Here are the grades for the Rockets players for the 1999-2000 NBA season STEVE FRANCIS-A+ did everything as expected plus more CUTTINO MOBLEY-A played great as a sixth man one of the best scores on the Rockets SHANDON ANDERSON-A played good defense and he also has a great offensive game WALT WILLIAMS-B+ took him a while before he found his offensive game but was hot when towards the last 15 games KELVIN CATO-B Cato is one of the best defensive players on the Rockets and he is a good shotblocker KENNY THOMAS-B+ played better than expected MOOCHIE NORRIS-A+ the Rockets got Moochie Norris from the CBA and he immediately became the backup point guard CHARLES BARKLEY-A+ the team had a winning streak before Barkley got that knee injury when he got injured the Rockets lost the next 5 games CARLOS ROGERS-B runs the floor well can block shots HAKEEM OLAJUWON-C+ his scoring decreased a lot BRYCE DREW-C plays great when he starts his playing time decreased when Moochie Norris-A+ became the backup point guard DEVIN GRAY-F he never seem to play well TONY MASSENBERG-Incomplete had an injury that sidelined him for 72 games ANTHONY "PIG" MILLER-B he played well when he started as center hostles for lost balls RUDY TOMJONAVICH-A+ after injuries to Barkley Olajuwon, Tony Massenberg and Carlos Rogers he still he found a way for his team to win 30+ games. He has to be one of the best coaches in the NBA ------------------
We played like we were taking organic chemistry. All C's, D's, and F's. The good thing is that now we've gotten some "chemistry" courses behind us we can put our efforts towards advanced "statistics"... ------------------ humble, but hungry.
If you base these grades on their improvement from the beginning, to the end of the year,then you're right. Exciting potential for the next season. I see us making the playoffs. ------------------
Hakeem: Clearly lost some steps. Moves still there but slower and more predictable. Thus double teaming not as needed as previous years, which reduced his effectiveness considerably. Pass-outs were done begrudgingly, and it showed. I think Hakeem breifly lost a little heart this year also. Still one of the best centers in the game today and one of the most respected. I hope he gets some fire and has a hell of a year. C+ Miller: Remains a solid bench player, but is effective in stirring up the center on offense and defense when called upon. Unselfish. Good passer, and good eyes. In good physical shape, he hustled and ran much better than previous years. His experience showed at times. he is great bench asset. His lack of playtime does not show up in his game. B Massenburg Injured for most of the season. Every ailment beknownst to man plaqued this guy. Poor condition in training camp could have prolonged his recovery. Limited shifts showed he had no wheels, but good hands and sizable height. Other than that, shoot him or trade him. Preferably the former. -C Bullard Perennial hole filler and role player. His shooting was average for him this year, but remained clutch in several games. His defense improved somewhat this year which may be attributed to his increase play, or opponents concentrating more on the backcourt. Overall, despite injuries he played his role well. Time to move him for his last year. We need a different type of role player this year. Don't hold your breath waiting for him to be traded trhough. He's not team captain for no reason. Everyone likes him. He's a team man. -B Los Rogers His infectious grin and commraderie proved more worthy than his playtime. Rangy and involved in most offensive plays he is an excellent bench-type asset for a young team. His D is passable. He could have more post plays called for him, especially on his patented mismatches with more height-challenged defenders, but he has to work awfully hard to get the ball out of the hands of our backcourt. That means better positioning without the ball. He must be looking forward to a healthy season. Aren't we all? C+ Thomas KT played way above expectations, but still has a way to go. His increased exposure will pay dividends this season. His baby hook (a la kevin Willis) was effective and surprised some veteran defenders. His shot selection needs improvement and CD will work with him in that. But he needs to establish a presence on the court. He hasn't quite learned to threaten without the ball yet. He should get better referee calls this year also. He also should leave the treys to trifecta shooters. I liked his fearless inside work, even if it was clumsy at times. -B Cato Someone once said there is nothing worse than a lazy center. Well, there is. A sulky big one who has a limited offensive ability, thinks defense is beneath him at times, and who complains about everything. At times his fire provided some unforgettable moments, but mostly I remember him missing an open dunk, twice in a row, when we really needed those points. I remember him standing on one leg while the team hustled