.....over last year, talent wise? Let's take a look. CENTER Last year we had Dream/Cato/Collier to man the center position. We had to improvise with other combinations due to injuries, but these were our actual centers. This year we have, assuming the Jackson signing works out, Jackson/Cato/Collier. Defensively, it appears that there might be a drop off, but the offense & rebounding should be the same or better. Jackson should have great chemistry with Cat & Francis. Cato....well, Cato will be Cato. Collier, after getting over the rookie adjustment period, should show a marked improvement & imho, could beat out Cato in the rotation, by the end of the year. We'll have to wait until mid season to determine if the center position has improved. POWER FORWARD Last year we had MO/KT/LOS. This year we have KT/Jackson/Griffin. While MO going down hurts us this year, it appears that it's going to enable us to acquire Jackson, which would've only been a pipe dream otherwise. Long term, with the acquisition of Jackson & the drafting of Griffin, it appears that we definitely improved the PF position. We just have to rough it this year. SMALL FORWARD Last year we had Shandon/Walt/Bull/Langhi. This year we have Rice/Walt/Langhi/T-Mo. We've definitely improved offensively with Rice & added size to the position. The defense might drop, but I'm not familiar with Rice's defensive capabilities. Rice may be a combination of Shandon, Walt, & Bull, which would be just what we've needed at the position. I wouldn't be surprised to see Walt gone by the end of the year. I'd say that we've definitely accomplished our goal of improving the SF position. SHOOTING GUARD Last year we had Mobley/Colson. This year we have Mobley/Torres. Mobley is a known variable, but Torres could surprise us. Rudy & CD are real high on the guy & that's good enough for me. If Torres impresses, then the SG position just got deeper, otherwise it stayed the same. POINT GUARD Last year we had Francis/Moochie. This year we have Francis/?. It'll be hard to improve this position & if we lose Moochie, it could take a step back. However, if we're unable to resign Moochie, but can do a S&T with Golden State for Mookie, then this position might actually be considered improved, talent wise anyway. Chemistry wise, it might drop. Overall, imho, the jury is still out on the center position, but shows promise. The PF position has been improved long term, but suffered a set back this year. The SF position has definitely been improved. The SG position has stayed the same & the PG position could improve, get worse, or stay the same. Last years lineup: C: Dream/Cato/Collier PF: MO/KT/LOS SF: Shandon/Bull/Walt/Langhi SG: Mobley/Colson PG: Francis/Moochie This years lineup: C: Jackson/Cato/Collier PF: KT/Griffin SF: Rice/Walt/Langhi/T-Mo SG: Mobley/Torres PG: Francis/? The loss of MO really hurts this year, but next year, WOW!
Hottoddie: First off, stop reading my mind Improved? We were probably going to lose Hakeem anyway, Fegan or no retirement... He was already gone, no confusion about that. Shandon for Rice was a no-brainer in hindsight. Lose an athletic SG who can't shoot, and gain a shooting-lights-out SF we've wanted for years in the process... Definite profit on that score. Eddie Griffin. Draft for nuttin'. Nothing need be said. Lost Mo, gained Marc - both around 13-14/6-7 players, only Marc can realistically play the 5. And Mo will be back next year. We are FAT at the 3 now. The PG/SG spots will be solid as hell as soon as Moochie signs. That's all I'm waiting on. But even if he doesn't sign with us, we're still solid there if we sign any temp guard from the CBA. Playoffs, baby.
Hottoddie, I enjoyed your analysis and pretty much agree with you. However, I think our strongest starting lineup will be C-Cato; PF-Collier; SF-Griffin; SG-Mobley; and PG-Francis. I think Rice will be better coming off the bench to be the instant offense gunner the opposition's second team can't stop. He will win the Sixth Man Award if this happens. Also, coming in like that protects his feet for the long haul and allows better healing time. The first backups at each position should be C-Jackson; PF-Thomas; SF-Rice; SG-Torres; and PG-Moochie (I think he will sign soon but for less money than currently is being bandied about). Riding the pine, ready to go will be Langhi and Morris. Walt will join Mo Taylor on the IR and will swap out with Rice when Rice's feet fail. That leaves one spot on the IR for the best true center cut by one of the other teams. Failing that, it leaves us ready to trade Walt and/or KT for a tall center who can run with Steve, Cat and the Griffin. However, my real hope is to see the Griffin grow, add weight and become the next Hakeem. Grow, Griff, grow! Well, we can all dream, can't we?
Yes!! I see this team being a major force. Stevie will finally be the man as a allstar starter and Mobley as the perfect sidekick. Rice as the man who will prove that he has atleast 3 more years at 14-17 pts a game, with tremendous range. Griffin will be a great player, I still can't believe New Jersey. This is Stevie from Vancouver all over again. Cato can't get any worse, now with Hakeem gone maybe he will butch up a little I don't think he's a cancer like some might think. Marc Jackson is a tough guy he was on a team that really sucked here he will win and that helps. He was rookie guys and a great one. I can't believe that after Mo's injurey, we were able to get a player like Marc Jackson. This team is in great shape to make a move and end maybe just behind the Spurs or better. I say close to 60 wins and deep in the playoffs. I see Milwaukee all over again, but we have the best coach in the league.
I don't think the Rockets will put so much pressure on Griffin by allowing him to start. Also, the Rockets wont' drop so much money on Rice to have him come off the bench. Perhaps, later in the season, Griffin will be starting and Rice will come off the bench, but I don't see it on opening day. I do agree though the Rockets are more athletic and quicker with Griffin on the floor instead of Rice.
Talent-wise, we're the same, but I'm hoping that Francis and Mobley will improve from last year, therefore improving the team as a whole.
