-------- http://www.basketballnews.com/content/nba/nba_set.asp?main=preview_hou.asp -------- NBA team preview Houston Rockets — ranked No. 17 By BasketballNews.com staff Oct. 14, 2000 The Rockets are nearly a totally different team than the one that had three future Hall of Famers in Charles Barkley, Scottie Pippen and Hakeem Olajuwon just two years ago. Instead of a team focused on its interior offense and veteran players, Houston now revolves around the backcourt trio of Steve Francis, Shandon Anderson and Cuttino Mobley. The difference is like night and day, but the young guards have pumped some excitement into the Rockets’ organization. Now can they pull out some wins? There should definitely be improvement from last year, when Barkley and Olajuwon both missed lots of time with injuries and Francis was still feeling his way as a rookie. But even with Olajuwon back and healthy, this is now Francis’ team. Having the Dream and free-agent signee Maurice Taylor certainly helps the inside game, but the perimeter is where this team will shine. Backcourt: Francis has quickly become one of the top point guards in the league, but like many points who can score as well, he’ll have to find the right mix of shooting and passing to keep his teammates happy. Anderson is a strong defender and had a very underrated first season in Houston a year ago, averaging a career-best 12.3 points. Mobley is the offensive spark off the bench, teaming with Francis to form the speediest backcourt in the league. Throw in CBA refugee Moochie Norris at backup point, and most guards will have trouble staying with this group. Frontcourt: The hope is that Olajuwon is past all of his health problems of a year ago and can put together a nice going-away season. Although Olajuwon has actually talked about playing past this season, the thought in Houston is that this is his last year in a Rockets uniform. He’ll have an active power forward in Taylor next to him, although the former Clipper isn’t exactly a force on the boards. Kelvin Cato will back up both the 4 and the 5, although he’s better-suited as a power forward. When he and Olajuwon are in the game together, there may not be a better one-two shot-blocking combo in the league. Second-year forward Kenny Thomas will also play some power forward, providing a nice low-post presence offensively. Walt Williams should start at the 3, where he’ll provide a spot-up shooter for Francis to look for when he penetrates. Matt Bullard will fill that role off the bench, while rookies Dan Langhi and Jason Collier will be hoping to find a little time on the front line as well. Rockets at a glance Significant subtractions: Forward Charles Barkley (retirement), guard Bryce Drew (trade). Significant additions: Forward Jason Collier (trade), forward Dan Langhi (draft), forward Maurice Taylor (free agency). Strengths: Shot-blocking; depth and speed in the backcourt; three-point shooting; rebounding. Weaknesses: Bad turnover differential; scoring defense; height in the backcourt; too much youth and inexperience. Projected starting five G — Steve Francis Needs to strike a balance between shooting and passing. G — Shandon Anderson Had career scoring year last season but could be even better. F — Walt Williams Fills in the holes with long jumpers and drives to the hoop. F — Maurice Taylor Rockets would love to see him hit the boards much more. C — Hakeem Olajuwon Doesn’t have to be the Hakeem of old to have an impact. Key reserves G — Cuttino Mobley Small but blazingly quick and deadly from long range. G — Moochie Norris Thriving now that he’s overcome insomnia problem. F/C — Kelvin Cato Great on defense; seems lost on offense. F — Kenny Thomas If only he had Cato’s height to go along with his post moves. F — Matt Bullard Continues to be one of the league’s best sharp-shooting big men. F — Dan Langhi Second-round pick may make more of an impact than first-rounder Collier. Outlook Things are going right if … the guards are penetrating, Francis is dishing and Hakeem has Rockets fans flashing back to the mid-’90s. Things are going wrong if … Olajuwon shows his age, Francis becomes another gunner like Allen Iverson and the rest of the youngsters get lost in the process. BN.com’s prediction: 41-41, fifth place in Midwest Division Sunday: BasketballNews.com’s 16th-ranked team ---------- I don't know if anyone's posted this yet but I posted it anyways just to refresh your memory and let you know where people think the Rockets are heading this season. ------------------ Francis out top, 9 seconds on the clock, he gives a no look pass to Cuttino Mobley, 4 seconds left, Mobley passes to an open Langhi in the corner with 1 second left! Langhi at the buzzer.......YES!!! How Sweet It Is!!
why aren't there any threads that say we goin to definitely make the play offs...? ------------------ "Wahooo"-homer
They should have had that in the Significant Additions section. We had no need for a third string point guard. We also got cap room and a pick. ------------------
Moochie had a insomnia problem? Was that when he was with the Rockets? ------------------ Cuttino Mobley Online
He was with Seattle when he had the problem. Mango ------------------ Test Your NBA Trade Ideas 1. Put new topics in the proper forum. Things happening in the rest of the NBA 2. Use clear wording for new threads. 3. No duplicate threads 4. Conduct yourself as an adult. The Serious Police are watching. Donate Blood or be assimilated!
Bill and Calvin were talking about it during a game last year I think against the nugs. He was playing for the Supes and he was so nervous about holding a job he slept only 2 hours a night. ------------------ The best is yet to come. Go Rockets!
yeah... SI was talking about how good he could be without the problem. now we know. who thinks he could be a successfull starter if we didnt have stevie? I definately do
So thats why his eyes are all buged out ------------------ This signature space for rent call 555 ...
Mocchie's problem kept him up ofr like a week...supossedly. I heard that it was just Westphal hating on him, and that's the reason they came up with for him ot playing. ------------------
