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NBA.com: Houston Rockets Season Preview

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by Deuce, Oct 2, 2002.

  1. Deuce

    Deuce Context & Nuance

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    NBA.com: Houston Rockets Season Preview

    http://www.nba.com/preview2002/hou.html

    SEASON OUTLOOK: The biggest thing to hit the city of Houston in years, is well, quite big. Seven-foot-five Chinese center Yao Ming joins a team that already may have the best backcourt tandem in the West, as well as a core of talented, young forwards. Things -- as well as teammates -- are looking up in Houston.

    So, with all of this talent, why didn't the Rockets fare better last season? The injury bug hit the Rockets hard last year, with Maurice Taylor going down before the season even started, Glen Rice playing in only 20 games, and Steve Francis sidelined for 25 games with migraine headaches. This meant the Rockets suffered through their worst season in almost 20 years. But injuries heal, and spring brought new hope in the arrival of Yao, the first overall selection in the 2002 NBA Draft. Not expected to sign a contract until mid-October, Yao will be brought along slowly but will contribute.

    Besides the stellar play of Francis, the other bright spot for the Rockets was the play of Cuttino Mobley. Stepping into the starting lineup, Mobley lead the Rockets in scoring, becoming the most consistent option on a team with an ever-changing starting lineup. Mobley is ready to step back into that same spot on the court.

    "Injuries killed us last year. This year, there should be no excuses. I'm excited about (Yao). Steve's healthy. Mo Taylor looks great. I'm like a little kid, I'm so happy to be able to play," Mobley recently told the Houston Chronicle.

    With more options up front, Francis and Mobley won't have to force as many shots as they did last season, which lead to an abysmal 42.8 team field-goal percentage. The Rockets also need to play better on-the-ball defense. They caused only 12 turnovers per game last year, worst in the league.

    But with a headache-free Steve Francis, a healthy Maurice Taylor and contributions from late-blooming rookie Eddie Griffin, the Rockets will contend for a playoff spot even if Yao Ming takes some time to get adjusted to the NBA game, as is expected.



    WHO'S IN: The big guy is in. While the Rockets will try not to expect too much from Ming right away, at the very least he'll be an improvement for a front line that was overmatched last season. His value will be measured more down the line. There shouldn't be much playing time left for fellow rookies Bostjan Nachbar and Tito Maddox, however.

    WHO'S OUT: The Rockets lost veteran center Kevin Willis to the Spurs via free-agency and are unsure if Walt Williams (free-agent) will return. But other than that, the Rockets are intact.

    BENCH: The Rockets have a solid bench. With Mobley moving from sixth man to valuable starter last season, Houston turned to Moochie Norris to be their off-the-bench spark. Kelvin Cato and Kenny Thomas will move to the bench to make room for Yao and Taylor. The time they got with the starting five last season will prove valuable, and they should be solid contributors in the frontcourt. Rice could also thrive off the bench.

    THE ROCKETS MAKE THE PLAYOFFS IF ... : They shoot better from the field and stay healthy .

    THE ROCKETS MISS THE PLAYOFFS IF ... : The injury bug from 2001-02 returns, and the big man is slow to develop.


    P R O J E C T E D _ S T A R T E R S
    PG - Steve Francis - Maryland
    SG - Cuttino Mobley - Rhode Island
    SF - Eddie Griffin - Seton Hall
    PF - Maurice Taylor - Michigan
    C - Yao Ming - China

    S C O U T ' S _ T A K E
    "This is a ballclub that I think is really on the way up, and not just based on the fact that they have that new guy. I thought they looked poised to be a solid ballclub last year, even with a young team and the changes they'd made ... they've gotten more mature, and if they can stay healthy, they've got great perimeter players and five starters who are tough to handle ... They've really got a chance to make a jump. Yao is awfully big and really skilled. I don't know whether the pro system will give him a lot of trouble. I don't know how good his lateral movement is or how strong he is, and those will be tested. And also his ability to stay in it for such a long haul will be tested. He's definitely skilled and he's going to be something in the future for sure."
    -- Western Conference assistant coach

    F A N T A S Y _ S L E E P E R
    Eddie Griffin - Forward
    The rookie put up some good numbers in the second half of last season, showing the abilty to score, block shots and shoot the three. That's a lethal combo that should have fantasy players eyeing his all-around ability.


    Chris
     
  2. knifejc

    knifejc Member

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    Its intresting(Well at least to me it is) That they project Griffin to start over Rice @ the 3. Considering the latest news that Rice seems to be 100%
     
  3. RocksMillenium

    RocksMillenium Contributing Member

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    I think these media outlets have been quick to write off Rice. He'll be starting.
     
  4. HoRockets

    HoRockets Member

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    According to Clutch:

    Neither Mo Taylor nor Glen Rice played today -- so that puts that in to perspective. Mo sat because they wanted to be precautionary.... had a minor glitch yesterday or something (scar tissue?) that Keith Jones said was normal, but they were taking it a little slower. On Rice, they said "same thing".

    http://bbs.clutchcity.net/php3/showthread.php?s=&threadid=42235
     
  5. RocksMillenium

    RocksMillenium Contributing Member

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    All that means though is that Rice and Mo were experiencing soreness after their first full contact action. Their both considered 100%.
     
  6. crash5179

    crash5179 Contributing Member

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    It just proves how misinformed the writer is. Griffin is not and has not been a 3.
     

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