Oscar Torres is emerging as a major player on the team and in the league. When he gets the minutes, he produces. He accumulated significant numbers tonight in a losing cause. He did put the team in the position to win in the O.T., a three-pointer and clutch free throws. He hustles, plays tough defense, rebounds, shoots well, has range, good lateral movement, elevates well, is quick, runs the court with speed, etc. Is Torres an emerging All Star, or a journeyman player. What do you think? I think we are witnessing something special.
He's playing very well...It will be interesting to see how he reacts in a couple of months after everybody in the league has seen him and starts to adjust their defense to him...He really hasn't hit his "tough stretch" where he has a significant shooting slump...Hopefully, he'll play well under adversity... I wouldn't be too worried, though...If he keeps playing well, we'll sign him to a seven year, $65 million contract extension next month...Nothing like a little financial security to keep a player motiviated!
Train, no way we sign him for 7 years and $65 mil he's at least worth Garnett money in Rudy and CD eyes. Riches contract in Rocket History 10 yrs 200 mil at least.
At least Torres would be worth the long term money. This guy is exactly what I like to see, not only does he hustle....he is SMART....I mean court savvy. Up fakes, nice passes, floaters, you name it, he knows how to play the game..the RIGHT way. DaDakota PS... I would trade Mobley today for Tinsley...man for a PG like that on this team.
DaDakota, Do you think this guy is beyond journeyman status? He at times appears Drexler-like not only in his appearance, but in his movements and overall performance? Do you think it is too early to tell, or are we witnessing the emergence of a bonified marquee player? His monster dunk the other night still sticks in my mind. His rising minutes suggests that Rudy is impressed. What do you think?
I think Torres is an INCREDIBLE find, he is athletic, a good shooter, and smart. I would not say great yet, but he is already smarter on the basketball court then ANY other Rocket player. He just has the confidence and ability to succeed. I think he is a keeper. Also, I think Rudy starting him over Walt is a good indicator of what he thinks....in fact, I think Rice's days of starting are over. Torres is doing it against first team and 2nd team NBA player, and he is doing it without b****ing and moaning. Not to mention, he already seems to have the respect of the referees. He gets the calls. A lot of young guys could learn a lot from him, he is the REAL DEAL !!! DaDakota
The only thing I hate about Oscar is that there's one point during the game - a crucial possession - where he heaves a 3 pointer that just makes you go "huh"? Kinda like you just know Dan Langhi's gonna fire up at least one airball somewhere in the game. Outside of that, I like the way he pushes the ball. Watching Oz play reminds me a lot of Drexler. I've never seen anyone short of Magic push the ball like Drexler did. He had one speed on a fast-break and that was "overdrive". I've seen that same explosiveness out of Oscar. I would love to see Francis, Mobley, and Oz out there at the same time. Maybe we could (re)discover our running game at that point. This dribble-fest until there's 7 seconds on the clock then start throwing the ball around the perimeter only to heave it up at the last second play is frustrating.
If Oscar does continue improving and playing like this, what happens for the future? Do we trade Mobley? Trade Oscar while he's hot? Keep both of them and play one out of position? I would go for trading Mobley, as much as it may break Steve's heart. We re-sign Steve, then shop Mobley around for a C....not picks, not a project, an already developed C. Part of the reason is because I really don't think that Cuttino is growing and learning more about the game as most do by the time they've been playing the years that he has. It may not be every game, but he seems to make stupid rookie-like mistakes...more in some games than in others. The only thing I have against starting both is the SF position may throw off Torres, sort of like it did Shandon. Plus, that would take away touches from somebody. I like the idea of trading Mobley in the offseason or sometime next year for a C of the future. A lineup of Steve, OT, Rice(we're stuck with him/TMo(hopefully), Griffin/Mo, and the C traded for. Now that I think about it, if Griffin could develop some this year, and maybe Mo returned earlier than expected and played this year, we could package Mo and Cat for an even better C. It may be risky shaking up the team, but I'm not convinced these guys will get us to the championship level. Just a few comments...
