According to JF of the Chronicle: "Rice's rehabilitation of his surgically repaired right knee is scheduled to be tested Friday" Anyone hear how that went?
They commented on the local sports news (NBC) that Rice got the test results back and everything looks good. He is on track for the preseason.
Rice, Nachbar get OK from Rockets' doctor Rockets forwards Glen Rice and Bostjan Nachbar have been cleared to practice without restrictions when training camp begins Tuesday in Austin, Rockets trainer Keith Jones said Friday. Rice had knee surgery last January and missed the rest of the season. Nachbar, the second of the Rockets' two first-round draft choices, underwent sports hernia surgery in July. "(Rockets physician Dr. Walter) Lowe saw Glen and said we can let him go and see how he does," Jones said. "He said if (Rice) has pain to cut back, but he looks great. "Bostjan will probably be a little sore, but it's healed. There is no chance of re-injuring it. They said he can push it, it will be sore, but he can keep going." Unlike last season, no Rockets player is expected to begin training camp with any medical restrictions on his availability, with only Cuttino Mobley and Kenny Thomas still to undergo preseason physicals (excluding unsigned first pick Yao Ming). Guard Steve Francis passed his physical last month, but he will be monitored closely as he comes back from shoulder surgery. -- JONATHAN FEIGEN
I guarantee you that Rice is going to surprise people. With all the excitement centered on Yao Ming, we underestimate what other great players we have and how much improvement overall we have made. Rice is a career 20 ppg player. If he returns healthy - wow! Rice and Nachbar, with KT at small forward... how much of an improvement over last year is that? Walt Williams and Dan Langhi? We have vastly improved the 3 position. AND: 1) Steve Francis: no more migraines - he missed 25 games last year. We lost like 15 straight with him out. He has a new contract and another summer of hard work. Maybe the best guard in the west next to Kobe. Healthy and happy equates to at least 15-20 more victories without the other additions... 2) Rice: finally healthy and a full training camp for the first time since he played for the Lakers. Rice easily could play 25-30 minutes and spread the defense while getting 15 points per game. 3) MT: healthy and determined. Don't forget he injured himself playing hard in the offseason - last year. All reports say he is playing hard again, slimming down and will be back with a vengeance. He also is a 15-20 point player. 4) Eddie: Great summer session, is working out to gain strength, and he is still growing up. He's only 20 years old (3rd youngest player in the NBA last year including high schoolers) and reportedly has grown another inch to 6-11. With KT moving to more of a 3 role EG will play significant minutes at the 4-5. Who knows how much EG will contribute in all categories, especially with Steve playing more, an improved Cato, the presence and talent of being beside Yao, a healthy MT to compete with and play along side, and Rice/Boki spreading the defense. 5) Yao Ming: Potentially the second best center in the NBA with passing skills. How much better is our 5 position now! His presence alone will vastly improve our defense and cause major match up problems for our competitors on offense. 6) Cato: Reports are Cato also has worked hard this offseason and is coming into camp ready to go and fired up. Remember last season, he reported out of shape and not ready and even admitted it. I guess when your competition is an injured Collier you can do that. Now he faces sitting on the bench and daily competition with Yao Ming. Isn't this competition for playing time great! 7) Nachbar: Everyone is saying that he could have been a high lottery pick, a Peja that can sky. Does anyone think that's an improvement over Walt? And he's just our 2-3 option at the 3 or 2 position. 8) KT: from all accounts he also has worked hard in the offseason, has dropped more weight and is ready to assume some playing time at the 3. Rice, KT and Boki bring totally different looks at the 3 and give the Rockets flexibility to match that position with any team out there. And KT is still great insurance at the 4. 9) Tito, Tierre, Mickeal, Oscar, TMo, Collier, Goodrich: Whoever survives this bunch is going to be strong from the camp competition. Plus there is enough diversity in styles that the Rockets will get to pick the performers from this group that really fit the team needs and chemistry. Reminds me of the way we used to fit CBA players during the championship years. This team is vastly improved over last year. They are going into camp healthy, without big question marks, and far more talented. This season is going to very interesting. They should be able to finish at least #5 in the West.
I hate to bring a different point of view to your optimism... Rice is too old, regardless of his past. He has steadly decreased his scoring average to just a fraction of what it used to be. I don't care how 'healthy' they say he is, he just doesn't have the same fire as his Charlotte days, or the ability. Its like watching Dream when he was playing his at the end of his career...moments of greatness, but a majority of lethargy. He'll still start...but I see Boki and KT getting A LOT of minutes at the SF.
and you're basing this on exactly what again? His scoring average? Last season where he was injured most of the season? Pfft. I'm not the biggest Glen believer but I'll at least give him a chance to see what he can do when he's healthy instead of just writing him off.
