my point is that we are at my best when that position (read: that floor positioning, not necessarily the #) is doing well. That's true, but I don't agree that it's necessarily about his ability to shoot. Shandon can have a great game never shooting the ball from outside 5 ft. If he gets 6 rebounds, 6 assists, and 5-10 points on layups and cuts to the basket, I think we win most days. It's just a matter of getting him involved, and actually him *not* shooting from the outside where possible. That's when he sort of takes himself out of the game and is less effective across the board. We have enough outside shooting from the 1,2, and 4 spots right now. I like the fact that Shandon brings something a little different to the mix. ------------------ Is it any coincidence that the Cato is the only Rocket with a temperature scale named after him? I didnt think so!!!!
i just want everyone to know that when allan houston was gettin off, shandon anderson was guarding him. as soon as they switched he started missing. just wanted to point that out. and as soon as they switched back, at the 6:25 mark to anderson....houston for 3. ******* ...nevermind. he's lighting up everyone. [This message has been edited by verse (edited February 05, 2001).]
verse: yes I do agree with you on some of your points. I'm just looking at it in present day terms. If we get a defensively minded PF or C in the draft/trade/free agent/miracle, I wouldn't mind your sign and trade argument. But until that happens I don't really have a problem w/ Shandon right now. Notice I said 'right now'. True if we can find someone that fits our system better, by all means, try and get him. I just think we,ve got alot more glaring problems than SF. ie: Someone in the backcourt that can actually rebound and play defense. ------------------ [This message has been edited by floyd (edited February 05, 2001).]
verse, I agree that you need to be able to play a half court game in the playoffs, but that shouldn't focus on the SF anyway. That is the reason we should concentrate on getting bigger at the 4 and 5. ------------------ Kenny Thomas had a foul called on him in the Western Conference Finals.
think real long and hard about the first two sentences you wrote. now you see my point. What is your point then? That we should get rid of the player that seems to have a dramatic impact on our success? Instead of getting rid of him, why not try to get him more involved? The Rockets are at their best with him involved... ------------------ Is it any coincidence that the Cato is the only Rocket with a temperature scale named after him? I didnt think so!!!!
you're missing it. my point is that we are at my best when that position (read: that floor positioning, not necessarily the #) is doing well. that position is doing well, typically, when they are hitting their shot from the outside. that could be walt or shandon. but the rockets NEED for that spot to be consistent. if we could find a laboratory and genetically fuse walt, shandon, and bull, we'd have one ugly player but he'd be effective. seriously, the rockets are at their best when he's hitting his shots from the perimeter. unfortunately, he can't shoot. Dogbelly: agreed that we need to get bigger in the frontcourt. but do you want to pay shandon 5million per year for the next few years for showing us he couldn't dribble or shoot for the past 2 years? i don't. he's ok for this season, but i'd want him OFF the roster next year, if it's gonna cost 4.5 - 5 million. i say sign and trade him. [This message has been edited by verse (edited February 05, 2001).]
Verse, I agree with you that slowness in rotations has played a major role this year.I, DO think that will settle it self out,though,as this team gets on. On the areas you mentioned,I think he is better than average.Yes,the outside shot is streaky,but once the offense finally is set and there is more of a consistent flow of the game,SA should get the ball when and where he wants it on the floor.I look at Anderson and see him as a rythym player.Right now we just don't have that execution and fluidity on the floor. Now,he slams the boards too and IS always matched up with a bear of a defensive assignment.Shandon to me,IS a very well rounded player,and with that steal of a contract we were able to get Cat to sign,I see plenty of room for SA at 5/yr wherever he plays.I guess I just disagree on the "ok" part...Who are your more underrated players on this team?..It would seem that his game will fit better and he will be more acknowledged as the Rockets progress down the road. ------------------
who's my more underrated player? cuttino mobley. dude can't even get respect on the clutchcity.net bbs. *********** GET RID OF SHANDON!!!!!! ********** a lot of people are too nice. you figure we can make any player fit. Roderick Rhodes could fit now, right? Shareef? C-Webb? Rashard? Buck Johnson? Alonzo? Marc Jackson? N.E. Body? not every player fits on this team. the list, IMO, is a short one. but rudy and carroll are doing a fantastic job in piecing it together. i just think that we are not the place for shandon to start. in a stacey augmon role (for this team), i could see it. but i don't want to give shandon 5 million dollars of our cap space for the next 5 years so that he can play spot minutes. why do you all think shandon's been collecting cobwebs lately? TheFreak????? where are you???? if he's so underrated, why is rudy making him collect bench minutes?? it's because he doesn't fit it here. AND I DON'T WANT ANOTHER "MATT MALONEY"!! END OF THE SEASON: SIGN & TRADE! NO MORE SHANDON, PLEASE (esp. at $5 million per+)
verse, I wasn't trying to be dismissive of your points, I respect your opinion very much, which is why I tried to give a lengthy, thought-out response. Try not to be offended by my attempts at humor--they're not to be taken personally. I'll try to respond some more later. [This message has been edited by TheFreak (edited February 05, 2001).]
And I don't see another Shaq, Duncan, hell, even another Olowakandi coming out anytime, either. The projected C prospects in the draft aren't special and are more projects than contributors. The only one who sounds like he's anywhere near ready to contribute or develop into anything more than a role player is in another country (Ming). I have a bigger problem with drafting a player to fill a need and passing up a player at another position who can make a more significant contribution than duplicity of position. It's not about having superstars at every position, it's about playing to your strengths. The Rockets, CWebb or not, are going to be a perimeter-oriented team, and this up-coming draft is projected to be filled with several good SF prospects. I'm just saying that the Rockets should draft one and further solidify the perimeter. Consider the Jordan-era Bulls. Those teams won 6 championships with role-playing PFs and Cs because they were so strong on the perimeter. How about the "Bad Boys", the Detroit Pistons, with Laimbeer (sp?), Mahorn, Rodman, and Salley? Not a single offensive move among that quartet. True, it's much easier to win with that presence in the middle, but not necessary. ------------------ Who's better: Kelvin Cato or Joe Barry Caroll? Take your time!
Consider the following: Dream was out Dec 30 - Jan 24. Shandon scored 15+ in 13 of those 16 games. Since then, he has scored under 10 in every game, and a grand total of two points in the last three. It may be coincidence, but I think it's more likely these two are the ones who don't fit together well on the court. Next year (or is it next week?), we may well get a better feel for how Shandon fits in with this squad. There are rumors of Franchis/Mobley and Anderson not getting along, and I suspect that may be more relevant to his status with this club than basketball issues. ------------------
