What is it with great (young) shooters coming to Houston and then losing their "touch?" Shannon Anderson Bryce Drew Eric Floyd Dave Jamerson Dan Langhi Bostjan Nachbar Brent Price University (LCD) Blue
crash8675309 beat me to the one I was going to mention when I saw University (nickname) Blue's post. But I'll counter with... Doug Lee.
It amazes me people still remember Doug Lee. I was going to bring him up, too, but I don't remember him playing for the Rockets at all.
Sleepy Floyd was not young when he came to the Rockets. He came after his prime but still played well as a Rocket.
The offense was ran through Dream and we had more than enough shooters during the time the players you mentioned were on the roster. The In-Out scheme worked well and with Kenny Smith, Elie, Horry, Cassell, Maxwell, Drexler, and to an extent Dickerson, we didn't have room for those guys to be our "Steve Kerr" IMO. Although I like Brent Price and Bryce Drew when they were playing for us.
Eric "Sheepy" Floyd is Sleepy's lesser known relations -- the "future considerations" in the Floyd/Barry Carroll trade. Eric "shot lights out" in practice, but couldn't get it going his first time under the bright lights -- the 81st. game of that season. Ewe-niversity Blue
UB, you didn't list anyone who was a great shooter in the NBA. All you listed were shooters in college who didn't pan out. You do know the 3pt line is line 2-3' further out. btw: why doesn't someone list the players who did become 40% or higher 3pt shooters for the Rockets. And I'd include Mobley who shot 39.5% and was over 40% for all but the last week. Just in Rudy's era, off the top of my head w/o looking, I got: 1. Francis 2. Mobley 3. Bullard 4. Rice 5. Walt Williams 6. Sam Mack 7. Kenny Smith 8. Dickerson 9. Eddie Johnson 10. Maloney
What are you trying to say -- that the Houston coaching staff failed in helping college players transition to the league? Okay. University (Pre-M-ble) Blue
Francis Mobley Maloney Dickerson Bullard Mack all those players made the transition to a farther 3pt line. what are you trying to say with calling Shandon Anderson a "great shooter" at any level.
Power of "M" Theory: Houston should only draft players with the letter "m" in their names. But how does that theory explain the shooting percentages of Francis and Jamerson? You can ask Walt, Terrence, or Moochie about Francis. There's an "m" in "Jamerson," but his stay in the league was brief. Corollary to the Power of "M" Theory: Two "m's" will negate the effect of one "m." In other words, Miami Heat drafted and traded Dave Jamerson to Houston. The two "m's" in "Miami" negated the Power of "M" Theory for the one "m" in "Jamerson." University (Rocket Science) Blue
Damn, you are right. Each of those players I named, except Francis, had an "M" initial. Now we are on to something. Look at the 2000 draft...Would could have picked Michael Redd (43rd pick) instead of Langhi. hehe
Don't forget...Akeem Olajuwon, Rodney McCray, Jim Peterson, Ralph Sampson, Michael Jordan... University (Elementary) Blue
I dont think Nachbar can be considered a great shooter yet. So far he's been a product of hype cause of his predraft Westside workout. I'm still hoping he makes the adjustment, but lets hold off on calling him a great shooter.
Here are a few reason I could think of: 1. They were a major part of the offense for their college teams. Their teams would design plays to get them open. This would not be the case in the NBA. 2. per number 1 - they would get more shots therefore would be able to develop a better rhythm. 3. Players are bigger and more athletic in the NBA 4. Less Zone Defense
