Facing a summer in which Hakeem, Shandon, and Mo will all become free agents and assuming c-webb and deke either stay with their current teams or move to another team not named the rockets, I was wondering if anyone else feels like the rockets might end up like the bulls? And if so, what should be the rockets top priority? ------------------ I am an invisible man.
Nope, unlike the Bulls, the Rockets are winning. Also, the Rockets have not placed all their eggs in the FA basket, like the Bulls did. ------------------ The Rockets will be the NBA champions. Believe.
There is very little comparison to the Bulls, outside of the fact we are both rebuilding after championship years. The huge difference is how free agents view both teams, and how they treated their players. Stars have looked at how Jordan was treated, and noone really wanted to go there, and get treated the same way. <ol>[*] Houston is known for treating players right, so its a place free agents are attracted to, and will actually play for less just to be here, such as Barkley, Anderson, Taylor... [*] Houston still has a coach everyone would like to play for, once again attracting free agents. [*] Houston is farther along in their rebuilding process than Chicago was last year. We have a franchise player in Francis (PG), and two future stars in Mobely (SG) and Taylor (SF - that's what Francis said...), and a defensive stopper in Anderson (SG/SF). Dream could easily sign back on for next year, while we bring along a center we draft this year, and perhaps develop Cato. We have a good backup PF in Thomas. That leaves the PF starting position. Webber is the prize that would take our team to more championship years. [*] We still have Dream, who has championship experience. Chicago doesn't have any veterans who know how to get back to the top. Chicago's rookies are good, but won't win any championships soon. FA's of the value we seek, are looking to get to a team that they would be the missing piece to go to a championship. The Lakers, NY, Philly, Dallas, Orlando, and Houston would be those teams. Houston is really only a player or two away from a championship team. Chicago needs 4 more. [*] There is a chemistry among Houston's rebuilding group, which Francis clearly leads. They are having fun out there, playing with passion, and doing extraordinary things. They just need that intimidating player in the paint. Look what has already happened, just with Dream getting back to his old self. We need more of that. [/list=a] ------------------ the more I know, the more I know I don't know... [This message has been edited by Sherlock (edited February 23, 2001).]
Puedlfor, I think you need to understand that I am not saying that the rockets are the bull in every respect, but what I am saying that we could end up like them without any significant free agents. I already agree that the rockets have a more repected owner and coach. But (like I have said) that does not guarantee us that we can sign c-webb or or deke or even our own free agents. Other teams besides the bull have the same type of owner and coach. The same can be said for us winning. I do this you make a great sencond point, I think our plan is very appealing to free agents, but does that give us an inside track on free agents? I'm not sure it does. ------------------ I am an invisible man.
SamCassell, I am not so sure the rockets will not try and resign Hakeem considering his play of late and I am not conviced that Shandon or Mo will want to stay, even if they do, trying to sign all those two, Hakeem, and going after c-webb, could be a major problem. Since it seems a foregone conclusion that the rockets are going to offer c-webb the max, his decision or lack of a timely decision should I say could affect our chances of signing our own players or any other free agent. It is a matter of priority and other players are not going to just wait for the rockets! ------------------ I am an invisible man.
KMB: Congratulations, that's the most depressing post of the year. Fortunately, it's also absolutely wrong in every conceivable aspect. 1. Francis is substantially better than Brand. Brand has great #'s, but this doesn't translate into wins... it's called the "Clipper Effect." He plays for a poor team, shoots alot, gets good #'s against weak Eastern opponents. 2. Mobley. The Bulls have no DECENT players besides Brand. Ok, Mercer isn't the worst player in the NBA, but that's about all I can say in his favor. Can't create, decent jump shot. Yipee. 3. Better spare pieces. Sure, some of us may dislike Walt, Rogers, etc... but at least they're capable of contributing. The Bulls have very few players who can take over even a single game... Walt and Rogers have each proven that in any ONE game, either can be the deciding factor. 4. The worst scenario ain't gonna happen... no reason to worry about it. Chicago is COLD, has a crappy owner, GM, and coach... who wants to go there? Houston has warm weather, a likable coach, and a respected GM. Chicago didn't have "bad" luck... their hell is of their own creating. It won't happen to teams that don't make the same mistakes. So for Godsakes, cheer up a little! ------------------ Why is it that everytime BC defeats a major conference opponent, that opponent promptly goes on a losing streak? PS. Notre Dame sucks [This message has been edited by haven (edited February 23, 2001).]
