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Houston has a lengthy to-do list going into camp: Sept. 19

By Michael Murphy
Houston Chronicle

Sept. 19 — CAMP OBJECTIVES
The Rockets need to achieve several objectives in this year's training camp, not the least of which is to unearth a productive rotation at power forward.

For all of his faults — and there are many — Maurice Taylor was an offensive threat whose scoring ability allowed Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley more room to operate.
Kenny Thomas and Eddie Griffin are the first two names on the depth chart, but don't be surprised if Rudy Tomjanovich comes up with some offbeat solution, like plugging in Glen Rice there and going with a smaller lineup. Oh, yeah, finding a center would be nice, too.
Second, the Rockets will have to figure out how to diversify their offense in light of all the zone defenses they're bound to see.
The Rockets' idea has been to isolate Francis or Mobley and force the defense to make decisions that the Rockets can exploit. But now when the Rockets attempt to run an isolation, opponents will simply step back into a zone, inverting the theory by forcing the Rockets to make the decisions.
Last, Francis will have to establish himself as the team's undisputed leader. While that may not sound like a big deal, especially with all the other holes the Rockets have to plug, this might actually be the biggest of them all.
Minus Hakeem Olajuwon, who was never much of a vocal leader but an undeniable presence in the locker room, the Rockets will need Francis to step in and be "the man."

KEY NEWCOMER
It would appear that Rice, whose role became much larger when Taylor blew out an Achilles' tendon, might be the most important new face on the roster. But much more will depend on how Griffin, the seventh overall pick in the draft who was acquired from New Jersey in a draft-day trade, performs this season.
The Rockets had originally put the roster together with the notion of slowly bringing along the talented teenager, but all that changed when Taylor went down. Griffin's ability to run the floor and rebound may be the spark the Rockets needed to rev up the transition game.
The more the Rockets can get the ball out ahead of the defense, the better. And Griffin's shot blocking could also be a key to the Rockets' defense.


INJURY REPORT
PF Maurice Taylor: He had surgery three weeks ago to repair a torn right Achilles' tendon and is expected to miss the entire season.
PF/C Jason Collier: Collier had surgery on his right quadriceps cartilage last season. He spent the summer rehabbing the leg and should be ready for the start of training camp.
SF Glen Rice: He has struggled with plantar fasciitis and may miss some of training camp. It is not expected to impact his ability to play during the regular season.


ROTATION REPORT
Starting five

PF Kenny Thomas

SF Glen Rice

C Kelvin Cato

SG Cuttino Mobley

PG Steve Francis

The rotation

PG Moochie Norris

PF Eddie Griffin

C Jason Collier

SF Walt Williams

The rest

SF Dan Langhi

SF Terence Morris

SG Oscar Torres