This article is kind of old (April 20), and I don't know if it's been posted already, but listen to what he has to say about the Rockets: Houston: Has any team ever won so many games and missed the playoffs? No. Does that qualify the Rockets for better things next season? Not exactly. Consider that their front line is so weak, they are forced to bring back Hakeem Olajuwon. Poof. There goes the cap room. Maurice Taylor doesn't rebound and isn't eager to return. Shandon Anderson can't wait to go where his ability to move without the ball will be rewarded. The Rockets privately concede Kelvin Cato's no gamer and a waste of $40 million. New rules strip the Rocks of their patented isolation game. No guarantees here. Yes, we have a weak front line. That's obvious. But where does he go off on this other stuff? Forced to bring back Olajuwon? That statement is wrong on so many levels. First, Olajuwon has proven he can still contribute as much as many starting centers in the game now. Second, it's hardly a done deal with Dream coming back, I wish it were. He's likely third on the free agent list of Webber, Mo T and Dream that we're looking to sign/re-sign. Third, cap room? Certainly, it will be difficult (if not impossible) to sign anyone to a decent contract and still give Webber the max. But he doesn't mention anything about that. It almost sounds like he thinks we'll sign Dream for another $16 million. Or $8 million. But $4 million is hardly breaking the bank, and Dream could go for it. We could still conceivably sign Mo T with the rest of the cap space. And let's talk about Mo T. No, he can't rebound, but yes, actually, he is eager to return, or at least willing. And the Rockets are eager for him to return. If it weren't for Webber, we'd be arguing about how big Taylor's contract should be, the actual contract itself being a foregone conclusion. None of this is hardly surprising, of course, but if he's going to write off the Rockets, I feel obliged as a fan at least to point out that he doesn't have much more valuable insight than I do. And I also feel obliged to point out that Mark Cuban shouldn't reiterate statements from the media about fans and their intelligence. ------------------
I would love it if the Rockets were "forced to bring" Dream back. Someone put a gun to Les Alexander's head and make him bring Dream back! Shandon leaving Houston isn't necessarily a bad thing. If our system doesn't work for him, then let him go somewhere where he can prosper, and let's put someone in there who will get the job done. I sure hope Mo wants to come back, 'cause I'd love to keep him around. Cato ... well ... ------------------ Founding Father of the Refs Suck Club
Maurice Taylor: "I think they want me here, and I want to be here. So I don't think that'll be a problem." ------------------ "They couldn't shoot, rebound, or pass, but other than that, they played great!" -Bill Walton
Yet more proof that some sports writers pull stuff out of their ass. Denberg is an idiot. He's supposed to be ESPN's expert of the East, which is like claiming to be an expert on crankstyle toasters. While overall I agree (just because the Rockets won 45 this year doesn't mean they'll win the same or more next season), his reasons should be mocked on a daily basis. To say Maurice Taylor is not eager to return is just flat out stupidity. To say the Rockets are "forced" to give up their cap room by signing Hakeem Olajuwon because their front line is so weak is also absurd. "Poof. There goes the cap room."... what a joke. Dude did no homework and is desperate for a story. ------------------ NOTHING BUT .NET CLUTCHCITY.NET
when healthy... he's missed 100 games the past four seasons. i think one of the requirements for being a contributor is actually being on the floor. and when talking contract, that's a big distinction. ------------------ Ric http://www.houstonprofootball.com
