Here's an article from RealGM. Pretty good read. http://www1.realgm.com/src_goaltending.php?articleid=26 Countdown Begins For Rockets By Kevin Broom - 12th December, 2002 3:10 PM The Houston Rockets aren't championship contenders this season. But they're on the path to a major breakthrough, and it's coming soon. The NBA championship formula is well-established. Mix two or three stars, a passel of role players, a coach who knows how to blend talent and massage egos, and a decent portion of luck and voila! — title contender. For now, the NBA title passes through Shaquille O'Neal's toe. Yes, the Lakers' supporting cast looks as weak as ever, but if Shaq and Kobe stay healthy, and Robert Horry emerges from hibernation as he does each year in the playoffs, the Lakers will win yet another title. But the Rockets are on the cusp of being a dangerous team. With Steve Francis and Yao Ming, Houston has the stars in place. Even better, they're at the two hardest positions to fill, point guard and center. The Point Guard Steve Francis is an established do-everything, all-court superstar. By making the decision to emphasize different aspects of his game, he could lead the league in scoring or assists if he wanted. At 6-3, he's tough enough to average 6.5 rebounds per game, and athletic enough to win dunk contests. His defense isn't always outstanding, but that's no different than many of the game's greats. Like Julius Erving and some other elite players, Francis does not dominate defensively on each possession. Instead, he picks his spots, locks up opposing players when it matters most, and has that unique ability to make game-changing defensive plays. This season, Francis has edited his game, cutting down on the high-wire forays to the hoop that would give Evel Kneivel pause. Instead, Francis has improved his jumper, and is shooting a career-best 42 percent from the three-point line. The scary part for the league is that the 25-year old Francis is just entering his prime. The next five seasons should be the best of his career. The Center Barely a quarter of the way through his first NBA season, and without benefit of a training camp, Yao Ming is already the second best center in the league behind Shaquille O'Neal. At 7-5, he's fluid and quick, and possessed with an array of professional-quality skills. His grounding in the fundamentals rivals that of San Antonio's Tim Duncan. Already, Yao can get his shot off against anyone, anytime. That's immensely valuable because he also makes most of his shots — a league-best 59.1 percent so far. He's going to be difficult to double-team because of his confident passing from the post, and Francis demanding attention on the perimeter. On the defensive end, Yao compensates for a lack of upper-body strength with his length, agility, and timing. His shot-blocking is intimidating and is forcing opposing teams to take lower-percentage shots. Yao is going to get a lot better. Since entering the starting lineup 10 games ago, he's averaging 13.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks in just 28 minutes. As he gets stronger, learns the NBA game, and improves his conditioning, those minutes and numbers will go up. The Role Players Currently on the Houston roster are several players who nicely complement Francis and Yao. Eddie Griffin and Kelvin Cato are good shot-blocking reserves. Cuttino Mobley and Moochie Norris are solid backcourt running mates for Francis. Mobley, in particular, is a quality role player. He can score if needed, but he's also willing to play defense. Like Francis, Mobley is also willing to help on the boards. Kenny Thomas is another competent role player. At 6-7, he's undersized at power forward, but lacks the all-around game required of a small forward. Still, in limited minutes, he'd excel in an instant energy role. What's Missing While some of the components are in place, the Rockets need to add some talent. Though their backcourt rotation of Franics, Mobley and Norris is set, they'll want to add depth there to guard against injury. In the frontcourt, they could use a physical rebounder and defender. Right now, their power players have similar long, lean builds. They're athletic, and they'll block shots, but there's no one to set the hard picks, knock folks around in the paint, or contend with physical play. Maurice Taylor has the build, but does not provide an interior presence. A Brian Grant or young Charles Oakley type of player would be a welcome addition. The Rockets also need to add a small forward who can shoot the three and defend. Glen Rice is 34 years old, and not what he once was. Rice never played much defense anyway. Juaquin Hawkins, a 27-year old rookie discovered playing overseas, is a quality defender, but not much of a shooter. First round pick Bostjan Nachbar may develop the shooting touch in time, but probably won't be a good defender. Griffin could develop into that small forward, but hasn't shown the foot quickness necessary. The Intangibles Much depends on head coach Rudy Tomjanovich pressing the right buttons. It's a good bet that he will. Tomjanovich molded a championship team out of Hakeem Olajuwon and role players, then Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler the second time around. He is well-respected by his players, and around the league for his basketball acumen. Health is always a factor, and may be a concern with Francis. The mysterious migraine headaches that plagued him last season have been linked to a rare inner-ear disease, which has no known cure. Francis has followed doctor instructions this season, and hasn't suffered from the headaches since. The bottom line for the Rockets is that they've established a sound launching pad. Francis and Yao are the stars, and some of the role players are in place. What's needed now is some experience, some time to grow, and some fine-tuning. By next season, the Rockets could be among the league's best teams.
