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Sporting News on Rocket's Off Season Moves and TJ FORD

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by MadMonk, Apr 23, 2003.

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  1. MadMonk

    MadMonk Member

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    Sporting News on Rocket's Off Season Moves

    Q & A with Sean Deveney -

    The excuse that the Rockets have used since Steve Francis got here is that they are a "young" team having growing pains. When is ownership going to realize that some significant offseason moves are in order? I love Rudy Tomjanovich -- he is the heart and soul of this organization -- but he needs to be promoted upstairs and replaced by a disciplinarian. The Rockets need a functional point guard and a real power forward.

    Alfred Sanchez

    *** Alfred: You asked when ownership would figure out it's time to make changes. . . my guess is, not this summer.

    Let's start with personnel. Eddie Griffin had a bad year, and it's clear that Maurice Taylor is a sixth or seventh man, not a starting power forward. First decision to make, then, is what to do about the 4-spot. Do you give Griffin more time, hope that he puts on some weight and develops a back-to-the-basket game? Or do you move him if possible? I would move him, but the guess here is that the Rockets will wait.

    Second decision is point guard. I would like to see Francis move to the 2-guard, but can he operate without the ball in his hands? I think it is worth a try, and that means trading Cuttino Mobley and bringing in a legit point guard who can defend and move the ball -- an Eric Snow type. You've got a 7-5 skill player under the basket. There is no question they need players who are more willing to give him the ball. I wonder what a package of Griffin and Mobley could bring.

    As for Rudy T., I would not want to make that decision. I mean, he is dealing with cancer, and I guarantee he is not going to return to a pink slip. He is an icon and a good guy who has done a lot for that organization.

    Besides, I don't think it is a question of discipline, but one of strategy. Tomjanovich needs a better system, one that incorporates what Yao Ming can do, and not one that relies so heavily on isolation for Francis. I think he deserves another crack at it next season. If it does not work, then maybe you talk to him about moving off the bench.

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    I wonder also wonder what a package of Griffin and Mobley could bring. Griffin may deserve another season to prove himself but I would personally love to see the Rockets package Mobley and another player and possibly a future draft pick to get a high draft pick this year to grab TJ Ford. Ford is an incredible pure point guard who is considered a PG version of Allen Iverson, a Houston native who has shown a desire to stay in state to play at UT even though he was recruited nationally by all the big names. A core of TJ, Stevie Francis at the 2 and Yao at Center would be incredible. Bring in a decent tough PF and we have the makings of a true dynasty!
     
    #1 MadMonk, Apr 23, 2003
  2. GrEgOnOmIcS

    GrEgOnOmIcS Member

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    who is Alfred Sanchez and sean deveney?
     
    #2 GrEgOnOmIcS, Apr 23, 2003
  3. Woofer

    Woofer Member

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    If you go to www.tsn.com, Deveney is one of their NBA writers.
     
    #3 Woofer, Apr 23, 2003
  4. LAfadeaway33

    LAfadeaway33 Member

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    I don't like the idea of trading EG now. Not only because his potential is untapped but also because his stock has dropped. He won't get us much. I say we at least leave him on the bench making his rookie sallary. Right now any production at all will bring his stock up. I just don't want to get less for him than we gave up to get him.
     
    #4 LAfadeaway33, Apr 23, 2003
  5. iOrange

    iOrange Member

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    Ford and Francis? no backcourt defense at all. Unless Yaoming blocks shot like a young hakeem, you simply cannot put a TJ-Steve backcourt out there.
     
    #5 iOrange, Apr 23, 2003
  6. YaoMing#1

    YaoMing#1 Member

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    tj and steve in the backcourt would make us like the pistons old backcourt of dumars and thomas that worked pretty good to me. add a skilled big man in yao then u have more than 2 rings like the pistons. get tj here in his home, h-town. him and steve would be fast break heaven plus steve and ford r friends so that wouls make up steve loosing cat if it even hurts him.
     
    #6 YaoMing#1, Apr 23, 2003
  7. Free Agent

    Free Agent Member

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    I like TJ but that other player better be Jason Collier and that future draft pick better be a late 2nd rounder.
     
    #7 Free Agent, Apr 23, 2003
  8. finalsbound

    finalsbound Member

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    Are you serious? From what I've seen, TJ plays tremendous on-the-ball D for such a little guy.
     
    #8 finalsbound, Apr 23, 2003
  9. walls

    walls Member

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    You can't teach height.

