I agree that Mobley/Francis/Anderson HAVE THE POTENTIAL to be like Dumars/Thomas/Johnson, but is that a risk worth taking? I would hate to be five years down the road with tons of money committed to Mobley, Anderson, Thomas, and Cato, and maybe Croshere and Moiso, and discover that we don't have a championship team. Then, we wouldn't have the caproom to add another star. That's what has happened to the Boston Celtics in a way. So, now, take action, and land the superstar while we have the chance. If we realize we don't have a championship team in five years, it won't be for a lack of bona fide stars and will be something that we can easily fix through the draft, trades, and middle-class exceptions. ------------------
Shandon is more of a Joe Dumars typw than Mobes. Mobes is more of a Vinnie Johnson Type. I would love to add a second "star". My biggest reasons is it seems easier to attract role players if you have stars on the teams. A more talented team will be able to attract aging vets, who can still fill roles, at a lower price. My best example is Kevin Willis. He was a good player in Atlanta, had a couple of bad years then came to us to try to win a championship. Also, we all know Francis will be a great player, but at this point noone knows if he will be good enough to be a championship player (Bird, Magic, Isiah, MJ, Dream or Duncan). Don't tell me about his talent or potential because there are guys with more skills (Iverson, Barkley, Karl) who never were able to get over the hump. So I say if there is a way to add another good player go for it! ------------------
DaFranchine - Mobley will be an all-star. Really? In a conference with Kobe Bryant, Steve Smith, Penny Hardaway, Michael Finley, Larry Hughes, Michael Dickerson, and Derek Anderson? I just don't think Cuttino has what it takes to be an all-star. If Cuttino is your 2nd best player, I don't think you're going deep into the playoffs (that's if you make it to the playoffs). If Cuttino is not your 2nd best player, then he's not an all-star. The Rockets have to bring in another contributor which is only going to take away from Cuttino's game. Maybe I'm wrong, but unless Mobley gets more PT and hits for a higher percentage, I can't see him improving much more than his 16 PPG last year. That's not to say he's not going to be a good player, but I doubt he gets chosen for the all-stars. ------------------
I don't remember saying Mobley will be an all-star, but I do think he will, not every year, but possibly 4 or 5 times. He improved his game so much from rookie to soph years, and after spending the weekend at the all-star festivities, he said he would continue to work his ass off until he was an all-star. I believe him. Secondly, I totally agree that we need another big option, that's why I started this thread. However, I would prefer that he is the same age as Steve and Cat so they can grow together. We aren't trying to win next year, we are trying to win a lot in future years. Also, that person doesn't have to be a big man, a 3 would work. Maybe Grant Hill got excited last year when Stevie was almost traded to Detroit and would like to see what it would've been like. Maybe TMac wants to play in a similar situation he had in Toronto but in a better bball market. Maybe Jalen Rose wants the chance to be a second option on a team that figures to do a lot of winning in the future. If any of those 3 have interest, get em. ------------------
The rockets definately need at least 2 superstars to compete for a championship. Thats why after dream retires after this season they will have to really make a run at Chris Webber.
also at the time the rockets, bulls, spurs and pistons won their championships. each of those teams had the best player in the nba at that time. i seriously doubt steve francis will ever be the best player in the nba, one of the best maybe, but not the best.
There is one other element those championship teams had- real coaches. Rudy is a real leader, which is why the Rockets will eventually make it all the way back. If anyone recalls the beginning of this b-ball year, many "experts" said that the Lakers would never make it all the way because of the problems Shaq and Kobe were having with each other. They said that tamdem would have to be broken up. And look at what Phil Jackson has done. I trust Rudy and the front office to bring in another superstar and good players, just right for this situation. ------------------
Rudy is a great players coach, but I don't think he is great basketball wise. Sometimes he just put lineups out there that make me want to cry, just one example. He doesn't take advantage of all his weapons, either. I mean I hate Pippen but Rudy just did awful, and many of our losses at the beginning of this season were due to horrible coaching. When we won championships, CD was an assistant coach. He was the basketball mind. Since then, the Rockets have not put any effort into assistant coaches. They promoted CD and let Bill Berry go. And how did they replace them? With guys that had minor jobs in the organization. If they had brought in Del Harris I really think we would've made the playoffs this year. Assistant coaches are very important, I mean where would Phil Jackson be without Tex Winter. ------------------
Tb-Cain, I agree fully. If Cuttino Mobley is the 2nd option on this team, then that really spells trouble for the future of the Rockets. The Rockets need a 2nd option guy in the frontcourt that can score in the low block and fit in with this team. If the Rockets feel that Jerome Moiso can be developed into that (which I think he can be)then go for it or if they feel that Jermaine O'Neal can become that, then trade the 9th pick for him. However, I do not feel that Austin Croshere can be of that level. Croshere like Mobley is a really good 3rd option type player imho which is why I am not that hot on dealing the 9th and the trade exception for him. ------------------ Check out the Best Source for Draft Info Draftsource.net
I think the Rockets biggest need for Stevie and Cuttino is getting them a big man who can be a solid and dependable second or third option. But it should be a veteran player, maybe someone like Vin Baker (before he deveolped that Seattle Syndrome). A player like that will help balance the team out. But you do not need two superstars to win a championship, not now or ever. Stevie just needs to realize how good he CAN be and has to continue learning and trying. Mobes will be a solid second option, he's got guts and heart, not to mention talent. Solid veteran role players is what this team is lacking. We need some Ron Harper's, Brian Shaw's and Robert Horry's on our team like the Lakers have. People who know what it takes to win a championship (minus Shaw) and can nurture our young stars. ------------------ Know you role...Cuttino! Pass the damn rock to Stevie, fool.
