From the Austin American Statesman: Kirk Bohls American-Statesman Staff Sunday, February 18, 2001 HOUSTON -- The two-headed monster that is Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley keyed the Houston Rockets' fifth win in their last six games for a 92-80 victory that was more physical than an XFL game and uglier than Francis' garish blue shoes. And, yes, qualify this one because it came over a hapless Cleveland team that's lost 10 straight and 18 of 23. For the streaking Rockets, is it mirage or miracle? Probably a little of both. What Houston's sudden surge, coupled with Hakeem Olajuwon's recent resurgence, signifies is this: There are probably no more than five great centers in the league, and that's counting Miami's out-for-the-season Alonzo Mourning, which explains how the Rockets can beat up a frontcourt-starved Knicks team and a Philadelphia club minus Theo Ratliff. And even a team as mediocre as Houston can rattle off a modest, four-game win string -- its best of the season -- as it did before losing Friday to Orlando. But if the Boston Celtics can dump a coach and forge a run to the playoffs, anything is possible. That said, this remains a Houston team with more questions than answers. Is the new and improved old Olajuwon for real or a momentary aberration for the 38-year-old relic? I'm guessing the latter. Is there any power at all in power forward Maurice Taylor, who started at center Saturday and finished with two rebounds? No. And would the Rockets be better off making the playoffs and becoming first-round fodder for Portland or San Antonio or nosediving and earning a lottery pick? Sadly, probably the latter. While some would argue there's merit in even making the playoffs to give these young Rockets (27-26) a taste of the postseason, the franchise might be just as well served by finishing as an also-ran and get in the running for one of the best of college basketball's elite. If you're a .500 team in February, there's a good chance you'll be one in April. The Rockets would be helped more by attempting to get a fortuitous bounce of a ping pong ball and landing a Stanford tower or a Shane Battier or an Eddie Griffin than clogging up the playoffs. They won behind Francis' and Mobley's 61 points, which works against Cleveland. But Houston's just 13-20 against playoff-worthy clubs with nine of the wins against East clubs, two versus Dallas and one over Phoenix. For all the hullabaloo over Olajuwon's rebound, he and his $16.5 million paycheck will be removed from the Rockets' salary collar in the offseason. As good a defender as Shandon Anderson is, his lack of offense doesn't make his $3 million neighborhood appealing. And Taylor could be anywhere come next October. That would be more than enough room to entice All-Star free agent Chris Webber, one of the NBA's best eight players, into relocating in Houston. The Kings power forward, who doesn't consider Denny's exciting night life in Sacramento, has said he'd like to live in a more diverse city and play on a winning team. He's cast eyes at every NBA city but Vancouver and warmed to Houston's Rudy Tomjanovich when he coached the U.S. Olympic boss. Rudy has always been the consummate players' coach. And last I checked, Houston has some clubs. Houston is in dire need of a post presence since it will renounce the rights to Olajuwon after the season and since it grossly and prematurely overpaid 7-foot shot-blocking specialist Kelvin Cato, whose idea of offensive behavior would be to pull up in a handicapped parking space. Unfortunately, Cato's inked for six more seasons in his $42 million package. If he ever stays healthy -- Saturday marked his ninth game of the year -- he should be good for a few boards and blocks a night. That's more than can be said for Taylor, whose 5.5 rebounds a game is fewer than point guard Francis' 6.5 average. If anything, the Rockets should know their destination soon. Five of their next eight games are on the road, but they have a better record there (14-13) than at home (13-13). Of their last 29 games, 19 are against West teams against whom they have a dismal 11-22 mark. "It's crucial," Mobley said. "We're real close to being a playoff team. We just need that inside presence." A team that ranks 21st in the league in rebounding, 25th in blocked shots and 21st in defensive field goal percentage isn't going anywhere in April except the golf course. To get to the postseason, 11th-ranked Houston must climb over three other teams -- Denver, Seattle and either No. 8 seed Phoenix, No. 7 Minnesota or No. 6 Dallas. If the Rockets go 21-8, Phoenix (17-15), Minnesota (13-14) or Dallas (15-15) must stumble accordingly. Those are long odds. Bottom line: If you can't win at home and you can't win at least half your conference games, then you aren't a playoff team. ------------------ "Chucky who?" Charles Barkley
In a word, the dude is saying the Rockets should TANK. ------------------ NOTHING BUT .NET CLUTCHCITY.NET
Ratliff played in the Philly loss to the Rockets. The Lakers and Suns lost to Philly without Ratliff. Mango ------------------ Spring Cleaning!!!
I don't think he is saying to tank, he is just pointing out that IF the Rockets squeek into the playoffs, it will only hurt their overall progress. I don't agree with his hypothesis, but I don't think the Rockets are going to the playoffs anyway. DaDakota ------------------ If Mankind evolved from monkeys and apes, then why are there still monkeys and apes?
He kind of sounds like he hates the Rockets to me, but I guess he does have a point. -Just look at the Spurs.....TIM DUNCAN should have been a Boston Celtic....but that one ping pong ball they had gave them playoff glory for years to come...
