In economics there is a law called the law of diminishing returns. Basically, it states that there is a maximum proficiency for labor. When you start adding more labor you actually get less productivity. In sports it works much the same way. Some people call it chemistry, others talk about people accepting their roles. Well, I think the Rockets have a potential problem in this area. Right now, the Rockets have three guards who need the basketball. Looking at this Rocket team, I have to think Cattino Mobley may have to go. Why do I say this? Well, while he is the second best scorer on the team, he also takes the most shots and has more plays run for him than anyone else. Despite this, he has the lowest shooting percentage among the primary scorers and his assists are low for how often he gets the ball in isolation. He also makes poor decisions with the ball resulting in turnovers. Despite all of these things, Mobley probably has the highest trade value of all the players we would be willing to trade. As we have seen, this team needs help inside. If Mobley (along with someone else?) could net us a solid inside player then we probably should do it. ------------------ Rockets When? Rockets When?
Barzilla, hold on to your keyboard here, but I think we are in agreement. I sincerely feel the Rox are one good big body away from competing next year. If Cato continues to develop, and Rudy could find it in his gratiousness to let Shandon just play a whole damn game. Mobley could land you a decent big body. Someone to grab you 8 boards, and score 15 points a night, given the right set of circumstances. Right now I see the rox set at Center, PG, SG, and if Carlos can continue to contribute his 15 points and 8 or so boards, Id be comfy letting him start at the SF position. I know there is alot of talk about letting Kenny Thomas getting his time, which Im all for, but Im just not seeing his game evolve the way some are. He seems much more comfy shooting 3's than banging under the boards. Which is probably why his shooting percentage is so bad. I keep thinking of Robert Horry when I see him play. Cuttino is going to eventually demand a big payday. Im weary of the Rox paying him what is going to be percieved as market value for his very erratic play. He is a clone to Maxwell on the offensive end, without the D.
TDS99, Does that mean they try to get something done before the trade deadline or put this matter off until a later date? Mango
Mobley's problem isn't dimishiong returns in the since of too many players, but that his FG% goes down as his FG attempts go over 8 or 9. He is the veteran. He is the longtime rocket. This is his team. Francis hasn't decided to take over yet. It took Duncan 1 1/3 years before he took over. Mobley's FG percentage will rise when he isn't the crunchtime leader. I think Francis is making great strides in the last two losses. Francis's assists aren't going down, but his scoring is going up.
You guys do realize that Mobley's only played one year, right (83 games)? He's also started a grand total of what, 3 games at the shooting guard position? How 'bout we at least wait until the end of the year. If he's not 1st, 2nd, or 3rd team All-NBA by that time, then we give up on him. Sound fair? [This message has been edited by TheFreak (edited January 07, 2000).]
1. Law of Dimishing Returns 2. Doctrine of Double Effect keep this up and Clutch might change us again to: clutchcity.edu I've got another one to add: 3. Theory of Relativity--No matter how much Potential Energy a body has (Cato), it cannot expand a shrinking time horizon. 4. Burden of Proof--States that layman bball fans need not prove the truth of trade rumors, but Pompous Prognosticators must.
Heypartner-LOL <center> Clutchcity.edu School of Rockets, Department of NBA [This message has been edited by rocketsfan34 (edited January 07, 2000).]
here's another one: 5. Planned Obsolescence: the conscience decision for many NBA players to break down after the sign big contracts (Bison Dele).
The Warsaw Pact Syndrome: When three referees get together after an obvious foul against a Rocket, the result is the opponent getting bonus free-throws and the ball possession. The Peter Principle: Anyone named Peter Vecsey shall reach his height of intelligence at the very point he realizes the tooth fairy is fictious. Newton's Law of Gravity:The archiac concept that all things that jump up must eventually come down. Defeated by a couple of very gifted basketball players, most notable of late ... Steven Francis, Houston Rocketeer.
Time/Space dilation/Einsten-Lorentz transformations regarding the NBA You don't necessarily have to move faster to get from point A to point B faster. You can warp space to shorten the distance. Rudy didn't have to take the long way to rebuild (Hi Celtics fans!), he shortened the "distance" to a championship by executing a hell of a trade and acquiring Steve Francis. ------------------ Rocket fuel pumps through these veins...
Theory of Relativity: Whenever Thomas Hamilton sits down to eat, you know its going to be relatively short time before he wants to eat again.
can't resist adding another: Newton's 1st Law of Physics: States when Drew's accelerating mass is forced into Malone's pick, his body will come to rest. Lutherian Protestant Reformation: The Krausian movement to dissolve the divine rule of the Jordan dynasty into Maloney sectarian denominations. [This message has been edited by heypartner (edited January 08, 2000).]
Freak, I tend to agree with your mode of thinking except that I watched Cassell do much of the same things and he still does them. People traded for Sam Cassell because they believe what you believe about Mobley. If you wait to trade him then he will either be making too much money or he will have been figured out. "Zero Sum Game" The principle that when Two Sandwiches goes to a buffet no one else will get any food. ------------------ Rockets When? Rockets When?
Barzilla, have you checked on Sam Cassell lately? 18pts, almost 10 assists, 46% from the field. We already know he's one of the most clutch players in the league. If that's being 'figured out', I'll take it. If Mobley turns out to be that good, I'll be ecstatic.
I just realized something. I've been down on Cuttino for quite a while, but then I thought I'd check out the numbers of another 2-guard the Rockets had in the past: Vernon Maxwell. When Vernon was a Rocket, I loved him, but his numbers during the championship years are almost identical to Cuttino's. So why my negative impression of Cuttino? It's the losing. I guarantee you, if the Rockets were winning, Cuttino would be seen much more favorably. The difference now is the role of the guards. In the past, they fed off of Hakeems dominance down low. Now they are being asked to be the primary weapons. That being the case, there percentage needs to be a lot higher than it was for Kenny and Vernon. What's my point in comparing Cuttino and Vernon? You're guess is as good as mine...oh yeah, we were talking about how Cuttino has to go. IMHO, Cuttino has to grow...er...go. Freudian slip.
