As it has become more and more apparent the Rockets are losing interest in Chris Webber, who than is the franchise player they hope to get in the next couple of years. While a team of Francis, Mobley, Taylor, and Griffin is amusing, that team will never be able to win jack. Just look back to the T-Wolves of the past with Marbury, Gugliotta, and Garnett, somewhat similar players who couldn't win then and couldn't now if they were still together. Are they maybe aiming for a Vince Carter(scary thought), Antawn Jamison, or Alonzo Mourning(if he can play) in the market next year? If they keep Hakeem for the max this year, they'll have that money available next year and be able to sign any of the above mentioned names. Any ideas? ------------------ Mmm Queso.
You're right. They'll never win jack. I'm cease to be a Rockets fan. ------------------ How the hell should I know why God would allow the Holocaust. I don't even know how the electric can opener works. - from Hannah and Her Sisters
I like the sarcasm Balke. Realistically, you don't think Francis and Griffin will ever be good enough to beat Shaq and Kobe, do you? Sure, role players will help, but if the Rocks hope to ever bump the Lakers they'll need another star. Period. ------------------ Mmm Queso.
Sure, Francis and Griffin won't be as good as Shaq and Kobe. But who is the Lakers' 3rd option? Offensively speaking, Francis, Griffin, Taylor, and Mobley are better than anyone on the Lakers. As far as the T-Wolves analogy, that team had horrible offcourt chemistry. Googs hated Marbury, and Garnett and Marbury hadn't developed nearly as much as they did now. Their bench didn't have anywhere close to the level of players we have. Shaq is not going to last as long as a guy like Hakeem. It's just too much of a physical wear-a 300 pound guy running and jumping as much as he does. I'd give him 4 more good years. He'll get an injury that keeps him out for a significant amount of time. ------------------ "I think alot of people find Cato's game to be very offensive." -aelliott, comparing the offensive skills of Kelvin Cato and Michael Olowokandi
I think that the Rockets should look at trying to acquire Dale Davis. He had a pretty lousy year with the Blazers and Quitten, and may be looking for a new start. Houston is the perfect place because of a great backcourt, draft, coach, and most of all loyal fans. Who wouldn't want to be apart of that? Codman ------------------ The Number One Cuttino Mobley Fan! Don't hate..Congratulate!
I think I recall Vince saying something at the Olympics around the lines of "i wanna play for Rudy when I'm a free agent" ------------------ Kapaya!
I think I recall Vince saying something at the Olympics around the lines of "i wanna play for Rudy when I'm a free agent" ------------------ Kapaya!
so ElGrandeQueso does this mean the blazers need MORE STARS to beat LA? no believe it or not i think the rockets are trying to avoid the egoland of 10 superstars and have a little thing called "team basketball" ------------------ --TEX
Not to mention that the rockets have tried the whole "load the team with superstars" thing. Anyone remember the grand Pippen/Barkley/Hakeem experiment. (Though that experiment would have turned out quite good had Scotty Pippen been able to handle Kobe with 13 seconds left in Game 1. ------------------
Okay, I appear to have completely forgotten all details about the end of game 1 of that series, please disregard my comment about it (thought it was still Pippens fault) ------------------
I think Dale Davis is the perfect fit if Olajuwon doesn't sign. He would provide the Rockets a solid rebounder, and someone that can allow Francis and Mobley to run upcourt instead of staying on defensive end to get rebounds. Dale Davis' availability is dependent on whether Blazers are ready for a fire-sale. If they are, he can be had with Kenny Thomas and Walt Williams I think. Walt Williams' contract ends a year earlier than Davis'. KT would provide them a solid PF in the absence of Davis. What are your thoughts? ------------------ Louisville Rockets my ass
Wow ElGrande, I'm glad you are SO sure that a team of Griffin, Mo, Francis, and Mobley can't win jack! Why even play basketball right? How do you KNOW we can't beat the Lakers with that group? The Lakers supporting cast is going to grow old, and it's going to be harder to replace them. The Lakers aren't going to dominate every year. Besides we have to get to the playoffs before we find out what we need to advance. ------------------ "Win if you can, lose if you must but always cheat!" - Jesse Ventura [This message has been edited by RocksMillenium (edited July 02, 2001).]
I don't think people understand what I am trying to say. It's not that I don't want the Rockets to eventually beat the Lakers, it will just be very hard for them to do that with the current team. Shaq and Kobe are the 2 best players in the game, and they are only going to get better(yes Shaq can still get better somehow). Unless we ever have a legitimate bruiser down low, it will be very hard to ever stop the big fella. With a little above average supporting cast under them, Shaq and Kobe could reign for 10 years. ------------------ Mmm Queso.
Dale Davis is a good player but more of a 4 than a 5. He was manhandled by Shaq. He also comes with a $6-7 million contract. Francis, Mobley, and Griffin (hopefully) will allow the Rockets to grab a spot in the playoffs. But the Rockets really need a true 5 (and resign Big Mo) in order to compete with the Lakers. Marc Jackson is perhaps the only FA option this year...unless the Rockets are willing to trade. ------------------
Unfortunately, there are no long term solutions available at 5 in free agency or via trades. Olajuwon is our best bet at a true 5, but that's short term. The same would go for guys like Ewing and Robinson. I'm not sold on Marc Jackson quite yet, and the two Davis' are PF forced to play C. Don't hurt me, but our best long term solution at C is still Cato. I don't believe we can get a true 5 this season, but getting a backup that can play PF/C and rebound could really alleviate the burden that Francis and Mobley has to rebound. Trading for Dale Davis makes for an interesting move I think. ------------------ Louisville Rockets my ass
ElGrandeQueso, Are you taking into account the rule changes. It will be interesting to see how effective Shaq will be against a zone defense. Whiel it is way to early to be sure I think that Shaq will find the 40 point games much harder to come by. Especially since he has not been able to improve his free throw shootin and probably never will. With the mix of players the Rocks may have next year I beleive they will be able to field wave after wave of slashers and 3 point shooters which should give them quite an advantage ------------------
I agree with OldManBernie, Cato can still come around. Hopefully he can stay healthy and play to his full potential next year. If not, let's trade for Chris Mihm! ------------------
The thing is, you don't have to beat a team at their own game. Beat them another way. If the Lakers strength is power, try to use speed and athleticism! ------------------ "Win if you can, lose if you must but always cheat!" - Jesse Ventura
Webber's second year stats: 20.1 PPG 9.6 RPG 4.7 APG 1.6 BPG Now while these are impressive stats, his team didn't make the playoffs that year. Did that mean that he was suddenly incapable of becoming a franchise player? Obviously not, he stepped it up the last few years (his 7th and 8th in the league) to lead the Kings to the postseason (and did nothing in the playoffs...) Francis' second year stats: 19.9 PPG 6.9 RPG 6.5 APG 1.8 SPG Impressive stats, but his team didn't make the playoffs (although they did win more games than webbers wizards) - does this suddenly mean that Francis is incapable of becoming our Franchise player???? We have Stevies backcourt running mate in Mobley, an excellent scorer! And now we have drafted a SF in Griffen who looks to be a great 3rd option! Why do we need another Franchise player?? Let the young guys grow together and give us a championship quality team for the next 5-6 years. ------------------
