Second-round choice signs Rockets agree to terms with Fresno State guard Maddox By JONATHAN FEIGEN Copyright 2002 Houston Chronicle The Rockets celebrated Yao Ming's birthday Thursday by signing a key draft pick. It was not Yao Ming. The Rockets came to terms on a two-year deal with guard Tito Maddox, their second-round pick and the 38th player chosen in June's draft. Though Maddox (6-4, 190 pounds) joins a roster crowded with backcourt talent, the Rockets like his ability to play at either guard spot, particularly citing his toughness defensively. Maddox is expected to compete with Tierre Brown and Oscar Torres, rookies last season, for roster spots and possibly a place in the rotation behind starters Cuttino Mobley and Steve Francis and backup Moochie Norris. "He played with us this summer, and he was impressive," general manager Carroll Dawson said. "He brings a defensive ability that we really like. He also has an ability to penetrate in the paint and dish the ball. He's versatile enough to play the one and the two, so he's the kind of player (coach) Rudy (Tomjanovich) likes. "His ability to slide his feet on defense is amazing, kind of like Kenny (Thomas)." Maddox was the 2001 Western Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year at Fresno State and a second-team All-WAC pick, averaging 13.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and eight assists. But he was declared ineligible last season. "I believe there's a lot of rust," Maddox said. "Being out the whole year was pretty hard. I can't get that back. I'm here. I made it. I have no complaints. I don't think it will be a problem if I keep working hard." Maddox began working out at Westside Tennis Club on Thursday and said he plans to join other NBA players in the games starting next week and through the start of training camp Oct. 1. "I really haven't had a chance to meet all the players," Maddox said. "I think I'm going to have some fun. From what I've been told, Rudy is a great coach, a great guy. "It's a great feeling to be signed, a great feeling. It's a blessing that my foot is in the door. Now I have to continue to work hard, make some progress and do whatever I can to help the team win." The Rockets are awaiting final clearance from the China Basketball Association to allow them to sign Yao. "There's nothing to report," Dawson said. "Michael (Goldberg, Rockets general counsel) has shot off another letter to Mr. Xin (Lancheng, CBA commissioner). We're waiting for a reply."
I'm very interested in seeing this kid play. He's going to be great coming off the bench when we need someone to pick up the big guards in the league. Sorry, Moochie.... We need more defense. This guy should provide a spark on both ends of the court.
Well guys there is our 2 guard, Im sure they will use a combination of Oscar and Tito.....Oscar and Tito, sounds like a puppet duo from Seasme Street
Looks like the Rockets found their fourth guard. Yes, I said fourth guard. People need to realize that the two guard spots in the lineup are played by three players: Steve, Cuttino, and Mooch. Steve is essentially our backup two-guard. Therefore, the fourth guard simply plays third-string at both guard spots. Unless the Rockets can find a solid veteran for the minimum or Rashard for the MCE, it seems like we now have our 2002-03 roster. Including Ming, the Rockets have 13 players under contract. Doesn't leave much room for others, although Tierre or OT could be signed and stashed on the IR with Collier. Our roster should be considered by G/F/C, not by each position: Guards: Francis/Mobley/Norris/Maddox Forwards: Rice/Taylor/KT/Griffin/Nachbar/Morris Centers: Cato/Ming/Collier
BimaThug, I am not as sold on Maddox as you are, but I agree he will be with the club. (Although a second round pick can be cut without a salary cap implication because it is a non-guaranteed contact - right? )He must still battle for a spot. Although it may be more correct to say that he is battling to stay off the IR! Darn those random foot-itis type of injuries. Agree with your team composition except that maybe Maddox joins Collier on the IR, with Oscar taking his place. Collier may spend most of the season on the IR. Has anyone considered, assuming we have no real injuries and in light of our deep forward positions, that a forward may spend time on the IR with some nondescript recurring index finger problem or something of the sort? Morris maybe?
I believe its a 2 year contract with the first being guranteed and the second year is a team option, ala Langhi's contract.
