After watching last nights game, and enjoying it very much btw, I wanted to discuss some individual player changes. I understand that its quite premature after "1" preseason game, but you can already see some changes. Cato: He seems more aggressive in rebounding and his hands actually look much better. That mid range jump shot he took and made was quite a shock too. Griffin: Though he was quiet offensively, I was glad to see him taking it inside and he made some nice mid-range jump shots as well. His shot-blocking only seems to get better. That block on Gooden was amazing and he had two others that Francis and Cato fouled on. It was a good matchup of PF, but he really still needs to get stronger and bigger. Gooden, though he is a year older than Griffin, had some nice moves like that early spin baseline fadeaway. TMorris: Inconsistency has always been his problem, so i'm weary of deciding he can shoot straight now. His other intangibles have always been there. Francis and Mobley: Got to love them. Already in mid-season form and looking great. Did you ever doubt it? I like the increased passing and motion in the offense, and it seems the rockets are getting better looks at the basket.
I agree with your post. I feel that I need to speak up more for the way Cato played. It was a vast improvement from all of last year. His jump shot looked solid with no hesitation on it what so ever. Hopefully he will continue to play such away during the entire season.
Cato looked good and in better shape. Eddie looks pretty much the same--although he needs to be more involved inside. KT impressed with his rebounding and inside play although I don't think he is the answer at the 3 spot Nachbar--didn't see the ball whatsoever, but ran the court well Mobley-same old ball hog Francis-was sharp, with new improved mid range game Overall the Rockets played well, just concerned with the lack of effort to be more involved in the post. Still looks to be the Francis/Mobley show which will NEVER work.
I did not see the game, but the Chron said Cato touch is improved. I think I am having a wet dream - this team is going to kill this year. Top 4 in the West!
I believe KT is the answer at 3. He has gritt, a hunger to win. He's not a softy like some of the other candidates at the 3. He does well defensively. He'll pose matchup problems to opposing 3s. I don't understand what people are looking for in a 3...do you remember James Worthy? --a posting up, small forward, who wasn't a lights out shooter... James gave you a better transition game, but KT makes up for that in defense and rebounds... As far as Mobley, I think the offense makes up for some of his bad habits...he did pass to his teammates more , although it took some yelling from Rudy... As far as Nachbar, I hope Steve learns to trust him and pass to him...I remember being frustrated a couple times last year when Steve froze Dan Langhi out of plays...Steve fed his Terrapin teammate last game to help him make the team, fed the other Terrapin, Walt Will, to a fault...he needs to do more of the same for Boki. I think Cato will surprise some folks this year...he was looking good rebounding and helping out on D...of course, I don't want to put all my hopes in the man dubbed as the hallucination...if we criticize Cato any chance we get, we should also give him props when they are due... As far as Steve...I hope he learns being the point is about percentages...always executing the highest percentage play...I believe this will be feeding Yao (our potentially over 60% FG shooter) and Boki (our potentially close to 50% perimeter shooter). Cuttino and KT usually miss a lot of shots. Mo Taylor is pretty efficient...
Francis should be the last one to not trust Boki, since Boki eat his supper in a shooting competition last week. I cannot believe the number of cries for Boki after one preseason game. Be patient. He will get plenty of time the next game, I promise!
According to the "Bird" formula for measuring a player's contribution to the team points + rebounds + assists + steals + blocks - missed shots (fg and ft) - turnovers here is how they did last night: Francis 30 Morris 19 Cato 18 Thomas 14 Mobley 12 Griffin 8 Torres 8 Brown 7 Collier 4 Maddox 3 Nachbar 2
the first 3 quarters were fun and exciting to watch , but the 4th quarter was kinda like last years were no one wanted to move w/ out the ball or shoot it except francis and mobley .....it is still early though
I loved what I saw of the new offense last night. They maximize Steve Francis' strengths as a playmaker. I will go so far as to say that if the Rockets have any sort of success this year, Francis will be Top 5 in the MVP balloting. One would think that a "5-man offense" would lead to less opportunities for Francis but this is quite the contrary because he is the one operating the attack. As opposed to last year where Steve got the ball 40% of the time (Mobley-40, Kenny and others 20), he now has the ball in his hands in 80% of our plays. I can very easily see him avering 23 and 10. As far as the offense itself, I'm in love with it and in shock that Rudy finally adjusted. Everyone is moving and in position for offensive rebounds and Francis' penetrating strength is maximized. Kenny Thomas also has the opportunity to get offensive rebounds against smaller small forwards. Final take is on Michael Dickerson. I found myself wondering who the Grizzlies' new power forward #8 was. It took me a while to realize that that was Mike. The guy has literally doubled in size. I don't think I've ever seen a player get that much bigger in <i>one</i> year. Can we get EG Dickerson's trainer?
I was very excited to see Steve getting off to a great start, after his shoulder surgery. It was great that TMo had a good game.