No, I'm basing it on his constant decline in ppg and fg%(except 99-00). He's 35. He's not getting any quicker...and he's sure not making up for it in efficency. I don't know what you mean by 'writing him off'...I said he would start, but he's too old to play big minutes and he's never been good on defense...hence KT and Boki getting big minutes. I didn't use last year as a basis, I said from his charlotte days...Jeez.
Just to clarify, what irked me was the question of his "fire", or desire(which I assume is what you meant). It's hard to show fire when you're hobbled or coming off the bench. Of course his ability is going to decline, after Cha there was nowhere to go but down, but I think it's a mistake to judge his desire after he hasn't had a real chance to shine since LA(and even then at a reduced role for him). I'm hoping Boki gets the majority of the minutes, but if Rice can return to even LA form to keep Boki on the bench I would still be happy.
His numbers were down because he was on the Lakers and Knicks, and he was injured. There are plenty of 35 year old players that can still bring it: Stockton, Malone, and Jordan come to mind. If healthy, he may be able really get back to his old ways. This team is a great fit for what he does best - hit the open shot and post up smaller 3's. Let's give him a chance...
I've never been a big Rice fan b/c of his lack of D. But he does have a decent bball IQ and could conceivably help this team if healthy. It was only a few years ago that Dale Ellis was still lighting up teams as a 37-38 yr. old coming off the bench. Hopefully Rice will be able to adjust his game to fit in w/ the primary scorers on the team.
Go Rice! The guy can rebound (4-5) and steal (0.5-1) a bit too. That's besides the unlimited range he's got on that legendary jumper.
I'm sorry, but 'plenty' of players is hard to accept. You named 3 HOFs that are well known for their work ethic and ability to stay away from injuries throughout their careers...Rice has been known to come to camp overweight and he's starting to have injuries more consistently. How can you say his numbers were down when he was on the Lakers and Knicks? Of course they were down, he wasn't the focus of the offense, and he won't be here either. I'm just looking at the constant decline...if you look at the decline(after his 1 season with the Lakers) and apply it to this year, these are what his numbers will look like: 28mpg 9-10 pts. on 43% fg 3.5 rpg. 1.5 apg. Are these the numbers you want out on the floor every game? Mind you these only reflect his offensive capabilities...we won't even look at the defense. You can't use the injury excuse for those seasons because he was relatively healthy with few injuries...he only missed 9 games. He's older, slower, has less stamina, plays no D, his shot consistency hasn't been the same since 96', and he takes up WAY too much cap space for his production. I see him kinda like Eddie Johnson in 97'(At 38 EJ still had a better shot than Rice does at 35) but with a bigger salary and he starts. I'm sure Glenn will have some great little spurts in games if he stays healthy, but that sounds like a role for a bench player, not a high salary starter. Hell, I hope he is revitalized this year and proves me wrong, it would be great to see him shoot over 40% from the 3pt line for the first time since 98'...but how many players actually increase their numbers when they are 35-36 compared to their numbers when they were 31? I know this is your man, ricerocket, but look at his numbers...they don't lie.
So you're saying he is to old, has less stamina, doesn't have fire or desire because he was on the bench injured last year? Huh!? How about waiting until after the exhibition games before writing him off. By the way, his numbers were down in LA because he was the 3rd scorer in a system that didnt' fit him. And he had that foot injury while playing in New York. Yet in LA he contributed well in the limited role he was given. Here, Rudy LOVES jump shooting SFs like Rice and will do everything he can to fit him in. <b>I'm sorry, but 'plenty' of players is hard to accept. You named 3 HOFs that are well known for their work ethic and ability to stay away from injuries throughout their careers...Rice has been known to come to camp overweight and he's starting to have injuries more consistently. </b> When has Rice come into camp out of shape he always does what he can to stay in shape. Last year was an exception because he had the foot surgery and had to stay off the foot to let it heal . When has Rice had a reputation for having a poor work ethic and coming into camp out of shape because I sure haven't heard about it or seen it. Consistent injuries? He had two injuries, one injury is a foot injury that tends to happen to shooters, Steve had it, though to a lesser degree. His only other injury was a fluke knee injury.
I'm glad somebody thinks Rice's contribution to the team this year will be significant, but I can't see it. I think he may have a typical Walt Williams year - occasionally big in spurts and the odd big game and then disappearing for 3 or 4 in a row. I'm not down on Rice, but if he has a good seaon that's a huge bonus. He was one of the best pure shooters I've ever seen, but even the year he was with the Lakers his shot didn't look the same. If he gets that shot back (yes I know he's be injured) he'd be a heck of an asset. The salary/value arguement in my mind with Rice and Cato is just over. If Rice can average 14 points this year I'll be thrilled.
