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Houston Chronicle - Draft merely serves as warm-up act

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by OddsOn, Jun 30, 2005.

  1. OddsOn

    OddsOn Member

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    http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/3245419

    Draft merely serves as warm-up act
    By RICHARD JUSTICE
    Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle

    Some people aren't happy unless they have something to fret about. Maybe that's why Jeff Van Gundy recently forced himself to watch that final game for the first time.

    "Very painful," he said. "We just weren't good enough at the moment of truth. To need to be at our best and to play our worst is something we have to live with for six months. We just gave in."

    He believes that 40-point loss to the Dallas Mavericks in Game 7 in the first round has all kinds of lessons as the Rockets prepare for next season.

    Just when he'd started to believe in his players, just when he'd convinced himself they were capable of doing something special, he was reminded why the Rockets weren't good enough to get beyond the first round of the playoffs.

    He runs down what he saw: "deplorable" shot selection, awful defense and a lack of poise.

    Caught in the middle
    His personality is to run scared, to see every glass as half empty. That's easier to do when he has three players (Yao Ming, David Wesley and Bob Sura) recovering from surgery and another coming back from a heart ailment.

    And, yes, he'll again have the NBA's oldest team.

    With Phil Jackson returning to the Lakers, with the Warriors and Nuggets on the rise and with the Spurs, Mavericks and Suns firmly in front of them, the Rockets are assured of nothing.

    "We're in a precarious position," Van Gundy said. "We're right in the middle. If we don't do anything, we can't go forward. If we make the wrong move, we may go backward."

    That final game has provided the background music as the Rockets worked on a blueprint for next season.

    A one and a two
    They need rebounding, speed and athleticism. Illinois guard Luther Head fills two of those three needs.

    He can play either point guard or off guard. Defense is a huge part of his game. He could be an impact outside shooter.

    Despite all of that, he may not play much next season. The Rockets consider Tuesday's 24th pick of the first round to be an investment in the future, an overall upgrading of the talent.

    "He's ready to play," said Dennis Lindsey, vice president of basketball operations. "With our roster and age, he should be able to contribute in 24 months."

    General manager Carroll Dawson is hopeful Head's defense will earn him playing time in his rookie season. Head also brings speed and athleticism (a 39-inch vertical leap) to a roster that badly needs it.

    Dallas got significant contributions from Josh Howard and Marquis Daniels in their rookie seasons. Maybe Head will earn his playing time with Van Gundy the same way Howard and Daniels earned theirs with Don Nelson.

    "We wanted to get faster," Lindsey said, "and Luther is a fast player. He's a fast defender."

    But Van Gundy has a veteran guard rotation of Sura, Wesley, Mike James and maybe Jon Barry.

    The real shaping of the Rockets will come in the days ahead. They've got money to spend and remain a place free agents want to play.

    "We hope to be very active," Dawson said.

    They believe Howard will be fully recovered from a heart ailment, but the uncertain nature of his illness probably makes power forward their priority. Stromile Swift could be high on their shopping list for that spot. Dawson has coveted swingman Donyell Marshall, who remains a productive player.

    The Rockets are entering free agency knowing only that Yao and Tracy McGrady will be in the starting lineup on opening night.

    Every other position could be upgraded.

    "Our big month is coming up," Dawson said. "We're fortunate this is a place where free agents want to play. There are things we'd like to do."

    The list of affordable free agents could be longer than usual because the NBA's new labor agreement allows teams to cut one player without suffering a luxury-tax penalty.

    In watching the NBA Finals, Van Gundy said he was reminded of some basic lessons. One is that defense remains as important as ever even as some teams play a faster pace. The other is that champions can't be built around just a half-court offense or just an up-tempo game.

    "Balance wins," Van Gundy said. "Defense and rebounding wins. You have to do everything. You can't be half a team or three-fourths of a team. You have to be well-balanced."

    In watching the final game, he was reminded at how fragile the Rockets were. He was reminded why this summer's work will be so important.
     
  2. micah1j

    micah1j Member

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    "He's ready to play," said Dennis Lindsey, vice president of basketball operations. "With our roster and age, he should be able to contribute in 24 months." :eek: :eek: I guess its the NDBL for Head.


    "Every other position could be upgraded." I like the sound of that. :D

    Marshall, Mobley & Daniels - Get it done CD!
     
  3. Rockets34Legend

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    Wow, CD likes Marshall. I wish he would go young, but if Marshall goes cheap, bring him on.

    It would be nice to get some playtime for Luther. He's around a lot of veterans to learn quick. I think he'll be a great player for us.
     

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