I love Francis' game and Cato is going to be a monster if he hits the boards and learns from Hakeem about when to block and when to alter shots. I dont however see this tandem winning a title for Houston (or New Orleans). The Rox need another scorer, be it a gunner or a slasher, to play the 3. Rogers is not the answer, Anderson I think played beyond his skill in the two games he scored big, and Mobley is too inconsistent. We need to address our weakness at the three either through a trade (McGrady even realistic?, has anyone heard anything anywhere except on this BBS?), free agency (I would love Mercer but we cant afford him while we pay for Augmon to play for Portland and Maloney to sit at home and masturbate), or through the draft (we won't pick high enough this year). I dont know how we are going to help ourselves. To be fair, the Rox are playing well now w/out a meaningful 3 but the key has been Chuck who is leaving. Does anyone have any idea or inside info on what CD and Rudy are leaning toward doing? McGrady would be nice and so would Hughes, but they will probably be swapped for each other once the Answer heals. Please give me something to mull!
I wasn't really looking for another equation, I was kind of hoping that either Popeye or cabbage could tell if the trade talks that have been mentioned under the "bubble players" held any weight.
Cato lack experience and I expect that he will have a much better all round game as the year progresses. Cato I have noticed does not always fight for rebound position. This can be fixed. Rogers is another weak rebounder. He is active enough to get rebounds, but his small hands and lack of weight hurts him.
On the contrary,when Stevie and Cato are on the court at the same time,a certain chemistry is apparent.A superstar and our center for years.Add Shandon,Cat,and whatever moves we make in the future and the Rockets will be laughing all the way to the title.Don't count them out this year.......Almost everyone has and thats a mistake.
HH: I think the Rockets have the potential to be a spoiler this year, but not a contender. I could see them beating LA, Portland, Utah, OR Sacramento, etc in a 5-7 game series. However, I can't see them beating all of them successively. I do agree that anybody who discounts Houston may be in for an upset, though . [This message has been edited by haven (edited December 08, 1999).] [This message has been edited by haven (edited December 08, 1999).]
Haven,there are alot of ifs,but given the right scenario I feel we could get through.It is so early and we don't know what the brass is going to do(if anything)as far as deals go.We,of course don't know who we will have to get through to get there......I want to see how we look 3/4 of the way/season. Peace
Rockets will win the title. We are starting to play well now, and who know's how good we can get towards the end of the season. PLUS, when Hakeem returns, and IF he is willing to adapt and accept a lesser role on this team, we will get much better. Fewer touches, more pick and rolls, more jump shooting, and better defense. Hakeem, despite his oldness, is still a decent rebounder and can block shots pretty well also. If he were to compliment our offense, instead of slowing it down, WE WILL BE UNSTOPPABLE.
I think yall underestimate the presence of Charles Barkley when yall think we still have a chance to get the title. With Chuck and with Hakeem and with Stevie, we had a chance (and with the others stepping up as role players). I don't think we have much chance at all now - it could have been either Chuck or Hakeem, we wouldn't go far without contribution from both of them in my very humble opinion. This is just devastating for BArkley personally though and has really gotten to me. So maybe I will be more optimistic tomorrow. On a personal note, we miss you already, Chuck. Hang in there Rockets fans! SaluteCharles = bballfanatic
