Seems like everytime I watch the Rockets on television, I come away with the idea that we are not that far away yet we are still far enough to say we are not that good. Understand? In anycase, a win is a win is a win and of course its a win. And the bandwagon-hop like nutty Almu has some opinions on the players that I saw last night. ON THE BANDWAGON: Steve Francis: "Scary good" is what my fellow Knickfan who saw the game with me last night had to say about Francis. Is it just me or can this guy score 30 per game if he really wanted to? I love his jumper. I think that is what will make him absolutely unstoppable. If he hits that jumper during the first 2 or 3 minutes of the game, you can pencil in at least 20. And lets not forget those assisteses. Kenny Thomas: Um...What can I say. I was wrong about this dude. Wrong enough to say that he should start. He has the strength and the low post moves to make big time difference down there. On the other hand, if Dream is on the floor, will his presence cause another Barkley problem? Meaning, too many low post options to keep the offense moving? Shannon Anderson: This guy is my favorite player next to Dream. I love him! I love him! I love HIM!! He is all that Scottie is not and never was with this team. He is 15pts, 7 rebs, 4 assists and TOUGH DEFENSE every game. I love his hustle and tenacity. And last night, he completely shut down Smith when it counted. The last play was clearly for Smith and Anderson stopped that play cold! I love this guy. Can you tell? By no means should this guy NOT be on the floor during crunch time. Dream: I was SHOCKED to see what I saw last night. After all the blasting I did when Dream let Shaq treat him like a little biatch this year, I actually saw some oomph last night. Was that Dream all over the court last night? Was that Dream chunking layups off the back board? Was that Dream on the floor? Hey! Was that Dream RUNNING UP AND DOWN THE COURT CHASING LITTLE GUARDS LIKE THE GOOD OLE DAYS???? Shocked. Shocked. Shocked!!! Everyone here can see that just with defense, this team is better 20 fold. No soup for you, Brian Grant!! Rudy T: I got to give it to Rudy. He stuck with the game plan and I really admire him for fighting the temptation to bring in Dream at the end. Although I did not agree with that decision and I thought that Dream needed to be there for defense, Rudy T stuck to his guns. Of course, if we lost last night, I would be the first to b**** and complain. But hey, that is why we are called fans. OFF THE BANDWAGON: Walt Williams: I am not getting carried away when I tell you that I would rather have root canal on each and everyone of my 32 teeth everyday for a month instead of having this guy on the team. He is USELESS. I cannot believe I wanted this guy here. He can't shoot. He takes the worst shots on the team at the worst times. Sure, he makes some. But his lack of defense kills me. The worst defender in the league is on our team. Trust me. I thought it was Bullard. But no way is he worse than Walt Williams. To me, Walt needs to get traded FAST. He sucks, sucks, SUCKS!! Cuttino Mobley: I analyzed this guy to death and the more I see him the more I am convinced that what he brings in energy and points, he gives right back in turnovers and stupid shots. I've seen Sam Cassell. I have his shirt. Sam Cassell was a great Rocket. You, Mr. Mobley, are no Sam Cassell. We need to stop comparing this guy to Sam. At least Sam has a jumper. Mobleys left handed excuse for a J is just UGLY. Tod the Bod is right. This guy can't shoot. And when he is in the game, he is as erratic as they come. I won't mind letting him go in a package with Walt. If we can let go of Dickerson, then we can let go of Mobley. Matt Bullard: Since this team will no longer use the inside/outside game, this guy needs to go. The number 2 worst defender in the league behind Walt. I see him playing and I say to myself that I could guard him with one arm and drive by him with no arms. Did I mention package deal yet? Matts 3's are good and all. But now with this offense, you have to be able to create your own shot. And Bull can't do that. Time to go. Bryce Drew: Lost. Lost. Lost. I can't bash him anymore. I am tired of doing it. Well, I can say with all confidence, I am through rambling. Take these opinions for what they are worth. Just little notes to brighten your day? NOT! ------------------ Live Rocketball. Breathe Rocketball. Die with Rocketball.
Don't know what game you're watching, Almu, but Walt Williams' last 5 games: Portland: 4/10, 11pts Dallas: 7/10, 17pts Chicago: 7/12, 17pts GS: 5/11, 13pts Sacramento: 4/9, 9pts Over 50% shooting, plus about 4 minutes per rebound, which is incredible for a small forward / shooting guard. He's also got 5 blocks in the 5 games, and his defense is improving quite a bit. Is he a great defender? Of course not... But his main role is to go outside and drill jumpshots, making the defense pay for doubling and tripling Francis - he does it as well as anyone. Matt Bullard is shooting horribly because of a hyperextended elbow on his shooting hand.... The paper said he was 6-30 since then. If that heals, he'll be fine. Bryce Drew: you must be kidding, right? If you still think he sucks, you haven't seen many games...
Hey Almu, long time, no read... I agree with your analysis of the players you are on the bandwagon with. However, I think you are off with the off the bandwagoners. Williams has been showing why Rudy T has coveted him for the last few years. I'm actually excited when he shoots! Drew, I haven't been impressed lately, maybe because of the play of Francis? I still believe he could be a long-time backup for this team, a Steve Kerr type if you will. Mobley, my opinion on him changes every other minute or so. I love him when he catches and shoots, or when he drives. However, for a second year player not named Vince, he really believes that the offense revolves around him. He stands there with the ball for 10 seconds, then throws up a horrible shot. That, I cannot stand. What I would like is for him to play well enough for us to sign and trade him for a couple of good role players, or a really good SF. My favorite part of the game was watching how much these guys like each other. Anderson seems to be really happy here. I was afraid for a while that he was going to start expressing frustrations, but fortunately, everything is happy in Rocketland. Anyway, I really believe we are a great SF, or two or three more role players away from being serious contenders. Hopefully, Thomas will realize that he and Francis could be the cornerstones of this franchise for 10 years at least, and he'll bust his ass every game, and in workouts. This team seriously has an excellent foundation with Francis, Anderson, Cato and Thomas. Drew, I hope a lifer role player for us. Williams can stay if he keeps this up. Mobley too, if he realizes his role on the team. Hell, why not give Hambone another chance? HA! ------------------ Is it any coincidence that we are the only team mentioned in the national anthem? I didn't think so!
