In the Rockets Summary in the Chronicle today, there is a small piece on information about Maurice Taylor and Kenyon Martin getting into a stare down contest, which could have amounted to a fight, but didn't. Taylor is quoted as saying: "He's a fake tough guy. I probably had ulterior motives because I didn't like him going into the game. I never even played him before in life, but I just didn't like him. When I saw Griff (Eddie Griffin) about to check in, I knew I would probably be out for the rest of the game. So when (Martin) cut, I tried to get a little push in." Wow, Martin would be someone who I think would step up to fighting challenges. If Taylor can intimidate him and others such as Jamaal Magloire, Taylor is immediately striking fair in his opponents.
Mo, when healthy, can be our enforcer. He has the build and mental toughness to be our tough guy, he can protect out players. MoT has been the biggest surpirse to me, he has been the guy to spark our runs and has always tried to get Yao involved, if he can just get some rebounds, hed be perfect for us!
Yeah, Charles Oakley was just lucky that Taylor wasn't in the game when Oakley violently fouled Juaquin Hawkins.
I am quickly becoming a big fan of this guy. I like how he feels about Kenyon because I completely agree with him. That jump hook is a killer too.
If Mo Taylor is the Rocks tough guy, I think it explains why they aren't going to make the playoffs. Mo may throw a semi-cheap shot every now and then, but he doesn't put his body on the line in the trenches. If anyone is a fake tough guy, it's the big softy from UM. Martin isn't a fake tough guy. He'll bang. He is a punk though. He wants everyone to know he's tough and draws attention too it, but he does bang.
I'm not going to pretend that Taylor is the kind of bruiser the Rockets lack or the power forward I wish we had (who's last name starts with a "B"), but considering how many minutes he's been getting, has anyone else put their body on the floor drawing charges more than Mo? It looks like his confidence is growing. If he can stay healthy (please, pretty please... and that really applies to everyone on the team!), Taylor may eventually become kinda like Cato in a contract sense. Someone who's play catches up with their contract. Probably not, but he's given us flashes of hope in that regard.
I think a lot of people call Mo soft when they don't watch him. Taylor is not soft. The guy is willing and able to mix it up inside, and will go right at people. He's delivered his share of facials before injury, and since he's gotten back into playing condition. People see him, and they see the sweet midrange jumper, and good handles, and think that's all he is. Taylor is a mediocre at best rebounder. But just because he doesn't haul in rebounds doesn't mean he's soft.
Do y'all remember when someone had a hard foul on Yao, and Steve got all in that other players face and had to be restrained? Steve can be an enforcer as well!
I think he's talkin' about Elton Brand. If Eddie keeps showing progress and Mo T keeps playing well, forget Elton. I don't want him.
Actually, Taylor was in the game against Oakley for a while in that game.....I was wondering if he was going to do anything too. But Oakley is the enforcer of all enforcers...even Taylor wouldn't stand up to him. I would have liked to have seen Cato stand up to that thug though. Overall, I do like Taylor standing up for his players, especially Yao, but maybe Oakley was too big of an order.
I thought you were referring to Charles Barkley. Juaquin Hawkins has drawn as many charges as Taylor. Both players are doing great. Play Hawkins more!
You did?!?!? Just thinking about that tub of lard trying to play defense on someone like KG makes me laugh.
This thread makes me long for Elton Brand. Here's a question: Out of ther est of the whole league, which team would be most interested in acquiring Mo Taylor? His qualities being: Young, SWEET J, excellent Jump hook, well built, hardworking, team player, can work well in the post. Negatives: Rebounding, not a spectacular defender, contract. Given all that, which team would want him? I'm guessing the Bucks (once Payton comes off their cap) would love to have him in exchange for Mason and a small contract, since Mo makes only a million or so more, is MUCH younger, and fits in with their style very well. Seattle lacks a PF, and would be a candidate, barring a very good/lucky draft for them. They also are looking to get young. Thoughts?
It was Brand. Geez, there's been so many threads about getting him (and me being one of those wanting him), that I figured it was pretty obvious. Sorry! (If only Charles could still play and was still here... sigh ) (And Hawk has been impressive. I really like him. He's been hitting his shots lately as well)
That tub 'o lard would be slappin' some sense into some of our players who need it, imo. I'll forever be a Barkley fan after watching him body-slam Shaq. Having said that, he might have some trouble with the zones being played now. (or maybe not... he's pretty damned smart) And can anyone really guard KG?
I don't think KG can guard Barkley (in his prime) either. But then again, KG isn't in his prime yet (how scary is that?). What's the point though. It's not like KG is what will stand in the way of our championship. It's Duncan, Kobe and Tracy McGrady. That's what we have to look at.
In the early articles written about Yao, Rudy mentioned how naturally MoT and Yao had developed chemistry on the court.
