Rockets team report Nov. 29, 2000 SportsLine.com Reports The season is less than a month old, and already Houston Rockets are losing patience with free-agent forward Maurice Taylor. The Rockets were well aware of Taylor's reputation for lackadaisical play when they signed him for a $2.25 million exception last summer. His shortcomings, especially as a rebounder, were obvious during his stint with the Los Angeles Clippers. But Taylor has been even worse than advertised in his first month with Houston, averaging a career-low 3.9 rebounds through the first 15 games. The problem was perhaps most acute Tuesday, when Taylor managed just three rebounds in 24 minutes of an 88-81 home loss to Sacramento. What made Taylor's underachieving performance against the Kings especially glaring is that it was the type of game Taylor is needed most in by the size-challenged Rockets. Houston was facing a Western Conference power with one of the league's top power forwards in Chris Webber. Taylor was signed specifically to counteract bruisers like Webber, but instead, he was rarely a factor. Taylor finished with more turnovers (four) than rebounds. It was typical, however, considering the 6-9, 260-pound Taylor hasn't had more than seven rebounds in any of his previous 10 games through Wednesday. Even more frustrating is that the laid-back Taylor seems almost oblivious to his rebounding woes. While coach Rudy Tomjanovich stewed over Tuesday's loss, Taylor practically shrugged it off. "You should always want to play the best competition,'' Taylor told The Houston Chronicle. "Anytime you go against the best talent it can only make you better, but everyday is like that for a power forward in the Western Conference.'' Tomjanovich doesn't appear likely to sit by and watch Taylor struggle on the boards for much longer. Backup forward Kenny Thomas played 24 minutes against the Kings, recording six rebounds, and could be headed for more playing time ahead of the uninspired Taylor http://cbs.sportsline.com/u/ce/teamrpt/0,1601,3113199_54,00.html ------------------
It could always be worse...the Clippers could have obliged the Rockets this past summer and done a sign-n-trade for Mo. Many thanks to the Clippers for being stubborn. Mango ------------------ Test Your NBA Trade Ideas 1. Put new topics in the proper forum. Things happening in the rest of the NBA 2. Use clear wording for new threads. 3. No duplicate threads 4. Conduct yourself as an adult. The Serious Police are watching. Donate Blood or be assimilated!
Where is Cat to defend MoLazy? Cat, oh Cat? DaDakota ------------------ If Mankind evolved from Monkeys and Apes, then why are there still Monkeys and apes?
Has this turned into another "Bash Mo" thread? ------------------ Francis out top, 9 seconds on the clock, he gives a no look pass to Cuttino Mobley, 4 seconds left, Mobley passes to an open Langhi in the corner with 1 second left! Langhi at the buzzer.......YES!!! How Sweet It Is!!
I am not into the bashing of Mo, but I definetely feel that if KT and Los started getting more of Mo's minutes, and maybe even started over Mo once or twice, it would grab Taylor's attention. He needs to start realizing that if he is playing for another contract next season, then he needs to perform well enough to be a starting PF, and right now... he simply isn't. ------------------ She hates testicles, thus limiting the men she can admire to Democratic candidates for president. -- John Greenway, "The American Tradition", on feminist Elizabeth Gould Davis
No comment ------------------ In order to be a success in life, you need 2 things: 1. Don't tell everything you know.
HOLY **** KABOBS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I didnt realize you had over 2700 posts Booby!!!! I thought you stooped with your one liners? ------------------ SUCK POLICE!!!!!! To point out individuals or teams that have managed to reach the pinnacle of SUCKINESS!!!!! - THE SUCK POLICE CHARGES THE REFS AT TONITES ROCKETS GAME AS BEING REALLY REALLY SUCKY!!!!!!!!! ------ President of the COACH SAMPSON Conspiracy Club!
