That's the first thing I thought of too. I hope he gets in a preseason game soon so we can see what we've got. I really can see Rudy going either way on this.
I can't. With Cato finally showing some heart, I don't think Rudy will jeopardize that (the mental state of a player we're saddled with for a few more years) for a season of production from an aging vet. who most likely won't be here next year when Taylor returns. ...not saying that Willis won't see plenty of PT.
He's not going to start. He'll play some minutes at the 5 and some at the 4, but the Rockets probably won't start him over Cato. He might be able to play on the floor <i>with</i> Cato, however.
He'll be a good option off the bench. Our bench has been solidified. Willis Griffin Morris Torres Norris Not bad.
Our bench is decent at best. With the exception of Willis, all these guys are unproven players who would be the eleventh and twelth men on most playoff teams. I am optimistic that we are going to have a good year, but it will be because of stevie and crew, not our bench.
Starters Cato Willis Rice Francis Mobley Second Unit Griffin Thomas Collier Torres Norris Extras Morris Wiiliams
It sure makes for a big front line. C: Cato 6'11" 255lbs. PF: Willis 7'0" 245 lbs. SF: Rice 6'8" 220 lbs. or T-Mo 6'9" 221 lbs. or even Griffin 6'10 220 lbs. I'm sure we'll see a lineup like that at some point. Willis being a legitimate 7 footer gives Rudy all kinds of combinations, from small ball to tall ball. When Collier gets back into game shape, I could see Willis at the center position & Collier at the PF position popping 3's from outside. Two 7 footers. WOW, we haven't had that in a long time. If Griffin grows another inch by the end of the year & maintains his quickness, can anyone say triple towers? Talk about mismatches. I know that Rudy doesn't see Griffin as a SF, but depending on the matchups, I could see him playing there occasionally. C: Willis 7'0" PF: Collier 7'0" SF: Griffin 6'11" (assuming he grows an extra inch or two) SG: Rice 6'8" or T-Mo 6'9" PG: Francis 6'3" Not a likely lineup, but it'd sure be a tough lineup to shoot over, with the exception of Francis.
You are not including Moochie? Willis and Moochie both can come in and take over a game in different ways. Mooch with his super quickness and instant tempo changing style of play. Willis with his ability to rebound the ball and play defense. Add Eddie a high lottery pick that by many was the best player in the draft, throw in TMo and Oscar and I think we have the perfect mix of proven experience and promising youth on our bench. I expect our bench to definitely be a strength of this team that will also allow Rudy T to change his rotations around and go small or big with more athletism than almost any other team in the NBA. Here are a couple of possible line ups that Rudy T. could utilize because of the strength of our bench: Small line ups C - Eddie Griffin PF - TMo SF - Oscar T / Mobley SG - Mobley / Francis PG- Francis / Moochie Big line ups C - Cato PF - Willis SF - Griffin / TMo SG - Rice / Oscar T / TMo PG- Francis / Mobley As you can see we can go very big or very small while maintaining our athetisism thanks to the versitility of our bench.
Morris , Norris , and Torres??? O Great There is going to be a bunch of Rap Lyrics about this years team.
Im glad to see Kevin back in Houston. Im not saying he can stop Shaq, KG, or Duncan but atleast now we have a body we can put on them.
I would think that at some point Big Kev will start at PF. Having to big guys at about 6-10 starting gives us a nice big line-up. Since he is only going to play something like 25 mpg, it leaves plenty of minutes for KT, and for Griffin who will eat up minutes at both the 4 and 5 in limited action.
That's because Rock has insisted on something that everyone should know isn't going to happen: Morris playing ahead of Williams. The real second unit is Willis, Griffin, Williams, Torres, Norris. Willis, Williams and Norris are experienced guys who would be in the rotation on any team (except maybe Portland, which is the exception to every rule). Plus, Griffin would probably make anyone's rotation as well given his promise. Torres is the weakest link (and it doesn't seem too weak) and we don't even need him to play much since we already have 3 more than adequate guards to play the 2 positions. Imo, this bench is pretty strong and will get stronger with time. I'd put this second unit to most second units in the league.
If healthy, I could see Willis starting against some of the bigger centers/lineups like Shaq, Zo, Mutombo, D Rob/ Duncan.
No man, I cant see cato starting now that we have Willis. Cato is too soft, he ducks out of the way when he sees the ball instead of rebounding. Willis will take someones head off to get the rebound. At least let Willis start at PF if rudy insists on leaving cato in.
This got me thinking about some CRAZY lineups they could put out there, especially with all the versatile guys we have. I personally would like to see the following, just once, so we can have an orchard on the court: C - Willis 7'0" PF - Cato 6'11" SF - Collier 7'0" SG - Langhi 6'11" PG - Griffin 6'10" Griffin can shoot the 3 and seems to have pretty good handles. It would just be hilarious in a blowout to see this lineup. C'mon, Rudy, experiment a little.
I think Jeff's got right. If Willis starts, it could damage Cato's fragile ego. Willis' aquisition and skills at both C & PF gives Rudy some unique matchups. Here's some interesting possibilities: 5 - Cato / 4 - Willis / 3 - Torres / 2 - Cat / 1 - Steve Or 5 - Cato / 4 - Willis / 3 - Griffin / 2 - Steve / 1 - Moochie Or 5 - Cato / 4 - Willis / 3 - Cat / 2 - Steve / 1 - Moochie IMHO, all present matchup problems, but I think the Torres lineup is fast enough to zone the SF, SG, & PG and can take defensive risks knowing that there is a 7 footer on either side of the lane!
