Mo Taylor is now the longest running player on the rockets since the departure of Cuttino and Cato. He has put up nice offensive numbers last year as our first go to guy off the bench. Is it possible that he may end up beating out Howard for the starting spot? You have to consider we don't have anyone to sub in for Yao as of yet. And Howard playing the center spot for a few minutes might be what ends up happening this year anyway. So being that he's been here this long, gone through a couple of coaches, had an injury, the bud smoking incident and then lost his starter spot to Cato. I think he could be the one that surprises us this year. For one he knows what JVG wants of him. He knows the defense that JVG likes to run and I'm sure he realizes that we need him to be the guy that contributes in other ways other than scoring with T-Mac here. Maybe its my homerism and wishful thinking that leads me to believe that this could be the Mo Taylor this year that we hoped we would get when we signed him. Let me know what you guys think is going to happen this year with Mo regarding his minutes and his stats. I'm sure there will be some sweat leaf references as well.
Unless we trade away Howard, Taylor is going to see some of the lowest amount of minutes in his career. Instead of being part of a 3-man rotation at the PF and C, Taylor will now back up Howard only. And Howard's easily good enough for 30+ minutes a game. The only way Taylor sees major minutes is if we have an injury, or JVG wants some big lineups with Howard at the SF position. Unless you're Cato, lesser minutes usually means crappier production.
I was never a fan of Mo Taylor. I'm waiting for the day we ship him on a boat out of Houston for a real backup 4/5
he doesnt look all that bright. and we know he doesnt act like it sometime (mary jane) but i think motay is one of the smartest players on the rockets. He is very well spoken, gives good insight during his post game interviews. I especially remember the Rockets commercials in which each Rocket described their heroes and Motay very eloquently described his mother's influence and care in that short commercial. also, he is not a very good defensive player. but he does try to play smart. I think he learned some of malones tactics. The huge ball swipe when the opponent is about to swing to make a move. I remember malone pulling the chair on Motay in that back to back a couple years ago when malone broke his nose in consecutive games. i am waiting for motay to pickup that trick.
MoT's defense is seriously underrated, IMO. Everybody always says he's teriible on defense. I don't get it. He consistantly draws offensive fouls which means he does a good job moving his feet and staying in front of people. Plus he is a big guy that can put some muscle on people. He's a terrible shot blocker so maybe everybody equates that with being a poor defensive player. He's not a good rebounder but thats different. Somebody give me evidence of why MoT is a bad defensive player and maybe I'll change my mind. It seems to me people say it so often that it just becomes a 'fact' and nobody bothers to challenge it.
Well, first of all it sounds like theres a better than average chance that Mutumbo ends up as the backup center, so Howard wouldn' t be getting many minutes at C. Howard also has a much better all around game than Taylor, so I doubt that he'd beat out Howard for a starting spot. Taylor didn't lose his starting position to Cato. He lost his starting position to Eddie Griffin and he could never win it back.
I really do believe that this could be Mo Taylor's year. Last season he was one of our most consistent players off the bench, and down the stretch. That semi jump hook thing was deadly at times. It seemed like he could score at will against some teams. If Mo stays on the Rockets, and backup Howard, I believe he could win the 6th man of the year award this season. Juwan Howard and Mo Taylor have thier faults, for sure, but with those two at the 4, I feel very confident about this team. 2004-2005 -The year of Mo.
While Mo Taylor is overpaid, can't rebound a lick, he still has a nice low post game. He's like a poor poor man's Tim Duncan. He provides a good scoring punch off the bench. I mean after all, he was like 3rd or so last year in votes for 6th Man of the Year honors. Not too shabby. I just want the Rockets to get somebody who can rebound, and become the backup to Yao, considering Howard and Taylor are both 'Charmin' soft when it comes to defense/rebounding.
I'm more inclined to agree with jigaddi and dc rock than those whos dislike of MoT is so great that he could have a Jordanesque season and all they would do is complain about his contract Taylor is at an age and level of experience (and also far enough removed from previous injury) that it's not at all unlikely that he could have his best season ever.
Hey lets face it he has a sweet jumper from around 18 feet. There is no doubt about that. When he started one year for us I remember Bill and Calvin started calling him Mr. 1st quarter because he would come out smoking when the game started and would get the offense going. That was his last year under Rudy. Who on our team from the Rudy club became better offensively under JVG other than Yao? Lets give him some time to mesh with the new offense led by T Mac. It may be something nice to see.
Nice point, every Mo Taylor, Yao Ming, and Jim Jackson improved their play under JVG. All the other players had their play decrease except for Cato. Suprisingly Only Taylor, Ming, and Jackson will be back. Nachbar probably kept himself here after that playoff game with the lakers.
yeah his defense is not as bad as everyone says. Draws lots of offensive fouls (sometimes by flopping lol). Stays in front of his man too. Needs to grab a few more boards on the defensive end. I think if he worked at it he would be pretty good. BIg body; and i remember alot of times where he took huge boards on the offensive end; like strong boards and then do his little hook in the lane. I mean athleticism is not a factor. He can jump given how much weight he carries. I remember lots of strong dunks, one in the clippers game where he faked a pass to francis then dribble drived for a monster dunk. here i uploaded the clip. i hope i don't get in trouble for doing this click
I dont understand the MoT bashing either. He plays correct defense. He may not be the shot blocking monster, but he keeps his body in front of the offensive player ALL the time, is rarely in the air for pump fakes, and I almost never catch him half assing it on D. His offense game is good enough to start in my opinion. Who else on this team can post just about anyone including Tim Duncan. Turn, face and pull up for J's? Or dribble to create space and a shot, on this team other then TMAC? Really to me, the only place he needs to improve is his rebouding. But I think given the right mix of players (I.E. Not having Steve and Mobley clearing out everyone for their 1 on 5's) might help his rebounding numbers a bit. Plus hes strong enough to occassionally defend at the 5 effectively. And doesnt get shoved around. Best thing about Mo to me is he actually gets fired up out there. Mo wants to dunk, and get excited, and pumps up the team over big shots. He shows heart and hustle when he plays, and other then occasionally taking a few too many shots in a row, plays a smart team game. Plus he's not soft like Howard is. Id say make it and open competition to see who starts at the 4 this year. I would love to see him play along side Yao, because I think he complements Yao's game better then anyone else on this team right now.
The only thing really wrong with Mo Taylor's game is a lack of effort on the glass. He simply does not try hard enough for rebounds. The rest of his game is pretty good. But he could be a monster on the glass if he really wanted to be. DD
MoT has a nice offensive game, but the guy fouls everytime the ball comes his way! It's so aggravating.
Mo should be able to start at 4 on a quarter of the teams 1/3 of the team if tries a little harder half of the teams if he moves some of his "talks" to Walks"