Rocketman, You are right with alot of what you said in your post. Maybe I am being a little too harsh on Walt. But the fact is that I see him trying to defend and it irks me to no end. And I know Drew is back up material, but it can't just be coincidence that the 3 or so games the Rocks have been on national tv he has looked like a deer about to get run over by an 18 wheeler. I dont feel confident at all when he is in there and leads tend to disappear when he is on the floor. Mobley...well, I was high on him but I really paid attention to his game and he looks like back up material to me. That, or he thinks he is better than he is. I was also afraid that Anderson wanted to bolt on us in a few months or even next year, but I also agree that he seems to like it here. Popeye, Right now, I would trade Dickerson for Mobes just so that Anderson can play the 3 and we can have a much better backcourt with Dickerson and Francis. Not to mention, the speed in the back court would be lethal with Dickerson here. [This message has been edited by Almu (edited January 19, 2000).]
Almu: Like your praise and most of your appraisal. Mobley Mobes has done some stuff that irks the bejesus out of me at times. He plays so unselfishly, then paradoxically hogs and bogs it until he turns it over. At one point last night, when we clearly needed a control possession, he stops and pops at the eighteen. Not even close to cotton. Possession time 11 seconds. Earlier when we were attempting a two for one he plays with the ball like a cat plays with a dead mouse, until, you guessed it .. he plays hinself and his teammates out of position and he turns it over. Dead mouse rolls away ... Portland basket. Bryce Drew Drew is probably going to be in this league a long,long time. He is very healthy. Plays healthy minutes. He is coachable. The reason he is in there during crunch situations is that RT KNOWS what Drew will do everytime. RT tells him exactly what he wants him to do. Drew does it. Not a bad commodity on a team with Mobes' unpredictable ball handling, Walt's hot/cold shooting/suspect defensive abilities and a roster that averages an outrageous turnover ratio. Drew has skills, albeit limited at this juncture, they fit nicely with this team's makeup. He may have Rocket value down the road too, as RT likes him as a filler. It is not out of the question to compare him to an early Stockton, in that he is methodical, predictable, not fancy, text bookish at times, and very coachable. RT: "We need someone to bite Malone's ankles." Drew:"Put me in coach, I'll do it for ya. Right or left,coach?" Kenny Thomas He has reminded me of Dickerson since he arrived. Lots of potential. A hidden or subtle speed that defies his size and a skill level that IMHO is largely untapped. It's like the quiet side kick who suddenly produces some much needed lifesaving device when it appears the hero and his queen are about to be eaten by a dragon. When questioned he says, "Well, nobody asked me if I had one". Well, Mr.Thomas has some game. And then some. Love his footwork lately. that if anything shows he is a keeper. You might have added that you fully expect him to taper off at some point, or even lull back to a more comfortable rookie role at some point. I would agree with you, that the intensity factor is the biggest question on him. But like Dickerson, I think he will be around a long time, and contribute more as he gains experience. Hakeem Actually looks like he's enjoying himself out there, doesn't it? Consider that he has absolutely no pressure on him to be the leader, the scorer, the stalward or the sole "go to guy" for the first time in his professional career. He had fun last night. Matt Bullard Totally disagree with you there. Matt is a steady player who plays the same way everygame. So, he doesn't have a great defensive game. He contributes as needed. The consummate role player. Plays the 3/4/5(Okay he's just a warm body at the five). The only things that change his game for him, is the opportunities he gets from the Rocket game plan (inside/outside, run/gun, iso exclusive, that running "C" thing, etc...). When injured he reacts like everyone else ... his primary function, his scoring suffers. RT depends on his game more than imagined. I do agree that he gets put in game situations that make me question RT sanity, but by and large, Matt delivers for RT. Especially at less than half of Walts salary. Walt The Malt Walt needs to be handled a little differently. In today's game, a team needs an effective defensive minded 3/4. Especially if you are getting offensive production out of the 1,2,3 and 5. Ideally, a strong defensive four like PJ Brown or Brian Grant elevates the offense of the 2,3 and 5 positions. Conversely, an offensive four like Rasheed or Malone, you need a more defensive 3 or 5 like Shandon Anderson and the Dream. We kinda are stuck with Walt. His defensive game is missing for all but two minutes of his thirty, and his offense is hot/cold. I would trade his butt in a New York minute, for a 3/4 who can shoot with a passable "D", or a maniac 3/4 defender who can score 10-12 points a game. Every game. Rain or shine. {BTW: Would you trade Mobes for Dickerson straight up, right now??? Vancover wants a playmate for S. A-Rahim!!!! Some fairly reliable sources tell me they are looking at Mobes as well as Gill(expensive),McGrady(never happen, not a big enough market,and the Griz have been there,done that refusal crude before),Hughes(see: McGrady), Mashburn(Riley's making noises about really wanting McGrady, but needs a third team involvement to deal with Toronto) }.
