I haven't been able to get any games over here in California and I was just wondering if people who have seen him could give their opinions on Torres compared to Mobley? If Torres looks like he might even been par with Mobley, Would Mobley ever possibly get dealt (he's smaller, more trade worth and I guess more costly in the future) ?
I don't think that Houston would trade Mobley given how well he plays with Francis and how well they get along. I would assume that we'll see Torres and Tmo fighting for the 3 spot just about when Rice retires or is traded? Speaking strictly from a homer's POV, I really like our team now and into the future. Current: 1: Franchise/Moochie 2: Mobley/Franchise/Torres 3: Rice/Mobley/Williams/Tmo 4: Kenny/Griffin/Willis 5: Cato/Willis/Griffin/Collier I like Langhi, but where does he fit in? It's a nightmare trying to get time at the 2/3 on this team. (Especially developmental time) I wonder if the Rockets couldn't ship him off to Europe for a year? If I was Langhi, I'd be frantically trying to turn myself into a 4 in the weightroom. Future: 1: Franchise/Moochie 2: Mobley/Franchise/Torres 3: Torres/Tmo/Mobley Talk about your all-star backcourts! 4: Griffin/Taylor 5: Cato/Griffin The only people on that lineup that I don't love without reservation are Taylor and Cato. But think about this lineup: Franchise/Cuttino/Tmo/Griffin/Cato On offense, you've got two great penetrators and shooters, who can also lob the ball up for alley-oops. Tmo/Griffin/Cato can crash the boards on every shot. On defense, Cuttino and Franchise can play aggressive and go for steals with 3 erasers behind them. The only thing I'd be afraid of is Murphy's beloved stop-and-pop. Anyway, I think we have a lot to look forward to. I just can't wait until the city gets on the bandwagon. I was listening to sports610 in the afternoon yesterday and you never heard such a bunch of anti-homers. Seriously, Nugzfan is more pro-rockets than these guys. It's so nice hearing sportscasters who you *know* haven't been watching the games because they have absolutely nothing good to say about the Rockets. Nothing about Cato's improvement, nothing about how effortlessly Steve went off for 31 points the other night (seriously, 13/18 and it looked like he wasn't even trying -- if Steve isn't on the all-star team this year something is wrong). I guess they're just in the Hakeem's gone, the Rockets are done camp. Personally, I think that other teams are more afraid of us than we are of them - or they should be.
Great post. I feel the same way about almost everything you said. I like Langhi also and have him slated for 12 man duty out of the regular rotation. I would put Collier, Taylor and Jones on the IR. Rudy T has to install a rotation of 10, at least. In fact, there are 11 players who have justified playing time. Langhi, 12 man, would see time in cases of injuries and blowouts. I agree that he should be looking to play the 4 better. At 6-11 and long arms, why not? The presence of Willis will also help him.
i like Langhi too, but i see him more 3. he must work. look that lineup at 3:Rice/Mobley/Williams/Tmo he must overplay only walt & old injured rice and develop faster then Tmo to get into starting five.
I think you underestimate Rice - he'll probably start and play 20-25 minutes when he's feeling healthy for three reasons: 1. He is still a very good talent and can help this team. 2. We have to match his expectations or expect chemistry problems. 3. We need him as a reliable scoring threat since teams will be doing anything to get the ball out of Steve and Cat's hands, especially come playoff time. Fortunately for the other 3's on the team, we don't want Rice to play extended minutes during the season as we want him to be as healthy as possible for the playoffs. With a very dangerous offense and (hopefully) much improved, hustling defense, I expect to see a number of blowouts this year if we can just control our turnovers. This should help us get developmental time for Tmo and Langhi as well.
