fit for this roster. Names like Carmelo Anthony, Rajon Rondo, and even Ricky Rubio to some extent are all great to think about, but from a basketball standpoint, it is really hard to see these particular players fitting into what the Rockets truly need at this moment in time. These guys aren’t, by any stretch of the definition “the perfect fit”.

So, what is the perfect fit? Well, quite frankly, the perfect fit was Chris Bosh. It might be painful to hear, but Chris Bosh was everything the Rockets were looking for in a third star and more. At the time, there was no better fit. On paper, Chris Bosh brought everything the Rockets were lacking to the table. A defensive presence at the power forward position, a great compliment “stretch forward” alongside Dwight Howard, and an experienced and seasoned veteran. Everything that the Houston Rockets are currently deprived of is what Chris Bosh would have potentially brought. With Chris Bosh, the sky was the limit for this Houston Rockets team.

Clearly, the opportunity to acquire Bosh is long behind Houston. So, what now? Where in the world can the Houston Rockets find this “perfect fit” if it’s not Chris Bosh?

Dec 18, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks power forward

(4) shoots a three over Sacramento Kings small forward

(5) in the second half at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 124-107. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

A name to keep an eye on and not being talked about enough is Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap. At first glance, casual fans may have to Google this man’s name before realizing just who he is. The reason for this is Millsap is criminally underrated among the national media and rarely gets the attention he deserves. Regardless, Millsap is among the league’s finest power forwards. The 28-year old finally received the recognition he deserved this year when he was voted into the 2014 NBA All-Star Game. However, he’s still not a household name by any stretch of the imagination.

Paul Millsap, like Chris Bosh, has reinvented his game, and in doing so, has added a pretty efficient 3-point shot to his artillery. Millsap shot close to 36% from behind the arc last season with the Hawks while attempting a little over 5 three pointers a game, If you’re talking about the perfect star power forward to pair alongside Howard (not named Chris Bosh of course), look no further than this guy. He can stretch the floor very effectively with his newly acquired 3-point shot and leave a lot of open room for Dwight to operate down-low. He also leaves Harden a lot of room to attack the basket and dish out the ball to three point shooters like Millsap, Ariza, and Beverley. Millsap can also pull down rebounds very well. He managed to grab 8.4 rebounds per game while playing alongside a very capable center in Al Horford.

Apr 24, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) dunks the ball against the Indiana Pacers in the second quarter in game three of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Although Millsap can shoot the 3-ball very well, that’s definitely not his only talent. Millsap, being 6’8 and as athletic as he is, can drive to the basket as well as anyone and can run the floor extremely well for a power forward. He can also finish at the basket with authority being as powerful as he is. He’s a great pick and roll player and he could run it very well with Harden and Beverley if given the chance. He’s also a decent post presence but if he ends up in Houston, you’re not likely to see much of that here.

Millsap also gives us a very capable defender to guard the array of elite power forwards in the Western Conference (Blake Griffin, Tim Duncan, LaMarcus Aldridge, Serge Ibaka, and Dirk Nowitski just to name a few). Millsap is a solid shot blocker averaging above a block a game, he can protect the rim better than most, and he’s able to defend the pick and roll effectively.

A line-up with Patrick Beverley, James Harden, Trevor Ariza, Paul Millsap, and Dwight Howard at the center of it all is scary. Even in a tough Western Conference, this is a sure-fire championship starting five.

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With all that being said, Millsap gives Houston everything it needs in a third star and with an expiring contract (Millsap to become a free agent in 2015), the Hawks could look to move him in favor of talented youth that Houston can provide. Instability in upper management caused by the Danny Ferry/Bruce Levenson fiasco could potentially cause the Hawks to go in a different direction and decide perhaps they want more youth to put around break-out point guard Jeff Teague. The Rockets could also try to acquire Millsap in free agency if no agreement is reached between Millsap and the Hawks by then.

The possibilities are endless but if you’re looking at the all-around perfect third star for this basketball team, Paul Millsap fits the bill quite nicely.