I ran across this and it makes me even more excited about how much improved we will be over last year. The problems they had were horrific. No line up the same since November! No bench. Last in assists. 26th in shooting. It can only get better!
I did not see this article from the Chronicle anywhere so I will just add it to this Chronicle thread from Rockets Reporter, Jonathen Feigen: http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/sports/bk/bkn/1604804 Oct. 5, 2002, 12:32AM Rockets summary Injury update The Rockets added another key injured player to the watch list, but like Glen Rice and Maurice Taylor, Cuttino Mobley sat out Friday's long workout as a precautionary measure. One year to the day after he first had to miss training camp practices with a strained hip, Mobley was held out with a sore right ankle. He sprained the ankle while playing in Philadelphia last month, but began to have swelling. Taylor (Achilles') and Rice (knee) have been brought back slowly from their surgeries and rehabilitations, but Rice is expected to join the scrimmages tonight. Forward Brandon Kurtz also missed Friday's practice with a bruised right heel. "Glen will probably do a little more tomorrow," Rockets trainer Keith Jones said. "Mo and Cuttino I want to make sure are ready for Tuesday. Mo can start doing more, but Cuttino I'll hold out another day. Going two-a-days, it started to bother him, so I said to sit on it and get it well. "I'm trying to avoid a longer problem. We have 26 days until it matters. If he has to sit down half that time to get it 100 percent we'll do that because I don't want to be dealing with a sore ankle the next seven months and neither does he. "They're so competitive they want to play, but in the big scheme that doesn't make sense. And Cuttino doesn't lose his conditioning." Lighter workout After three straight days of two-a-day practices, Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich shortened Friday's workout to just one afternoon session, much to the pleasure of his players. "This way, we get one good hard practice today, and get a longer rest period tonight," said guard Moochie Norris. "Now we got all this afternoon to go home, get a nap, wake up, eat some food and go back to bed and be ready for two (practices) tomorrow." The Rockets normally hold a morning skills session, followed by an evening practice and scrimmage. Tomjanovich said he was pleased with the intensity and competitive nature of recent scrimmages, and wants his players to continue being fresh for practice. "It's a long day if you have to do the skills with the scrimmaging and all that," Tomjanovich said. Making mark Count guard Juaquin Hawkins among the Rockets' training camp invitees making an impression. Hawkins has showcased his quickness and shooting ability during scrimmages this week. Hawkins (6-7, 205 pounds) was recommended for camp by former Rockets Scott Brooks and Earl Cureton. He played for the ABA2000's Southern California Surf last season, averaging 13 points and 5.2 rebounds. The journeyman also has played in the Continental Basketball Association and United States Basketball League, as well as overseas in Taiwan, Japan and the Philippines. He's even taken a spin with the Harlem Globetrotters. "He's older, he's been around. I like those guys that have been there," Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich said. "They don't take it for granted. That's how Scotty Brooks and Mario (Elie) were. I love that kind of consistent effort." Dunking face The normally reserved Eddie Griffin finally cracked a smile Friday after slamming home a pass from Oscar Torres. "That was my first dunk of training camp, so I was happy with it," Griffin said. "There'll be many more to come." As for camp, coach Rudy Tomjanovich said Griffin has been more energetic and animated than last year. "I see more aggressiveness, especially fighting for position to get the ball," he said. "His talent level ... when he goes after rebounds, it's his." -- JANNY HU and JONATHAN FEIGEN
