10. Bostjan Nachbar will see very very little time this year. 9. Cuttino Mobley will average less than 18 a game. But his shooting percentage will increase. 8. Griffin will still not be starting by the end of the season except by default. 7. Steve Francis will not lead the team in Rebounds again this year. Will make the All star team again. 6. Ming will average less than 12 pts per game, and less than 10 boards. 5. Mo Taylor will eventually be the teams second best all round player and contribute greatly. 4. Kenny T is going to STRUGGLE if he plays alot of time at the 3. (But Kenny is a fighter, he'll do the best he can and still put up good offensive numbers) 3. We will still struggle to beat the good teams on any kind of consistent basis, but mop up against the average and below average. 2. At some point, The offense will stagnate again. Iso left, Iso Right. To many fresh faces and returns from long layoffs to have a good idea of what everyone is going to do. 1. We will win 42 games and just miss the playoffs...wait till next year though.
If Mo Taylor is going to be our second best all around player ...we are in deep doo doo .............
10. Bostjan Nachbar will see very very little time this year. Same here unless we have some injuries. With KT and Rice there won't be any room for Nachbar this year. 9. Cuttino Mobley will average less than 18 a game. But his shooting percentage will increase. Agree 8. Griffin will still not be starting by the end of the season except by default. I think Rudy is excited about the prospects of having both Griffin and Ming on the court together. He'll be starting along with Ming some time during the year. 7. Steve Francis will not lead the team in Rebounds again this year. Will make the All star team again. Agree 6. Ming will average less than 12 pts per game, and less than 10 boards. Agree, somewhat. I think he will average around 12 but he will be under 10 boards. 5. Mo Taylor will eventually be the teams second best all round player and contribute greatly. By "all round" do you mean in body shape or playing skill. MoT is about as one dimensional as a player can get. MoT will be a nice contributer off the bench this year but he will not be our second best player. 4. Kenny T is going to STRUGGLE if he plays alot of time at the 3. (But Kenny is a fighter, he'll do the best he can and still put up good offensive numbers) I think Rudy will use him a lot more in matchups that favor him and go with Rice in other situations. 3. We will still struggle to beat the good teams on any kind of consistent basis, but mop up against the average and below average. Agree. If we can consistently beat the average and bad teams then playoffs here we come. 2. At some point, The offense will stagnate again. Iso left, Iso Right. To many fresh faces and returns from long layoffs to have a good idea of what everyone is going to do. Agree.. It's bound to happen a few times against the better defensive teams. 1. We will win 42 games and just miss the playoffs...wait till next year though. Come on man.. where's the optimisim? We won 47 games the other year with far less talent. 50 Wins Baby!
Actually I think 42 wins is being quite optimistic. I mean we are trying to mix in one one 20 year old baby future all star. Two year long layoffs. Two highly touted rookies from another half of the world An attempt at a new offense. What will Cato do once he is the absolute backup? How will Steve fare trying to mix all these new guys in (considering Mo T and Rice basically new) Is Griff going to hit the sophmore wall? Who knows what Ming is going to really do? How will Kenny T respond to playing out of position at the 3? Will he get torched running around at the top of the key? Way to many ifs to make the Rox a playoff lock just yet. But if we can keep the core together, and not have any major injuries then by next year we should be ROCKing.
my points: 1. Steve lowers his turnover to assist ratio this year 2. Yao avg 14-16ppg 9-11 boards 1-2 blocks--- but surpises everyone with his range. He is going to put up a big game aginst shaq offensively, cant do anything with Shq on the other end though. 3. Rice becomes a decent shooter avg 10-12ppg 4. Mobley plays alittle more under control 5.Rockets play overall more consistant 6. Rockets grab the 6-7 spot in the West conf 7. play a very close playoff 1 st round 8. people get all over the bandwagon 9. EG has a great year abd holds onto the starting position 10. people here still complane at the end of the season
Well, I'll put your quote up so you don't change it later. Anyways, if Nachbar gets little time, then it will be his fault. If he wants to play, he has to prove it on the court. If he's quiet, shy, and passive, then he will get traded. We can't have a "David Robinson" on this team. Nice, polite and soft. No thanks! We didn't draft Nachbar to be a "nice guy." Sorry, but rookies that play soft and timid make me sick. I hope Nachbar doesn't play like that. Either contribute or get traded like Langhi. About Griff. MoT has not shown me anything that he's a starter. A 260lb PF that can't rebound. Please! MoT doesn't change the complexion of the game. Griffin does! If we start the ISO again. Rudy will get an EAR FULL from Rocket fans!!!!!!! We will win 50+ games. (As long as Francis is good to go...) He makes everyone better. And Yao will just add to this.
