This last week has shown some fantastic ball. I just got done watching the Seattle game on tape (avoiding newspapers and cc.net's front page). Today, I'm going to the game!!!! I wish it was outdoors like the Astros game yesterday. God what an electrifying stadium that is. You out-of-towners must buy a baseball ticket next time you are in town, and show up early so you can walk around the entire stadium. Is this really Houston? Back to basketball. These Rockets love each other and really understand each other's game. We are looking at what it means to be greater than the sum of your parts. Does that make us a Marxist team? I don't think so!!. We are definitely Capitalists! Yesh!! The day we got Francis (and still had Pippen) Rudy said he was so excited that he and his coaches spent the next week drawing up new plays and a new system to feature their wonderous new PG and give Pippen what he wanted (movement). Then Quitten blows...Hakeem can't blow...Barkley blows-out ...and Rudy has a problem. How do you teach the kids the heart of a champion with no champions? You tell them it is now their team, and they will win if they hate to lose and not wait for the future. So, Rudy shielded himself and his team from strained fans, impatient media, and trade talk, and handed the team over to the kids. That produced active practice sessions and each player realized they had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to carve themselves a role in the NBA. We can see now; they have responded. Their system is nimble enough to quickly adjust to defenses designed around stopping "yesterday's" videotape of Francis and Mobley. They can roll out a new play each game, now that they each have the role they want on a team, and they love to play together. How can we break up this chemistry? Why would you want to? I'm beginning to believe Rudy won't anytime soon, now that the players have embraced themselves and their team system, and it is so fun and rare for a coach to create chemistry. The Detroit Pistons weren't built in a day. At this point with Walt and Shandon delivering what we dreamed of back in October, I can't bare to break up this team. I would only add more height and defense to the frontcourt...which can be had in the lottery and through humble trades. Infuse more defense into this team, and we have a winner. Put away your fantasy basketball philosophies and Sega Genesis controllers...These Rockets are going to show us the power of chemistry and team ball, and how rare it is in the NBA. Oh...AND THE JAZZ SUCK (isn't that right slcrocket)
heypartner- a couple of well-played wins against Portland and Seattle and I'm feeling pretty good about the present team too. (Saw the game in Key Arena Friday night; how lucky can I be, of all games, to see that one live?) If we add in a victory over Utah I'll be ecstatic. For the first time, I'm finally seeing the the team 'flex' to the second and third option. Don't know if this is because I am finally seeing it, or this is the first time they've been playing that way. When Mobley and Francis share the court in the fourth, and the team flows from the first to the second option without hesitation, the offense is just deadly. Francis and Mobley are completely unstoppable-doesn't matter if Payton is defending, doesn't matter if Pippen is defending. Two guards who are flat-out Iverson/Bryant unstoppable. How lucky are we? How many lottery teams have not one, but two guys you can hand the ball to in the 4th and say 'here, win the game.' Still, obviously, we're not done rebuilding. But you just want more height and defense in the frontcourt? That's all? If you were to say we have enough offense right now, I'd be inclined to agree. The way we've been scoring- over the last five games we lead the league in scoring at over 108 a game. Still, I'm not convinced adding a superstar would wreck what we've got... Do you mean you don't want to add a superstar if it means we lose someone valuable? Who do you absolutely not want to lose? Mobley? Wizard? You'd have to agree, it's unavoidable that things will change if we add anybody of considerable talent, even if from the draft. But I must agree we've been terribly, terribly spoiled by having a blockbuster trade every offseason. Glyde, Barkley, Pippen, Francis. I hope this time around, now that we are truly rebuilding, we do it through a gradual learning process rather than mix-and-match players like you would on your console game. Just add defense, and we have a growing contender? You think? Who is a part of our chemistry right now that should be untouchable? And if you had to give one or two up, is there someone out there so awesome you would find it worthwhile? ------------------
Very true stuff. All I want is a big man who'll grab rebounds, and average enough points that he's a threat down low, so teams don't just guard the perimeter, and are forced to guard a man down low too. Othella back at PF? Can Lewis play PF? Would Grant come here, and sign, and be well from injuries? The way the draft is looking, unless we win the lottery, I don't see any big men worth taking a peak at, forcing our hand to a swing man, like Mo Pete or maybe Mike Miller, or a high schooler, like Darius Miles. Would we pick Pryzbilla? Haywood isn't coming out and Martin/Fizer will be gone. I actually think the best thing to do in our position would be to either trade down, to get Martin, or trade up, and get maybe Ernest Brown, or try our luck with the Nigerian kid. Or trading our pick altogether and picking up someone established. ------------------ Rockets fans wanted at hoopsboards.com Draft Chat, NBA Chat, Team Chat, and more!