Damn, we were all excited at the start of the season about Mo, and hell, even I've defended him up until now...but jeez, the guy doesnt seem to be doing much for us... Maybe the Rox are just trying to bench him so we can resign him for the minimum ------------------ Who's ya daddy?
Maybe benching him for about 3 games with no pt will get his attention & if not, well, someone has to warm the end of the bench. ------------------
Considering how inspired Los has been since he's gotten more PT, do ya think we should take away Mo PT and give it to Los and KT?? The only problem I see with that is KT repeated fumbles in the paint. I don't think I'm the only one that's wonderin what's up with that! He makes a couple of beautiful moves and then promptly coughs it up when he goes to shoot. Mo has been just plain ol' disappointing so far this season...put him coming in off the bench with Mobes. At least then he "might" get more productive minutes when he isn't directly playing against the likes of CWebb. But then again...I could be totally outta my mind!! It wouldn't be the first time! ------------------ Give It To Moochie!
The "I Told You So" Bandwagon is ready to roll... hop aboard if you don't want to get run over. I'm still giving Mo time, but we already knew he couldn't rebound (and despite what others say, unless he gets a spine, he won't ever be able to), but if he can't score either, then he's pretty much useless. Start KT and give Los some minutes. There's no point in starting a below-average SF at PF. ------------------ -------------- Did you know? Derrick Chievous sucked. It's true. -- from the ClutchCity.net "Did You Know" sidebar
After watching Mo Taylor in several games it seems that he is trying to rebound and play defense. Not very successfully, though. I wonder if the problem is that though he looks like a power forward and has good offensive moves he might not be quick enough to get to lose balls or play defense without fouling. Alternatively, is there any chance that he just isn't in very good physical condition or needs to lose a little weight? It seems to me that KT, for instance, is markedly quicker after a summer of working out. ------------------
I don't know why you guys are bashing Mo. He could easily be one of the best back-up PFs in the league, after Vin Baker...hehe.
I'm not bashing Mo..........yet Im just sayin that maybe it would motivate him if he wasn't guaranteed the starter spot no matter how he's playin. Hehe...Vin Baker....Huhhuuh huh He said Vin...huh huh huh ------------------ Give It To Moochie! [This message has been edited by Rockets2K (edited December 02, 2000).] [This message has been edited by Rockets2K (edited December 02, 2000).]
I'm not saying we dont resign him. Cause really there is nothing else out there that we want that we can actually get. Lets make him happy, give some PT, get his numbers back up, resign him then trade him next year for someone we want. Not just someone we can get cause we dont want MoMoney no mo. I too would like to see mo KT and mo Los. The thing is I dont think playing KT and Los will help us win a championship oneday more than playing Mo will. We are not going to win one this year and its the championships that count right. Ok, well then lets set ourselves up for another of set of back to back trophies. Play Mo, get his #'s up, resign him, ship him out... This theory also gives him a chance to prove that he should actually be a part of the Franchise championship era. ------------------ We need to do whatever we can to keep Cat and Coop playing ball in Houston...
Damn HeyPee i just looked at your posting #'s, you have 3039 ?? since Oct 1999... Is there anyone here with more?? Francis2K, Do you really think that Mo would sign next year for a reasonable amount?? Unless we see something better this year< I say let him go and use all the money we can to find and sign a GOOD PF. I'm not sure where exactly we are gonna find one..(don't think we can get CWebb) maybe one of the stat-meisters can find one in our range. ------------------ Give It To Moochie!
Rockets2K, You're living in the past man, in the past. Rockets2001, I have 3041 posts. Hey, you should buy a $10 ticket and come sit with us again. We actually have better seats, and our row is never full. Let me know!
Hey, there arent many big men out there at all who even have the coordination to play in the NBA. At least we got one that can shoot a jumper. While we are on BBS nicknames and MoMoney...Why do people keep registering using his name? Do they want it to be known that they are underacheivers also? ------------------ We need to do whatever we can to keep Cat and Coop playing ball in Houston...