I will admit that I hope the rockets get Rashard Lewis. However, I am a little wary because I was also excited when they acquired Scottie Pippen, and what happened? He became nothing more than a spot-up 3-point shooter. Pippen was a veteran player who was a proven winner and a capable scorer; all he wanted was to be a primary scorer on offense. Yes, he averaged 14 points, but it was how he got those points that he was frustrated with-by shooting threes and having to make incredible athletic plays after a broken play. Then he ends up leaving after a year, which I could understand because he felt he wasnt being used properly in the Rockets offense. He figured he'd get more touches and be able to slash more, not be a 3-point shooter. What gives anyone the impression that this wont happen with Rashard? I have seen no difference in Rudy's offensive sets, other than the fact that he does more isos. I would LOVE for the Rockets to get Lewis. But I think Rudy will still go to Mobley and Francis on offense, with Rashard as a "decoy." Rashard, like Pippen, is too good to just be launching 3s. I think Rashard will likely end up in Houston. However, I'm not gonna get too excited because just look at what happened with Scottie.
Yeah, let the Mavs & Sonics deal with him. We don't want a Scottie Pippen II debacle in H-town do we? Nevermind, for a year at the MCE he would still be a huge steal and well worth the small gamble to team chemistry. Come home to H-town for a short vacation Shard!
The thing is that pippen's and rashard's games are nothing alike. Pippen was never a good spot-up shooter. On the other hand Lewis is a terrific spot up 3 point shooter. Pippen's main strength was his ability to slash and create. Rashard so far has not shown that ability. You're right that pippen wasn't used correctly in the offense, but i believe that lewis, however, would fit well and become the 3 point threat we were missing last season. And of course, lewis isn't the awhole that pippen was
And even if Rashard comes to Houston and averages a Pippen type of number - 14ppg, which is plenty enough given that many scorers on the Rockets team.
I reject Scottie Pippen's assertion that he was not used correctly in the offense. Pippen was a whiner in Houston who stood around and moped because he was not the focal point of the offense. Rudy still runs the same offense, and during crunch time, Cuttino Mobley often plays the 3. I don't see him standing around or complaining. I see him moving without the ball, driving to the basket, and streaking down the court on a fast break. The problem was not Rudy's offense. The problem was Scottie Pippen.
I loved Scottie until his Barkley comments. What happened to the guy. I used to think of him as being nothing but class. I did see his downfalls, but even Hakeem had his too.
Haha this thread is funny. Lewis and Pippen alike? LMAO. Let me guess, you see some similarity between Olajuwon and Cato right? Like Dickau said, Lewis fits the SF role of "stand around and shoot 3s" better than maybe anyone else in the league. He is obviously more suited to this role than Pippen.
the mavs have just as many scorers as us with lewis and they have no problem with chemistry. steve-nowitzki cat-finley lewis-nash ming-lafrentz moT-van-exel
great analysis smoothie.francis is just like nowitzi and mo taylor is just like van exel. the similarities are obvious. dont forget moochie and shaw bradleyy though. they are more or less teh same player.
Smoothie, you're right. I'm fairly sick of the not-enough-balls-to-go-around mantra. I don't believe that. These guys are professionals and should play as such. I'm sure between players and RT, an understanding can be worked out. They don't have problems like that in Dallas nor in Sacramento. These problems do occur sometimes when you have immature players who whine and moan in a chaotic team structure. I don't think that's what would happen on the Rockets. Having scorers is a good thing. Of course, having defenders is also a good thing. As for Lewis, I don't worry about any similarity he may or may not have to Pippen as to his game or role. However, I have a gut feeling that he may be similar in personality. No evidence whatsoever, mind you, just a feeling.
Shooter makes a legit point b/c Lewis probably wouldn't do too much else other than stand at the 3pt line and fire away but DoitD is right about that being Lewis' specialty so I wouldn't be overally concerned but after the Pip situation I am a little weary. I also think Smoothies comparison between us and the Mavs is a pretty good one as far as each players SCORING role is concerned and thats why I think Lewis would choose the Rocks over the Mavs, he would be scoring option #2/3 here while he might get lost w/ the Mavs a little.
Lewis ≠ Pippen. Pippen is more versatile. He had years to hone his skills. He plays D, passes, etc and so on. Lewis might get better at these skills and might not. Pippen is also a whiny beeyotch; a $70,000,000 cheapskate (anyone remember how he wouldn't pay a bar bill when he invited many friends to a pay-per-view boxing match at a bar, which only went one or two rounds; he didn't want to pay the bill because the fight was so brief); a brooding coattail-rider; he's also uglier than sin. All that said, I blame him most for choking against the Lakers and allowing that dynasty its beginnings. He could have had a Jordan-free championship and no one would be allowed to rebuke him. Instead, he's coasting on his giant contract. Watch him sign next year with the Lakers.
Uhhh... Pippen and Lewis have almost nothing in common. In fact, Lewis is probably the penultimate SF for the Rudy T system, while Pippen was the worst kind. Pippen - good ball handling, slashing, good team defense, average one-on-one defende Lewis - lights out spot shooter, rebounder, poor with the ball Hello, Eddie Johnson With Rebounding Skills.
My favorite "classy" Pippen moment, was when Jordan was out, and Phil Jackson went to Tony Kuckoc for the last shot. Pippen cried like a little girl and refused to go in. Kuckoc (I can't spell in english, who knows what I am saying in a foriegn language) was so rude as to make the basket and win the game.
