I know you either like him (I'm a fan) or you hate him (like many of you Houston residents because of his criticism of Houston when you all hosted the Super Bowl), but, the Sports Guy likes us. http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/part2/061101 24. The Rockets Mmmmmmm ... can you smell that? It's the smell of common sense. The eighth pick dealt away for a proven Glue Guy (Shane Battier). A mid-level exemption spread around on multiple guys, including a proven playoff scorer with a terrible agent (Bonzi Wells). Underrated role players with specific qualities that work for winning teams, like rookie Steve Novak (a freakishly good 3-point shooter), Chuck Hayes (one of those bangers who always rates high on Hollinger's PER reports) and Vassilis Spanoulis (a shifty Greek guard who definitely needs a nickname like "Kojak"). And if that's not enough, they have two of the best 12 players in the league in Yao and T-Mac. There are eight teams that could win the NBA title next spring. This is one of them.
He had alil more info on the rockets at the bottom. LONGSHOTS Houston: Would you bet on Yao and T-Mac holding up through June? Probably not. But at 18-to-1, they're the best longshot bet on the board. By far. You can go to war with Yao, T-Mac, Bonzi and Battier in May and June.
I like his take! I agree with most of what he wrote except I believe he's over-rating the Cavs quite a bit.
Hen also has us going to the 2nd round (beating the Nugz), and Dallas going out in the 1st (losing to Phoenix). While I like the theory (F*ck Dallas), Bill really needs to review the new playoff format.
In Part I of his preview, he picked CD to win GM of the Year. That would be quite a turnaround considering how bad their offseason was looking a few months back right after Mike James turned them down for Minnesota.
I like his wisdom...Yao, T-mac, Battier & Bonzi in May and June will be a load for ANYBODY to handle esp if they are really in sync with each other and healthy going into the last few weeks of the reg season and in position for home court in the first rd.
I think you are thinking of Charlie Rosen. Simmons articles are almost always enjoyable to read...even when he decides to bash your own team because they are funny to read. Simmons is a die hard Celtics fan but I don't think he has a lot of love for Houston. I think he said something to the effect that he was sick of having to travel to Houston after the NBA All-Star Game, the Super Bowl and the Astros going to the world series all happened in the same 12 month period.
If the Rockets are healthy and clicking come the playoffs watch out, because nobody is going to want a piece of that team! I'm pumped about tonight!
