Once Shandon Anderson is signed, Moochie Norris becomes more valuable to the Rockets as trade bait. Why? Mobley can slide over to the point to relieve Steve Francis and SA can take over at shooting guard. Moochie is popular, and I'd like to have him back. However, he is not a crucial piece of the Rocket puzzle. If Danny F persuades Norris to be unreasonable, then let them choke. It is far easier to replace a guard than a center. Right, Danny Boy?
Moochie is very critical to our team. He is the perfect yin to Francis's yang. Moochie is an excellent creator for the players out there, and for the most part, only looks to get other teamates involved. Francis is learning how to do this, and Mobley is likely further behind than Francis after playing SG for a year. Without Moochie, our second string would absolutely crumble.
Moochie is the best point guard on the team period. He gives the opposing team a totally different look and he will be more critical now that the zone defense is in. Steve is clearly the best player on the team but not the best point guard, not yet.
I agree Rocketeer- Moochie was born for the point, -Mobley born for the 2, -Shandon? born to be mild?
I really do think that keeping Shandon may mean less minutes for Moochie. Much as I hate to think about having Cat running the point, I think it may be the only way to get Griff and Langhi enough minutes to let them learn the game is to put Shandon at the 2 and Cat at the point for 7-8 minutes a game and still having Colson for extended periods and injuries to Stevie. I agree about moochie being the best pure PG on the team but I can't see us making Shandon happy, without limiting minutes to Griff & Langhi.
Mooch is the best PURE point guard on the team and one of the best in the league. I think he's more valuable to this team than Shandon. Not only can he create for others, but when he's hot he's pretty hard to stop. Anyway you look at it we're not going to find a better back-up point guard, period. Shandon's nice as a back-up 2, but Mooch will have a better impact to this team. There's a reason Rudy goes to the "3-guard line-up." Also he's good for the fans.
Mooch is great, but a team cannot invest cap dollars in a back up point that will only get limited minutes because the teams best athlete is also the starting point guard. So I agree if the dollars do not add up Mooch will be better off on another roster. As far as the 3 guard back court ... I think it sucks ... if you "franchise" player is often played out of position ... I start to wonder is he really a "franchise" performer. I do agree with the earlier post that CAT can be used to back Steve up from time to time ... they both have similar games. I do like Shandon, at first I was hesitant before we aquired him from the JAZZ ... mostly because I questioned his shot and how he would fit in the rockets system ... but he has proven to play hard and be a good team/ role guy. Thats more than you can say about cato ... who we projected to replace the DREAM ... thats another story. If the rockets become a running team as they have been promising for sometime now, Shandon will prove his worth and them some. If we stand still and hold the ball for isos then Shandon better cut to the hoop for dump offs or tip ins because he is not a spot up shooter. But for Mooch, it is clear we'd love to have you but not at a starters price tag ... and maybe he has proven he is good enough to start and earn that pay, but it might have to be for another team.
Point Guards: Mooch vs Shandon = Mooch Mooch vs Steve = Steve Mooch is a better creator as far as getting the ball to teammates. A typical function of a PG. Steve does so much more though. He creates more than he should actually, seeming almost hesitant sometimes with his shot. Kinda forcing a pass when he should take the shot or go to the hole. Mooch is just not the scoring threat that is needed on the court. When Mooch and Mobley are on the floor, the D collapses on to Mobley. Thus killing his effectiveness. But Mooch is a great spark off the bench that allows Steve to rest or Mobley to rest while Steve plays the 2. Dont get me wrong, I LOVE Mooch. I will be very ticked if he loses minutes to Shandon. I can see Mooch subbing for Steve and Shandon for Mobley. But just like the Kenny Smith/Cassell duo Shandon will be on the bench in crunchtime. At best Shandon can hope to be a mini-junkyard dog. Does anyone here think Shandon could play the three? Or maybe we run a 3 guard setup again. Starters: Pg:Wink Sg:Cat Sf:Griffin or SA or Langhi? Pf:MoT C:Cato Bench: G's:Mooch/Colson(IR) F's:Griffin/KT/TMo/Bullard/Langhi/Walt(IR)? C'S: Collier Too Many Forwards, need another center.
