Seeing as how Stevie's the player the Rockets are building around for say, oh the next decade or so, I'm a little worried about our long-term title prospects. Why you ask? Well because historically the big guys win the titles: Kareem, Russell, Dream, Chamberlain, and now Duncan. You might make an argument for Magic, but the guy really shoudln't count. He was a freak of nature(6'9" guys should not be able to move like that!!!) and when Kareem was out, he played center. I can only think of two real exceptions to this rule- the Bulls and Pistons. Both teams were built around guards, but they were loaded with talent all around. But then look around; Stockton-ringless, Payton-ringless, the Hardaways-ringless. Of course there is hope. If we can somehow lure a minor-star big guy to play alongside Stevie, we could be perennial contenders. Cousy had Russell. West had Chamberlain. Dr. J had Moses. Magic had Kareem. Stockton has Malone. Payton has Baker. Hardaway has Zo. Who will Francis have? Free agent, or 2000 draft pick? ------------------ WE WILL WATCH THEM FALL. [This message has been edited by AntiSonic (edited November 25, 1999).]
Um... "I can only think of two real exceptions to this rule- the Bulls and Pistons. Both teams were built around guards, but they were loaded with talent all around."....
True but at the same time the new rules were made to de-emphasize the post and open things up for players like Stevie to dominate.
they are not building the team aroud ONLY yao. Francis has to be in the picture. He isnt a "roleplayer"... IF he was its an extreme waste of talent. They are building the team around steve & yao.
Then you dont understand why the Rockets are so poor! Its because the Team has been moving in two directions at once. The Guards trying to mentain the status quo of smallball,dominated by Francis and Mobley and the introduction of a 7'6'' Center by the name of Yao Ming. Yao Ming is going to take us back into the Big Mans Game. This struggle is why some fans even consider trading Francis to brake the trend of the last four seasons, during which we acheived nothing! PS. If he moves into the two Guard he will become more of a role player.Y
Why in the blue F**k to people bring up these old ass threads? Honestly, RocketFan85, why the hell did you look this up, it must have taken a long ass time. I'm freaking dumbfounded at how many people drag up this kind of old ****. Why? Please tell me why. Yetti, have you even realized what year this thread is from? Your responses don't seem to show that.