This Could Be the Best Rockets Training Camp EVER!!!

I don't know about the rest of you (check that, I DO know about the rest of you), but I'm getting pretty psyched about the Rockets' upcoming training camp, set to open on October 1.

With a new coach, a new GM and a high roster turnover this summer, there are going to be more position battles this October than in any training camp in recent memory. Other than Tracy McGrady, Yao Ming and Shane Battier, whose roles are pretty well set, there is no sure thing for any of the players on this roster. With the Rockets' talent level at perhaps an all-time high, the competition for those ~6 remaining rotation spots should be fierce. To new a few:

POINT GUARD: Steve Francis vs. Mike James vs. Rafer Alston vs. Aaron Brooks. Any one of these guys could be playing major minutes for the Rockets this season. Obviously, Francis will have to play his way OUT of Coach Adelman's favor in order to not be part of the rotation. Given his past Franchise Player status and the fact that many Houston fans still love him, Francis should be almost guaranteed either a starting spot or a major role off the bench. (I can see it now, the coaches and Morey will have to pull out the "We'll-Make-You-a-Shoe-in-For-Sixth-Man-of-the-Year" argument to get him to accept that role.) Mike James has a lot to prove this year. He probably has the best combination of offense and defense of any of the players mentioned above. James can take his opponent off the dribble (although not as well as a healthy Francis), can shoot the three and can defend opposing PGs fairly well (remember, he was essentially the "Ryan Bowen" of the champion Pistons team in 2004, coming in for spot minutes to put the defensive clamps on opposing PGs). If Francis ends up with the starting PG role, James would be the obvious choice to be the backup. He can score and create his own shot, so working with the second unit should suit him well. People forget that Rafer Alston led the Rockets in minutes played, mostly by necessity. While Alston does not possess the scoring ability of Francis or James, he is easily the most steady ballhandler on the team. If he is not traded before October 30 (his three years, ~$15M remaining on his contract, while not unreasonable, is not going to entice too many suitors), Rafer will either be the starting PG or will not be in the rotation. He could still be useful in a pinch, though, as a reliable ballhandler off the bench when teams are pressing. Aaron Brooks is an exciting rookie with a possibly bright future. However, he is not ready to be a rotation player on a top-flight NBA team at this point. His experience playing with the U.S. Select Team should be helpful, though. If Alston is no longer on the team by the end of February, or if there is an injury to one of the other PGs, Brooks might be ready to step in towards the end of the year. As an aside, Luther Head should not be playing any minutes at PG. John Lucas III will either be traded or waived by October 1. Bob Sura will likely be waived on October 30 (the only reason this has not happened already is to keep the Rockets' trade options open).

BACKUP SHOOTING GUARD: Steve Francis vs. Bonzi Wells vs. Luther Head vs. Kirk Snyder. As mentioned above, Francis has likely be all but guaranteed playing time. Much of that time will come at SG, either as McGrady's primary backup or sliding over from PG when McGrady or Battier takes a seat. Bonzi Wells has lost a ton of weight and is highly motivated to perform and get a nice big contract next summer. Even with the lost weight, Wells will likely spend most of his time playing SF minutes behind Battier. Luther Head had a great regular season (playoffs, not so much) and should figure heavily in the battle for SG minutes. Head should again be one of the top three-point shooters in the league IF he can play enough to qualify. Snyder, who possesses freakish athleticism and should benefit from a more open offense under Adelman, unfortunately is just not as good as the other options. If Bonzi performs as expected, Snyder will not be getting much playing time and might be a prime trade target.

BACKUP SMALL FORWARD: Bonzi Wells vs. Justin Reed vs. Kirk Snyder. The backup small forward will actually be Tracy McGrady, who will slide over there from SG when Battier sits. However, Bonzi figures to be prominent in the SF rotation. Justin Reed, who is likely being shopped by Rockets management, could still carve out a nice role on the team as the spot-minute player just outside the regular rotation, a la Ryan Bowen. Snyder could potentially play the same role, although he might not be as mentally tough to once again accept getting only 5 to 10 minutes of PT in a given week. Given the team's glut of players (and, more importantly, guaranteed contracts), Mike Harris and his non-guaranteed deal will have trouble making the team.

POWER FORWARD: Chuck Hayes vs. Luis Scola vs. Steve Novak vs. Carl Landry? Chuck Hayes filled in admirably last season as a defensive stalwart and fifth starter. Given the success that the Rafer-McGrady-Battier-Hayes-Yao lineup last season, Adelman will have to think long and hard before relegating Hayes to the bench. A good complement to Yao as a tough rebounder and active defender, Chuck figures to contribute solid minutes, either as the fifth starter again or as a key reserve. Scola is coming in as the MVP of both the Spanish League and the FIBA Americas Tournament. A versatile PF who can hit the midrange jumper and move without the ball, he is also a potentially good complement to Yao. The real task for Scola will be to stay out of foul trouble, since NBA referees don't allow as much rough play as FIBA refs do. If Luis can't show that he can stay on the floor, he may have to come off the bench for a while. Novak is an enigma. He could either flourish as a shooter off the bench for Adelman, coming off screens, knocking down long jumpers. Or he could flop and be out of the league by the end of October. Carl Landry, who has yet to sign a contract, possesses an intriguing combination of offensive skill and defensive toughness. If his contract status can be resolved, and if some other players are moved or waived, Landry could find his way into regular minutes by the end of the seasaon.

BACKUP CENTER: Dikembe Mutombo vs. Jackie Butler. Getting Deke back for one more year was yet another coup for Daryl Morey. Mutombo should once again figure to provide a much needed defense, rebounding and shot-blocking presence. However, Deke has trouble matching up against faster-paced teams. Butler may be able to help in this area. While he is also a bigger guy (he's not exactly the Tyson Chandler type), he should be able to run the floor and grab a few rebounds. People around the league know this kid has talent. It's just a matter of whether he can put it all together. Also, plan on seeing either Hayes or Scola getting some minutes behind Yao.



Okay, I'm tired of typing. Should be great. Talk amongst yourselves.

 

I just don't see Battier not starting. He is the Rockets' best defensive player. He is one of the team's best three-point shooters. He has proven to be willing to subjugate his game for the good of the team. He makes plays without having to touch the ball. THAT is the profile of a player who should be starting next to McGrady and Yao. No other player on the roster fits this profile.

People forget that Battier is also very good at moving without the ball on offense. He is not just a spot-up shooter. He should get some move layups on cuts to the basket this year. Plus, I don't want T-Mac having to guard the opponent's best wing player. Even a slimmed-down Bonzi is not the greatest perimeter defender.

Plus, let's not forget that the Rockets have been promoting THREE guys as the faces of the franchise: Yao, McGrady and Shane.