Sorry I can't post a link. Couldn't find one anywhere on the web. The shocker is SI devoting a page to the Rockets in August in a supposedly down year. Fairly even-handed assessment. Not writing us off entirely. Assumes Yao is out for the season and Tracy a good part of it (which everyone assumes I guess). Pumps up Brooks a bit describing him as a "revelation". Lost a little credibility in a scout quote: "He can get by anybody (true). But if he doesn't establish himself as an outside threat, teams will defend him like they did Tony Parker (excuse me? outside shooting is not his problem)." Overall, nice to get some attention from SI.
Rockets' Science Injuries and departures have taken their toll on a contender. Can Houston come up with a formula for success? The Rockets still have a skilled international center manning the middle. Only it's David Andersen, an Australian, and not Yao Ming, who will miss the entire 2009--10 season after undergoing surgery last month to reshape a bone in his left foot. They still have a defensive maven at small forward. Only instead of the recently departed Ron Artest it's former Laker Trevor Ariza, who signed a five-year, $33 million free-agent contract. And they still have a potentially explosive scorer in the backcourt. Only it's not Tracy McGrady but rookie Jermaine Taylor, who averaged 26.2 points for Central Florida last season and will fill in while McGrady recovers from microfracture knee surgery. In other words Houston is now a pale imitation of the team that took the Lakers to seven games in the Western Conference semifinals. "When the previews come out, we'll probably be in the back of the magazines, under the cologne ads," says general manager Daryl Morey. "But we're not going to feel sorry for ourselves." Primarily a half-court club since drafting Yao in 2002, the Rockets will pin their hopes on an up-tempo attack that was surprisingly effective in the second half of last season. Running it will be Aaron Brooks, the third-year blur of a point guard who became a starter when Rafer Alston was traded to the Magic in February. Brooks was a revelation, particularly in the postseason, when he averaged 16.8 points and 3.4 assists. But after playing off Yao, Artest and McGrady last season, he will have to adjust to being Houston's primary weapon. "He can get by anybody," says a Western Conference scout. "But if he doesn't establish himself as an outside threat, teams will defend him like they did Tony Parker early in his career and back off." In Andersen, 29, a 2002 second-round pick who has played in Europe since 1999, the Rockets think they've found a round-peg, round-hole fit for coach Rick Adelman. In his read-and-react system the center directs the action from the high post, a role in which Yao sometimes struggled. The 6'11" Andersen—who averaged 11.1 points and 4.1 rebounds for FC Barcelona last season—is an adept passer with an accurate 18-foot jumper. Says Morey, "He's the quintessential elbow big man." And more help could be on the way. While the Rockets may clear as much as $15 million in cap space after next season, Morey says they will be "very active" in the trade market during '09--10. Houston has a coveted trading chip in McGrady, whose $22.5 million expiring contract makes him valuable even if he only plays half a season. "They'll be able to make a blockbuster deal," says an Eastern Conference G.M., "because a lot of teams will want to wipe that salary off their books after next year." If Morey can trade for an All-Star, he believes the Rockets will be poised to make a title run in 2010--11, when Yao returns. "We're not naive; we know we need Yao to be a contender," says Morey. "But NBA titles are won by teams with elite talent and good role players. We feel as if we already have some very good young talent."
That quote was probably an old quote, one that was delivered before the playoffs. AB's problem isn't outside shooting, neither is it getting by defenders. It's finishing in the paint; which makes him almost entirely different from Tony Parker, who is probably the best under-the-rim finisher in the NBA. I hate to say it, but I think AB's best bet is learning how to flop a little like Chris Paul and Allen Iverson. Then, can he start drawing fouls, getting the other team in the penalty, and getting to the foul line. What's the value of speed when you cannot put points on the board? A little head jerk one way and a little stumble to the floor will go a long way to adding a few more points on the board, which can be the difference between a win and a loss.
36% for the season, 42% during the playoffs. If he backs that up next season, that's establishing himself. On the otherhand if he doesn't, it'll be considered a fluke.
I really see Aaron coming into his own just like every other player with potential and talent has in their 3rd year. He'll be a better finsiher and better passer. Most of the passes from what I've seen last year were to Yao, which a lot of the times has bad hands in the paint for some reason, and to open teammates who weren't ready for the passes. Unlike a lot of others here, I see him as having great court vision, just needing to slow down and take his time to wait for the play to develop. Sometimes he's just too fast for his own good and he tries blowing past his man only to run into help defense and getting caught in the air with nowhere to go. He will get his chance this year and I doubt he'll dissappiont.
is it just me or are the rox getting more pub now than when they won 22 in a row or even when they got past the 1st round? unreal
I understand what they are trying to do here but McGrady was not part of the team that took the Lakers to 7. Artest played like crap in most of the games for the series (he played well in 3 and the Rockets lost two of them). Overall he put up 15 points on 38% shooting. In the three wins he put up 14 on 35%. Even with Ariza nbot being a scorer I am pretty sure if you let him throw up 17 shots a game in a series he could get you 14 points. And, of course, Yao on played two full games in the series. The team that the Rockets bring out on opening day (if nothing changes from now) will actually look a lot like the team that took the Lakers to 7. Just like that team they will be fighters who play defense and will rely on Brooks and Scola to score. Just like that team they could take a lazy but more talented team to 7. Just like that team, they will struggle more during the whole of a season than a 7 game series. I just don't understand the point of invoking that series as a way to suggest how far the yhave fallen.
Parker is good, but I feel it's necessary to steal some credit here. Parker flies 8 feet and flails his arms like a flightless bird every time he comes under the basket; so when he doesn't finish, he's almost guaranteed 2 FT's.
I agree, though you said it better than I would have. McGrady wasn't a part of it, and Yao was a smaller part of it. Artest was a negligible part of it. We basically replaced two guys who weren't there and one guy who was (arguably) detrimental with a some hungry rookies and one young journeyman from the enemy team. I'd say Morey has done a solid job; no need to blow up what is a very strong core just waiting for a star. Usually teams don't succeed because they are built the other way around.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kWJYdwG8Ik This makes it seem like Tmac could be back sooner than most people suspect.
