Don't expect Rockets to make a major roster move Question: Can the Rockets make a move for Troy Murphy or Kurt Thomas to help rebound and defend in the post? Reggie in the Bronx, N.Y. Answer: How does that conversation go? 'This is CD. I have a power forward that's not working out for us with a really bad contract. How 'bout trading your power forward, playing well, with a good contract, for mine.' Barring that working, I'm not sure what assets the Rockets can offer to make those deals work. That said, Thomas is having a very good year on the boards, but overall, I don't think he is enough of an upgrade to spend too much to get him. Long-term, if the Rockets are to change at power forward, they need a phenomenal athlete or range shooter (or both) next to Yao. Murphy is a range shooter that does rebound. But I don't know why the Warriors would deal him. And if they were looking to move Murphy, I imagine they could find a better offer somewhere in the league than the Rockets could make. Posted: Feb 12 2005 12:32PM | E-mail the writer -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sura showing his toughness Question: Jonathan, what are your thoughts about Bobby Sura from Wilkes-Barre? In my opinion, he's playing the best ball of his career right now. Matt in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Answer: They make them tough in Wilkes-Barre. Actually, I don't know anything about Wilkes-Barre other than that Sura is proud to be from there. But early this season, the Rockets really did not have a personality. In past seasons, they were swaggering athletes, confident that they could take on anyone. This season, they were nothing. Sura came back and his competitiveness and toughness -- especially with the addition of the similar styles of David Wesley and Jon Barry -- became the Rockets' way of playing. Sura finds way to contribute and now has a team that needed his variety of skills. You're probably right; if he keeps it up, this could be his best season. Posted: Feb 11 2005 8:45AM | E-mail the writer -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mo Taylor not an ideal fit for Rockets Question: I really enjoy your inside info on the Rockets. I have a two-part question. Is the team's chemistry really as good as it seems? If the answer is yes, what should the Rockets do with Mo Taylor -- the last link to the selfish, non-hustling days of the Rockets past? Russ in Beaumont Answer: The offensive chemistry really is that good. That's what happens when you put together good passers that know their strengths and weaknesses. The ball moves crisply and as important, players do not try to do the things they cannot, a practice with younger, more headstrong players leads to turnovers. As for Mo, he can fit in with that group. It is much easier to fit in with a winning team that shares the ball than to change a team into that. He can be self-involved, but he's not selfish. If the Rockets move him, it would be a salary cap move (mostly). He is due more than $19 million the next two seasons, an awful lot for a player behind Juwan Howard who has not been missed since replaced by Scott Padgett. His greatest strength, an ability to get his own shot with regularity, is not much of a priority with Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady on the court. He is a good catch and shoot guy, but not with legitimate 3-point range. Next to Yao, the ideal power forward would either be a high-energy rebounder and defender or 3-point shooter, or both. At more than $9 million per year, the Rockets would like Mo to be an ideal fit. He's not. The Rockets would not be under the salary cap without Mo's contract, but they would escape the luxury tax threat. Teams with two max-out players don't need $9 million backups that are not a good fit, but the Rockets are obviously not the only team that feels that way.
The above description fits Raef. Ainge reportedly likes (liked?) Mo. Put those pieces together, and -- no mo Mo; better 4 Yao; upgrade -- but more $.