Just out of curiosity, does anyone know when Othella will be free? I've thought for a while now that 1)he's way underrated (and therefore relatively cheap), and 2) he was the one piece we've really been missing from the old lineup this season (aside from Hakeem). Anyone know when? ------------------
I'll keep this thread alive with another post of mine from the 'NBA Dish': We don't need Webber, the way to win at 'Rocketball' is one star and a bunch of good role players. Malone and a bunch of scrubs in '81, Hakeem and a bunch of more or less scrubs in '94 and '95. Okay, so Clyde wasn't a scrub. Our bench was a joke though. This team winning 30+ this year is a major achievement, IMO. Teams just don't do what we've done in the first year of rebuilding. ------------------
Heypartner I agree. we dont need another big free agent. however i wouldnt rule out a complimentary one that wont ask for alot like lewis or grant. very slim chance though. but im not like alot of others who think we are getting duncan, jones, etc. and want to build a superteam. superteams dont work anyways. look at portland right now. ------------------ --TEX
The present and future champions are now going with the two star option,that is why we still need another star to compliment Franc(h)is(e)and a bunch of good players who know their roles.This is how a championship will be obtained. GO ROCKETS!!! ------------------ "I don't think I'm better than anybody unless I'm on the court." Charles Barkley
We signed Othella to a long term deal, I think 6 years, and has either 4 or 5 years left. It wasn't a Cato like contract, pretty cheap. But O wants out of Vancouver, to cold of a city for him, he says.... ------------------ Rockets fans wanted at hoopsboards.com Draft Chat, NBA Chat, Team Chat, and more!
Another question: Who would like to bring back Othella? I think he served us well when he was here, and he is relatively cheap. And he likes Houston. He could be a steal for PF - maybe not exactly what we're looking for in a big man, but he's consistent, a good rebounder, a good scorer, and his addition might be enough to give us a 48 minute presence inside... Given that no bigger fish bite Rudy's line. ------------------
I would agree that this team is playin very well right now, but there are some things that need to happen this summer. First off, we have to keep Mobes here. Second, we need to draft a three or sign Lewis (another option on offense/a big defender). Third, CD & Dream need to work with Cato on post moves and how to stay out of foul trouble. I would also like to see some vets brought in to help out. ------------------
One other thing about Othella: you'll never see him walking across the court, and you'll never see him just standing there when the opposing offense is making a low-post move. He's always got fire (something KT and Cato seem to lack unless they have the ball). Othella is definitely an option in my mind. ------------------
TheFreak-- How could you forget the Hall of Famer and world's biggest self-promoter, Calvin Murphy, from that '81 squad? He'll hunt you down if he finds out that you called him a scrub. ------------------
I agree that the Rockets are finally GETTING it on offense. They seem to finally have a plan when the other team throws a new defensive wrinkle at them. The early double team of the PG has been solved. Have KT flash to the free thow line and have two wings cut baseline ...cha..CHING !!! Rudy is a good coach and the Rockets are coachable players. We are winning, but we still could get better. We have to trade Drew or someone this offseason. I just don't think the Rockets brass will let that 4.5 million trade exception go to waste. If I were a Free Agent this year, I would look long and hard at the Rockets, because they play an exciting brand of basketball, and they play with heart. They are an up and coming team for sure. Are you listening? Grant Hill, Tim Duncan, Tracy McGrady, Rashard Lewis. Go Rockets 2000-1. DaDakota PS. FREAK, the bench NEVER wins championships, the starters do...who did the Bulls have on the bench? [This message has been edited by DaDakota (edited April 09, 2000).]
Argh! The talk of scrubs has returned. Yes, I agree that there is a certain type of player that fits that word... but it's way overused on this BBS-in fact, anyone who isn't a "superstar" is a scrub. On the 93-94 team, I certainly wouldn't call Horry, Cassell, Elie, or maybe even Kenny Smith scrubs. Without any one of those players, it's very likely that a championship wouldn't have come our way. Scrub seems to imply they're worthless and replaceable. Tim Duncan and David Robinson led SA to a championship-but I have to also think that there might have been something to adding Mario Elie-a known firebrand, to that team. Has anyone noticed how we've been winning lately... ever since the Wizard found his game? A nice outside jump shooter opens up the lane, and at least makes other teams think twice about double teaming our stars. Show a little respect. ------------------ [This message has been edited by haven (edited April 09, 2000).]
