[Chron] Norris gets serious ... about winning

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Norris gets serious ... about winning
Rockets' lovable guard puts jokes aside, focuses on contributing
By JONATHAN FEIGEN
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle


Moments before tipoff, with his Rockets teammates making their way to the court, Moochie Norris was in his usual position, offering a last high five or back slap before the start.

The Philadelphia 76ers mascot made his way over to goof around, preparing for one of those typical NBA bits: The Sixers' mascot meets the Rockets' mascot.

Norris smiled a little and turned away, no longer willing to simply be the fuzzy, lovable, cheerful character.

He has returned to his previous job: point guard.

"I've just grown up, gotten older," Norris said. "When I got here I was 27, 28. Now I'm 32. I'm more focused, more serious about the game. It's about winning.

"It's fun while you're out there doing it. But before, I was just so excited about playing the game, I didn't focus on the actual game like I needed to. These last two years I've really started to understand how you lose and what it takes to win basketball games."

When Norris made the Rockets out of the Continental Basketball Association in the 1999-2000 season, he fit in well with their style. He was a cheerful playmate for Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley and a fan favorite with an explosion of hair and fun-loving manner.

But when the Rockets' style changed, he was not in good enough shape or serious enough and was sent to the New York Knicks in a move that broke up the running buddies.

"I think a lot of it for anybody in this league is the players that surround you," Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy said. "We have guys that are professional and fun, and I think that's what Moochie's turned into. He's a professional. It's not like he lost his personality. But there is a time and place for everything."

Understanding what Van Gundy wanted, Norris got in better shape and streamlined his game. He did not play more than a few cameos last season, but Van Gundy said he saw the difference. The change has been more obvious this preseason.

Fleet on his feet
His improved quickness has been most evident. Instead of needing five up fakes or jab steps to get a defender off balance, he can make one move and go. Against the Sixers, he stayed with Allen Iverson on a drive and stripped him. Against the Spurs, Norris cut off Beno Udrih for a steal.

When the Rockets got off to a ragged start in the second half against San Antonio, Norris settled them down.

He has run the Rockets offense more efficiently. Norris has played in two games, making five of eight shots with seven assists and six rebounds in 44 minutes.

"I got my weight back down to where it was when I was playing good basketball, so I can get from A to B like I used to," Norris said. "It's easier for me to make plays and create opportunities for my teammates and for myself. The screen-and-roll has become huge. When I can get separation from my guy, nine out of 10 times I can get in the paint and make something happen for my teammates.

"In Jeff's offense, he talks about the pick-and-roll and the trigger guy. His first thing is when you come off the pick-and-roll, be aggressive to make a play. With me doing that, trying to get around the corner with the least amount of dribbles, I'm not pounding it as much."

Times change
Van Gundy makes his distaste for pounding the ball clear. But when the Rockets signed Norris, the rules and team were different. The Rockets signed Norris in 2001 to his current five-year contract (a sixth season is a team option), because he was valuable alongside Mobley and Francis.

The thinking was that they would always have two quick, one-on-one guards on the court when most teams had just one defender capable of staying with them.

Then the rule changes came, allowing zones and the since-banned handchecks. Mobley adjusted and Francis remained a force, but Norris grew out of shape and became ineffective.

The Rockets brought him back last season largely because his contract had one fewer guaranteed season than Maurice Taylor's.

Rafer Alston looks to be the starter. Behind him, the Rockets could use shooting guards David Wesley or Luther Head to defend point guards and let forward Tracy McGrady initiate the offense. But Norris has made himself an option.

"I'm staying professional, just doing my job," Norris said. "Whether I play or I don't play, I was hired to do a job and I'm going to do it. If I'm in the rotation or if I'm not, I'm going to help my teammates. Whatever it is, I'm a part of this team. I'm trying to continue to play basketball."

That could be more enjoyable than just playing around.
Rockets summary
Range rover
After getting Monday night off and going through a light workout Tuesday, Rockets forward Tracy McGrady put himself through some impressive shooting drills, taking 300 to 400 shots while circling the
3-point arc and then circling back from 10 feet beyond the arc.

The worst he shot at any particular station, he said, was 5-of-10 from 35 feet.

"I was just getting a workout in," McGrady said. "It was kind of a light practice today. We weren't going up and down the court. Actually, I do that all the time at home, me and my trainer. After my workouts, I take a few steps back and
just shoot long distance
and see how deep my range really is."

College day
Former UNLV, Fresno State and San Antonio Spurs coach Jerry Tarkanian stopped in at the end of practice to visit with his former assistant with the Spurs, Tom Thibodeau, now an assistant with the Rockets.

He also got to see Rafer Alston, who played for Tarkanian at Fresno State.

"It was a surprise," Alston said. "It's great to see my college coach. He looks in great health, great condition.

"Even though we had a rough time at Fresno, I always look at all the positives. Coach was always there for the players. He means well and people underestimate the importance he puts in education and being a great person in the community."

Feeling their pain
Rockets forward Tracy McGrady had a pretty good idea about how the Astros must have felt Monday after a loss to the St. Louis Cardinals, having been so close to a breakthrough playoff victory himself.

"When it was 4-2, we all thought the game was over," McGrady said. "It was kind of a shocker, but they have a little bit of a cushion.

"I had one like that when I played in Orlando (in 2002). Baron Davis (then playing for the Charlotte Hornets) hit a shot off the glass and put the game in overtime. It sucked the life out of us."

The Magic went on to lose the game and the first-round playoff series.

Replays showed that Davis' shot actually came after the buzzer, leading to the NBA's current use of replays on all last-second shots.

jonathan.feigen@chron.com