Here we go again. Once agin since the championship seasons of 94-95, the Rockets have a very ,very critical off season ahead of them. Only this time, not only will they have to find players who can play, the first order of business is finding a coach for this cast of current players. Some opinions may differ and feel free to chime in: 1st Priority: Coach This will of course take priority over everything else. This choice will also have a domino effect over everything else. Is it Brown,JVG,Nelson,Silas,Dunleavy Jr? No one knows yet , but the clock is still ticking down on the decision. 2nd Priority: The Roster This have as much to do with the coaching as anything. Do they resign Posey? Do they hang on to Griffin or package him with Mobley,Taylor or Cato? What about Nachbar, Rice and Morris? I believe this will be determined by the coach. JVG and Brown don't have confidence or patience in young guys. Silas and Dunleavy seem to have more patience with younger players. This is the decision that will either make or break this team for the next few yrs. They have been talking about bringing in veterans, but at what expense? If Brown comes in, do we let him make the same decision he did like trading away Tim Thomas for Ty Hill for short term results? This is very,very,critical. 3rd Priority: Vision Its known throughout the league that even when a team turns into a contender, it will still need adjustments to finish off the job. Sacramento went from a fun run and gun style, to serious defensive title contenders. Even with the success of the Mavs, they will try to tinker with their team to get to the top. One of the good things about the Rockets in the mid 90's were the aggressivenes atwhich they persued to get better. Once this team taste the playoffs and starts to climb the ladder, they will need to have this again. Once Ming becomes a dominant force and Francis better establishes himself as a in control pg, this teamwill need players to play at a high level with them. make no bones about it and don't get it twisted, in a yr or 2, this will be Mings team along with Francis. The other players on this team will also be just as important to the success as those 2. What will seperate the Rockets from the other pretenders in the West, is the same thing that seperated the Spurs,Mavs,Kings and to a degree the Lakers form everyone else,moves. The teams playing right now, for the most part are the ones that had the guts or vision to draft players or put them into play that would help the team now and in the future. I'm sure people will agree to disagree or whatever, but just like the summer when hakeem became a free agent and that summer was declared the most important, with this current team, this seem to be the most critical since then. I really hope this is the last summer in which a thread like this one will be discussed.
If the Rockets hire Brown I don’t think there will be much change in the roster. I think he is sincere when he says he likes the Cat and Steve combo, after all he did get to see first hand as Cat dismantled AI in two games this past season. I don’t think Steve is traded in anything less than a superstar for superstar deal which I don’t see happening. My take on Browns feelings towards some of the players: The starting five. Steve Francis: Yes we all know about his poor point guard instincts but Brown knows about his superstar caliber athleticism and the fact that he is a two-time all-star. Couple that with the fact that Steve has already called Brown and I think we have a teachers pet in the making with Steve. There is no doubt that Steve brings probably more talent (athletically speaking) to the table than any guard Brown has ever coached and that includes Ron Harper before his knee injury and Mr. MVP, Allen Iverson. Cuttino Mobely: Another player that has had obvious problems adjusting to a team game. Brown’s memories of Cat are not going to be his problem including the rest of the team in the offense, they are going to be of him schooling AI twice this past season. Another thing is that Cat is a basketball junkie and loves to constantly work on his game. I think this is one thing that Brown will love and he will fall in love with Cats work ethic. IMO, Cat is exactly the type of person that a big ego, basketball junkie coach like Brown thinks that they can take to the next level. James Posey: On the court he seems like a Larry Brown type of player, athletic as hell, non-stop hustle and someone that can change the tone of a game with his defensive play. Posey brings the same type of on the court hustle that Brown loved about KT. I don’t know about Posey’s off-season work ethic or if he is a hard head or not but I would think Brown would bring him back unless some other team gets stupid and offers him a ridiculously large, long term contract. Eddie Griffin: I think Eddie could be in very real trouble. He just does not seem to have the type of demeanor that Brown covets in a player. We have all heard the stories of Brown getting mad enough to fight his own players for not listening to him and blowing assignments, well if Eddie has another year where his teammates (particularly Yao Ming) are constantly