I can see the addition of Rice will offset the subtraction of Olajuwan. A 38 year old center who plays a handful of games vs. a 34 year old small forward with a bad foot who plays the entire season. What we lose on defense and rebounding we gain in offense. We also have the addition of Griffin, whose defense and rebounding in limited minutes may offset the defense and rebounding we got from Shandon. I'm not convinced we've made any great strides over last season, although I do feel the future is bright. I think we'll be fun, exciting, competitive. But I don't see any teams ahead of us falling off dramatically. Our best chance seems to be the Twolves, who lose Ellis but gain Smith. Maybe not a big difference in production, but perhaps in chemistry. We were only 2 games behind them, but they were devastated last offseason. They should have a much more positive outlook going into this season. I can be convinced, but I'm not yet. I'm doubtful, but willing to believe. btw-did i oversimplify our offseason transactions enough, or could i have done better?
I think the REAL X-factor this season will be Phoenix. They made a lot of changes this off-season, so chemistry is a big question with them. But if they can jell, if Penny is REALLY HEATLHY THIS TIME, if Marion continues to improve, and a few players (Rogers?) can adjust their attitudes, the Suns could give the Rocks a run for their money in terms of offense and shooting (Looking forward to a few 110-120 point games against the Suns), and be a force in the West. Another team to watch for, if they could SERIOUSLY adjust their attitutes, is Seattle. Similar to both the Suns and Rocks, they don't shoot quite as well, but if he gets his head out of his rectum, Baker is 2X any of the big men on either the Rocks or Suns. But once again, they need some serious attitude adjustments. They'd be best served cancelling a couple of preseason games and just spending time together as a team, going to dinner, a movie, the Gold Club , whatever.
We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! We Are! Persuasive enough?
With all due respect looking at the offseason trades & signings the rocks haven't improved very much, if at all. But the rocks don't need moves to improve, they need time! Every year Steve and Cuttino mature that is improving the team. Every year Mo Taylor works on his rebounding will improve the rocks, etc etc. So really for this team to hold around the talent they had last season and add that 1 year of maturity into it's young players means there is dramatic improvement in the rocks. They also managed to keep most of the same players chemestry wise as well, which is vital to early season success. BTW, I am expecting at least 10 more wins this season then last.
When I snap my fingers you will regain consciousness and the only thing on your mind will be that the Rockets are unbeatable.....and.... of course....that your only mission in life is to get Elizabeth Hurley and PhiSlammaJamma on a date. Snap!
TB- I agree we are no tbetter than last year. Our hopes of making the playoffs is either teams above us getting worse (Phoenix) or injuries hit other teams harder than us. I am also worried about other teams below us getting better and possibly passing us (LA Clippers). So no I'm not optimistic but Phoenix is a big question mark and we do have the potential to be a playoff team, but the west is very tough and we may need some breaks to get in.
You know, it would be really, extremely disappointing if the Rockets were to just miss the playoffs again, unfortunately a very real possibility with the loss of Dream. But what would really push me over the edge is if they lost out to the Clippers. <knock on wood> The Clips are young, and they have some adjusting to do with Brand entering the scene, but really, they look pretty scary over the long haul. I'm afraid the Rockets will have to be looking over their proverbial shoulders for the Clippers for a very long time. In terms of making the playoffs this season, many people have made a case for Cato being the X-Factor. I can certainly see that, but in my opinion, if Rice can score anything like Walt was scoring in that run a couple years ago to close the season, that alone would be enough to push us past where we ended last season. I imagine that's what Rudy T and co. are hoping for as well, among other things.
Still a little early to tell. We must wait and see what the Rockets do for a center, whether it be Jahidi or whoever. If we go into the season w/ the team we have now, it would be close. The key point will be what kind of defensive sets Rudy uses, as everyone knows we dont have any good one on one defenders.
Pheonix, Twolves allready stated, may (likely) fall. But the team that I see going to lottery land is UTAH. Thats right, I said it. I, Yakeem A. Sunking am predicting that the most consistant team in the NBA will flop, I mean fall. Just look at the odds. Has Malone ever been seriously injured? Not that I can remember. It's time. Even without injuries, that team has not improved at all this offseason (excepting that Russian guy with the bandaid on his face, he's kinda cool). But their major aquisition this year was that Malone and John a** mouth Stocton got a year older. I think the Rockets and the Clippers make it this year.
I think this team will be much better. Francis and Mobley powered this team last year and I think they will be much improved. The addition of Rice, and an extra year of Mo in the Rockets system, and being the main low post scorer, will make this team a far better scoring team. If the Rockets get an extra big man that will help. I think the bench will be much improved, and I think Griffin will bring a much needed defensive stopper, shot-blocker, and rebounder off the bench, along with a low post scorer. I think this team will be much deeper then last year's team, and I think they will be a better team then Minnesota. They were only 2 games off of Minnesota last year, and all the Timberwolves did was replace Ellis with Smith. Phoenix will be a TOTALLY different team next year. They lost the heart of their team in Kidd, and their primary shooter, perimeter and low post scorer, and veteran player in Cliff Robinson. Now you bring in Marbury, and other then Marion I don't see Phoenix being anymore talented then the New Jersey teams he was on. Also people forget Utah lost Manning, Polynice, maybe Starks, Vaughn, and Stockton is unsigned, and they didn't replace ANY of them. Their bench is decimated, and there is a question mark at the 2-guard spot. I think Houston will jump up to a #6 seed on their improved offense and bench alone.