All I know, is that the fascination with the dribble must stop. (period) It's time to move the damn ball around. Go Rockets!!
I would be very surprised if Tierre Brown is not on the team. HE knows the offense plays defense, can score and play the pg position. Proof? Summer league. I am fairly sure that the team is waiting to see if a better opportunity for Brown comes first. IF not they we take him. The roster will have 15 players, including Brown and OT. Why 15 players? Because we are the most injury prone team and these guys are all talented and relatively, they cost very little. OT, Brown, Maddox, KT are all cheap and we have quite a few 1st and 2nd year players who are in their initial contracts. Our 15 man roster will still not be in the top 10, as far as payroll; especially since Wink's contract does not kick in for another year.
Brown is a free agent and so is Torres. Griffin and MT could be used as backup 3's with Collier on the IR: Guards: Steve, CAT, Mooch, Tito Guard/Forwards: Boki/Torres Forwards: MT, Eddie, KT, Boki, Rice Center/Forwards: Eddie, MT Centers: Yao, Cato Active Roster: Steve, CAT, MT, Rice, Yao, Mooch, Tito, Eddie, Boki, Torres, KT, Cato IR: Collier, TMo That's a nice line up of solid talent 1-12
tierre will be signed. he has game! he even had a play of the week (i think #3) one time last year. our active lineup will look like this: assuming that we will sign os and tierre, cato-ming-collier moT-griff rice-kt-boki cat-tito steve-mooch ir. Tmo os tierre i might pick our bench to win a game over our starters this year.
Can you have three injured reserve and do you really think Tierre wants to sit on IR instead of backup somewhere else (Cavs maybe)?
I never seen the guy play, but I heard and read a lot about his ability to be a good point guard but if he can be a great point guard, I think it will be a good idea to have Francis as a shooting guard.
I believe Tito Maddux is just insurance in case Brown or Torres find more money from other NBA teams before the season starts. I hope we keep Torres because out of those three gaurds, Torres has the most size. His shot was hot and cold last year, but Torres usually played solid defense. Defense is where the Rockets need the most help.
I saw Tito play in one summer league game in Long Beach against the Mavs. He seemed to have good athleticism and good penetrating ability, but played erratic and was turnover prone. The game was close until the 4th qtr when Lynn Greer of the Mavs got hot and the Mavs won pretty easily. I can't remember if Tito was guarding Greer or not. Overall I was not that impressed although it was just one game. Tierre Brown played pretty well but looked for his shot each time down, instead of looking to pass. Eddie sat out this game as the coaches were resting him, so we didn't have a lot of offensive options. Houston Native
"<b>brings a defensive ability that we really like.</b>also has an ability to penetrate in the paint and dish the ball. <b>s versatile enough to play the one and the two</b> Damn it...I knew this was going to happen. Look at any of my posts from around the SPL report time. Jim Boylen said repeatedly that they think Tito can play the two. That is so damn funny, I can't believe they're serious. Just because he's 6'4 does NOT mean he can play SG. How can you be a SG if your forwards have a better jumper? And defensively, uhh...yeah...Tito isn't exactly a fabled "defensive stopper" Anyways, he could definitely develop into a good player, but to think he can play SG or is excellent defensively is BS. Still think we should've kept Tierre who did all possible to prove himself, but it looks like management had their decision set by June 26th... But really, this is 3rd string PG, so it doesn't matter too much other than trying to put Tito as a back-up 2 which shouldn't even be commented on...
does everybody remember who mirsaud turkan is? no? well we might as well forget who titto maddux is also because hes gonna end up like turkan. forgetten
Tierre Brown is the best pure point guard we've had since Cassell. He has a gift for the past, the drive and the jump shot. He can do a lot. I like watching the games he's in just to see what he is going to do. Tito is a PG in a SG body. But, I want to see his jump shot. I've never seen him on film. So I want to at least see what he can do before I say he can only run the PG position. We need a backup SG.
