Welcome to the wacky land, policed by many but enforced by few, of Clutch City. I think the Rockets will make a push for the playoffs. It all depends on Francis. If the team stays healthy then I look for Francis to be the one to push us into the playoffs. ------------------ "Chucky who? I thought we were talking about basketball?" Charles Barkley
The Rockets have only been rebuilding for one year. If they're already "just below average", I'd say that's way ahead of schedule, wouldn't you? ------------------ Metal Sludge
TheFreak: Take away the first 20 games or so, an the Rockets *were* just below average. They certainly were able to play with some of the better teams. Anyway, I think he's probably right about many mediocre teams. I mean, how many times have you heard announcers talk about teams with "bright futures" that just never developed... often because the team was too good to get a great draft pick, but not good enough to win or attract free agents. The Pistons, Sacramento now, and the Denver Nuggets all remind me of such teams. ------------------ The lottery sucks. Playoffs 2001.
The Rockets were just below average the year before they drafted Horry. Tell him, "hi", by the way. ------------------ "Have we not here the best cards in the game to win this easy match played for a crown?....." Bill Shakespeare
I too think this may be a problem. Look at the teams that won in the 80's and 90s. Only the Lakers have won and come back after reloading and won again. How are they different than the Celtics and Pistons? (You can't count the Bulls because they aren't done reloading - though I would stick a fork in them. Or the Spurs because that was their 1st win.) Look at Boston. How far down did they far? Reminds me of the "Help! I've fallen and I can't get up!" commercial. The Pistons are stuggling to stay out of the lotto every year in a weak league. Now look at the Lakers. They spent a year or 2 out of the top but still remain formidable. Pick up Shaq, Kobe and a good coach and away they go again. If they get a decent PF, Lord help the rest of us. We may have fallen too far, too fast. I hope not. But I don't think you can spend many years out of the top before mediocracy (or worse) sets in. Who's in the lotto? Every year it's the same teams. This year and next year are very important for the Rockets. ------------------
Yall are overlooking the obvious question - who is this guy??? He's internet-savvy, so it can't be Shaq. ------------------
------------------------------------------- But then there's that one man. I worked out a little with Houston's ROY when I was in Atlanta for a 3 day summer league. -------------------------------------------- This post just got interesting. Who were the Laker players that's at Atlanta's summer league? It will be amusing to know we have an actual NBA player posting on this board. ------------------
http://www.nbatalk.com/nba/slmania/atlanta/index.shtml The Lakers weren't at the Atlanta shootout, neither were the Rockets (Francis). The only league the Lakers were at was the So Cal league, and that was July 8-30. If he was at the summer league's, then the player has been in the league less than 4 years. That means the choices are: Derek Fisher, Corey Hightower, Devean George, Tyronn Lue, and John Celestand. As far as the 7th and 8th seeds, it's gonna be a dog fight, the final stretch will be crazy, probably 4 teams fighting for 2 slots. We have a chance, but we're certainly not the favorites. ------------------ The Serious Police are watching. Follow the rules or be assimilated. Shandon is underrated.
Welcome to the board. And know this medium is about interactivity. You will have to answer some questions from us, too. Question 1: Do the Laker players feel lucky for receiving a legendary collapse by Porland in game 7? Question 2: With a healthy Duncan back, do you feel you can actually beat San Antonio?