Dreamshake, have you been watching the preseason games? Boki looks better every game he plays - a trend that continued tonight. Griffin changes the game whenever he is in it. Defense, offense out to the three point line, everything. MoT is going to have a tough time getting the starting job away from him. Kenny is doing very well at the three. He showed a nice mid-range game tonight, is passing the ball, pounding the basket, and getting a couple of steals per game. Didn't Ming average around 12 ppg and 10 rbg at the world championships in limited minutes and very limited shots? I think he is going to benefit greatly from better teammates and coaching. MoT will never be the second best all-round player until he learns to block out, rebound, play defense and use his size effectively. 42 games? The last three games I saw a team with half of it's starting lineup beat two good teams and almost beat another very good team in Portland. I think that the enthusiasm that the players have for the movement offense will help with the translation to it and we will win at least 50 games.
The Rockets are better, and they're coming together right now, and Minnesota, Utah, and Seattle are then they were last year. The offense has looked good considering, and the Rockets are fitting well together. Prediction: 50+ wins and the #6 seed.
I was glad to see that they stuck with the new offense for most of the game tonight. The players are really starting to look comfortable.
I felt Boki has played better every game - remember, he was slow to recover from his hernia injury as well, which is why I think he's been playing so little. REally, the rockets staff has praised him extensively, and I don't think that they would play him very sparingly. His skills are obvious even from his little playing time - his shot is fluid and he would have had 2 3pters today if the 2nd one didn't barely rim out. Agreed with your ming scenario, however his impact will be felt even with "low" numbers. Griffin's rebounding is tremendous this year - he barely has to jump with those long arms! He grabs boards with just such ease - like when Mo or even Kenny go up for a board, it looks like they are really trying but when you see Griffin, it just looks so ez to him. I've always thought highly of MOtay, but I don't really see what you mean by best all around player. His offense is incredible - hopefully he will keep going inside more often instead of always setting for a jumper. HIs defense could stand some work, but I like his ability to draw charges, and his rebounding could use work but with Griff and Ming plus tall forwards like Boki and Tmo, it won't be a big concern. I think once Ming arrives, his presence alone will expedite the completion of our offense. Having the right personnel for the offense is a big key and with Ming in there, it'll make the lives of everyone else that much easier. here's to less isos.
Dreamshake I understand your viewpoint, most of my friends agree with your points. I don't, but that doesn't mean you're wrong. Here comes the "inevitable " however. For the sake of arguement forget Nachbar altogether and believe Yao can't shoot or pass. Eddie Griffin might not be up to your standards, but the kid stuffed Shaq last year and put up decent numbers for a 19 year old in the NBA. And last week he stuffed Duncan on consecutive possessions and got 13 rebounds only because he's tall and it's still pre-season. Oh and tonight he stuffed 'Sheed and brought the Rox single-handedly back in the 4th quarter. His offensive game is still embyonic, though. And MoT rebounds under the radar of top PFs in the league, and wouldn't have a prayer of blocking their shots, but he is very skilled and savvy. PFs are dominant in the West and E. Griff. doesn't sound viable? That's a stretch. Yao, tired and not used to the rigors of the NBA at 7'5 just stands there, jumps occasionally and the Rockets improve a great deal defensively. You're read on what his stats will be would be somewhat adequate if you ignore his size. You obviously think those numbers won't impact the team though any 7'5 guy impacts the game period. What Rocket team did you watch last year? The interior defense was horrible with the one I saw, and it seems to me E. Griff. and Yao might have a little impact there, jeez both of them may start at some point. You made some bold predictions and with your beliefs and the Rockets would be lucky to win 42 games with your thinking. This is a very peculiar time for a Rocket's fan to be so jaded, though. We're going to see some things from Steve and Cat they haven't been able to show, and I think mostly that will be very positive. And betting against Eddie Griffin while playing with a low-post guy who draws constant double-teams is a huge reach, if that happens, heh-heh. I don't think the Rockets are an elite team this year, but we will beat elite teams, and some very badly on occasion. Enjoy the ride, we'll be a massive headache for everyone soon enough. If we were to win only 42 games this year we'd still be feared. That wasn't so bad in '84, and historic in '86. Kids will be kids, let 'em play.
declan, You make some good points. The moment that Griff get's the "green light" from Rudy that the Rockets is HIS TEAM TOO. Watch out!!! He's feeling his oats now... ...once he realizes "Hey, this team is pretty good and I'm part of that team" he's gonna kick some arse!
