Sorry if this has been posted http://www.usatoday.com/sports/front.htm Houston, Tx: David, Thanks for taking my question. Although the Rockets have qualified for the playoffs, it is clear to most fans/observers that they won't go far in the Western Conference. If you were the GM, what moves would you make, via free agency or draft, to improve their standing in the conference in the future? David DuPree: That's a tough question. I think they need a pure shooter and someone who brings real energy off the bench like one of the Barrys or Bob Sura, somebody like that. Their backcourt is also small and they could use a big guard who can get his own shot. I feel Mobley would be a great sixth man, but he has had to start. I would not give up on Steve Francis, though. I think he is their point guard of the future as he learns how to play with Yao. They could also use a stud rebounder, someone who knows how to protect Yao inside. It's obvious that they need scorers. You can't expect to win every game in the 80's.
I don't get his logic! We have a pure shooter in Pike, an energy sparker in Boki. So we need someone to be BIG to get his own shot? I thought "getting their own shot" is not one of our backcourt problem. Why? Does this sound like a prototype of Cato? I though scorers is the least thing a team needs when you have scoring threads like Yao/Francis/Mobley/Talor.
You pretty much broke him down there daoshi It's just another example of an "expert" forced to write about something he doesn't have any clue of. If you are a fan and follow this team through a season you will know more than any of the sports writers no matter who they are.
LOL. So all we need, according to Dupree, are pure shooters, energy guys, big guards, a stud rebounder and scorers while keeping Steve Francis and moving Mobley to the bench. Uh... good luck this offseason, CD.
We did get Pike to be our pure shooter, but he can't get floor time. I think Jim Jackson is our big guard, but we need a small forward to let him play any time in the backcourt. In any case, I don't see much value in a big guard. A real small forward would be nice. I also think Mobley is eternally underrated. Ray Allen would also make a great 6th man -- but he happens to be a good starter too. Cato is a good rebounder, but Depree is right to now count him since he doesn't do much to protect Yao. In fact, when he's in the game, its a license to gang up on Yao because he can't shoot. And, he's also right that we need scorers -- either that or a better offensive scheme -- because we're not a high-scoring team. On paper you wouldn't think this would be a team that'd have trouble putting points on the board, but they do.
They need to move Steve Francis and parts for a stud powerforward and sign a Gary Payton or Carlos Arroyo type in free agency. Its obvious Dupree has not watched alot of Rocket games this season.
It's so frustrating that after so many years in the league, Cato still does not have a shot outside of 5-6 foot from the basket. Is it really that difficult to develop a 7-8 foot hook or jump shot? Heck, even I can consistently hit a 15 foot jumper without a hand in my face and I make no $ playing basketball.
Well Pike wasn't quite the pure shooter this year and Boki was certainly not a high energy guy off the bench.
That's the key here, On paper! But that's how you aquire players. Those players fit the roles he described based on their previous playing, they may not deliever what you expected due to various reason, but this is out of your control. How can you be sure this won't happen again if you bring in some other similar players? The other problem with his analysis is that everyone wants to have that kind of players, but how can you do that without giving away anything as he suggested?
Thats more like a scavanger hunt list........that's all we need? I wonder if he could think of anything else.
Clutch, I thought the same thing. It sounded to me like he said the Rockets need a whole new team Actually, he might be on to something. I still think a star power forward is more important than a star point guard. Trade SF for EB, and use the exception for a PG It's definitely going to be an interesting Summer. Raven
Exactly! I mean he details the things we need but isnt willing to give up anyone to get them. You have to give to get.
Move JJ to SG, give Boki a chance in SF, move Cat to Sixth man off the bench, mix match with Cato & Taylor. Actually the only one we need is a pure point guard.
