MoTaylor is coming off a major injury and has not played that much this year. Give him some time and he will start to improve. He played great 2 seasons ago and was a majot part of that 45 win team. I agree that he is over payed, but he is still a good player and this team does not need anymore trades. PG-Francis SG-Mobley SF-Posey PF-Griffin C-Yao That is going to be one heck of a team. If we are 4th in the west right now, just think how good we are going to be next year and the folowing years. If we can keep Posey and Griffin improves, which I think he will as he gets older(like J O'Neal), then the Rockets are going to have the best starting 5 in the NBA. Things are looking good in H-Town.
I think this really has some potential. If neither guy is in foul trouble, why couldn't we throw both Cato and Yao on the floor together for 5-10 min in the 3rd-4th qtr. Heck, I wouldn't mind seeing a couple minutes of Francis, Posey, Griffin, Cato, Yao. Talk about a nasty defensive team. And I think all those guys can run fast enough that it would be difficult for a team to get a major speed advantage against our BIG lineup.
My comments certainly weren't intended to sound critical, I just think Mo is more important to hold onto than acquiring a player like Tyrone Hill. As I said, Taylor is a great interior passer and, as an offensive threat, can prevent opposing teams from collapsing on Yao. Also, Mo has shown a desire to rebound -- his timing has not yet returned but IMO it will. As far as acquiring a young PF in his place -- if R.T. and C.D. saw that it was better for the team -- I would suggest going after Alton Ford (homeboy now in Phoenix) or Zach Randolph (Portland), who would be much harder to acquire. I guess I'd just like to give the Rockets a chance to play as a team -- the team that we now have.
Folks ragging on MoT should give him a break. If I remember correctly it takes folks about 2 years to recover from the type of injury MoT had so patience is needed. It's true MoT isn't the player he was when we got him but he isn't terrible. His offense has suffered but 3 things I saw that I like from the last game are: (1)he was definitely hustling on defense, (2)he is a good passer into the post, (3)he doesn't get in the way like Eddie Griffin does.
It is amazing to me how much Mo is getting bashed by relentless fans in this thread and in others. The guy just returned from a VERY serious injury that is clearly impacting his leaping ability. Rudy T has said as much and Jim Boylen mentioned that this during the summer as well. This injury usually does take close to 2 years to recover from plus or minus thus I think we will see Mo getting his leaping ability and such back later this year as he gets worked into the rotation more. This is really all that is lacking imo b/c the effort is clearly there, Mo just isnt getting the spring on his moves. That is expected after such a major injury. As far as the question of whether or not Mo works on his game. Mo Taylor was not a 6-9 260 pound player when he played at Michigan. The guy was a SF in college and had to bulk up when he came into the NBA. He obviously had to get used to playing on the inside in the NBA and improved his rebounding numbers EACH of his first three seasons in the league. During his fourth season in Houston, his rebounds per minute were better than in his third season. Thus, his rebounding has improved each year despite what people want to say. Also, the summer Mo Taylor tore his achilles, he was working hard on his game. I honestly believe he would have had a really big season last yr had the unfortunate incident not occurred. After the injury, he discussed how sad he was b/c he had really worked hard on his game that summer and felt he would have really been a huge boost for the Rockets team. I tend to believe what he was saying b/c I see the improvement. Mo is working harder on the defensive side of the ball, denying position, he is showing more of a post up game this year and he is showing more resolve in his rebounding. The consistency just is not there and the minutes just are not there b/c the guy simply does not have his legs back. When he makes his moves it looks like he isnt getting the elevation he needs on his shot to get the consistency back of 2 yrs ago where he hit 49% from the field. In time, though, this will all come back; people just have to calm down and be patient.
I agree that the pressure is on Mo, not Griffin. Everybody on this board and everyone in the Rockets organization knows that Griff is still a year or two away, thats not what this trade was about. This trade was about filling a need at 2/3 because we shouldn't have a need at 4. This trade was about telling Mo it's time to step up and earn your jack. Lets see if he's up to it.
i like mo's game, and see him eventually contributing more to the team...but there was no excuse for him to get well over 300lbs this summer...although he worked hard to get it down, but i feel he still carrying extra weight..which is affecting his game.. the fact he gained that much weight shows me his level of commitment ...he is a professional athelete...thus his body is his livelihood...yeah sure he couldn't run, but he could have watched his diet..stevie cut fried foods and salt from his diet...mo couldn't just eat one less cheese burger?! im guessing he had the munchies..
MManal, yup, that is what I am seeing too. Mo's elevation just is not there. He was very active in the Indiana game. He was banging down low got some rebounds but his put backs fell flat. He just does not have the elevation on his shot or the explosion that he should have. I think this will come in time once he gets his legs under him. Just like with Griffin, we need to give Mo some patience here as he gets back into the groove. Chris
I like Mo Taylor and he was pretty good scoring 17 ppg before he got injured... And the Rocks believe in him and think he will get better...Just waiting...Someday he will finally have an explosion and be on fire...In the Pacers game, he kept on getting rebounds along with Cato but he just couldn't score. He plays just like Chris Webber but he can't put the ball through the basket... Cato is doing MUCH BETTER than last year! He must be motivated. Cato is always fun to laugh at. He is the best center and alleyoops. That's all he does. He dunks. And he can make his free throws too. Eddie Griffin is not on the clock! His defense is great and he can block anybody. He and Yao are the best partners in blocking. It's fun to watch them. But he needs to work on his shooting. He can hit 1 out of 3 treys...not good enough when he's always wide open. His only use on offense is to set picks. Tyrone Hill?!?!? lol how about Horace Grant?
You mean he's like the Lion (or was that the tinman) in the Wizard of Oz, no heart? Webber rebounds (around ten a game career I think)and has passed quite well assist wise, blocks shots. I've watched about a dozen Sac games last year and the national TV/free Satdish Rockets games two years years ago and Webber/Taylor don't play similar at all IMHO.
Well, they both played at Michigan and they shoot around the same spot. But Chris Webber makes his shots and Mo Taylor doesn't. They both like to drive to the basket, except Chris Webber is much better at doing it. Mo Taylor is just too short to block shots. Chris Webber is much better.
.....And their both between 6-9 and 6-11, they are both African Americans, and to top it off they both drive nice cars too. No, no, you don't have to buy a newclock, you just have to realize the minute hand is 5 minutes behind.
Well, Mo had a great 1st quarter against the Hawks. Almost like the days before he was hurt. He didn't do much else after that. But he showed signs of life...which is good.
