Chron: Brown, Torres, Mickeal leading candidates for Rockets' final roster spot

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/sports/bk/bkn/rox/1604597

Oct. 4, 2002, 11:10PM

Brown, Torres, Mickeal leading candidates for Rockets' final roster spot
By JANNY HU-Copyright 2002 Houston Chronicle-


AUSTIN -- Rockets assistant coach Jim Boylen nodded approvingly as Tierre Brown lobbed a perfect pass during shooting drills.

"Good job, Tierre," Boylen shouted, before turning his attention to the next player in line.

A year ago, Brown would have smiled at the compliment. This year, he's breathing a sigh of relief.

"That's what the coaches want to see -- what guy fits the offense well, what guy's playing defense," Brown said. "That's the kind of guy that's going to get a job."

And that's what Brown and a handful of others are trying to do at a packed Rockets training camp. Once the Rockets sign Yao Ming, they will have 12 players with fully guaranteed contracts, and second-round draft pick Tito Maddox with a partially guaranteed deal.

If Maddox, 6-4, locks down a spot -- and all indications are he will -- that leaves incumbents Brown and Oscar Torres and newcomer Pete Mickeal likely battling for a spot (assuming at least two players have to start the season on the injured list).

Brown, 6-2, was the biggest surprise during camp last year when no one expected him to make the team. Coaches told him he was there as a spare body, moved him from shooting guard to point guard, and matched him up against the likes of Steve Francis.

Brown responded by beating out Damon Jones for a roster spot, but repeating the feat might prove difficult -- even for last year's training camp poster boy.

"Expectations are higher -- and not just my personal goals, but my family and friends, spectators," Brown said. "There's more pressure on me this year than last year. This year, I've got a lot to lose. I have to prove the critics wrong, prove that I can play in the NBA."

The Rockets know what Brown and Torres are capable of doing. Both earned playing time last season because of the team's slew of injuries.

Brown set career highs in points (16) and assists (seven) against Portland on April 17 and finished the year averaging 3.1 points and 1.8 assists per game.

Torres, 6-6, started 13 games at shooting guard and small forward and averaged six points per game, highest among non-drafted rookies in the NBA.

But Rockets coaches also been impressed by Mickeal, who spent the 2000-01 season with the New York Knicks on injured reserve and was the leading scorer in the Philippine Basketball Association in 2002 (27.6 per game).

The Rockets have been working the 6-5 Mickeal at shooting guard and small forward in camp. And he is perhaps the best defender of those contending for a spot.

"Pete Mickeal is a workhorse," Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich said. "He's giving you more than an honest day's of work. He eats up the floor on the break and is just a tough, tough kid."

"We got a lot of scorers, we need defense and rebounding," said Mickeal, who also averaged 11.9 rebounds per game in the Philippines. "I can guard a guard or a forward, and rebound ... that's toughness. That's what we need."

Overseas veteran Juaquin Hawkins (6-7) also offers the Rockets flexibility in the backcourt. But the decision whether to keep an extra backcourt or frontcourt player might well depend on the development of Maddox. He played both guard positions for the Rockets' summer league team, but has mainly been running the team's offense in camp. His versatility could lessen the need for a spare point guard.

"It really comes down to who plays the best," Boylen said. "We put a lot of value on decisions that are made. The success of the team they're running, making shots ... does he have a special skill.

"We have depth there, we have competition there. It's a good environment for guys to learn, but I don't know if it's going to be good when we have to cut down."

Which is why the preseason games will be crucial for Brown, Torres and Mickeal.

ON THE BUBBLE:
Players hoping to land a roster spot with the Rockets:

• Tito Maddox: Part of second-round pick's contract is guaranteed. Can play either guard spot and has come on strong lately at point guard.

• Pete Mickeal: Strong on the break. Can defend at small forward or shooting guard. Shooting range questionable.

• Tierre Brown: The long-shot winner from last season's training camp. Has played well at camp but only fits at the point.

• Oscar Torres: Another camp success last season. Did not progress during rookie year. Best shooting range of the off-guard candidates.

• Juaquin Hawkins: Can defend point guards, shooting guards or small forwards. Surprisingly smooth shooting stroke. Not as physical as Mickeal.

 

haha... that is great! I don't know how to delete an entire thread & I was going to try and change the subject at the last second. I am too lazy. Crash, you are the better man! This time at least. I will come full force next time though