in the waning games of last season. Of him arguing to the point of pissing off the most resolute of Rocket supporters. Sulking on the bench. Fouling by reaching in for the third time on the same player in one five minute stretch. I could easily give him an -A for preseason. But I am grading the real season. -C Williams The guy that everyone (including Me) said was what made the Pippen trade worthwhile. A proven veteran shooter that brought a reliablilty to the table that we surely lacked for several years. DUH!! We were all willing to deal with the No Defense part(or lack of) his game. But for 65-70 games he was a waste of a numbered uniform. Next time have my blind, parpalegic dog try his hand at playing B Ball. He will happily do it for Doggie Bisquits. Don't get those confused with Walt's mushy, miniscule cojones. If there was something lower than an "F" he would have earned it on fan frustration alone. Along with a few other "F" words. As it is his final 15 games or so brought his grade up considerably. D More to come ........... ------------------
This are my personal grades Steve Francis ... After the draft and the trade Francis had so many eyes looking at his every single move , he made believers of many and has regained much of his reputation , did the best he could under bad circumstances here in houston and proved to be a leader and "special" type of player. The only negative was his Defense !so that lowers his grade a little.. No doubt he deserves an A Moochie Norris... After our other pt. guard proved that he was not a good match for our new system he came in from the CBA and stayed w/us.. another great pick up from that league.. a team guy , loves it here and has very good basketball ability , great back up !..makes me feel confortable to have him out there when Steve is not able to go or is taking a break. grade .. B+ Backdoor boy ...Drew .... What can you say , wrong man for our system ... Mooch came here and took his job away.... sorry but he gets a big capital..... D Cuttino.......... Great guy to have , not afraid to take the last shot , seems to have that "IT" , can shoot and is getting better w/his decision making , self proclaimed "best 1st step in the NBA" gotta love his confidence.... Still needs some work at passing the ball some but overall his skills keep improving .. a keeper ... gets an....A Shandon Anderson.... our Mario Ellie ?? only time will tell , can score if needed to do so , can play super solid D if asked to do so , will hustle and not demand the ball ... every good to great team has always had a guy like him .. it took him a wile but we all saw what he can do and is capable of doing .... a keeper for sure .. grade B+ Walt "am blind for 70 games" williams .. A guy Rudy T. loved to get because of his "versatility" and shooting skill...... if it wasnt for those last 20 or so games I would give him a big fat F+ but he did show those flashes that made him such an important piece of our team.... grade D+ Kenny"am a 3pt shooter"Thomas ... The guy was riding the pine but when he did get on the floor he showed why he was "the man" for n.mexico... good footwork , but needs to stop jacking those 3's ... will be a solid rebounder .... a keeper .. well , maybe , lets give him one more yr. before we can tell.. grade.....B Kelvin "slurpy" Cato... If he can show Heart, Balls and determination we have us a good center for many yrs.... big IF isn't it?.... Has great potential at the Defensive end , needs to wk. on his Offensive game ... needs to work on his constant b****ing to referies and become more team oriented.. some attitude adjustment might be in need .. Before trading him lets give him ONE more yr. and then decide... grade C Carlos Rogers... Was just hitting his stride and lightning striked !!!!! injuries and more injuries , great guy of bench , wks hard, decent D , good size and versatile.. Rudy T. liked him but he might go if a team ask for him on a good trade... grade .. B ------------------ When I die I want to go right after watching a rockets game ! [This message has been edited by 3pointer (edited July 03, 2000).] [This message has been edited by 3pointer (edited July 03, 2000).]
With all the A's around you'd think we made the playoffs and actually played defense. Not sure how you can get A+ playing no defense and consistently getting lit up. Remember grades are usually on how they played, not number of times of espn highlights. And don't forget basketball is played at both ends of the court. But i Love the more realistic grades by our French poster ------------------ Stuff BBS, the Rockets and you guys It's all Clippers these days, come join the bandwagon and visit http://www.ClippersCity.net
1- Francis: A- 2- Mobley: B+ 3- S. Anderson: B+ 4- Williams: C+ 5- Cato: C 6- K. Thomas: B- 7- Barkley: B 8- Norris: B- 9- Rogers: C 10- Bullard: B- 11- Drew: D 12- Miller: C- 13- Dream: Incomplete 14- Massenburg: Incomplete ------------------ Ostertag for Three!!!!!