I think it's interesting that he talks both of giving up on the season for a good lotto pick AND going after Chris Webber. No, he doesn't actually say, The Rockets should do these two things, but it's interesting that he brings them both up, because doing the former would NOT help accomplish the latter. I doubt Webber would join a team that tanks. ------------------
My brains been tellin me for a while that this has not been a playoff team, but I just have a feeling that this years Rox are gonna pull a string of W's and impress everyone. I would still rather be 3 and done against Portland than depend on how a ping pong ball bounces. ------------------ WHAT ARE YOU DO-ING!?
The primary negative for me about making the playoffs is not missing out on a lottery pick necessarily, but losing our 1st rounder altogether, since Grizz get it if we make it. I think it's funny that Vancouver is hoping we fulfill our obligation to them so that they can fulfill their obligation to Detroit, who in turn happens to owe us a pick, although they probably won't deliver it to us until next year. It is due by next year, right? ------------------
How the Rockets perform this year has nothing to do with whether or not they get Webber. Remember Orlando last year? The point of the article is that the Rockets are going nowhere in the playoffs if they get there. They simply are not good enough yet. But missing the playoffs, getting to draft a center, and landing Webber, would be the better scenario. ------------------ Kenny Thomas had a foul called on him in the Western Conference Finals.
If we don't make the playoffs, we are just gonna draft another Collier-like (in ability) player. Basically waste the pick like we did last summer. Late lottery or early exit in the playoffs? I'd rather take the early exit. Look at the NYK. From the 8th seed to the NBA Finals or us in 1995. It doesn't have to be an early exit, just the opportunity to play is important. So we drop down a couple of picks if we make the playoffs. I don't think it will hurt us with the way we draft. Late picks always turn out better. [This message has been edited by Smokey (edited February 19, 2001).]
Screw that article. I would rather have Francis get a taste of the playoffs than have to go to the lottery again. If free agent Chris Webber sees that we get into the playoffs without a real frontcourt, he'll be impressed. Then we sign him for a 6 year deal. ------------------
Valio, the entire Statesman is filled with vacant space. It just happens that they fill it with meaningless and terribly biased articles. We're just lucky they decide to cover the NBA, and that's just because of the proximity of the Spurs. When baseball season rolls around, any game that ends after 8:00pm is considered a LATE (no notes or boxscore) game. In the Statesman, if it ani't Horns, it ain't sh*t. ------------------ "Stranger things have happened, but none stranger than this" - Commentator after a parachutist landed in the ring of a Holyfield fight
Experiencing the playoffs would teach the Rockets how to win in the regular season, because they would be blown away by the intensity. Getting a taste of the playoffs would only make the Rockets want to go back. The Rockets can not turn into the Grizzlies or Nuggets. They can not allow themselves to learn how to lose. They must learn how to win. ------------------ "Rarely is the question asked: Is our children learning how to put food on their family while being put to death."
I think we have a better chance of landing Webber if we make the playoffs. If we make the playoff with Mo at PF........ PS - Nice signature Drewdog ------------------ "Chucky who? I thought we were talking about basketball?" Charles Barkley [This message has been edited by Colby (edited February 19, 2001).]
The Rocks are 27-26, Denver and Seattle are 28-26. Rocks are only 4 and a half behind Phoenix and Minnesota! 2 down, one to go! No Tank City here BA-BY! ------------------ Dream a deadly Dream. . . [This message has been edited by RocksMillenium (edited February 19, 2001).]
If Denver and Seattle lose tomorrow, and the Rockets win, they will be in 9th place. All of a sudden, it will be Denver and Seattle struggling to pass Houston and Phoenix. ------------------ "Rarely is the question asked: Is our children learning how to put food on their family while being put to death."
I don't think Seattle plays tomorrow. What's cool is Seattle and Denver play each other on Wednesday, so either way, someone loses. ------------------
kirk bohls can kiss my ass. he does not know what he is talking about. ------------------ http://www.democrats.com
Kirk Bohls is a moron. He is a "negative ass". He lives only to b**** and criticize, I think I've remember only one positive article that he's ever written. Ignore him, for you will be stupider for having read him. ------------------ The Rockets will be the NBA champions. Believe.
I agree with a lot of what this guy is saying. If you look at the Rockets seriously, then you know that we are not a team that can make a run at the title with the talent we have this year or for the next few years. Stevie is awesome and so is Cat, but outside of those guys we don't have much. The question is, will we get Webber? If we make the playoffs and lose these precious picks (in this draft every pick is precious)then we have put our franchises eggs all in one basket. I would love to have Chris and I sure he would love to play with Steve and Cuttino, but that doesn't mean a whole lot (especially in light of his comments about taking less than the MAX). Webber can go just about anywhere he wants this summer and I think we have as good a chance as anybody to sign him, but do all of you want to count on that happening? If we make the playoffs than we lose the likelihood of us getting a player that can push us over the top (Griffin, Battier, Wallace, Curry, Wood, Haywood, Chandler, etc.). I dont want to be like SA and let this season go, but at the same time I will not be all smiles if we do reach the postseason. ------------------ Calvin Murphy for President!
