The two most important players for the Rockets this season will be Kenny Thomas and Jason Collier. In the thread started by NIKEstrad, he quotes Feigen of the Chronicle whose article had CD saying words to this effect. Now, some of you are probably saying, "No s***, Manny. Tell us something we don't know." Well, it's a more subtle point than an obvious one. If Thomas and Collier both play well to the point that they can start at the 4 and 5 respectively, then that only makes our bench stronger. With Moochie (if he re-signs), Griffin, and Cato (if he's healthy and motivated) will still be a decent, not terrible bench. Granted we still need another frontcourt player for depth purposes, but the way CD was talking, he didn't seem like he was that interested in getting an impact player like a Mason or a Gatling or even a Marc Jackson. Now, maybe he was playing this situation close to the vest, but if he stands pat, then it's paramount that these 2 players have career seasons. I believe that Collier and Thomas are both capable of being starters; however, they will have to play better than they have ever before if the Rockets want to make playoffs. If they can play well, maybe it will inspire Cato and also help Eddie's transition from 1 year of college to the NBA. I really hope that CD gets Marc Jackson or another frontcourt player that can start because I'm a realist and Kenny may play great or Collier but for both to play at another level that they are not used to may be asking too much. I figure that CD didn't want to act like they were looking for another frontcourt player so soon after Mo went down because he didn't want the Rockets to look desperate. BTW- For those of you who subscribe to the ESPN Insider: what is the story that says "Taylor Made - Agents See Opportunity with the Rockets" about?
Manny, nice positive outlook and all but Collier wouldn't even make the roster on most western confrence teams and Kenny Thomas has shot the ball horribly from the field for three years now. The talent and footwork is there for Kenny but hes a big wuss around the basket. He's a backup at best. If Cd is counting on giving these guys a fair amount of time on the court this season, then I think Rudy and Cd should start scouting next years lottery picks. I hope Cd was just spewing his usual positive PR quotes to the media and that he will really, really try to add one or two big men(white, Mason) before the season begins. Dammit I want to win now, and I'm sure Stevie and Mobley are tired of having the Walt Williams and Matt Bullards playing the power foward or center spot in the fourth quarter. I don't want Rudy to have to resort to playing Walt Williams at the 4 again, dammit( Though i think he'd still do this even if he had Kevin Garnett on the bench).
Roc Paint I hope your just kidding. I really do. Id rather Rudy stick with that fictitious zone killer Walt Williams at the four then have that big softie Marc Jackson on the court.
This is according to CD. Also, this could be the case if we don't pick anybody up anybody else. Not to sound smart, but I felt that I covered all that in my original post.
If Mo were healthy this year, Collier and Thomas are important ROLE PLAYERS. Unfortunately, this year, they are overly important players.
I think it is just rhetoric. Does anyone believe Jason or KT won't be replaced if they fail? If they step up, that would be important. We could stand pat. If they don't step up, that would be important. We would have to find someone else to fill the void.
How can Collier be more important than Cato if Cato is making the money and is going to start next season??????
That's a really good question. I think that CD was given a response that had a hidden meaning. I think he's tired of Cato not performing up to his contract aka Matt Baloney. He just wants to win and he feels that Collier will probably try harder than Cato and the Rockets may play better with Collier in there compared to Cato. Now, that leads to the obvious question: Why in the hell did the Rockets pay Cato that much money? So we can all have something to talk about on this forum!! Or CD was piss-drunk when he made the offer and had no idea what he was doing!! Ahhh..the mystery of why Cato was signed to the contract that he was signed to is akin to the mysteries of UFOs, Bigfoot, and the Bermuda Triangle. And also to the "How many licks does it take to get to the center of the tootsie roll pop question?" Maybe, Mr. Owl can answer this question about Cato!
Manny, I'd like to see KT and Collier step it up and show they can ball this year as well, not only because it makes the Rockets better, but just because I want to see them succeed individually, whether they continue to remain Rockets for years to come or not. However, I disagree with the thesis of your post. KT and Collier are not the two most important players on the Rockets. However, improvement in their play could make more of a difference than similar improvement by Francis and Mobley simply because we're so weak in the frontcourt. I don't know much about basketball, so people can feel free to attack the economic conceptualization, but you could say that frontcourt improvement is comparatively more productive than backcourt improvement. However, that doesn't mean KT and Collier are more important. It just means than improvement by them could make more of an impact than improvement by Francis. That's why so many people see Cato as the X-Factor. Because the Rockets badly need help in the middle and it's possible for Cato to be significantly more productive in a short period of time. Unlike Griffin who will likely need time to adjust before making a similar impact.
We all know that CD is legally blind, I'm 6'1" and 200 lbs and can guard Kenny Thomas. Just let him shoot, I could say the same for Walt Williams. Vlade misused Jason Collier last year it was so bad that they took him out of the game in less than 5 minutes. Time for Griff, Langhi, TMorris to setup and time for Walt and Jason to be cut.
I think that Francis is still the most important because this is his team. But other than that it will be Thomas or Collier that I would say to be the other important one. I think that Thomas will do fine if he had to start. It is just the depth that we lack now with Taylor gone. Why don't we all just expect more from Cato????????? Oh that's right.. Nevermind...
