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Potential - Rockets' curse (and sometimes blessing)

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by Bobby, Apr 19, 2000.

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  1. Bobby

    Bobby Member

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    Potential - probably the most overused word in sports. It has been a curse for years for the Rockets (and other teams), and, less often, a blessing at times.

    Cato, Rogers, Drew, Massenburg, Hamilton, Pippen, Turkan, Buck Johnson, Derrick Chieveous, Price, Chris Jent, and many others - all have had tremendous "potential" but have not lived up to it. I know I'll get a lot of static about Cato, but the man just has not delivered. And Turkan's not here, but why did we waste a first round pick on him and have nothing to show for it? I think highly of Rogers for his efforts off the cout, but as a b-ball player, he makes a good tree. Certainly, we have had blessing: I wasn't impressed by Kenny Thomas at first, but he now seems headed in the right direction. Francis, Mobley, Dickerson (gone), Williams (last half) have all lived up to their potential. Several other ex-Rockets showed potential here and have succeeded elsewhere - my man Othella, Avery Johnson, Sam I am, even Matt Maloney. And who could ever forget Horry, picked ahead of what's-his-name who's out of the league.

    The draft, and to some extent, free agency, has always been a crap shoot. Got to give CD and Rudy credit - they've been more successful than most. The Players Agreement makes it even harder. Signing players for huge salaries based on their potential is dumb (almost as dumb as giving huge raises and long-term contracts for past efforts). It's no wonder that the quality of play has diminished over time, not just in the NBA, but in every sport. Golf and tennis have the right idea (even if they're not team sports) - reward is based on what have you done today. Most of us work for someone else - employed by will - and we have to produce every day. A newly mnted MBA might get a signing bonus and a great salary, but if he/she doesn't produce - AMF! Why shouldn't athletes have the same standards.

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    "Who Wants To Be A Rocket?" - and probably a millionaire as well. The off-season will be interesting!
     
    #1 Bobby, Apr 19, 2000
  2. HOOP-T

    HOOP-T Member

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    Hey now....Buck "The Blade" Johnson was a good player for the Rocks. I think he had a very successul career.

    I don't remember a lot of hype about his "potential," but I do remember watching the guy play!

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    HOOP-T

    Hey Shaq, Acme called, and they want their bricks back!
     
    #2 HOOP-T, Apr 19, 2000
  3. CBrownFanClub

    CBrownFanClub Member

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    Bobby -

    As a Rocket historian who has always had my respect, you have crossed the line on this post. Chris Jent never had any potential.

    But that is the deal with past Rocket teams, it is all about pieceing the chain together in a way that the flaws a re hidden, rather than eliminated. That's why Walt Williams is the ultimate Rocket, for better or worse. Woe is us, except for when we win championships, whish we do.

    CBFC

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    #3 CBrownFanClub, Apr 19, 2000
  4. JuanValdez

    JuanValdez Member

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    Not all of us work for someone else. There are people who, like basketball players, work on a contract basis, where their money is guaranteed regardless of how poorly they perform. It happens when the contractor has so much leverage over the employer that he can call the shots to a great extent. Because of the nature of professional basketball, the Players Association has that leverage. That's capitalism. It isn't bad, it is just vulnerable to corruption.

    Also, I think this is the first time I heard 'potential' linked with Carlos' name. I think we liked him because he was producing, not because we saw what he might be capable of in the future. He won't get better than he was this last season (but hopefully, he'll be less injured).

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    #4 JuanValdez, Apr 19, 2000
  5. Supermac34

    Supermac34 President, Von Wafer Fan Club

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    Was it Harold Minor that Horry was picked before? Minor and Calbert Cheaney might be on my all time "didn't pan out" list.

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    You can't stop F&Brule, you can only hope to contain him.
     
    #5 Supermac34, Apr 19, 2000
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