I was worried about them gelling in time, but now I just hope everyone stays healthy. All the old timers and Juwon. I really didnt get to watch much preseason ball because of the run the Stros made. If you would tell me what you like about what youve seen, and what you think they are going to have to work on Id appreciate it. Thanks!
i think they will need time to gel together. I'm pretty sure by december or so, JVG will know how to utilize Stromile in the most effective way. As for everyone else, the two people I'm most psyched about is Luther Head and Yao. Head because he virtually money from the arc (maybe even a Michael Redd type of player?) and Yao is because it seems like he'll have enough energy to play more minutes per game than any of his other seasons.
i like the team...very active and athletic....seems like they attack the basket more...and on defense they look realy good w/ the addition of swift...his shot blocking is gonna make a big difference this yr...
Rafer: I haven't been overly pleased by his play. He has done a good job running the offense and handling the ball, but I think he's definitely been too hesitant on his shot and needs to be more offensive minded when Tracy isn't on the floor or when Yao hasn't established position deep into the shot clock. He also seems to have brought his attitude along with him, as he likes to pout after something goes wrong. Hopefully JVG can whip him into shape. Afterall, he's only been here a few weeks. Grade: C- Derek: He seems content with being the 4th or 5th option and has played within himself. He has shown patience in the offense, yet aggressive offensive mentality when necessary. He is shooting well and since the first couple of preseason games he has really cut down on silly turnovers. His defense has been acceptable for his age, but I didn't expect much from him in that category anyway. I wish he had a little bit more of his athleticism from recent years but I'm happy he's here, and most importantly, he seems to be happy to be here too. Grade: B Tracy: It's always hard to judge superstars in the preseason, unless we're talking about Allen Iverson or Kobe Bryant. Those guys like to get their minutes and their points regardless of what month is on the calendar. With that said, Tracy has looked like Tracy when he's been able to find the court this preseason. We all know what that means, so I won't waste my breath or your time. I just hope that this tendinitis isn't something serious, or at the very least, something that lingers. Afterall, the knees affect the back, and we all know that is Tracy's Achille's heal. Grade: B Juwan: Coming into the preseason I was extremely worried that Juwan would be a shell of his former self after his knee and heart setbacks. Boy oh boy am I pleasantly surprised to see Juwan back and seemingly better than last year. He actually appears to be in better shape, trimmer and with more muscle definition than when we last saw him. His jumper has been falling with a good consistancy and he doesn't seem to have lost a step in other areas of his game either. I'd be lying if I said that I didn't look forward to Stromile starting this season, but Juwan has definitely proven that it's his spot to lose. Grade: A Yao: Finally, the big man in the middle has gotten some big rest in the middle of the year. Not often is ankle surgery a godsend, but in Yao's case it most certainly was. In great shape and seemingly re-energized for once in his career, Yao has been dominant. He has already displayed new post moves as well as more refined versions of older ones. His jump hook has looked unstoppable and his moves in general have been quicker, stronger, and more precise. His free throw shooting, as good as it has been in past years, has looked even better. Rebounds are still a concern, as I fear they always will be with his size and mobility issues, but the stats don't show how many rebounds he frees up for his teammates. He is still collecting silly fouls, mostly on moving picks (which the league seems to be cleaning up this season), but his interior defense has looked as good as ever. Yao should consider 2.00 BPG par for the course this season. Grade: A- David: It looks as though David's offseason knee surgery might have had an effect on his leg power. There is always the chance, however, that he is simply behind schedule as a result of his downtime and will round into normal form before we know it. The bottom line is that David hasn't been knocking down the shots he was a season ago. Unfortunately for David, about 70% of the reason he is on this team is to knock down the open jumper. Right now I'm not ready to throw him to the dogs, but they're hungry, and if David doesn't regain his touch it'll be feeding time soon enough. Grade: D+ Jon: I'm not going to waste much time with Jon. He seems to have picked up right where he left off last year, and then some. This preseason he averaged a career high in rebounds, and his highest point and assist totals since the 2001-2002 season with the Pistons. Turnovers are at an all-time high, but he seems to get at least one a game just testing how high Stromile can go to fetch a lob pass. Don't let a low field goal percentage (39%) fool you either. Jon is shooting 47% from behind the arc and 100% from the free throw line. Bet the house that he'll come around from 2-point territory. Grade: B+ Stromile: Blocking Tim Duncan's jumpshot and following that up with a rejection of a Robert Horry hookshot is quite a way to make a first impression. It's also a good way to show flashes of your potential before quickly fading into mediocrity. It would appear