getting themselves out of position trying to cover his mistakes then Brown might ship him out of town for a roll of toilet paper and an old newspaper before the beginning of the season. Eddie has undeniable talent and if he comes to camp and listens to what Brown says and shows some energy then I think Brown will have patience with him, but if he plays like he did last year then no amount of potential will save him from Brown. At 21 years of age, Eddie can no longer use the youth excuse, it’s time to grow up and play like a man. Yao Ming: He is a coach’s dream. I think if Larry Brown comes to Houston then Yao Ming is the main reason. A seven foot five inch player with talent, athleticism, skill, intelligence, work ethic and very coachable. Yao Ming plays the toughest position in the NBA to fill and he could be the next dominant player in the NBA. There is nothing quite like having a player that gives you a major mis-match against 90% of the teams in the NBA. Players on the bubble. Kelvin Cato: he has a reputation for being lazy even though his last season and a half were excellent. The fact that he is a back up that might not be getting more than 15 minutes a game this year will keep him under the microscope. If he comes to camp in shape and plays like he did last year then I think Brown will love him. Mo Taylor: No way Brown puts up with him showing up out of shape. While Larry will like his offense and most of his defensive play I also think Larry Brown will demand that Mo be a lot more active on the glass. While I don’t think Larry Brown will make any major roster moves it would surprise me if he did not try to bring in a veteran with some outside shooting skills, a banger at the 4 spot and maybe another point guard to shore up the guard rotation. I really believe that Larry Brown will think that he can teach most of these players to play intelligent basketball and buy into his system.
If he were to add this banger at the 4, where would he play? Does that mean Griffin or Taylor ar on the way out? i know everyone wants this so called banger, but at what cost? Do Brown pull another Tim Thomas for Ty Hill trade with Griffin? Griffin might be in trouble for sure, but you don't want to just give him away.I mean , i don't see alot of teams even in the west that have this banger that everyone is looking for.
I agree with everything leebigez says about this being a critical offseason with the exception of Larry Brown. I am not on board with hiring him as head coach given his track record and I personally feel that he will do far more harm than good and he'll be out the door in 3 years.
I said that I suspect that LB would want to bring in a banger at the 4. Why is that such a hard concept to get? When does he play? That seems simple enough. If EG does not get his act together then he is traded or finds his ass squarely at the end of the bench in TMo style. And a banger does not necessarily mean a starter, it could mean a Charles Oakley, Tyrone Hill type that can come in and get some rebounds and play some damn defense for 15 minutes a game or so while MoT gets the start. And we could sit here and debate if we should trade EG for Brand, Samaki Walker or a bag of chips all day long but I am just stating what I think Brown will do. As you mentioned Brown traded Thomas for Hill once, do you really think he won't do the same to Tim Thomas cousin (EG) if he does not shape up? At 21 years of age and 2 years with significant NBA starting experience I don’t think LB is going to except any excuses from EG.
How will he change Cutino Mobley into a team player? He doesnt have confidence in Yao Ming, how do you convince him not to attempt so many low percentage shots,he doesnt show any confidence in passing to others, other than Steve Francis.Is it the drive for stats being the benchmark for a 'Star' that drives him in his ways? How will Coach get rid of the notion that its Cats and Steves team ?
Well then allow me to catch you up. http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/1929136 "I'm really impressed with Les. He's a straightforward guy who wants desperately to win and loves his players. And I like the team. Steve Francis called me. And I talked to (former Rockets player) Kenny Thomas, and I talked about the team and organization. He loves it. He said very good things about the organization and the players there."
I'm am not saying LB can do any of that although I believe his track record shows that he might be able to. All I am saying is what I think LB is likely to do. I think LB will see Cats great work ethic and fall in love with it. I beleive that Larry Brown will think that he can teach someone that works that hard and has obvious talent. I also believe that Cat can benefit greatly from LB's teaching and I think Cat will listen to LB. How that translates in the game none of us will know until the season starts. Vernon Maxwell once credited Larry Brown for turning his game around when they were both in S.A. As I recalled he said Brown was the man that really taught him how to play basketball. If he can have that type of an impact on Vernon Maxwell then he certainly can have a positive impact on Cat.
