Here's the answer for what ails Rockets By JONATHAN FEIGEN Copyright 2003 Houston Chronicle The first reaction was naturally to blow up the whole thing and start over. Trade them. Fire them. Dump them. Sell the rest for parts. That of course doesn't work, and now that the sting of the Rockets' midweek collapse is not quite so fresh, the solution is clearly not to shock the roster and staff. When you blow up a roster, you are left with rubble and at least four more years of rebuilding. But the Rockets' sometimes-thrilling, often-infuriating and wholly unsatisfying season does demand a major change, a bold and brilliant -- yet shockingly simple and possible -- move to fix what is so obviously broken. The Rockets are not nearly as destitute as they might seem. Steve Francis is not as far from being the point guard they need as some believe and much closer to being a superstar as a point guard than he would be as a shooting guard. Cuttino Mobley has settled down and developed at least a taste for defense. Yao Ming will become wondrous in the middle. But the Rockets have desperate needs. They need another veteran leader, an unquestioned winner who commands respect. They need inside muscle, someone tough enough and mean enough to punish the next big man who dares plant an elbow in Yao's throat or slice slashes across his back. They need someone who will be a model professional, whipping himself and anyone willing to join him into fabulous shape, and then to be ready for every game. They need someone who will publicly say what must be said, someone who will hit an open shot, someone with poise and no loss of passion. They need Karl Malone. That'll teach them. Not ready to play the Bulls? Tell Karl. Got a lead to protect against the Clippers? Let Karl. Want to dribble out the shot clock or go one-on-four? Fine, but let's check first with Karl. Hate the guy? Tough. He is the punishment for blowing the season's only real goal. He will be a free agent, possibly too expensive for Utah and probably no longer tethered to John Stockton. Houston is close to his roots in Louisiana, ranch in Arkansas and wife's background in San Antonio. He's expensive, but Les Alexander has 18,500 seats and 92 suites in a new arena to fill with fans terribly disappointed with this season. And Les loves to make to make a splash. Malone wants to pass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the NBA's all-time leading scorer. He won't do that for the Lakers or Mavericks. But he can score 18 a night for the Rockets as the third option. He'll love Yao's professionalism and determination and won't mind giving him the low post. Malone rarely posts up anymore, anyway. He's old, but still in great shape and putting up numbers. As he gets older and crankier, he'll be an even better thug watching Yao's back. Francis would need smelling salts after hearing the news, but the guy wants to win so badly, he'd get it. Either Maurice Taylor or Eddie Griffin would stick around, and with Malone turning 40 this summer, whichever one returns would get at least the playing time he gets now. Rudy Tomjanovich is ideal for veterans and would be given more motivation to return. Larry Smith won't have to be the toughest guy in the room. Too drastic? Still refuse to sleep with the enemy? Fine. There is another solution. Come back, Scottie Pippen. All is forgiven. http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/1865107
Karl Malone would positively, absolutely, destroy any tiny smithereen of chemistry that exists on this team. No. Feigen needs to stop snooping thru Eddie Griffin's car...if ya know what I mean.
WTF. That's Fin hilarious. SURE! Man I would want him. He's 2 times older than Griffin and 2 times better. He's still stronger than most players. He's the man. I know. We hate the Utah Jazz. But wouldn't it be sweet if Karl Malone......after all these years of rivalries...JOINED OUR SIDE?!?!?! (BTW, it's supposed to be rhetorical). WHOOOOO. He's a rebounder and midrange shooter. Now isn't that what we need?
It'd be like...Hampton Joining the Brav...oh, I mean like Reynolds joining Atlant...oh, Um, how about like Kile (RIP), joining the Cardina...oh... I'm out of ideas.
Watch him pull a Greg Maddux on us. Worse, watch him tackle Steve in Game 7 Western Conf. Finals against Utah JUST to see the Rox fans suffer..
I dont think Feigen must be from Houston? He just doesnt understand where the Utah Jazz stands in the minds of Rockets Fans. Malone is one of the most dirty players to ever play his position! He has gotten away with murder! I feel sure that former Rocket Players would back me up on my comment!
Although I know some of the long term fans hate Karl, but I can help yelling: What feigen said is soooooooooo trueeeeeeeeee~! They need some veteran and tough PF in the middle protect YaoMing since he is not strong enough. They need some tough guy tell SF3 and Mobley stop the crazy dribbling and pass the ball earlier. And they need someone has succussful experiences. Since Rudy T is perfect for coaching the veteran, I dont even against his coming back.
hasn't this season been bad enough? do we really need feigen talking such blasphemy? pouring lemon juice on the wound, indeed. it just gets worse everyday... but i still believe...
HAHAHAHAHA I think I know satire when I see one...that Scottie Pippen sentence gave it all away He's right, Rockets needs to change.......
ok first off people need to screw the hatred of the JAZZ , I personally HATE the JAZZ, but I would take karl malone, why? b/c he is good damnit! you play to win and if you have to get someone from the other team to win, then thats what you do! you dont act like a child and say no just cause he is from the jazz ....anyway go rockets!
Karl said that he want a ring so he may want to help the rocket to get it. It will be sweet if he is on the rocket championship team, won't it?
You're not a rea....ahh who the hell am I kidding... I'd put aside all my hatred for Malone if it came down to the Rockets signing him this offseason. 1-2 year deal, it'd give us the leadership we need.
then the Comets can draft Cheryl Ford, Malone's 6'3" daughter. i don't like Karl but having both play for the same organization would be a neat story.
As much as I hate to say it, Karl is what we need. A pro who acts and plays like it. A veteran, a leader.. and most importantly, a good power forward. We've been getting our butt's dusted in the west because we're outgunned by virtually everyone at the 4. I say bring him on.
Dare I say it.....could we bring in Stockton too? * Quickly dives behind desk to avoid onslaught to follow...*