    That would give us the smallest backcourt in the league, we'd be getting posted up and shot over all the time.

    Earl Boykins may be a hustle defender too, but he's not gonna win any awards for being a good tryer.
     
    #9 walls, Apr 23, 2003
  10. dttd888

    dttd888 Member

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    Totally agree with that one MadMonk.....

    I mentioned that same scenario a couple months ago for the exact same reasons. Some were quick to point out that with a rookie PG, it would mean an extra year or possibly two to get him into a true NBA rotation, and build the chemistry. In other words, a rookie PG isn't supposed to come right in and guide a team right to the championship. And I have to agree that that would be the case for a normal rookie. But TJ is a true, legit PG, and has an unbelievable court presence. He is very very smart with the ball, and looks to pass the rock more than Griffin passes the...well, you know. I've seen him personally destroy us here at A&M. Besides, Tony Parker looks like a great PG already, and he's only 19. If the Rockets do look to make a move at the guard position, and if TJ doesn't come out, which i think he will, look for the Rockets to go after Parker, that is, if Kidd goes to San.
     
    #10 dttd888, Apr 23, 2003
  11. Rileydog

    Rileydog Member

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    tj ford is not coming out this year.
     
    #11 Rileydog, Apr 23, 2003
  12. finalsbound

    finalsbound Member

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    Tru dat, tru dat.

    I hope TJ stays. Texas will be #1 in preseason polls if Melo declares and TJ stays.
     
    #12 finalsbound, Apr 23, 2003
  13. Cipherous

    Cipherous Member

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    TJ Ford would be rolling the dice. He cannot shoot the ball what so ever, during the Syracuse game they were playing like 6 ft away from him. TJ Ford is a good passer, excellent penetrator and nothing much else.

    In addition, hes only 5'10". With Francis at 6'2", neither of them can defend the likes of Kobe or even Nash, its gonna be a big liablity for the front court.

    I would like to see Brent Barry here, he brings the ball up and defends the bigger shooting guards.
     
    #13 Cipherous, Apr 23, 2003
  14. DJ

    DJ Member

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    Larry Smith is a disciplinarian. I think Smith was coaching based on Rudy Tomjanovich's way and not like Larry Smith's way.
     
    #14 DJ, Apr 23, 2003
  15. JasonDurbin32

    JasonDurbin32 Member

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    what about iverson and snow......same size.......pretty much
     
    #15 JasonDurbin32, Apr 23, 2003
  16. u851662

    u851662 Member

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    Giving Eddie one more year in Rudy's system will do the Rockets no good. It is not Eddie, it is Rudy. Eddie will go to another team and then start to develop properly, their will be those that say we should not have traded him. Just like KT is exceling now, so will Eddie once he is gone. If I am Eddie, just for the sake of my game I would be pushing for a trade. The systme is whats hindering our players from learning. We have never had a Forward exclusively under Rudy's regime that has exceled in being a true Power Forward. Example Robert Horry/KT/MT now Eddie Griffin. Otis Thorpe and Barkley dont count because they were vets who already knew how to play. And learned how to under a Real Coach (teacher). Man I love Rudy but he is only a motivationalist (i know its not a word). Mark my words, Eddie ill never grow as long as he is a Rocket or is coached by Rudy, and if action isnt taken, he will quickly lose his confidence....
     
    #16 u851662, Apr 23, 2003
  17. Tonaaayyyy

    Tonaaayyyy Member

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    If we get a small backcourt like T.J and Francis.. our offense would set in pretty well. And even though we can't match up with Kobe or the taller SG's in the league, there are always zone defense.
     
    #17 Tonaaayyyy, Apr 24, 2003
  18. yaonotyo

    yaonotyo Member

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    i hope theres some way we can get tj ford;)
     
    #18 yaonotyo, Apr 24, 2003
  19. Newgirl

    Newgirl Member

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    Snow is at least 6-5 or 6-6. He can defend SGs pretty well. All-NBA defense team.

    I hope you're not comparing Francis' D (or Ford's D for that matter) to Snow's.
     
    #19 Newgirl, Apr 24, 2003
  20. White Thunder

    White Thunder Member

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    How about with are second round pick we get kyle Korver. He would help us with are three point shooting and help when Yao or Steve kick the ball out for a open shot.

    Ford has already said three times that he is staying for his junior year. The last time he said it was when Texas lost to the Orangemen. I dont know why people keep saying he is coming out when he has said already he is staying 3 times.
     
    #20 White Thunder, Apr 24, 2003
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