Haven, Thanks for the pick me up . The truth is I am worried the rockets will over-commit to c-webb and but left with nothing in return. ------------------ I am an invisible man.
You guys are forgetting that C Webb has already stated he's not necessarily interested in the team who can pay him the most money. Money's appealing, but if one player takes it all, you can't surround him with a winning team as effectively. I think if Dream keeps up what he's doing, our first priority should be to see if he's willing to play another year with us at a considerable drop in pay. I sure hope the Rockets organization asks him, and I hope Dream will at least consider. Next, it's interesting to think of Mo as a small forward. Sherlock said he heard Francis call Mo a SF, and I dunno if that's true, but I like the fact that it gives Mo a place to start if we actually do end up signing C Webb. I wonder how much $ Mo's gonna be looking for when the season's over. I'd hate to have to lose such a talented player like him. With our coaches and his ability, we could turn Mo into a superstar. I don't see it happening, but a starting line up of Dream, Webber, Mo, Mobley, and Franchise looks unbeatable. ------------------ Founding Father of the Refs Suck Club
Mo will definately be to slow to cover the quicker SF in the league. Offensively he can hang. BTW- the rockets only lose their draft pick this year if they make the playoffs. Kind of bitter sweat. ------------------
I just found ou that I will be in Chicago on Monday and guess what. My company is giving me Bulls tickets. I will do everyone a favor and look closely if any of the Chicago players resemble any Rockets players. I will let you know on Tuesday. ------------------
Just looked at the schedule and noticed that the Bulls will be playing the Warriors. I don't even have a joke for this, it's just tto pathetic. ------------------
Rocketsauce, I am not sure how to take your post, but if you read mine, I have continued to say that the rockets could end up like the bulls in that they (the rockets) are not able to sign a big name free agent and in addition could lose their own free agents in the trying. ------------------ I am an invisible man.
Houston will be just fine. I think we'll sign Webber. Even if we don't, we have other options with the cap space and draft pick(s). Mo will play center if we get Webber: a defensive liability, perhaps, but he can move with or without the ball. With the pick, we get Terrence Morris. Sorry to say, we need a taller, longer-armed small forward. This team is on its way up. I think Jerry Krause is gonna fry soon enough. Once again he blew a chance to improve his team. Holding onto his draft picks like gold, even when they basically cancel each other out (Fizer, Brand). The Other Jerry needs to see this, even if he's part of the problem that free agents won't go to Chicago. It's a shame. Great city, great fans. Sorry-ass team. ------------------
Guys, chill out. Don't worry. The Chicago situation is, for the reasons above, unique. Chicago is losing SPECIFICALLY AND DEMONSTRABLY because of things that have nothing to do with the Rockets. You can't compare the two organizations. Besides, Francis alone is, in my mind, worth 25 wins. Add Mobley, and I think we've got 35.... even if everyone else sucked. I mean this year, how much have other players really helped this team out that can't be easily replaced? Cato: who? Wiz: find another guy who can shoot Moochie: back up point guard... wheee! KT: 6'7 PF with some talent? easy. Mo T: A little more problematic, but it's not like there aren't many 15 6 guys in the league Hakeem: in the streak, he's been great... outside of it... not much doing, there Anderson: Great D... not much O. Anderson contributes, but I doubt he's worth more than 2-3 games. Having a back court that DOMINATES is going to help us for years to come. So, sure, there's always a chance that we'll slide... but the percentages are in our favor. ------------------ Why is it that everytime BC defeats a major conference opponent, that opponent promptly goes on a losing streak? PS. Notre Dame sucks [This message has been edited by haven (edited February 23, 2001).]
Even if we get punked by Webber we can make moves this summer to get a lot better. I say that if we cant get CWebb we look at signing JYD and Ruben Patterson. JYD played with Mobes, Wink, and Walt last summer in DC and Patterson is the athletic 3 we need. Add in a couple of pix (Wallace from 'Bama and Ken Johnson?) and we are a definite playoff team. 1 Francis/Mooch 2 SA/Mobes 3 Patterson/draft 4 Mo/JYD/Kenny 5 Cato/draft ------------------ Calvin Murphy for President!