"The Rockets also need to add a small forward who can shoot the three and defend." Robert Horry, come on down!! The Rockets should really considering bringing him back home. He'd be a great fit with the addition of Yao Ming. More importantly, he can be back with his family during the season. As for a physical rebounder, Brian Grant would be a perfect fit for the Rockets. He appears to be over his injuries. The Heat are going nowhere. He did great things with Portland. KT in a Heat uniform sounds good.
Very good article. It's pretty exciting to read this kind of inputs about the team and players and I hope by playoff time, the Rockets hopefully should be ready!!
I agree with Mr. Broom almost completely. I have a hard time thinking that this team can't make it all the way. I do realize that it's unlikely, but I don't think you can just write them off. If you roll into the playoffs with your best chemistry and a fairly healthy team anything can happen. JBII, good call on Horry.
Horry is a pretty good rebounder too. . . if he's in it. The only thing about Horry is that he disappears in stretches. But when he's in it, he can be a very good role player.
Easy, it doesn't matter if Horry disappears in stretches. Becuase the stretches he disappeares in are the less important moments of games. What matters is the fact that he will be there when it counts. My dream is to have his experience back in a Rockets uniform for this new generation of Rockets.
I think Horry's only just resigned with the Lakers so we'd have to give up something and I'm not sure I'd want to give up anything for him at this late stage in his career. If we had signed him up after his last contract was up that's one thing but the only people I'd give up for him now are Maurice Taylor, Jason Collier, Glen Rice and a scrub to be named later.
if you really followed the rockets you would know that it's terence, not terrence. sorry, coudn't resist.
I was against trading Horry, and considered him a key part in the Championships..to bring him back now would be nostalgic, but ..how productive? EddieG does almost everything Horry brings...except clubhouse dissention. Horry is in the middle of that with Shaq And Kobe as we speak.
Maybe im just caught up in the hype, but I feel the Rockets could take it all the way this year if they really wanted to. Providing Ming doesn't hit the rookie wall and a trade that will land us a solid power forward, I feel its very possible. At this point, I'd put us behind the Mavs, Kings and Lakers... and maybe San Antonio. The rest of the league can't touch us...They just do not have the big men to counter Ming.....So don't be suprised if Ming wins ROY and MVP.
How about Brian Grant Vladimir Stepania Eddie Jones for MoT KT Cato Mobley That's a really good deal I think. They get young and more flexible in trades, while we become title contenders immediately. Ming/Grant/Stepania Grant/Griffin Rice/T-Mo/Boki Jones/Hawkins Francis/Mooch Tell me that team can't beat any team in the league. It's got everything. Jones replaces Mobley's scoring, while adding Defense and veteran experience. Grant brings real toughness and ferocious rebounding with a PF who can defend Western PF's. We lose a lot of talent. But it's probably worth it. Jones, with a supporting cast like ours, can be effective for 2 or 3 more years, same goes for Grant. Honestly, I don't know that any team in the league can beat that team. If I thought that team was anything less than top 3 in the league for 3 or 4 years, I wouldn't part with Mobley or Cato. But that team is so good.
The heat should release Grant so he can go to a playoff bound team, like we did with Willis. I know this isn't the same thing though...so dont trash me.
Can we all agree that what the Rockets need is a bruiser, a banger, a guy who's not afraid to bloody his elbows. Someone tall and wide, who maybe can't shoot that great, but can rebound like crazy, and physically wear the other team down, so they're too tired to make shots in the 4th quarter. Raven
The brute banger was a player of the PAST. NBA Rules are so different NOW! The 3 second defensive and offensive rule prevents much of the banger action, eg:-the slow backing in of a player in the paint ala Barkley is prevented.The future of the Game of Basketball is brains , skill and athletic ability, not brute force! The Game has come a long way since 1990. The Rockets and the Bulls won using clever player using their skill and athletic ability.
hey Shaq is a banger in my opinion. I agree on the athleticsm and brains but I still believe a banger is required. I do however believe we got a banger in Cato. As long as he keeps improving like he has lately, his body is big enough to take down and wear out alot of the guys that should give yao trouble.
