I still don't get what he's trying to accomplish out there with that weak ass juke to the right and predictable scrub-grade crossover he does every time down court. That sorry move would get picked 9 outta 10 times on a street court!! He's not even worthy of being labelled a streetballer!!
As much as I like Mooch and his fro, his butt has got to go! I agree with those who want to trade Mooch. But who would be willing to take him and who could we get for him?
I doubt that tightwad Sterling would do this trade, but Mooch for Eric Piatkowski sounds really interesting...
The teams with a need at PG include the Celtics, Heat, Hawks and Cavs. Another more plausible scenerio is trading one overpayed player for another. Don't expect anything of value in return except for maybe a 2nd rounder or 2 and a player who can't crack the rotation.
The Avery Johnson midrange jumper has got to go. I have defended Moochie in the past for his ability to run a good 2-man game on occassion, but no more. One of the things that I cannot stand in basketball is a point guard who cannot knock down an 18 foot shot. It's like Moochie is just flinging it up there with no concentration, comfortable in the fact he'll keep getting his minutes. No you won't Moochie. Take a frigging seat. You are going to have to hit that shot and shoot your way back into real minutes over time. How dare you show up with no jumper? I agree with Greg M, The team does not need a backup point. Hawkins can defend 3 positions, and Mobley can pass to the paint as well as Kenny Smith. Moochie can rest Francis for one 4 minute stretch in the 1st half, and Mobley can play PG for another 4 min stretch in the second. Hawkins can rest Mobley. I want Moochie down to 4 minutes a game. I've lost my patience.
Images of a classic Mooch move, past and present: What is so interesting down there? Does he have a fettish for other players' shoes?
Interesting discussion so far. In any case, to resolve this situation, and a huge weakness I feel this team has (lack of early offense), I would take a look on the trade market for a veteran combo guard that can handle and shoot. The player that I feel fits the Rockets third guard needs to a T is Jon Barry. Barry's mins have fallen off this season with the acquisition of Billups in Detroit. I have no idea what the cost would be for him, but I think this would address a lot of our needs. Sure we may not be able to dump Mooch b/c of his contract but thats just tough ****; he'll have to sit at the end of the bench. Barry would give the Rockets someone that can spell both Cat and Steve as he has SG size, push the ball in transition, pass into the post and shoot the deep ball. Barry was a solid backup in Sacto and has good playoff experience. Rudy has not been willing to run Mobley at PG thus far and dont think he will. The Rockets had a huge problem handling full court pressure in the preseason when Brown and Maddox brought the ball up, and I dont think Rudy wants to risk that again.
Do you guys mind if I post something other than my usual stupid jokes? RealGM.com is predicting that the Pistons would probably renounce their Larry Bird rights to Barry after this season. They'll be ready to let Prince take that swingman role. If Barry's in the last year of his deal (I can't find this out, sorry), we really could get him somehow. I personally love the idea. Guy plays hard, plays smart, passes the rock, and he can still hit the 3.
uh, unless I miss my guess, when Collier was drafted, Mobely was still a free agent. They didn't draft a gaurd because they were trying not to piss him off...... They resigned Norris because they felt that since he had the Dr.J fro, he could develop the game. Unfortunately, they learned that its HEIGHT that you can't teach, not FRO........
LOL, that's very funny. BTW, let's officially end the Cato bashing year and begin the Mooch bashing year.
I used to like Moochie a lot more, mainly for his lack of fear. But lack of brains and court savvy have changed my mind a bit. Having the Ming and Fro Show just isn't enough reason to impart major minutes onto the Moochster.
Yes! Jon Barry has been one of my fave bench guys for a long time. He builds chemistry like Mooch and he can play unlike Mooch. Then if by some miracle we can nab Ruben Patterson then we'll have something.
At this point I would take Rick Barry rather than watch Moochie beat the floor to death with the basketball.
Finally. Moochie was able to get away with dribble, dribble, dribble last year, but no more. Defenses are giving him open jumpers because he can't hit them. He is a terrible man defender (please don't give me a steals stat to justify he's a good defender), and if he screws up the offense and doesn't play defense, what does he provide? A nice bobble-head giveaway? A backup PG is probably one of the few things on the Rockets' wishlist. Our frontcourt depth right now is really stellar with KT, MoT, Eddie, Cato, Yao, Rice, Nachbar, and T-Mo; Cat and Steve are stalwarts and Hawkins has been a very solid backup 2/3. I wouldn't be too surprised if later in the year Maddox finds his way onto the 12 man roster and Rudy and co. give him a shot at earning some token 2nd quarter minutes. I can see him being groomed to be Steve's backup- at a minimum, he's a big PG (6-4) with quickness that provides tough D, and hopefully he'll be able to utilize his passing skills.