Yetti, your response is tiring. Your no different that the many others who come here gripping about people who try to contain their rocket glasses from overcoming reality. Ive been a Rox fan for a long while now...I think Ill remain one thanks anyhow. Ill stick to my guns in that post. Hey Clutch, make this a sticky and we will see at the end of the year. Im not God so when I say "my forecasts" that doesnt mean they are bound to happen. You dont agree, fine...post your own thoughts as to what you believe will go down and we will tally up at the end of the season. When I say "all around" I mean pts, rebs, assists, passing, D, and clutchness. As for Griffin. Im not down on him at all. I actually believe Rudy is doing a decent job of bringing him along the right way. Nice and slow for the youngen. He'll have his time, just not quite this year. Doesnt mean I dont believe he wont succeed or be very valuable (especially on the defensive end). Ming will start sooner than later, but he's going to hit the rookie wall especially after all these games and tourneys he's been playing consecutively for the last few years. Im not being pessimistic with a vote of 42 wins. I think that would be a great achievement for this team actually. How many teams in the NBA have improved 20 games in one season regardless of the situations? I really believe that next year will be their year, to make a splash. But I guess we will see at the end of the year....and BTW. This wasnt done to down my team or any of the players.
The Rockets are lucky enough to add some nice players along these two years. We didn't have Griffin, Rice, and Yao the year we registered 45 wins. We had an old and grumpy Dream who averaged 12 and 7 at then. Yao can readily step into his shoes this year. The old players got better as well. Kenny has made great strides. Maurice is coming back and is still his old jump shooting no rebounding self. Francis and Mobley are veterans who now know how to close games, something they were gradually getting a hang of in that 45 wins season. The interior defense will be a wall with the Yao and Griffin shot blocking tandem. Offensively they've mixed in some new plays that emphasizes ball movement, which they lacked in the past two years. With the addition of Yao Ming the Rockets have the exclusive luxury of having a traffic control tower in the middle that efficiently distributes the ball to the open man and block oncoming traffic, namely, close off the lane. With Yao's post moves the Rockets now have an inside presence to complete their inside-outside game. The Rockets have added key players and old players got better. The other facets of their game is being fortified and working on. The Rockets have improved a good deal and I foresee them having a 45+ wins season.
dreamshake, the only reason i dont agree with you is because I am very impressed with the way the preseason is going. I would be shocked if we dont win at least 45 games. Im expecting around 50.
Nice thread. Most everyone has made some good points, and Dreamshake, I respect your willingness to go out on a limb. I agree with much of what you say but disagree with your conclusion. I believe that Rudy's proven ability to have his teams gel come playoff time will make this team very dangerous and no one will want a piece of the Rockets. Regardless of regular season progress, stats, rookie wall, et al, Yao and Griffin will be major factors come playoffs. When playoff games grind down to half court games our interior defense with these two will be good. In a halfcourt game, I will sure be glad to see someone like Ming who will be able to get his shot off against anyone. Sort of like Kareem with his skyhook. It was always there when they needed it. I'm not predicting a championship, but regardless of their season record, whether it's 42-40 or 48-34 (my prediction), I think the playoffs will give us a very good glimpse of the future.
Quite frankly I see it already happening everytime we get a lead. And Franchise is the worst offender. Stevie will at times make up his mind that he wants to drive and make the nightly highlights rather than take what the defense gives him. His shooting % drops dramatically and the rest of the team just stands there watching and trying not to get in his way = no rebounds. Jordan used to do the same thing early on. Once he started to take advantage of the opponents defense and use his teamates they won chamionships. With Yao, EG, and SF we can have the same opportunities when they start to mature.
I think you are right on. Maybe someone can create the "Francis Rules" which will make him a better player.