Crash 5179 "There is no doubt that Steve brings probably more talent (athletically speaking) to the table than any guard Brown has ever coached and that includes Ron Harper before his knee injury and Mr. MVP, Allen Iverson." Surely, you are kidding. More talent than Allen Iverson? IMO, Iverson is light years ahead of Francis. Furthermore, I don't think Francis and Brown would be compatible over time. Brown is a basketball purist; Francis is a gifted athlete but is lacking in basketball fundamentals and has streetballer instincts. However, some of this was true of Iverson and Brown made considerable progress with him. IF Francis can be disciplined to play within an offensive system and be made to play defense he can be better than Iverson. But that is a big "IF."
Solid, There is no question that Steve Francis is more Athletically talented than AI. Key word there is Athletically. Francis and AI are about the same with quickness. AI may or may not have a slight edge there but that is where it ends. Steve is stronger, bigger and has much better hops than AI. Does that mean that Steve is a better player than AI? Absolutely not. If I gave that impression then that was not my intent. I do think that if someone can coach AI (we talkin bout practice!) then they can surely do some good with Francis whom I think has a very strong desire to win.
So far so good, on my offseason checklist . New coach good first step. Now, we need : A banger 4, A new starting backcourt mate for steve that passes and shoots (at 1 or 2, dont care) A distributor, rebounding 3 A shooter. Cat to bench (or gone). Big contracts for bench guys eliminated.
There is nothing imperically speaking to support this reasoning. Every place Brown has gone, he has left better off than when he started. Every single team he has coached was a bad (or mediocre) team when he got there and a playoff team when he left. If he can take this team from middle of the pack to championship contender in three years, he can quit and live under the 'H' in the Hollywood sign for all I care. This team needs direction and, as leebigez put it, vision. Brown can provide that and then, if he wants to move on, so be it.
Crash 5179, you make some good points, I have been very frustrated with Francis' play as many have, and there are days I think that the Rockets would be better without him, BUT, if can be coached to his potential he could become a Hall of Famer. IMO he is far far from that now.
i think LB can discipline francis coz francis is really hungry for the play-offs and he said he's the leader of the team and i guessed he slowly realized that passing the ball is one of the top priorities of a point guard! and if francis really wants to be a great player, he will listen to LB. just look at iverson. i mean, he was a great player before LB taught him a thing or two. now, he's one of the greatest players in the game. if francis does the same thing, i wouldnt be shocked if his name will be on the level with iverson, bryant, mcgrady, jordan.....
I feel your pain. I have thought many times that it might be best to eith trade Francis or move him to the 2 in favor of a real point guard.
I understand most of what you say Crash, but if i do trade Griffin, i want some package of players or draft pick i can recoup. No one in their right mind thinks that Tim Thomas is worth the money he's getting right now, but for a offensively challenged team like Philly, it hink Brown gave up way too early. Not ot mention he didn't get hardly anything back in return. I think Brown can really help this team in the short run and if he do somehow make this team a 50win 5th seed team next yr, then thats cool too. I just wonder about when he leaves, how will the team look. Right now philly really don't have any upside. They have no young players to really build with Iverson. All those lotto picks they acquired from 95 to 98, only 1 is still there, AI. Even the 1st rd picks they had during the playoffs yrs are gone with little or nothing to show for it. Larry Brown got out at the right time because that team is on the decline for sure.
leebigez, I agree with you about EG but I think the relevant question is what would Larry Brown do. I don't think there is any question what he would do based on his track record if EG does not perform. The one plus in all of this is the fact that if Larry Brown is hired he will not be allowed to just pull the trigger on a trade with out first running it by CD. While CD might agree to get rid of EG at LB's request, I don't think he would just give EG away.
For the most part I agree with you Crash but I think Brown will not be anywhere close to satisfied with Taylor's D. In fact I think a change at the 4 spot is probably the only roster move that may happen. Griffen will get a lot of pressure from Brown and from Steve and Cat once they buy into the system (which will take about 2 minutes) Our guards are very vocal and I have a feeling they're going to ride the other players to pick their games up too. The one thing that Franchise has that AI will never have is a work ethic, and I can see Brown calling him out to be more of a vocal leader because of it. For those that think Brown will break up the back court you're not listening to Brown. In the last year he has stated that both these guys belong at the olympics. He believes they could be the best backcourt in basketball. So he won't be shipping Mobley off. Brown will be the best thing that ever happened to SF and CM, he will show them a better way and they will follow because they respect him. I can't wait to see what all these haters have to say when they see what a real coach can do.
