Feb. 26, 2005, 12:40AM Norris thrilled to be back By MEGAN MANFULL Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle This is where Moochie Norris always wanted to be. Now, he hopes to find a way to stay. When he was dealt to the New York Knicks last December, the veteran point guard broke down in tears. He didn't want to leave Houston. He didn't want to leave the fans who embraced him as one of their favorites. That deep attachment to the Rockets, whom he joined in February 2000, and the city never faltered during the past year when Norris donned a Knicks uniform. Every chance Norris got, he watched the Rockets. "I've been watching them all season long," Norris said after landing in Houston around 3 p.m. Friday. "I've missed Houston that much. I've seen them struggle in certain situations, especially at point guard, where I had an opportunity to fill that void when I was there. It just didn't happen at the time. I feel I have a second shot at it though." The Rockets reacquired Norris, along with Vin Baker, on Thursday in a trade for Maurice Taylor. Because of snowstorms in the East, Norris and Baker missed Friday's practice but are expected to join the team today. Confidence high Norris, 31, will try to earn the backup job to Mike James, who was acquired to temporarily replace the injured Bob Sura. Norris is confident things will be different for him this time around. Last season, in coach Jeff Van Gundy's first year, Norris' minutes dropped dramatically. He shot a career-low 31 percent from the floor and averaged only 13.4 minutes in 30 appearances. "I just need to relax a little more," said Norris, who averaged 10 minutes and 2.6 points in 32 games with New York this season. "I think I put a lot of pressure on myself when I was playing under Jeff last time. He's a great coach and I wanted to do my best. It wasn't his fault. I did it to myself. This time, I just want to let it all hang out and play my game. "I feel he has more confidence in me by bringing me back. He could easily have gone in another direction and gotten someone else." N.Y. was educational Norris said he is in shape and ready to play. He said he learned a lot in New York, especially how to deal with adversity. He was often on the injured list, something with which he never had dealt before. In his three full seasons with the Rockets, Norris played in all 82 games. Norris wants to recapture the success he had with the Rockets and prove to Van Gundy and general manager Carroll Dawson they were right to give him a second chance. He's also thrilled to again play in front of the Rockets' fans. "I know some security will have to keep me from going in the stands and giving everyone hugs," he said. "This crowd is who inspired me to play well." megan.manfull@chron.com http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/3058379
It's nice for him to come back home, but he's going to end up taking either Gaines spot or sit next to Clutch the Bear.
Moochie is a great guy and this article kind of makes me want him to be here again.. but some players game's just don't fit well and I do not think Moochie is a good fit for this team. I would very much love to see him be successful this year with the Rockets just because he has a great heart and loves the city, but his TO's and dribble mania will not suit well in our plans. Good luck Mooch, glad to see you back on the bench, keep it nice and warm bro.
Not a lot of love for Mooch on this board. He should have an opportunity over the next 5 games to show something backing up James, hope he makes the best of it. Mooch is a good guy. Welcome back my man, but grow back the Fro that was you.
Mooch seems like a really good guy. I felt the same about MoT. But he hasn't done too much in the last two years, I hope he can turn things around though. I'm rooting for him.
What Moochie needs to do is just to bring the ball up, then immediately pass the ball to T-mac or Wesley.
Yea, I don't understand why there is so much hate for him. He played allright as a spark PG off the bench for us. I assume much of the hatred stems from his contract compared to his production. Sort of like the PF we just traded away.
moochie by all accounts seems like a really cool guy but it's just too bad he's not any good. nobody could actually hate moochie but when you get a fat contract and don't produce you gotta expect some bad talk. he's probably the backup to james now, atleast by default, but he won't play at all when sura gets back.
I'm going to save my opinion of Mooch until he start playing w/us again. I think he should play better than AB.
We should all show our love to the new rockets... afterall we're all on the same boat now. I was never a big fan of the in-game Moochie, but I liked him as a person. He's extremely optimistic and he truly loves houston and us, the fans. How many players in the NBA tears up when they found out they've been traded to another team? This guy's down to earth and he adores the fans. I'm glad to see him back. I hope he works hard and earns a spot in the rotation. Welcome back Moochie! Go Rockets!
Yeah i think he could get most of the mins at backup PG until Sura gets back. Once Sura gets back, however, Moochie better get use to that bench.
Mooch can warm the bench. When he signed that new contract, he went out and put on a ton of weight in the offseason. That tells me right there he is neither a great person nor a great player. Maybe we can interest Orlando in him.
I was at the triple overtime game against Indiana where Moochie hit shots at the end to help keep us in the game and win, It was a really fun game - the crowd loved Moochie-I never heard Compaq center any louder... I never did like Moochie throwing the ball away or burning up the clock with the dribbling....He had trouble executing. He came to play overweight his contract year - that was not right! I hope he can play some role- the fans will love it, but I will take Andre Barrettt over Moochie. Hopefully Sura is OK and Moochie and Barrett can play a Glen Rice- Weatherspoon type role of non existence because Sura and JAmes are doing fantastic at the point!!
