Props to Puff for the scoop on Sam Mack. Call me a hypocrite, but damn, that Phoenix game sent chills down my spine. This year may not be over after all... I guess I will have to forget about the lottery pick for now, and focus on this year. I'll tell you guys one thing, if the Rockets continue playing like they did against Phoenix, we could have a chance. Not a good chance, but a chance. I think all it will take is a few additions, subtractions, and role reversals, at this stage. First of all, the gameplan was great. After watching that game, I now have no doubts that Anderson should be the small forward, with Cat at the off-guard. Francis should be the focal point on offense at all times. I also loved the way Cato was effective without clogging up the lane. We need to play with that gameplan, every night, and especially once Hakeem returns. Now to Sam Mack: I don't think Sam Mack is "the answer" and will solve all of our problems with his 3-point shooting. No, I think his addition will have an indirect effect on the team. With the addition of Mack, we would have a legit backup swing player. Finally, this would allow us to start Shandon at the small forward, and move Walt to the bench. If Rudy did that NOW, without a legit backup, he would have an unbalanced lineup. It would leave him without a backup shooting guard, since Mobley would be the starter. The sooner the better, we need Sam Mack, so that Mobley can start. [This message has been edited by thacabbage (edited December 04, 1999).]
where might i ask is carlos rogers gonna play? When Tmass comes back, he will be backing up barkley also. So that means carlos will have even less minutes than he does now. with shandon and walt at the 3 spot, where would carlos get his minutes. plus, with the good play of kenny thomas, carlos might get even less minutes.
Francis3: Me, you, and pretty much everyone else on this BBS...we're just stupid fans. It may seem easy to coach the team from our armchairs, but we wouldn't last a day in the NBA world. AlaskanSnowman: Who said anything about Walt playing? The way I see it, I would take Williams completely out of the rotation.
Well Cab, whaddaya think of TONIGHT'S game v. the Suns? I'll tell ya, we should have won the last one too. Hopefully we've bottomed out for the year already and momentum's in our favor. Glad to have ya back!
Cabbage Alot of good points. Shandon has really stepped it up. Rudy seems to expect more D from Walt. That might be part of the cause for his slump. He should take a seat if he can't adjust. Sam Mack would be a good fit. Do you see any help via trade after the time limits expire this month?
thacabbage, I couldn't agree more! We have won three of the last five games by cranking up the running game and passing the ball to the open shooter. Shooting 48% for the game like we did last night will win us alot of games! Mack can shoot and run, Walt can't do either! I feel so badly for the Wizard, but it is time to juggle the linup and reward Mobley! (He sacrificed all of last season playing out of position for us). C: Cato, Hamilton, Olajuwon (IR) PF: Barkley, Thomas, Rogers, Massenburg (IR) SF: Anderson, Williams, Bullard SG: Mobley, Mack PG: Francis, Drew Do I need to take up a collection to get the Rockets to sing Sam Mack or what? We would be a force defensively and run the other teams into the ground on offense!!! Plus Barkley and Cato could set some mean picks for Anderson to utilize his talent. The opponents have been killing us with the pick and roll play, it is time to return the favor!
I've said it thousands of times, and I'll say it more until Rudy changes the lineup: "When Anderson, Mobley, and Francis are all playing agressive, not a team in the NBA can match up with us." I don't care what big names the Western Conference has. From what I have seen, Shandon Anderson's all around ability is worlds better than Anfernee Hardaway. Jason Kidd got outplayed by Francis and Drew in seperate games. San Antonio's perimeter should be on crutches. Same goes for Utah. With Rice and Fischer, LA would have no chance against us in the running game. They need to make this switch. I don't care of Walt Williams was making 50% of his shots...he has to go. He just doesn't fit the type of game plan we need to be using. We need to attack the defense, make them chase us 94 feet. Francis and Cato have already shown great chemistry, and hopefully Anderson can keep up his play. How long until we make the switch?
Sign SAm Manck and play the player without the slump. Mobley should start. We dont NEED a "spark from the bench". How bout a spark from the tipoff. Rogers and maybe Thomas(whichever) could be our sparks.