HeyPard, I disagree with you ... about everything!!! Except that the Rocks should not break up the team. But they do need a big FA. Maybe not this year, but in 2001? That would be nice. The Rocks definently need some low post scoring to balance out the guard attack. Definently need some nice, athletic defensive players. Definently need a backup or even starting 3. And height, height, athleticism. But these last few games have definently given me hope. The Rockets definently do not suck. They are not the Clippers. Definently. OH! The Jazz have had how many winning 50 game seasons this decade? As much as I hate to admit it, the Jazz dont suck. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . the Jazz blow. they blow real hard. And very soon, very very soon. They will be the Clippers, except with white players. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!! ------------------ CriscoKidd ... the official mascot for the S.F.B.W.C.
Dakota: Excellent post. I also think that this team - as of now (not counting the first half of the season) - is a good team that can beat contenders. Had they tanked the rest of the season, we fans might never have known... The 4 players you mentioned (Grant Hill, Tim Duncan, Tracy McGrady, Rashard Lewis) may be more inclined to come here now. Hill, I'd love to have, but probably will not come. Duncan - I hold a silent one-man vigil for that, because I know it is possible (if not likely) - he wants a team exactly like the Rox around him when he gets his next ring. TMac, I'd also love to have - he'd probably be like another Cuttino (a steal), though I doubt he'd be the answer to our inside woes. Lewis - I think he'll eventually become a Rocket - maybe this offseason. I think the Rockets recent winning streak - considering who they've beaten - would be very attractive to a star big man. They've won really without a single effective big man on the court. Now, wrap those games around an effective big man like Duncan? Unbeatable... Totally unstoppable - and that's what big men like Duncan want. They want an effective roll of good players around them who complement their position, and the Rox play of late would indicate that they would have that if the hypothetical big man moved here. I'd think the Rox look very attractive right now to a lot of large free agent PF/C players right now. It's like the Rox saying "Hey, we've got an unstoppable backcourt. Anybody want to add a good frontcourt presence?" The result.... O This team is on the edge of greatness, and we have Rudy to thank for it. The man's lineups may seem baffling at times, and I'll admit I don't know what he's doing half the time, but that's what makes a great coach. The development of this team has been nothing short of phenomenal. And that's Rudy's fault... ------------------
Does anybody remember if teams tried to double team Zeke 30 feet from the basket? Mango ------------------ A Ranking Official in the Serious Police
heypartner, Thanks for saying what needed to be said. Ever since I posted about the probability of Hakeem returning, I've been semi-optomistic that maybe, just MAYBE he really can be convince to accept a defense and rebounding-minded role. If that's true, then we should be able to make a push in the market at the end of NEXT season, perhaps to add that elusive missing piece. In the meantime, however, we will be able to focus on the current cast growing together as a unit, and learning each others strengths and weaknesses, and really building on those, and the succusses they've had so far. Rudy is a patient guy, and I think it's going to pay off this time. Maybe having Hakeem around one more year will be good for KT and Cato. He can still provide great leadership for these guys if he's willing. At the same time, I still like the idea of going after Rashard Lewis if he's interested at all. And if Brian Grant is available, by all means get him in a Houston uni. But let's not kill ourselves if there isn't a single change in the offseason. Take a deep breath and let's build on what we have. And let's keep this winning attitude. ------------------ "There are three kinds of lies: Lies, Damned Lies, and STATISTICS..." - Mark Twain -
(Darkhorse) "But let's not kill ourselves if there isn't a single change in the offseason." I predict we'll do one of two things: Trade up, or acquire. In the first situation we trade our pick, and trade Bryce and TMass, along with another talent (everyone else is hard to part with). We'll probably trade for a PF or C, but who knows what Rudy's thinking... Second, Rudy pulls a superstar out of his hat, and we lose noone except Drew, a pick, and one other player. (Third is a sign-and-trade for Duncan - this scenario will stay in my dreams for the moment) One thing's for certain: Rudy will do something in the offseason that will appear crazy to us, but will pan out in the long run. If anything, the hardest thing to figure out is "Are Rudy and CD CR%AZY?" The answer to that is "yes". Next question: "Are Rudy and CD geniuses?" "Yes" again. Have faith in the mad geniuses that are the Rockets Management. We'll have something unexpected to look foreward to next season. I love that... ------------------
