This is from Sunday's paper edition of the Houston Chronicle. It appears in Jonathan Feigen's NBA Notebook: Never underestimate the heart of a champion. Or should that be: home is where the heart of a champion is. Either way, Mario Elie might be ready to come back home. Elie, who still can offer veteran leadership and tough play for limited stretches, said he might not be interested in returning to Phoenix next season. Elie, 37, said he plans to play one more season. "I live in Houston," Elie said. "I'd like to play closer to home." ------------------
That could mean Dallas or San Antonio, too. ------------------ Somebody say something witty so I can put it here.
Hopefully. ------------------ Founder and President of the Houston Homers Club(HHC) - Are you a homer? Join now! The Rockets will be NBA champions. Believe.
I thought the same thing. I think Mario wants to go to the Mavericks. He sees the way Mark Cuban is treating the players and how bright there future is and wants to go there. ------------------ See the three, be the three.
Paying Elie a million or so might be worth Francis and Mobley learning what toughness and defense is all about. They obviously haven't learned by watching Shandon. ------------------ "When we were really hard up, Nikki and I would date girls who worked in grocery stores just for the free food. But we always bought our own booze. It was a matter of pride." --Vince Neil
Elie left on bad terms with us.Although he was a tough fighter, he gave up on the team as Hakeem's skills started declining.He probably would want to go back to San Antonio or go to Dallas where he would have a better chance of winning than in Houston. ------------------
I would love to have Ellie back. Toughness is something the Rockets are really lacking. He would provide it. The Rockets don't really have a backup shooting guard, so he would be very useful. And he's clutch.... ------------------ WIN NOW! The Protrolls.com message boards! Hey, I've got posts now! Feel free to join in the trolling fun! Protrolls.com!
Cuttino Mobley played through a hyperextended elbow. Steve Francis played with screwy ankles all year long. Hakeem Olajuwon returned from an injury most thought would end his year. Whatever the Rockets are lacking, I don't think toughness is it. Mario Elie does not fit in with the current Rockets team. ------------------ Founder and President of the Houston Homers Club(HHC) - Are you a homer? Join now! The Rockets will be NBA champions. Believe.
Defensive toughness? Ever heard of that? The Rockets haven't. ------------------ WIN NOW! The Protrolls.com message boards! Hey, I've got posts now! Feel free to join in the trolling fun! Protrolls.com!
Neither have the Suns. Mario Elie's defensive toughness was the plethora of shot-blockers who used to play behind him. ------------------ Founder and President of the Houston Homers Club(HHC) - Are you a homer? Join now! The Rockets will be NBA champions. Believe.
The problem with Elie is that he is now 37 years old. While he might have been a good defensive player in his prime, now he is merely adequate, and it is very difficult for young players like Steve and Cat to take screaming criticism from someone who can't best them defensively anymore. Sometimes, I think Elie was a little too vocal with his teammates. You still have to be careful not to piss everyone off, because that doesn not help their game. ------------------ Give me ambiguity or give me something else. Sign up for season 2 of the CC.net NBA Sim League! http://bbs.clutchcity.net/ubb/Forum12/HTML/000328.html
Elie is a journeyman. I doubt the Spurs or Rockets want him again. Do the Mavs need Elie? They already have Mad Max. ------------------
I would love to have Elie coming off the bench for our team. He could teach Jefferson alot ------------------ President of the Steve Francis, Jamal Crawford,Larry Hughes, and Charles Woodson fan club.
Well Mario didn't leave San Antonio on the best of terms. He didn't burn any bridges or anything, but David Robinson said it best, "When we're winning Mario is great, when we're losing he is one of the hardest people to get along with". There is some good that comes with Mario, but there is also some bad. ------------------ See the three, be the three.
Suns don't play defense? Funny... Because they were 9th in the league in FG defense... ------------------ "Awesome baby!" Dick Vitale
Does anybody else foresee any problems having Mario and Cat on the same team? Part of what makes Cuttino Cuttino is the fact that he often feels personally obligated to take over a game offensively by himself. While I agree that Elie would do a great job of keeping Cat in check somewhat, I think it would only work if Cuttino was really willing to listen...and do you think he is? I'm just posing the question here...would Cuttino LISTEN to Mario, or would he get pissed, and therefore have his play suffer? ------------------ Jazzkiller
If we're going to sign old guards who screwed us, why not sign vernon? SOMEONE BESIDES ME MUST WANT VERNON BACK!!!! ------------------
I'd kind of like to see Vernon come back to the Rockets. We need some lunatics on this team... ------------------ Saturday, Donny, is shabbas, the Jewish day of rest. That means I don't work, I don't drive a car, I don't f***** ride in a car, I don't handle money, I don't turn on the oven, and I sure as s*** don't f****** roll!
Maybe we should sign Demetrius Underwood as our center. ------------------ Give me ambiguity or give me something else. Sign up for season 2 of the CC.net NBA Sim League! http://bbs.clutchcity.net/ubb/Forum12/HTML/000328.html
He's only 6'4" ------------------ "norm, would you like to buy an indian scalp ? This deal isn't gonna make or break me Norm, so don't jerk me around." Harry Carey "Norm, if I had a mohawk scalp, I wouldn't be sitting here talking to you."
