The Formula

What was shown even with an injured Cat, is this the Rockets and NBA formula for success? Good big man, slashers, and spot up shooter? Personally, I think even as young as the Rockets claim to be, what they did shorthanded is the stuff rings are made of.

As anyone would note, I'm the biggest pessimist on this board until this yr. Playing hoops as a psuedo big man, I like many big men think most if not all the hoops game is made easier by a big guy in the middle. If we all check the recent, brief history of hoops, most, over 70% of the hoops rings were won with a force in the middle. Although I'm at the tender age of 31 and has been watching and being a student of pro hoops since about 1977, Its always the safest,most effective way to play the game. No way am I saying that other players should be involved, but having a low post center or power forward no matter who is playing guard is the recipe for success. I can now say with the addition of Ming the rockets with health are ready for the return.

As far as I can go back in the history of pro hoops, big men have dominated the game and controlled it. With the exception of the Isiah led Pistons or the Jordan led Bulls, the rings have been won by the teams with good big man play. I have aid i will start at 77 and Bill Walton , then I will roll down the line.Magic and Bird were freaks of nature, but since both were 6'9 i guess i can count them.

77 -Walton
78- Unseld,Gus
79- Sikma,Dennis Johnson
80- Magic(the freak), Kareem
81- Bird( the other freak),Mchale,Parrish
82- Magic,Kareem
83- Moses,Dr.J
84- Bird,Mchale,Parrish
85- Magic,Kareem,Worthy
86- Bird,McHale,Parrish
87,88 -Magic,Worthy,Kareem(still effective)
89,90 -Zeke,Joe,Aguirre
91-93- Jordan,Pippen and Grant
94 -Dream,?
95 -Dream,Clyde
96-98 -Jordan,Pippen, Rodman
99 -Duncan,Robinson,Elliot
00-02 -Shaq,Bryant

As displayed above, with the few exceptions all of the rings were won with pivot players and little guys complimenting them. With the current makeup of the Rockets and furture good health, I think the Rockets can have the best of both worlds. Very Good guard play and very good pivot play.

By chance, circumstance, good dealings, and a little luck, the Rockets have managed to assemble a lineup of productive high lotto picks,late 2nd round bloomers and an assortment of hustle guys. Somehow with CD and Rudy's dealing, they wound up with the #2 pick in Francis, the falling in the draft of Mobley, and the sheer luck of Ming. Not to discount Griffin,Taylor or anyone else, I just think with time these are the players that will lead the Rox back to the white house. Whats more important than all of those players are Griffin,Nachbar,Rice,Taylor,Thomas,Cato,Norris,and Morris knwing their roles on the team. Lets not get this twisted,Ming and Francis are the 2 rocks that will lead this team , but having Mobley as a 3rd option,Cato,Thomas and Griffin as the defensive-rebounder, Rice and nachbar as the shooters/scores off the bench and Norris,Morris , and Hawkins as the wildcard are just as important. For good or bad, most championship teams have a 1st,2nd and maybe a 3rd option on offense. This is the man reason why I think soon, very soon the Rockets can become instant contenders if everyone except what the roles are on the team.

First of all, Ming is the biggest mismatch against every center in the league not named Shaq. You can line up the Campbells,Kandi's,Robinson,Dampiers and Millers of the world, but no other post presence in the besides shaq can shoot a hit a high fg% to go along with shot attempts that makes the league scratch their heads in amazement. Second, although many are higher on him than I am mainly because of the bonehead plays, Francis is the ultimate compliment to Ming th consumate big guy. To top that off, how many teams, with the exception of Boston and La in the 80's could boast a 3rd scorer who can get his own shot, force teams too pay attention to him and is not scared to take the late game shot like Mobley? Personally I don't think any can recently. Here is the sticky part though. Getting every man , 1-15 to see through the same mirror as the coach. If it takes getting rid of good, starter type player for happy ,contributive bench players, then do it. If it takes bringing in a coach who can make players bu into waht he's saying even though someone isn't playing or hurting someone's ego, do it. By Any Means Neccessary!!!!!!

Barring injury,this current makeupe of characters should be vying for the west in 2 or 3 yrs max. No one will ever call me the consumate optimist, but if 2 or 3 yr from now this team is struggling to make the playoffs or doing a T'Wolves 1 and done, then we're really in trouble.