Chron: Piatkowski has winning expectations as Rocket

Love this guys attitude. Exactly the type of class act dude we need on this team.



Piatkowski has winning expectations as Rocket

By JONATHAN FEIGEN
Copyright 2003 Houston Chronicle

After nine years as the Clipper who didn't complain, didn't change and most of all didn't leave, Eric Piatkowski knew the time had come.

He could put up with all it meant to be stuck on Los Angeles' junior varsity and even signed a then-unheard-of long-term deal to keep banging his head on that hard wall. But immediately after Piatkowski joined the Rockets on Saturday, he spoke of aspirations he never could before.

He talked about winning.

"I just really, really want to win," Piatkowski said. "We haven't been successful in the past nine years in LA. There's an opportunity to come in here, win a lot of games and be very successful in the playoffs."

For Piatkowski, the Rockets' four consecutive lottery seasons amount to a brief postseason dry spell. Still, as Piatkowski and general manager Carroll Dawson spoke Saturday of how Piatkowski will fit in, there was a sense he could fill needs for the Rockets to get back to the playoffs.

He was signed Saturday, less than a week after forward James Posey signed an offer sheet with the Memphis Grizzlies. Dawson would not say that the Rockets had decided to pass on their option to match the four-year, $24 million offer and luxury-tax hit. But the Rockets seem certain to let Posey go now that they have signed Piatkowski.

But Dawson emphasized that Piatkowski will bring different strengths than Posey. Had they signed Posey, the budget might not have allowed the Rockets to bring in one of the top free-agent marksmen available. But with Piatkowski the 10th member of the Rockets' roster, Dawson considered a problem solved.

"We think he fits well," Dawson said. "He brings a lot of things to the table that our team definitely needs, shooting being one of them.

"Our shooting percentage last year was (44 percent). He's been a great shooter ever since he's been in the league. He's a great passer to the post. That is one of the hardest things to do in this league. Nobody in the league does more moving without the basketball than he does. He's going to be a big plus. He brings a lot to our team."

Piatkowski, 32, averaged 9.7 points per game last season, while making 47.1 percent of his shots overall and 39.8 percent of his 3-pointers. Shooting is his strength, but he and Dawson said he is more active and athletic than his reputation indicates.

"Just talking to basketball people that really watch the game, general managers and coaches ... know it's not just the outside shooting," Piatkowski said. "I think I run the floor as well as anybody in the league. I'm a lot more athletic than people think."

More than coaches and general managers have reached that conclusion.

"He spreads the court," Rockets guard Cuttino Mobley said. "He's one of the best shooters in the NBA. That will help us a lot. But he goes off the dribble, too. And he can get up and down the court. With us, he's going to be able to show more of his skills."

Piatkowski started at shooting guard for the Clippers. Posey started at small forward, potentially creating an opening there. But Piatkowski said he is unconcerned about starting or coming off the bench, or playing guard or forward.

"After the conversations I had with (Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy) he views the two and three spot almost like they are the same spot," Piatkowski said. "It might just depend on who you're guarding that night. I have no problem with that. I hit the weight room. I'm strong enough. I'm tall enough. I can play those guys."

Still, Piatkowski's shooting touch is expected to be the most welcome addition. His shooting percentage last season was better than any Rockets player, save centers Kelvin Cato and Yao Ming.

"I was looking for teams that could play inside out," Piatkowski said. "With Yao Ming down low, he's going to demand the double team. He's going to become better and better every year. He's going to become the most dominant player in the league the next couple of years."

But more than anything, Piatkowski said the chance to finally win more than he loses was an attraction he could not, and really didn't want to resist.

"People think to athletes money is the most important. I don't think it is," he said. "When you're winning games, it's an absolute blast being out there. You get on a winning streak, you sleep better, your food tastes better, everything's wonderful.

"Whatever it takes to win right now. I've tasted the losing side of it. Now, I want to win. I think this is going to be the start of something wonderful. And when I look back on my NBA career, my fondest members, the best moments will all be in a Rockets uniform."

Wow according to that last statement..... he really HATED being a Clipper. That or he realizes we are going to be an elite team in a few years.....