There is no chance that the Rockets end up in the same predicament as the Bulls. 1) The bulls former players, even the unimportant ones of the championship, have lashed out against the management of the bulls, leaving a lasting impression on free agents. It has created an unshakable perception around the league. It did not help that they told Darius Miles they did not condone their players wearing cornrows. Whether or not it was true, it just strengthened the perception around the league 2) The Rockets have had one of the quickest, and best rebuilding programs I have ever seen. The Rockets did not put all their eggs in one basket, like the Bulls, and pray to god that they would land a franchise player. Instead, they traded for a franchise player(Francis), and did not have to pay him a ridiculous amount of money that would be a burden on the team for years. Chicago played the field and they struck out. I really doubt they will be able to sign a major free agent for MANY years to come. 3) We have people players want to play with. The reason I think Francis is so much better for his team than say a Brand, is that other players WANT to play with him and Cuttino. Players respect the fact that Elton Brand is a good player, but they do not want to play with him. Exact opposite with Francis, they want to play with him. Also, Rudy T is a coach EVERYONE wants to play for, because he pretty much lets his players play their game, and will change his offense to suit his players strengths. To this day, Chicago still sometimes runs their ancient Triangle offense. 4)The Rockets have much more talent than the Bulls, and even if they do not land Webber, this team will be good. Do not think that Shandon and Mo will feel betrayed if we go after Webber and ignore them for a while. Mo is about the money, and if the rocks don't land Webber, they will resign him and that's fine by me. Also, Shandon has to opt out of his contract, which I doubt he will, if he wants to become a free agent. I'm sure the Rockets have assured him his payday will come. Just my thoughts... ------------------ [This message has been edited by tacoma park legend (edited February 23, 2001).]
Here is the issue as I see it. The bulls have a terrible perception among players around the league, yes! The rockets have a great perception among players around the league. The rockets also have, in their favor, cap room. The rockets have players that other players want to play with. And, though I would disagree with some of you about how good the rockets are now, the rockets are much better than the bulls. But none of these statements matter because what makes a player chose an organization to player for often times have nothing to do with any of this. Take, for example, Cuttino last year. Most on this bbs warned against the dangers of adding another SG because that would have cut down on Cuttino's playing time. You all pointed out (and rightly so) that the rockets may not be able to sign Stevie if we lose Cuttino because of their friendship. Did any of the good qualities of the rockets organization matter then, no. This leads me to c-webb. c-webb, as we all know, is great friends with spree, so I tend to believe that if he moves from the kings, he will go to ny via trade. We lose. But that don't bother me as much as the perception Mo might have of this. When the rockets aquired Mo, it was for Mo the best available option, he held out until he knew that he wasn't going to get a better offer. The rockets, I don't think, was his first choice, so when we go after c-webb, how do you think Mo is going to take it, knowing the rockets are going after a player who plays his position better? I don't think he is going to take it too well. It is interesting, if Stevie did refer to Mo as a SF, because it tells me at least that the rockets are thinking about Mo's perception as well. Next, I could be wrong about this, but hasn't Shandon this year been frustrated by the rockets, which could cause him to look at other teams? And, then, there is the issue of Hakeem. Do the rockets just release him or do they try and move some players on draft day to create some salary cap space to sign him, Shandon, Mo, c-webb, the pope and everyone else? Now, I don't think all of these bad things will happen to the rockets, but I am concerned that some of them might. ------------------ I am an invisible man.
Players aren't afraid to come to Houston like they are now to Chicago. All the FAs are afraid they'll be the only guy the Bulls will get, so they shy away. Not to mention that some are afraid they will be expected to fill MJs shoes by some of the fans. There is no way we don't end up signing at least 2 out of our 4 targets: Mo, Shandon, CWebb, and Dream. Our future looks unbelievably bright compared to Chicago's. ------------------ "Steve is good. Steve is real good." -- Cleveland's rookie point guard Andre Miller on Rocket rookie point Steve Francis
Rocketsauce, This is totally off subject, but are you a fan of Tenacious D? ------------------ Kapaya!
