I hate what has happened to our team this year. Injuries have really killed this season, one in which Steve was to lead us back to the playoffs. The one good thing about not making it is that we can continue to build through the draft because of our high pick. I would have rather have gone to the post season, but do any of us really want to see the team get embarrassed by the Lakers in the first round? The only real positive would be just to give the team the experience of being there. We can now add another piece to the puzzle through the draft or by trading the pick (which might be the best move given the right deal). Looking at our line up I really think that next year we might be as good as the elite teams in the west, after only 3 years of rebuilding! Point Guards-Steve and Mooch Steve is the unquestioned leader of the team who basically carries the team night in and night out. Next year he'll have a lot more help with Mo and Rice back and more time with Eddie, TMo, and OT. Moochie is the perfect back up for Steve, he plays the same type of game and teamed with Steve and Mobes may be the best small team in the league. Shooting Guards- Cat and OT Cuttino and Steve are more than almost any backcourt in the league can handle, especially when Cuttino is on. OT has the ability to provide Shanderson type numbers and has a better J. Small Forwards- TMO and Rice One player does all the little things to win games and the other can win games on his own. TMo is the type of player that offensive teams need, a worker who doesn't force shots. Rice can come off the bench and stretch the defense with his shot and take the heat off our guards and posts. Power Forwards-Griff and MoT Griffin is another franchise player who hopefully will put up KG like numbers and force the league to pick their poison between himself and Steve/Mobes/Rice (much like the Lakers). Griffin can shut down the lane and crashes the boards. MoT is instant offense like Rice off the bench. Facing more backups will hopefully give Taylor the opportunity to score more and clean the glass more efficiently. Center- Cato Cato is actually not as bad as everyone makes him out to be. Is he worth the money he is getting? No. But he was offered that contract he didn't request it. He has been coming around, but I don't see him as being a major factor. If he would seriously devote himself to getting better then he would be the last piece. Like Morris he doesn't look to score giving more touches to our offensive weapons. 2002 Draft With only 2 prospects that I can think of over 6'10'' and 240 lbs. there really aren't many options at the center position. If Ming or Marcus aren't available wherever we pick I really think that we trade the pick for either an established post or multiple picks. I really am hesitant about both players though if they are there. One player I do really like who I think might be available in the mid to late first round is Vincent Yarbrough(20 ppg, 7rbs, 3 ast, and 1 blk from the small forward).
This season is not over yet. Im truley peeved the horns choked against Colorado , but this is Clutch-City! Not Choke-City.Hook-em Rockets! Go Texans!!