Never underestimate the Jazz. They could field just Malone and Stockton with a bunch of CBA scrubs and still make the playoffs.
I can't buy the "our young guys are another year older and better" line. Every team has players that are another year older and better. I seriously doubt Cuttino will improve the numbers he put up last year. Unless he's been focusing on the defensive end this offseason, I can't see it. He won't get the same touches now that Rice is here. And I stopped buying into the belief that age will finally catch up to Stockton and Malone. When?!? Don't forget that Donyell Marshall is on that team and he jumped from 39% FG shooting to over 50! They are well coached, and with Malone, Stockton, Marshall, Russell at their core. I don't really care who the other 8 are. They're a playoff team. PhiSlammaJamma, I'm working on setting up a meeting with Bobby Hurley as we speak. He sounds VERY interested....
Without Rice, it would have been tough. With Rice, I think we may just squeeze into a 7 or 8 spot. 6 if somebody has an major injury. The Jazz will probably get into the playoffs. It won't be an easy task getting in. We must earn it.
Back off...she's mine!! Cain, I'm not yet convinced we're a playoff team either, but I'm also not convinced we're not going to be as good as last season either.
Cain, I agree with the spirit of your post. Too many times is "we're another year older" thrown out as the strongest reason for optimism, and that by itself doesn't cut it. It does make a difference when the core of your team has only a few years experience, but that's nitpicking on my part. I'm also not ready to count out the Jazz either, nor Phoenix and Minnesota for that matter. When it comes down to it, the Rockets are in the same boat as the latter two in that they both subtracted and added players and time will tell which comes out the best for it. I also agree that Cuttino may not improve upon his ppg average, but I disagree with the implication that he or the team won't be better if he doesn't. If Cuttino becomes more efficient offensively and can maintain his scoring average or something close to it while Rice takes off (say, 15+ ppg), the Rockets will be in great shape (assuming Steve and Mo T. aren't underproducing offensively either). And a key point of optimism for this upcoming season is that Rice's addition to the starting lineup may very well help Cuttino, Steve and Mo become more efficient scorers. Here's hoping Steve, Cuttino, Mo and the rest of the Rockets can capitalize on Rice's presence and vice-versa.
Here are a few things you may wanna comsider: When someone asked Francis whether they'd miss the playoffs next (this) season, he said no way. Why? "Cause I won't let it happen." Very strong words. A lot of ppl say he's working day and night this offseason to improve his game. Also, remember, he's entering his 3rd year of being a PG. Other point Guards may improve radically in their third year, but Francis will be much further along for 2 reasons: 1. He was a SG at Maryland. 2. he works harder than anyone, and has the heart of a champion. There's the acquisition of Rice. rthis offsets Olajuwan's loss, for two reasons: 1. Rice fits in with our backcourt better than Olajuwon.(positive) 2. It's much harder to find a C that plays at the level hakeem was playing at.(negative) Fair trade, so Olajuwon's departure wasn't a hit at all. Addition of Griffin, Morris, and Langhi to our bench. I know Langhi's been here since last year, but he's actually gonna get off it this time. Very solid, energetic bench players. Add to that Kenny Thomas, Moochie Norris and X (soon to be acquired backup C), and we have an EXCELLENT second unit. The loss of Olajuwon will also definitely wake up Cato. He's never been given the chance to be the first string player his whole NBA career, so here's his chance, and I'd bet on him living up to some expectations. Expect 11pts, 8reb, 2blk. Yet another point: Mo Taylor has promised to work very hard on his game this offseason, and promised we'd see a better MO T. This is one of the smaller points. But still... There's also the fact that our FG% will increase with the addition of another proven scorer. Remember, the Rockets were unbeaten (or lost ONE) when shooting over 49%. The new zone rules will make one on one defense less of a factor. Rice knows all about team defense now that he's been in NY. Everyone has one more year of experience. No contracts in mind coz everyone's inked long-term. Francis will gte his extension. Francis and Cuttino know that it takes good stats, and a good TEAM to make the All-Star game. Is that enough for ya? Well, let me add that i don't think we'll make the playoffs, cause the West is just that good. I'm convonced we're a playoff team, but we won't make the playoffs. In fact, the 4 teams outside the playoffs in the West can probably make the playoffs in the East. It's really a shame the West had to load up at this point in time. One good thing: There's no ne better than us to face tha Lakers. Just like Milwaukee did, we'll harass them everywhere Shaq isn't, with the exception of the player Kobe guards. you can't guard everyone.
"Convince me we're a playoff team this season please" I swear on ma muma's life! Sorry dont feel like being intelligent today ps: i need convincing myself
the only way for the Rocks is up...i mean ever since the two championships there has been a gradual decline in the play-off achievements of the team. however, this corresponds to the injuries, unlucky breaks, questionable trades and key players getting older... when i look at this team, there is little resemblance to the team that brought H-Town its rings...no dominant center...the excellent batch of role-players that can turn it up in the clutch...the Elie mentality... but you know what it use to be a war of attrition, a siege mentality, like a tank grinding it in the post kick it out for the open shot... now what we have a run and gun team more like a Porsche with the best young backcourt around. The frontline is questionable but this team is geared to run not post up and wait around. So this team will win or lose with a new style of offence. this team should own the East again and play much better against the West powerhouse teams...it all comes down to how the young Rocks deal with the post-heay offense in the West...the new rules might help. Preditctions: Rocks will be involved in a big trade come February and be in the race for the lower seeds. But the only way is up.
