2 Articles:Foxsports and Sporting News 2003-04 Rockets Previews

Foxsports 2003-04 Previews: Houston Rockets
BY SUNNY WU
FOXSports.com
Oct. 14, 2003 5:52 a.m.

Link:
http://www.foxsports.com/content/view?contentId=1748708

Coach: Jeff Van Gundy (248-172 career)
Last season: 43-39 (5th in Midwest)
Key additions: John Amaechi, Adrian Griffin, Jim Jackson, Eric Piatkowski, Mike Wilks.
Key losses: James Posey, Glen Rice
Projected lineup: PG: Steve Francis; SG Cuttino Mobley; SF: Jim Jackson; PF: Eddie Griffin; C Yao Ming

Sporting News Preview: Rockets
2002-03 Review: The Rockets season began with such promise. In Yao Ming they possessed the game's next superstar center. They also had Steve Francis, one of the league's top point guards. It appeared that the Rockets would return to the playoffs. But everything fell apart. Yao got tired. Francis couldn't carry the load. And coach Rudy Tomjanovich was diagnosed with bladder cancer. The Rockets were able to win the last three games of the season but missed the playoffs by one game to the Phoenix Suns.

Reason For Hope: Yao was much ballyhooed when he was drafted first overall in 2002. Did the 7-foot-6 center live up to expectations? Yes and no. He did infuse the team with energy and defense. He even contributed offensively, dropping 13.5 points a game. It was clear, however, that Yao had difficulty adjusting to the NBA's 82-game schedule. He faded down the stretch, and so did the Rockets. But an improved and stronger Yao is why Houston's future is bright.

Hello, My Name Is: Jeff Van Gundy. If it isn't for being the Knicks' third-winningest coach, my claim to fame has to be the image of me clinging on Alonzo Mourning's leg for dear life. After a few years of self-imposed exile and working the obligatory TV analyst job, I've returned to coach the Rockets, a team brimming with potential and talent. I've even brought along Patrick Ewing to tutor Yao on how to become one of the league's premier big man (without the Gold Club visits, of course).

2003-04 Outlook: If the Rockets don't make the postseason, it will be a disappointment. Even though the Rockets didn't make as big of a splash during the off-season as their Midwest rivals, they did shore up their bench, which was a weakness last year. Jim Jackson and Eric Piatkowski will give Houston solid scorers when the second unit is in the game. But how well Houston does this season depends on their two All-Stars, Francis and Yao. If they can coexist (and if Francis feeds Yao consistently) the Rockets are in the playoffs, perhaps as high as the sixth seed.

Sporting News - Rockets team preview
BY SEAN DEVENEY
Oct. 14, 2003 2:35 a.m.

Link:
http://www.foxsports.com/content/view?contentId=1748094

RENOVATIONS
The roster got a late boost when SF Glen Rice was dumped and SF Jim Jackson was added. The team also brought in SF Adrian Griffin and SG Eric Piatkowski. The biggest change is on the sideline, where beloved coach Rudy Tomjanovich was replaced by Jeff Van Gundy, who is every bit the master of slow-down tactics Tomjanovich was. Van Gundy will attempt to transform C Yao Ming into another Patrick Ewing.

CORNERSTONE
So, you're a polite 23-year-old from China who barely speaks English and is 7-5 and has been hyped as the best thing since Wilt Chamberlain. It's a tough situation, and that Yao handled himself so well last season while averaging 13.5 points and 8.2 rebounds is a credit to his toughness. But he must make himself more of an offensive presence, even if it means taking opportunities from teammates. He should average at least 18 points.

FRAMEWORK
This team needs to be on an axis of Yao in the middle and PG Steve Francis on the perimeter. Problem is, there are too many poor fits in complementary roles. Cuttino Mobley is a good scorer, but he is not the well-rounded player the team needs at shooting guard. There are good aspects to PFs Maurice Taylor and Eddie Griffin, but they are not the bruising rebounders the team needs to help Yao. The roster is short on perimeter defenders. Yao or Francis need to touch the ball on almost every possession and either score or set up their teammates. That's because when their teammates try to do too much on their own, the Rockets misfire. Van Gundy will attempt to take this group of pretty good players and get them to understand what it means to play as a team.

BANK ON IT
This roster was not built to complement Yao. The team will pull off a trade before the February deadline.

- End -

A Trade in February? It's very possible.

 

Scotia, have these articles been posted before?

I don't think so. Since these articles are just posted to Foxsports.com a few hours ago.

 

arno_ed, you are welcome.