Last season disappointed, but I'll think about it for one last time... <object width="400" height="300"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/3a0z9ZcSwPQ"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/3a0z9ZcSwPQ" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="400" height="300"></embed></object> OK, I'm over it now. It's time to get excited about this season. People are upset and intangibles has wrongly become a dirty word but it's something the Rockets actually need more. Heart is an intangible and this team needs an injection of heart. Battier, McGrady, and Yao have enough outright talent to take this team to the next level but fast cars get nowhere without gas. I believe the Rockets can contend even with Alston retained as the starting point. As long as a backup is available and able to create offense it'll be all good. An All Star or superstar point guard with quick and fancy footwork on par with Ian Astbury isn't a necessity. <object width="400" height="300"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/YJUoXOb4i1Q"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YJUoXOb4i1Q" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="400" height="300"></embed></object> Heart is harder to quantify, harder to commit dollars to. To get heart onto this team would require balls by the Rockets management. I believe they will make the necessary moves. A couple of free agents I associate with heart are Travis Diener (PG) & Ronny Turiaf (PF). Diener: http://www.nba.com/magic/news/Travis_Diener-146320-800.html http://www.nba.com/magic/news/Travis_Diener_Measuring_Up-147837-800.html Turiaf: http://www.nbcsports.com/nba/377576/detail.html When the Rockets get these guys that run on heart (not necessarily Diener or Turiaf), they'll come along with their own theme song. Instead of having Yao banging the drums along to the tune of Wild Thing by the Troggs (nothing to do with Mick Jagger or Keith Richards as one ESPN commentator suggested). We're going to have McGrady, Battier, and the other guys join him to sing this... <object width="400" height="300"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/rq3PVHVn0kE"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/rq3PVHVn0kE" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="400" height="300"></embed></object> I can't wait.
Turiaf is better than Chuck Hayes. Bigger, stronger, more versatile, hustles just as much and can actually shoot the ball sometimes. I would take him in a minute and let Chuck go.
Not sure if he's really that much better... not better enough to keep his team from a one-sided series loss. Turiaf also has some John Amaechi issue with the man-boobs.
Using your logic, Chuck wasn't good enough to keep the Rockets from blowing a 2-0 series lead. Turiaf does everything Chuck does and he is more skilled. Plus he doesn't lead the league in blown layups.
