When we traded for him, didn't we have pretty high expectations? I know the guy ain't know for anything except shooting the rock, but isn't he one of the finest in the game? Does anyone here thinks he can still contribute? Can he show our younger players how it's done? Or is his presence going to slow the development of TMo, etc. Can he pour in 20+ pts occasionally in a game? I mean it's plain as day he's over-the-hill, but has the man lost his game too? Just trying to find some hope for the upcoming season, and hoping you experts would have a better clue... And while we're on the topic, can you give me your impressions of the Wizard too?
I think Rice is an albatross. I didn't like getting him to begin with. Even healthy I don't think he's going to really be able to help all that much. I know Shandon Anderson didn't much himself last season, but it would still be better than Rice. As for Walt Williams, I will say that Walt can shoot, and his defense isn't the best, but he will at least crash the boards from time to time. I think that is already more than Glenn Rice.
I think Rice, if he stays healthy, will be important part of our offense. I refuse to believe that one of the greatest shooters in the NBA will just forget how to shoot. I see him getting around 20 minutes a game and around 9-12 points a game. I think that if we make the playoffs he could hit some big shots for us or win some big games with a 3.
A healthy Rice = instant offense so definitely he could be a bonus, especially if he's willing to come off the bench. He could easily be a double-digit scorer off the bench.
he hasnt had time to prove himself. all we do know is that hes a real team guy, good to have around, a great shooter, and will be a good role player if he stays healthy. hes still glen rice, albeit older glen rice. he should have stayed in charlotte because his career didnt slump until he was traded to LA. hell be fine, just quit ragging on someone who hasnt even played much and let HIM decide in the coming season. i watched him shoot around before a game last season and he was just strokin it, shot after shot falling with seemingly no effort. i think hell do just fine this season, especially with ming and two all star caliber guards drawing the defenses focus. just sit back and watch.
And don't laugh, but one of Rice's strong points is his POST UP GAME which is something the Rockets completely lack. I am sure that will be worked into the Rockets offense. Perhaps we can all laugh together as Rice posts up his SF and then passes outside to Ming for the jumpshot! Talk about inverted offense! ha I healty Rice is a decent player but it is obvious his best days are behind him. He might be a decent player off the bench but not so sure he is a starter (although I fully expect him to start for the Rockets this season). Chris
What's funny is "not very good post up game" from Rice is better than NO POST UP GAME from ANYONE via the Rockets. Chris (Griffin, keep working on that turnout baseline jumper! Fast!!)
I would have been absolutely thrilled if he could just hit the outside shot anywhere near as consistently as he used to. He's one of the best outside shooters ever to play in the NBA, I can't understand how a player with such a deadly shot can completely lose his outside touch like he did at the beginning of this season. I understand losing quickness and athleticism with age, but your shot? What a disappointment. I actually was kind of happy when the Rockets got him, but now I'm not.
I think his "lost shot" was more to do with him not having his "legs". That is an important function of putting up a good shot, having fresh strong legs. He was coming off an injury and thus was not able to work out properly over the summer to get his conditioning. I am hoping he is doing this this summer after recovering from his injury. I think his shot will return if he gets totally healty and in good game condition. Good shooters always seem to stay in the league a lot longer than most. Chris
Star or Albatross?, good pair of choices. Clearly he is on the downside of his career, but he can be a "star" for us if he can just hit the open J, much less the occasional post up, guidance to youngsters, or calming influence during bad stretches, he is exactly the missing piece the Rockets are desperate for. We don't need another potential star. We need someone who will help the kids develop, then get out of the way On the other hand big salary and virtually no playing time can be spelled a-l-b-a-t-r-o-s-s in my dictionary. My optimistic side hopes he has had the foot problems for the last three years and tried to hide it, play through it, and rest it. Perhaps with the surgery and the year off, he can come back to what he should be, a fading superstar who still has a few tricks up his sleave. Star or albatross? I'm willing to eat two years of salary to find out. May be that I have no choice, but I'm willing to find out.
Yet his post-up game is still better than anyone on the Knicks. I like Rice, but I think he needs to have plays run for him in order to be effective. He could get a ton of open shots with the Rockets, but I don't know that his game is spot-up shooting.
I doubt it's necessary for me to coice my opinion on this, as I am on record ad nauseum on this subject...
I had forgotten about Rice. I think the guy still has it in him. His post up game will be a nice option if he comes back healthy. If he returns anywhere near his Charlotte days, the I'd say we're the 4th seed in the playoffs.
I've seen Rice play for the Lakers....everytime he dribbles the ball you can't help but cringe. He can't create his own shot besides posting up (not sure on the viability of posting up Rice esp. when Mobley/Francis will be standing around), and he plays matador D. Addition by subtraction. His legs are shot too by the way.