The only good thing that has come out of these rough stretch of games has been Oz. He has been a real nice surprise. I hope he gets to start from now on. I believe he will only get better as he adjusts to the NBA style of play. I only wish we had another center. Maybe the Rockets can make a move.
One of them must be spending time at SF already. I don't get to see many games, but just looking at the box score, Oscar, Mobes, and Mooch must be on the floor together some of the time. If Oscar cannot handle it, put Cat at SF. He played good d on Spree in the NY game. No SF in the Assoc. can handle his speed.
I dont wanna get rid of torres or mobley. I think oscar can handle the 3 spot pretty good. He's a really strong player, and a pretty good rebounder. I say we keep francis, mobley, and torres as out backcourt. Give them a couple of years to get used to playing together, add a quality center to the mix and the rockets should be a killer team. We should have a pretty high pick in this summers draft. If we can pick a bigman who can come in and help right away like duncan did for SA, then I say we keep him. If not, then trade him, along with thomas and/or cato and some cash to get a great center (zo maybe?).
I also like this guy. He's putting up veteran numbers less than 30 games into his rookie year. Definitely more high on him right now than Griffin as a future starter at the 3... Of course, I want Eddie to grow three inches and gain 45lbs of muscle to become our 5 of the future. His innate blocking/rebounding ability and defensive potential is staggering... If he keeps growing. Otherwise, I want Oscar to start at the 3. He seems to be more consistent than Walt (who can't have too many years left with us - contract ending this year), and can hit as much as Glen could even in his "noncrippled"days, and he plays better defense than both ever have. I really like this guy... He's also shown heart and determination in these bleakest of Rocketsfans days... He might turn out to be this offseason's pleasant long-term surprise, to compensate for the dismal performance EG's put out so far. He does need to learn to speak English, though...
1.) Spreewell is a 6'5 SF 2.) Can he handle KG, Odom/Miles, Marshall, Jamison, Nowitzki/Howard, Van Horn/Martin, Abdur-Rahim/Kukoc, Peja, Hill, R. Lewis, Gasol/Battier's size? would you like the idea of trading Taylor to Denver for LaFrentz? Raef has made it clear that he won't be back to Denver this summer when he becomes a FA if Issel not moved. McDyess is thinking to join Kidd in NJ. they'll love to S&T LaFrentz for a PF like Taylor's caliber.
I'm not worried about Oscar not being used to the three. It is probably the position he played for the last several years in Veneuela. He held hiw own against Jalen Rose last night. At leat 6 rebounds which is good enough for the three. The other thing about Oscar you can tell he is used to being the man, which never hurts when competing against NBA players. It is interesting to see how he is starting to attract the double team which is freeing up Cuttino. I can't wait who will they double team when we have Oscar, Steve and Cuttino on the court.
Thanks for responding guys (and gals if any of you are of that persuasion). Torres has been a bright spot in an otherwise bleak season. Remember he doesn't speak English, a significant limitation from a coaching standpoint. Communication with other players during practices and games is also surely a problem. Yet, his performances have spoken volumes. I am still hopeful that E.G. will live up to his potential. If so, I believe we are seeing the emergence of the future team. It is dark now, but the morning will come. (Oh please come!)
Muwahahaha!!! Me either. But only if we get to keep everyone's minutes down to a reasonable level. Hmmm. PG: Moochie plays 15. Steve plays 33. (48) SG: Steve plays 5. Mobley plays 38. Oscar plays 5. SF: Oscar plays 30. Rice/Walt plays 18. PF: Rice/Walt plays 10. Kenny plays 25. Eddie plays 13. C: Kenny plays 10. Cato/Willis plays 38. And a new rule is installed - if you don't run (esp in transition defence, you get pulled at the next timeout. We are losing games we could be winning b/c of fastbreak points against us.
Oscar is hitting 56% of his 2-pt shots. For a comparison, Cato is 2nd on the team at 49% with Steve 3rd at 48%. Mobley is just 42%, hell Willis is only 43%. Oscar is the shooter that the Rockets have been looking for.