though that Stromile has decided to stick around a while. Aside from plenty of highlight blocks and dunks, Stromile has shown that he has a post game and an eye for finding open shooters and cutters. I'm not quite sure whether it's a bad thing or a good thing, but his free throw percentage (63%) is almost lower than his field goal percentage (62%). Aside from the usual growing pains of a young player trying to fit in with a new team, Stromile has also shown at least a hint toward his injury-prone past. Missing the first two preseason games due to a forearm bruise, and limping through the last two, one can't help but keep one eye on his spectacular play and the other on the injury report. If he were in better shape and showed more willingness to play through injuries, I'd score him a bit higher. Grade: B- Ryan: As tired I am of hearing "Flyin' Ryan'" every single time he makes a good play, I have been quite impressed by Mr. Bowen's game this preseason. He seems to be bringing his usual hustle while also showing more willingness to involve himself in the offense through cutting, running the floor and sticking (or at least showing more confidence in shooting) open jump shots. Not much more to say here, exept that I'm glad he's back in a Rockets uniform. Grade: B Luther: Ok so he's not THE steal of the draft or anything, but he is about as solid a 24th pick as any Rockets fan could have hoped for. The kid has shown an ability to shoot from all over the court, including the free throw line, and to keep a cool head and stick shots in crunch time. He has shown solid perimeter defense and overall speed, and will be a nice option for special situations. A better decision here or there and he would have made a much better case for himself. As is, the jury will be out on Luther until he plays against better competition, but his preseason performance has likely earned him some minutes in this rotation. Grade: C+ Dikembe: I'm not even going to bother with him. His performance has been a carbon copy of last year. Grade: B+ Lonnie: He has shown that he can crack this rotation as the 3rd power forward. He's got mobility to spare for a guy of his build, and has shown a nose for the ball and a strong will to bang on the inside. He's what we all wanted Clarence Weatherspoon to be. He'll come in handy at some point, I gaurantee it. Grade: B Moochie: He travels everytime he gets the ball. Grade: F-
ClutchCityReturns, agreed with most of your post there. Personally I will give a B+ for Luther Head. Although I know he's gonna be a very good addition to the team, I did not expect him to be able to show what he shown so early in the season. I definitely think he will be a better version of Sam Cassell. Head shows some real solid skills and some really clutch shooting, also the winner mentality he played with ever since he was in illinois.
I like the talent of ALL of the people on our team (well... except Moochie). I like that many of our bench players got lots of playing time during preseason. I think Yao is going to be a LOT better this year. I'm nervous about T-Mac's health. I'm concerned that maybe our starters haven't gotten enough gel time during the preseason. I'm nervous that we're gonna lose a few games early that we should be winning because our players aren't used to the rotations. I wish we were going into the regular season with more clearly defined rotations and with our players well-practiced in those rotations. If we stay healthy, I think we will finish 1st in the west. If we stay healthy,I think we will win 60+ games.
I'm not quite as optimistic, but I'm more than content. I do wish we'd seen more of our top 8 playing together in the preseason too.
I learned from last year that it is a long-ass season. Nothing at this point is worth worrying about. If we're 15 games in and still struggling, then maybe i'll worry.
Rafer worries me. After a fast start his shooting has tailed off, I believe he is under 40% for the preseason. If we are to go deep in the playoffs, I think we need a PG that averages 10+ ppg on a high %. Man, I don't want to regret trading away Mike James to get him.
Good synopsis on the players. Here's the bottomline, the Rockets management did their job and addressed all the shortfalls from last year's playoff failure. You have to give props to an owner and GM that went out and made the deals. All the tools are there now, outside shooting, strong interior post players, decent passers, shot-blocking, and a better infusion of youth and athleticsm with the established veterans. It is now on the Coaches and Players to figure out the rest. When you have the talent pool the Rockets have (perhaps the best pool in years, maybe even better than the championship years) the coaches must step up and apply the proper balance with their rotations and play-calling covering up their vulnerabilities and exploiting their strengths.
IMO we are WORSE the THIRD MOST TALENTED Team in the NBa behind only Miami and MAYBE the Spurs Rocket River
I am pleased with Rafer and not worried by anything he has done in preseason. If he came in all bold and Mike James on offense, shooting too much, ignoring the other players on offense, I would be worried. I did not expect him to walk in and immediatly know the JVG system and his teamates strengths and weaknesses. Point is a complex position that usually requires practice time, reps, and games. From what I have seen, Rafer has the game and the maturity to be an excellent point on this team. The test for Rafer will be when we play the great point guards. Can he defend Nash, Parker, Baron Davis, Areanes? Pre season won't answer that.
