Let's take an optimistic look at the 2001-2002 Rockets shall we: C - position instead of bashing Cato, let's give him a shot at becoming a decent center in this league.......... He is not going to be Hakeem Olajuwon...... I am sorry to break it to all of you like this but Hakeem was a freak of nature and there have been no other centers like him in the history of the game...... so we have to give poor Cato a chance to show that he can contribute to this team in his way.........free of injury...... PF - position Mo Taylor is the starter here....Kenny Thomas is the backup........I like this combo.........Taylor is more of a face the basket type while KT is the high energy post player........I think we are very deep here and should be happy with this rotation...... SF - position OK this is where it gets tricky..........if the trade for Rice goes through, he is the starter........if that is the case.......the Rockets have one of the premier SF's in the league.....offensively, who has also picked up some Defensive game from his last 2 coaches in Jackson and VanGundy..........he is 6'8" and a deadly shooter from the outside.........the zone is going to revive Rice's game and he should really help out our young nucleus........now for depth...... this is our deepest position.......Griffin, TMO, Walt, Langhi, can all log minutes here.......... SG - position CUTTINO MOBLEY, nuff said, Cat has improved every year in the league and for the first season will start the season as the starter at the 2 spot..........could improve his shot selection, but when it comes to the clutch, I don't mind him having the ball in his hands.............depth may be a problem here........ but if Moochie stays we will run Francis here and Moochie at the point while Cat rests and Mooch at the point and Cat at the 2 while Franchise rests........ PG - position FRANCHISE, about to be an all-star in this league for many years to come...........he gets better and better every year and this year there is no doubt who the leader for the Rocks is.............Stevie will take control and become the floor general that we want him to be...............especially with Kidd out of the west.......look for Franchise to be an all-star this season............ Bench this could be the strength of the Rockets depending on trades and free agent signings..............Collier, KT, Griffin, TMO, Langhi, Walt, Bull, Mooch........all of these guys can play and contribute off the bench.......... possibilities.......... if the Rice trade goes through.....I think that CD will make other deals...........here are some ideas......all contigent on the Rice trade becoming final Walt Williams to Washington for Jahidi White draft picks may have to be added, but if CD gets Rice, Walt's role on this team is over..........CD may feel like he needs the veteran SF(Rice) in order to get rid of Walt........... this really helps our Center position out.........if nothing else, White is a prescence in the paint......something we may lack if Cato doesn't breakthrough. a package of players and picks to Denver for LaFrentz this is kinda far fetched, but whether CD is getting Rice just to send him to another team or not is speculation, but LaFrentz would be a great acquisition for the Rockets and with Rice in the fold, a lot of players become expendable........Walt, Rice, Langhi, even KT.............Rice played some PF in NY and Rudy like the PF spot to be able to take his man outside.......Rudy played Walt alot at the 4 spot last season........ and the most far fetched of them all is............. assuming we trade for White or LaFrentz............... Collier to NY for Othella this is a pipe dream, but I would love to have Othella back........ like I said this is an optimistic view of the Rockets but not out of the question............... can't wait to hear the responses to this one............ be gentle
Hope this makes you feel better.....Just a couple of corrections. C - Cato/Collier PF - MoT/GRIFFIN/KT SF - Rice/TMo - The Wizzard??Bullard?? SG - Cat/Langhi PG - Wink/HALL - Moochie?? ??= Will they still be here
Rice negates Bull, so Bull is gone. This was my sentiment before the trade. Bull is too one-dimensional. Rice does has a more well-rounded game. I hope Bull gets the $4.5 Million in Charlotte.
