This thread might be repetative, if so please delete it Moderators. However, I can't contain my excitement for the starting 5 the Rockets are going to hit the season with. They've added 2 guys to the starting 5 that are known over the NBA and basketball world over and over again for their hustle!!! 2 guys who are in their prime of their NBA careers. The Rockets stated over and over how they did not want to get younger. They reinterated that this team was and is ready to win NOW!!! Yao and McGrady both insisted that youth was not appropriate for this team, it needed hard nose veterans that had credebility and were ready to turn the championship corner. Now, the Rockets lucked into Wells and made a tough trade with Memphis!! I too am of the opinion that Memphis should have thrown in a draft pick or something; but that's life. However, I do like the Battier trade. I was shocked at first, but after reading about Battier and seeing some of his play at the world championships, it feels betters having him with the Rockets. Yao -- Best Center in the NBA Battier - Not great and any one thing, other than being great at basketball in general. Can shoot, rebound, steal loose balls, block a shot here and there, and play tough defense. Basically he does the little things that basketball needs to build up to the awe baskeball provides with its super stars! McGrady - Has the talent to make the NBA his!!! It will be tought to double team him because Battier, Yao, and Wells will be there to make teams pay! Wells - People talk about Battier not being tough enough to play PF, but let's not forget that Well is a tremendous rebounder. And tough matchup because he is so physical. He basically gives the Rockets a 3rd SF. Tough guys with a ton of talent. Alston - Let's get ready to challenge the Rockets Assit records. With a crap team fielded by the Rockets last season, Alston almost averaged 7 assists a game. Let's see, Mutumbo/Howards/Bowen/Bogan/Alston just don't spark anyone imagination. This team might be the one to take the Rockets back to the NBA Elite stage. But, lets remember that the Rockets will play in the toughest Division in probably all of Sports!!! Dallas, San Antonio, Charlotte, and Memphis!!! Those are all teams with either playoff or Championship aspirations!!!
better attempt with this thread Zac. Yes, it is a damn good 5. and the bench has some depth to it now aswell. we cannot, CAN-DAMN-NOT, let this season slip away without making serious playoff noise.
I do wish we had a three point shooter who starts, besides TMac ... but, this is a good defensive bunch, especially with JVG's game plan.
I can't wait for the season to start, this team on paper is vastly superior to the 54 win team of 2004 but you're right this is a tough division, Dallas picked up a couple of good players in Croshere and George and nuf said about the Spurs. Picking up Wells just makes us competitive with these elite NBA teams. One thing I'm looking for in these games that we play with them is if there is less defensive pressure on Yao and McGrady with the addition of Battier and Wells. Yao and McGrady should see a lot fewer double teams than playing with that team of scrubs last year.
I agree......except for that New Orleans/Oaklahoma City is in our division not Charlotte. I wish they were in our Division. Or Conference. But I think we can still contend.
God I forgot how awful our team was last year: Brunson, Bowen, Mutombo, Head, Wesley, damn they all started a few games. And Alston still manage to have a decent season.
I'd like to see JVG experiment with Bonzi coming off the bench as the number one option. I think T-Mac and Yao need shooters around them, Bonzi could post up weaker 2nd unit defenders for a good 10-15 mins a night, and then play 3rd option with T-Mac and Yao on the floor.
Not sure if Bonzi starts or not. But he will play big minutes. I don't think his shhoting is a big deal. His career 3 pt percentage is about the same as Sura's. And Sura worked fine. More open shots should improve his accuracy stats. I think maybe Snyder starts. You need some proven scoring off the bench. Maybe Head starts. I like his nose for the ball. Should be plenty of easy opps with the stars drawing attention and Battier drawing opposing Pf out.
Battier is a starter who can hit those 3's, last season he shot 39.4% from behind the arc, and he was playing with a bunch of role players. His 3pt% should increase dramatically this upcoming season. With Yao, Tmac, and Bonzi on the floor, Battier would be an afterthought for most defenses, and should find himself wide open from the arc. Also, if he's gonna be playing PF for us, he will create matchup problems for the opposing PF's with his ability to stretch his play to the perimeter.
mrmrdan, LoL at your sig! Yeah, we are deep, Finally! Starting Five: Yao-Battier-TMac-Bonzi-Skip Bench: Keke Howard/Hayes Novak/Jacobson/Bowen Snyder/Head/ V-Span/JLIII This is a CHAMPION Squad!
I don't know if Wells will start. We know he will play some good minutes ahead of Synder and Head. I think it would be better if he starts but if not he'll be a good sixth man. Alston Wells McGrady Battier Yao or Alston McGrady Battier Howard Yao
