Didn't see this posted anywhere....even in the DA Thread. Lock it up if it's somewhere.... http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/3322858 Veteran guard signs because of Rockets' potential By JONATHAN FEIGEN Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle The Rockets made their pitch, and Derek Anderson was convinced. He knew just what the Rockets wouldn't offer. They could not promise a starting position. They would not guarantee minutes. They could not offer money, at least compared with the riches he had received in Portland or could find elsewhere. Anderson was sold. "That first day I left (Portland), I was looking around and said, 'You know, Houston has something,' " said Anderson, who signed a two-year contract, the second at his option, with the Rockets on Tuesday. "I could have started for a couple of teams (he considered). They automatically told me that I was going to get a lot of minutes and start and I wouldn't even have a big challenge (for playing time.) I could have gone somewhere and got paid. But to win a championship, I didn't think I had that opportunity anywhere except here. I think it was a far better fit to come here." Anderson, 31, released Aug. 3 in the NBA's first luxury-tax amnesty cut, had other tempting offers. He visited or talked with the Pistons, Heat, Timberwolves and Lakers. The Lakers offered him a contract starting at $2.5 million and all the point guard minutes he could handle. Instead, he took the Rockets' smaller salary-cap exception, worth $1.67 million the first season, and a chance to compete in a crowded backcourt for playing time. But he said championship aspirations and possibilities were the driving forces in his decision. "I just know this is the type of place you could do that," Anderson said. "You get your team together, build around it and you have an opportunity to win. That's what they've been doing. Then, when they got Stromile (Swift), I was like 'whoa.' I mean, they're serious. "(Players around the league) were like, 'Wow, you guys are really loading up now.' It's not like it's loaded to the point where everybody has to dominate the ball or take control of anything. Guys around the league are saying, 'You got a good team, you just have to put it together.' " Suited for many positions But the qualities that convinced Anderson he was joining an up-and-coming team also make his role uncertain. A long-armed and athletic 6-5, he has received the bulk of his playing time at shooting guard but could fit in at several positions as a starter or off the bench. "He can play the one, two or three, and we've talked about the four or five," general manager Carroll Dawson said. "You can find a bunch (of playing time) for a guy who can play like that. He can even rebound. If you're going up against a Josh Howard in the playoffs, you need somebody that's 6-5. He's a perfect fit for us." Making those parts fit will be difficult. But in addition to the qualities Anderson brings, his versatility could serve as insurance if the Rockets have the injury issues they had last season. Anderson has averaged 13.1 points on 41.1 percent shooting and 34.3 percent 3-point shooting in eight seasons with the Cavaliers, Spurs, Clippers and Trail Blazers. "We think he can come here and recapture some of the things he used to do," Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy said. "I do love the way he passes the ball. I think one of the things we did last year, ... because of the changes in personnel, was become a much better passing team. And I think Derek is a tremendous passer as well. That's the one skill I don't think you can ever have enough of. "If everyone is healthy, we're crowded in the backcourt. We have a lot of people. But one of the things we're very, very concerned with is the health of our backcourt. We have Bob (Sura) coming off major surgery. We have David (Wesley) coming off surgery. Obviously last year we took a hit with Charlie (Ward) being injured most of the year. It could be crowded if everybody's healthy, knock on wood. There will be a lot of sacrifices to be made." Welcomes competition But Anderson was not concerned with such issues. He might not have had them elsewhere, but he came to Houston for something else. "You've got to want your team to be good," he said. "If somebody (outplays) me, I think like we've got a chance at winning a championship. All the (Rockets players) that I've seen and played against and talked to, they've (said), 'We stick together.' "You don't find that a lot in this league. Everybody else is worrying about contracts and this and that. When you have a team that actually sticks together ... I was really looking for that." jonathan.feigen@chron.com
Remember small ball from last year, when Yao was stuck on Josh Howard? I think they'd rather guard Josh with DA.
But that was only when they had a lineup of Dirk and 4 swingmen. You don't want the opponent to dictate the lineup like that. Yao just needs to take care of business on the other end in that situation.
Yep. That's when we really missed a true point guard. Yao should have got the ball in the low post on every posession with Howard or Nowitzki on him. But we couldn't get the ball to him enough and they got the ball to Howard every posession that they wanted with that small lineup.
Even though there are still questionmarks, I think we are very fortunate to have the current Rocket team. I love the chemistry, you can feel it. And with some new talent in the mix, a year of experience, this team should be very entertaining. They certainly were last year. What an upgrade from the "dumb and dumber" era. No comparison; a radical and rapid improvement. The TMac trade will go down as one of the greatest personnel moves in Rocket history. I am amazed he is here.
naw he was in portland when san antonio won their second ring. that year da played for san antonio was when they were eliminated by la in the play-offs. then he left via free-agency.
Man you gotta love that right there.... WE ARE THE ROCKETS.........THE MIGHTY MIGHTY ROCKETS.......LOL When they do the PA announcing the teams the Rockets should just be announced as "your Houston Rockets" and ALL enter the floor at the same time instead of each players name individually.....now that would be a TEAM!
isnt that what the pats did at the superbowl a couple of years back? or did they do that at every superbowl? either way that would be kind of cool if the rockets did that once in a while or during the playoffs