Hi Brian, welcome to the great site. I wish you could have stayed on the team last year, we could've used you. ------------------ "I'll drop kick those f*ckin' dogs if they come anywhere near me." visit www.swirve.com
Trust me G-man. The Rockets *will* surprise ALOT of teams [Lakers included] I think beyond just the Talent and the heart is the coaching and style. The Rockets are working for one thing CONSISTANCY To paraphrase AJ . . If they play ROCKETS BasketBall. . . They are VERY Formidable but they were young and seem to get OFF Task alot. This year it is about concentration and consistancy. Honestly . . . 50 games is *not* out of the Question. Rocket River I project the Rockets as a 7 seed. ------------------
Reading all the message, I think it's Brian Shaw. On the topic, I think you will be surprised by the Rockets this season, esp. if Taylor is signed. Even if not, many of our players have great upside for us. Francis, as you stated, can be a superstar. One of the best. Cato is working out everyday this summer and is getting extremely stronger. Walt Williams finished the year scoring around 20 ppg, and if he could come back even close to that hot he could be a vaulable player. Shandon is already great defensively, and towards the end of the year he was really asserting himself on the offensive end also. He could in crease his scoring a few points. Cuttino is the best 6th man in the league and is a real spark plug. He and Francis will only get better. And if Hakeem could stay healthy, oh what a lift it would be. If he could give 25 minutes a night and get around 14 points/8 rebounds it would be monumental boost to the Rockets. Add to that the possible signing of Taylor or a future trade with the trade exception, and I think you're looking at a playoff type team, and as Rocket River said 50 wins isn't out of the question. The team chemistry here is unbelievable, and if that can be sustained along with the expected improvements by members of our core, this team should IMO be playoff-bound. ------------------ Looking for next year's Dan Langhi? Draftsource.net Sign Mo Taylor. Bench Kenny Thomas. Vote in the 64 player 1 on 1 NBA Tournament! (Championship) http://bbs.clutchplays.com/ubb/Forum2/HTML/000991.html [This message has been edited by The Cat (edited August 15, 2000).]
It's not Brian Shaw, he's a free agent and likely headed out of LA. My gut tells me Robert Horry or Derek Fisher. ------------------
The statement currently with the Lakers gives me the impression he has been with a number of teams over his career. Fisher hasn't been. I also don't believe Horry would be so positive about the Rockets. Shaw is very likely I've heard to resign with the Lakers, and if not that explains the word currently. Nevertheless, he is likely to resign. ------------------ Looking for next year's Dan Langhi? Draftsource.net Sign Mo Taylor. Bench Kenny Thomas. Vote in the 64 player 1 on 1 NBA Tournament! (Championship) http://bbs.clutchplays.com/ubb/Forum2/HTML/000991.html
Hrm...he can't be from Texas; otherwise, that would read "Nice board y'all've got here" ------------------ I will demonstrate my clutchness this November.
"Mediocracy?" No, the Rockets are not destined for MEDIOCRITY. We can't expect too much from the team just yet. Will the Rockets make the playoffs? With the team they have RIGHT NOW, maybe. If (when) they add Mo Taylor, then they can grab a 7th or 8th seed. But they're going to drive us crazy from time to time because you will notice there is no "D" in Francis, Cat, Walt or Mo. No defense and scoring a lotta points. They'll be a lot like Sacramento's team of the past two seasons (except that they'll never be on TV). ------------------
Well, if you look at his profile he describes himself as being a "guard for the LA Lakers." So that leaves a lot of people out of the question. It certainly has to be Brian Shaw. He says that "as long as he has been around," which indicates that he is a veteran player. In addition, he must have had some personal experience with the team IMO. Shaw was with us during training camp. Come on, man! We're all dying to hear! ------------------ Nederland 2002 Qualifying Campaign (Damn those penalties!!!) Houston Rockets Space Center- Not just another ClutchCity.NET clone. We're that and more!
AS LONG AS THERE IS NO MAJOR INJURIES AND CATO HAS CONSISTANCY ON THE "D" AND PLAYERS LIKE SHANDON,CAT, WIZARD AND FRANCHISE WILL PUT UP SOME GOOD NUMBERS EVERY NIGHT. I'LL SAY WE WILL BE ON THE 7 SPOT ON THE PLAYOFF. CAN YOU DIG!! LET'S BRING MO FOR A YEAR AND DITCH HIM LATER IF HE SUCK!! ------------------ Rudy T. will find and fulfill Rockets destiny. [This message has been edited by KALIKULI (edited August 15, 2000).] [This message has been edited by KALIKULI (edited August 15, 2000).]
