Well, I think the trade for Willis makes it official. We are no longer rebuilding. That stage is now done. Willis was brought in for this year, to help us make the playoffs and to mentor the younger players. If you are rebuilding, you do not trade draft picks (even a 2nd rounder) for 39 year old dinosaurs, no matter how good they are. But you do if you are solid center play away from the playoffs. I have talked about it before, but will reiterate it again. If the longterm plan is to work, we have to make the playoffs this year and get these guys some playoff experience. We'll be a first round exit more than likely, but if we make the playoffs, no matter what else happens or what our seed is, it is a successful year in the longterm franchise plan.
I agree the addition of Willis gives us some considerable beef in the paint and makes our bench legitimate. There is no excuse not to make the play offs now and I think Rudy T and CD beleive that as well. It is time for the next step.
I disagree. I believe we need a center, still, to go deep into the playoffs. If Cato comes alive, develops good work habits, matures emotionally, and stays healthy, then perhaps. But we still need the center piece to the puzzle. I agree, that adding Willis enables us to make the playoffs this year, and gives some valuable muscle and depth, but he's only a year or two solution. Playoff experience will be very valuable, and the guys should believe and do their absolute best to win it all, and get stoked about trying again the next year, but I don't think they are there yet. Actually, adding Morris was an incredible addition this year. Griffin will probably be a superstar, which was a brilliant stroke of genius itself, but Morris has an all around game that will pull the team together, without him having to be a star. Now, if Griffin matures into a 5, our rebuilding IS done. And I can't believe we found Torres. He really gives us the depth at guard we haven't had. I'm hoping our team turns into: Griffin/Cato/Collier Taylor/Thomas Morris/Langhi Mobely/Torres Francis/Norris or even: Griffin/Cato/Collier Morris/Taylor/Thomas Rice/(Morris)/Langhi Mobely/Torres Francis/Norris
Yeah Baby! Bring on the playoffs! I guess the rebuilding is officially over. The next step is some internal strengthening (Cato's game, team defense, ......) and we're talking about a championship contender! Rockets all the way in 2003!
I agree that our rebuilding phase is over. We now must begin maturing into a contender team. Willis gives us a short term solution. We still need to find a long term solution but any team has voids to fill but that doesn't mean they are rebuilding. Cato or Griff could fill that void...sooner or later. Neither is there yet. But both are servicable right now plus we have Willis to give us the consistancy that the other two will inevitably suffer from and Willis is injury insurance. Are we done rebuilding. YES Are there still weaknesses. YES Will more changes happen. YES Our foundation is set. Now we must grow it.
Willis was saying he wants to play 2 - 3 years more and that he feels like he is in his late 20's. He thinks he can put in 30 minutes a night and average 9 boards and 10 - 12 points. He also wants to help Cato become a dominant center. I'm hoping he'll do the same for Eddie. We are done rebuilding except for the void behind Cato when Willis is gone. Next year would be a good one to pick up another young 5 to mature over a 2 year period and eventually replace Willis.
There's all these good signs.. but i think people are getting a little carried away.. wait until a good team comes around to play us.. and if eddie can mature, but the team is looking better than after the Jackson meltdown..
