This is probably the most fair Rox preview that I've seen so far. http://dimemag.com/feature.asp?id=377 Sorry, I don't know how to post strories where you can just read it. Leave Instructions for me for the next time.
All you have to do is copy and paste the text: <b>Season Preview: The Houston Rockets 2001-2002 Houston Rockets, 28-54 OFF-SEASON ADDITIONS: no free agent signings or trades this off-season OFF-SEASON SUBTRACTIONS: Kevin Willis (free agent), Dan Langhi (free agent), Walt Williams (unsigned free agent) DRAFT PICKS: Yao Ming (1st overall), Bostjan “Boki” Nachbar (15th overall), Tito Maddox (38th overall) BEST MOVE: Drafting Yao. He might be the second coming of Shawn Bradley but he also could be one of the most dominant centers ever to play the game. You can’t pass up that chance. WORST MOVE: Houston has so much talent, they didn’t really need to do much this off-season. But picking up another big body would have helped. TRANSACTION GRADE: B. The Rockets did what every other competent NBA team would have done in the draft. Sweet-shooting Boki could end up being a steal at 15. DIME’S OPINION: No team has more potential than the Houston Rockets. With Stevie Franchise and Cuttino Mobley holding down, arguably, the most talented backcourt in the L, Kenny Thomas, Mo Taylor, Boki, Eddie Griffin, and Glen Rice at the 3’s and the 4’s, and Yao at center, this is an insane squad. Or, rather, it could be an insane squad. As it stands, there are way too many questions surrounding Clutch City. Stevie’s never been known to be the healthiest baller on the block. Ditto for Mo. Ditto for G-Money and his knee wraps. Griffin’s largely unproven and Ming’s slim 7-5 frame could collapse under the weight of his expectations by mid-season. Remember that Yao’s been balling for years on end between the Chinese national team and his old team, the Shanghai Sharks. He could very well hit the mother of all rookie walls this winter. But if it all clicks, the Rockets could do some things in a year or two. The talent of Francis, Griffin, and Yao really can’t be denied. All three are capable of being superstars in this league (Stevie already is one). All the pieces are in place with a sick MVP-caliber point-guard, a versatile shot-blocking forward, and a huge, huge man with a soft touch in the center. Some of Houston’s role players could be semi-stars on other teams as well. And the coach is Rudy Tomjanovich, who already has a couple rings and knows how to work with raw, foreign big men. It’s an exciting time to be a Rockets fan. There’s still the matter of this year though. It’s not out of the realm of possibility that the Franchise forgets to take his aspirin and the team falls apart around him. Aside from the draft picks, this is virtually the same squad as last year. But barring a major meltdown, Houston should make the playoffs. They probably won’t make it out of the first round, but you’ve gotta start somewhere. Aside from Yao, who’s definitely a couple years away, the Rockets have no formidable big man but their talent and athleticism at every position should suffice. To go back to the lottery would be a huge slap in the face for these up-and-comers. Predicted Record: 46-36 Predicted Finish in Division: 3rd in Midwest </b>
It does seem pretty fair. It notes that we could be really bad, a la last year, or really good, a la this year...wait scratch that..hasn't happend yet. I like the most potential thing, but that could be a bad thing as well. At least we aren't behing the Grizz.
It's one of the most positive preview's I've seen. The info. seems to be pretty accurate. I like how he decribes the squad as being "insane." People are finally starting to notice the kind of team the Rockets have put together.
AAhhh...............ok......thanks for sharing that insiteful and intelligent piece of information Kelly.
And whom do you write for again? Hmmm. Your opinion wouldn't be just a little biased would it? Maybe you prefer this: Houston Rockets For obvious reasons, the Rockets will draw a lot of interest this season; Yao Ming means quite a bit to 13 different magazines, and they should be fun to watch. The smaller story of how well Ming adapts will manifest itself in how well Yao and his rookie counterpart Bostjan Nachbar fit in with the established Yank All and semi-stars like Steve Francis, Cuttino Mobley, and Eddie Griffin. Though Ming was the right choice, the playoffs may still be out of the question, and this isn't exactly a bad thing. We have no clue how well Eddie Griffin will be once the expectations hit, how well Cat and Franchise give up the ball, how much Mo Taylor will weigh, or if Glen Rice is still alive. Even without Ming's arrival, this team still has a lot of settling to do, quickly. I think I prefer the Dimemag version.
I don't know about DimeMag, but that's a pretty good preview right there. That's what I predicted to, 45 to 50 wins (maybe more), and the #6 seed, and of course #3 in the West since I think the Rocks will finish ahead of the T-Wolves and Jazz. I'm not worried about Francis health, if Francis misses some games this team is good enough and deep enough this year to hold down the fort until he returns. Last year's team had little margin for error, this year's team has much more room and potential.
You see, this is the kind of writing I <b>hate</b>. How about you subsitute the word "<i>definitely</i>" with "<i>may be</i>." What a bunch of know-it-all crap. Other than that it was okay.
^^ LOL. Yeah, but we all have a little know-it-all in us when our opinion is very "strong" on something. The problem occurs when you have a very "strong" opinion on everything. There is a fine line between being intelligent and being a bunghole. Note: This wasn't directed at any particular person, just my $0.02 to the world.
Personally, I don't care what the mags predict. I say the Rockets record just before the second season will be 52-30. The second season record will take care of itself, but we will be pleased if not ecstatic with that season as well.
Considering the trash that has come from "credible" resources about the Rockets, DimeMag seems to have done the best job. I don't know why people here are always bashing SLAM, Dime, and similar mags. Maybe it's the urban flavor, they just don't like it, so they bash the opinions of the writers even though there is a reason these guys have these jobs. These guys have followed basketball for many years, but because of the audience they are trying to appeal to, it doesn't appeal to the average member on this board.
uhh, no, not even close. does mo taylor, glen rice, and a healthy steve ring a bell? other than that a very positive review. glad to see someone give some props.
Thumbs, I like the way you think!!!!!!! BACK TO YAO>..It dosent seem like anyone could know much about Yao, except he looks like a good basketball player with a sweet shot who happens to be 7ft5inches tall........If Mark Eaton had that shot he would have been a super star....Mabe even Shawn Bradley,err....then mabe not.
Dime talked tons of trash on Yao and then jumped on and off of his bandwagon depending on his performance. It's a fair preview for our team but it's not saying much. It says we can be good or we can suck. WOW, what a revelation. We deserve some respect and only an ignorant sportswriter who only looks one season back and doesn't pay attention to the circumstances woulds say we suck. We obviously aren't a elite team yet, but can be. Right now we're still stuck in that group with Clippers, T-Wolves, and maybe the Sonics and Jazz. That's 4 teams battling for 3 spots... We have a good chance, hopefully it'll all come together.
