Look, EG has no trade value right now and is still locked up in a contract, so he's going to be here in Houston. So let's put all the trade talk away and let EG do his thing. He's on a 1.9mil contract, so this is not a big risk. This summer EG going to work on his game and get his act together. He's got all the physical tools, just need a little perspiration on his spot up shooting, and rebounding. He remind me so much of a younger Robert Horry and I think he can fit nicely into Rockets Offense with Yao kicking the ball out to him or working the HI-Lo post. Rockets problem is the need for playmaking and spot shooting from the guards. Hopefully either Piatwokski or one of the Barrry brothers are here in Houston. They would fit perfectly in Houston.
If EG is still on the team next year, and Yao Ming is not our "most improved player next year," we are in trouble.
It's probably more important for our PF position to become more solid and complete than for our center position to improve so much. Cato and Yao are fine right now, if we had a decent PF rotation THIS year, we would probably be in the playoffs right now.
Rockets need role players, not superstars. Although 3 1st rounders has been used on EG, and maybe his superstar potential will never be. But that should not be held against EG. Besides, 1st round picks are hit and misses anyway and hindsight make bashers brilliant. EG in his first 2 years has demonstrated potential and occassional brilliance, only consistency is missing. He's not overpaid like Rice, Cato and Taylor's. Looking down the road when Yao and Stevie matures, cap room is the most critical issue for building a championship team. Rockets need to sign veteran Role players to fill immediate needs. Besides, a young Robert Horry and possibly Sam Cassell (maybe should bring him back as well) is not a bad fit for this Rocket team.... Rockets need Chemistry, not more superstar like Portland.
Hey, Sam Bowie was drafted ahead of Jordan, Samaki Walker was a 7th pick. Get over it. The past is the past. Rockets cannot fill their roster with 5 all stars, that's life in NBA.....
Best point in the entire thread. The Rockets will become contenders when they are able to run the offense through Yao, and Yao becomes the defensive anchor. As Yao improves, so do the Rockets. And Yao will improve.
I really think that EG has gotten a bad rap from this board. Yao hurt EG's development this year significantly. I think that the coaching staff stopped working on EG to get Yao acclimated with the team. EG's preseason post-ups vanished as we kept getting Yao the ball in the post. EG was not at the 3 pt line for his own health, it must have been the plays that were called. Hopefully this summer with Yao in China EG can work with one of our coaches/past players to improve his game and body.
Ooh, I am going to agree with Live and say that this is the best post in the thread even though it is from HP... Ooh, another great post in this thread. And Live posted in this forum!! Yay!! Now if he would only post more often in this forum along with MManal, Relativist, etc....
Eddie needs to average either at, or around a double/double next year and shoot at least 45%. I want to see Troy Murphy (Golden State) type of improvement from him next year. This summer will be huge for Griffin. ALL eyes should be on his progress!
Faulty and puerile logic. Assuming the following scenario happens nest season; Yao = 20ppg, 10rpg, 2.5bpg, 4apg 2002/2003 stats= 13.5ppg, 8.20rpg, 1.8bpg, 1.7apg. +6.5 ppg +1.8 rpg +0.7 bpg +2.3 apg Eddy= 18ppg, 12ppg, 3.5bpg, 3apg 2002/2003 stats= 8.6ppg, 6.00rpg, 1.4bpg 1.1apg. +9.4 ppg +6 rpg +2.1 bpg +1.9 apg These scenarios are definitely not INCONCEIVABLE. Eddie will be considered most improved based on that. But according to your inane logic we will be in trouble if these scenarios happens to become reality. Common man - use your head. Go Eddie. I still believe in you. Go Rockets!!!
Feg, That is a good point; however, you have to remember that Yao exceeded expectations for a lot of people and people are still waiting on Eddie after 2 years. Seeing Richard Jefferson doing what he is doing has not helped in this matter at all.
The biggest problem with EG IMO is that he is falling into the same traps that his naysayers had predicted he would back before he was drafted. The knock back then was that he shoots outside too much, Is too much of a tweener, isn't a good team guy, and doesn't play with any passion. Sadly, he has exhibited most of these flaws, with the possible exception of being a good team guy, and they continue to plague him to this very day.
In any case, even if this comes to pass, Yao will be the leader and the go-to guy. If he becomes the first option and puts up those numbers, he will be considered most improved despite Eddie putting up a better statistical increase.
18/12/3.5 has only been accomplished by hall of famers in this league. Not even Alonzo Mourning did that 3.5bpg would also lead the league. 3 apg...that's too funny. why don't you scale that INCONCEIVABLE stat line back to reality.
I remember Horry had this paasion and fire in him when he was young, and he still has it. EG is an emotionless player. I dont find anything good about him right now. He's never going to make a game winning shot like Rob did.
