Jeff was right on in his latest article in The Truth. So as Clayton Williams once misspoke, and I paraphrase, "losing is a lot like rape, it's inevitable, so you may as well relax and enjoy it". Before all the female BBSers get up in arms, I'm only using a bad quote to make a point: the Rockets are going to continue to play good and lose, play good and win (occasionaly), play badly and lose (frequently). This team is just not that good, especially with CB gone and Hakeem out for Lord knows how long. They're young and talented but have no "steady hand on the tiller", so to speak. Steve Francis said it tonight after the game: "we don't have a go to guy anymore". Maybe that'll be Francis himself someday, but probably not this year. We basically have eight rookies, either by definition or in terms of experience. There won't be any quick fixes this year. As fans we're not going to like it, but I think Rudy and CD's plan to just reload this year turned into a major regrouping. Report card to date: Hakeem: incomplete Barkley: incomplete Anderson: C- with occasional flashes of brilliance Francis: B-, trying to do too much, sometimes confused about his role, has underestimated the quality of play in the NBA Cato: D, an offensive liability, but encouraging (at times) defense Rogers: C, erratic Drew: C-, hot and cold, still too timid Mobley: B, tries to take over but just not there yet Thomas: D, wish he would quit making dumb rookie mistakes (oops!, he is a rookie) Hamilton: D if he'd ever get in shape... Williams: F, shooting slump is lasting way too long Bullard: B, tries hard, defense is not bad, effort is there but still can't jump Massenburg: incomplete Maybe if we brought back Mack, Maclean, and Maloney????? Even Tracy Murray!
Mack : why? MacLean : why? Maloney : why? Murray : why? ------------------ Rocket fuel pumps through these veins...
I'm not happy with the team play thus far, however, how in the hell could you give Hamilton and Thomas "D"s? IMO, they have been playing well above expectations.
Bobby I agree with your assesment on the team. I do agree the grades are questionable. It is tough going from a talented team who underachieved the last few years and still won a majority of games, to a under-talented team that can still play a great game and still lose.
I don't agree with the grades at all. As far as Thomas Hamilton goes, round's a shape. ------------------
Hey everyone, This is Bobby's assessment. To me, there is nothing lamer than picking at something like this with one-liners. Stick your neck out with your own grades before bashing someone else. Looking at it Bobby, wihtou trying to figure out what a A player is for you, I re-list it based on grade level: 1. Mobley 2. Bullard 3. Francis 4. Rogers 5. Anderson/Drew 6. Thomas/Hamilton/Cato 7. Williams Obviously, Bullard sticks out as overrated. But I guess you are using a scale that shows how they've reached expectations...then, I'd say either he is a B or incomplete, missing too many games at first. Hasn't Hakeem had as many games as Bullard. I'd agree with everything on rating against expectations--except for Thomas. I'd give him incomplete or a average C--Anyone who shakes and bakes then flat out gets blocked in the face (last night) is just throwing it up there with no real plan. I am encouraged by his open jumper; but I'm rating him based on low post play...that's what he's there for. rating purely on quality of performance, here's mine: 1. Francis (the team must take blame for many of his TOs, defense is a disappointment) 2. Mobley/Hakeem (can you say "Vernon", spectacular on both sides of the measuring stick; faster than I expected. Hakeem simply has the best pure jumper of our big men, if he could just learn to play in motion, his D is still the most important on the team--see my Cato comments) 3. Rogers/Tmass (Rogers far exceeded anyone's expectations, this is where the drop-off begins. I happen to watch Tmass closely, so I don't give him an incomplete; quality turnaround jumper, which is needed for consistent low post scoring) 4. Anderson/Drew (Anderson not showing me the D we need; weak shot. Drew: I'm keeping my eye on the timid part as well. Disappears against certain types of opponents) 5. Bullard (I'm not going to rate a no D person very high on this team) 6. Cato/Williams (I don't even want to discuss this. These guys are just collecting checks as far as I can see. Yeah I was at that 11 block Cleveland game...Cato has potential that I love. But I'm not about to rate his potential. The man needs to STOP JUMPING ON EVERY HEADFAKE. wake-up Cato, you are useless in foul trouble) [This message has been edited by heypartner (edited December 15, 1999).]
DofD: that was a joke, son I know not everyone will agree with my "grades", but hey! Thomas does make soem bonehead plays, although he's trying hard; I know he's a rookie, but using Thomas as our post-up guy? Don't make me laugh. If Cato and Rogers can't handle it, what makes you think Thomas can? He's a better shooter at 20 feet than at 2. Hamilton - another effort giver, but he's slow and well, real tall, and Duncan and/or Robinson will eat him up. Biggest problem is: which Anderson, Cato, Rogers, et al. will show up to play on a given night (when the effort should be there every night). Maybe we could re-activate Larry Smith or sign Ainge to a 10 day contract.