If Steve or Cat is on the bench, then Mo is our second option. Mooch doesn't need to be a scoring threat. After all, he's a PG. Mooch just needs to hit shots from time to time when the defense falls off him to keep them honest. And Mooch has proven he can keep the defense honest. He'll never be 1st, 2nd or maybe even the 3rd option and we don't necessarily want him to be. He just needs to distribute the ball...something that he can do better than anybody else on this tream. I agree with a previous post that Mooch may have outgrown himself on this team. He needs to play 20+ min a game and if he can't do that on this team, then he should look elsewhere. I hate to say that cause I want him to stay but... Dallas is apparently interested despite being over cap already. -krosfyah
Moochi Norris, to me, is a ball hog. His afro is more imposing than his game. Pure point guard you say? Tell me this, are all those isolating herky-jerk time-clock- dwindling-possessions of his the reason for these pure point guard comparisons or what? This pure point guard crap is rubbish, just like Rudys supposedly love affair with the small three-guard line-up. The only reason Rudy goes with Mocchie and a three guard line-up as much as he does is because he lacks the necessary bigman to counter attack with. I actually hope to see less of Moochie next year.
I agree. That lineup may have worked in the east, but in the west it sucked. With all the tall, angular 3 men in the west, we need eddie to play good d and stay on the court. Just think, Dirk, Marshall, Rashard, Peja, Marion, Jamison, are all quality 3's. All are atheletic and long. All can get their own shot and put the ball on the floor. This is the 2nd strongest position in the west, another position the Rockets were killed at last year. If eddie doesn't stabalize this position for us, hello lottery.
Nobody is going to trade much for Moochie. There are a lot of back up caliber guards just like Moochie who just need a coach to give them an opportunity to play. I love Moochie's hustle and spark but I wouldn't say he's a very critical piece to this team. I hope he's back with the team though, he's fun to watch.
Mooch's "herky-jerk" possessions nearly always lead to a low post layup or a second pass for an easy 18 footer. He comes in and changes up the pace of the game when things go stale. He has great court vision and gets defenders on their heels. If you don't like him, somebody will find a spot for him. He had a slow start to his career but I think he has long term NBA prospects at this point. -krosfyah
Plus Moochie brings incredible clutch. This was discussed when he was being compared to shamond williams earlier as maybe his replacement, and the point was made that Moochie is the right man for the Rockets. The fans love him, and he brings nothing but pure hustle and heart. Also, Rudy knows how to fully utilize his players. Just because we resign Shandon does not mean we dont need Moochie. He will be another valuable option Rudy has to use to create mismatches depending on what team we play. Also, another factor will be wether Shandon is hitting his open 3s or not. If he is nailing his shots and slashing, he will get more playing time in the fourth. Otherwise Rudy will go with the three guard lineup with the MOOCH.
I see Moochie as guy who takes the ball out of Mobley and Francis's hands. I'm not talking about the times he's giving one of the guards a breather, thats necessary, I'm speaking of the moments he's in the game running the show while Francis sits behind the three point line with his knees on his hands. This happen much too often last year, especially during the crucial parts of the fourth quarter. Yeah it may of worked 40% of the time last year but I'd rather Rudy instill some trust and confidence in Francis - let him fautler if need be - by giving him complete control of the ball/point guard duties even while Moochies in the game. IMO, this is the one thing will level off Francis's game with Gary Paytons, Marburys, Kidds, and Stocktons.
Gentlemen, Teams have figured moochie game out, just as they did Derrick Chevious (long time rocket fans will remember). It's just like the NFL, once teams figure out your game, they game plan against you. Moochie's hesitation right cross over left does not work anymore. His jumper is marginal (I know about the game against Indiana), check his statics. I would prefer Shammond Williams who does a good job against the Rockets or Damon Jones a local product and happens to be good friends with Steve and Cuttino. Moochie is not as valuable as you think.
Mooch is a role player on this team. When the offense is erratic and they are settling for too many quick jump shots, Rudy puts Moochie in to create an easy basket. You got to admit, sometimes even Francis and Mobley get out of control.
Teams have figured moochie game out, just as they did Derrick Chevious (long time rocket fans will remember). It's just like the NFL, once teams figure out your game, they game plan against you. How have they figured him out? The second half of last season was by far his best stretch as a Rocket. Oh, and I've said it about 100 times, but Mooch is extremely valuable to this team. The intangibles he brings such as leadership, court vision, and clutch play are things so few people appreciate, in addition to his strength at creating off the dribble and bringing a change of pace. With Moochie resigned, I see us as the 5th seed in the West. Without him, I see us fighting for the 8th seed. That's how important I feel he is to us.
