I said when given the backup center role at the end of that statement you quoted. The other games, as can be seen by the minutes, KT, Carlos, or someone else was given that role. Also remember he was only healthy for approx. 10-12 games, and I was saying that in the games he was given the backup center minutes he produced. I'm not saying it means he'll be great; I'm just saying it proves he has a possibility at being a part of this team's future and to call him a bust at this point is ridiculous. Clutch, Mo's defense has been good imho. As for the foul trouble, a lot of that blame goes towards our guards for allowing penetration constantly. A ton of the fouls he gets are those that he has no choice about-- when its either a layup or a foul. As for the contract thing, Rudy and co. did not get him for his rebounding, and they've said that. He's fulfilled all of my expectations and much more, and is worth a bigger contract in my opinion. But he has not gotten that contract yet, and remember he is still improving. When/if he gets that contract, and if then some feel he underperforms, then is the time to label him a bust. Imho, when you call a guy a bust, you're in a way implying (or at least many are) that you wish you never had him and could get rid of him. Even if you don't want to resign Mo, I hope most of you guys can see he's made a good contribution to the team this year. Maybe you think his production is a bust for a 6 mil per year player. I don't feel that way, but I understand that there are some who do. However, what you have to remember is that right now and for this season he was not a 6 mil player in salary. If you are using 6 mil per year standards to judge the guy, wait until he is actually making that money and then see if he's a bust. And an additional comment on rebounding-- I'll bet you every PF in the NBA would see their rebounding average decrease 2 or 3 slots if they had on their team the rebounding of our guards and a rebounder like KT backing up at PF. ------------------ President of the Mo Taylor, Jason Collier, and draft Richard Jefferson fan club! Draftsource.net ClutchTown.com
MVP : Francis and Cuttino. MIP : Moochie Norris. 6th man : Moochie Biggest Bust : That woman in the third row . . . kidding. Kelvin Cato, to even mention anyone else is lunacy at best. Game of the Year : 3OT, and Jazz game when Hakeem returned. ------------------ Founder and President of the Houston Homers Club(HHC) - Are you a homer? Join now! The Rockets will be NBA champions. Believe.
I can't believe that no one has mentioned Walt. Walt & Cato are the biggest busts. Collier showed flashes of what he can do & was getting better, the more he played. He & Langhi just need some more PT. By the end of next year, I believe that everyone will be singing Rudy's praises again for 2 more steals in the draft. As far as MO, his game got better as the season went along. If you don't see that, then you haven't been watching the games. He may never be one of the great rebounders in the game, but I believe that with an off season of work with the coaches & next years training camp, he'll be even better (assuming that we don't lose him to FA). We definitely got our $2.5 mill out of him. ------------------ [This message has been edited by Hottoddie (edited April 12, 2001).]
I don't think anyone had high expectations for Walt. However, there were some expectations of Cato that he didn't even come close to fulfilling. On Collier, I don't think he is a bust. He is a rookie and didn't get all that much playing time before they decided it would be better for everyone if he had surgery. Give the guy a break. I happen to like Mo, but as for resigning him next year, I'm torn. ------------------
I don't know why you would've expected rebounds out of a player who had proven year in and year out that he couldn't rebound. ------------------
Walt did his job just fine. 40 percent from three-land. That's all anyone should have expected from him. His defensive problems weren't going to go away. It's Rudy's fault for playing him in late game situations when they needed defense. He did his job, and I want Walt back next season. ------------------ Hakeem "The Dream" Olajuwon is the greatest player in the history of basketball. If you disagree, you are not a Rocket fan.
Ali Cat, I choose to differ. If you'll go back & read the posts last off season, there were a lot of posters that felt (based on his great 20 game stretch), that Walt had finally found a home & would continue on this year with the same results, which as we all know now, he didn't. He even fell off so far as to lose his starting job, which is extremely difficult to do under Rudy. A player has to be really dogging it for Rudy to do that. We should've traded him last year when he still had some value, but that's life. ------------------
Most Valuable Player: Steve Francis. Francis did everything for the Houston Rockets. At one point Francis lead the Rockets in rebounding, steals, assists and scoring. Most Improved Player: Hakeem Olajuwon. After having just 10 points per game and 6 rebounds in the 1999-2000 season, Olajuwon improved his play this season. This season Olajuwon had better chemistry with this team than last season. This caused for his improvements. Sixth Man: Moochie Norris. As Francis' backup Norris not only created plays for himself, but he also created plays for his teammates. Norris brings excitement and energy off the bench for the Rockets. Rookie Of The Year: Jason Collier. Collier played surprisingly and extremely well earlier this season. In some games this season Collier scored 10 points in 12 minutes. Collier gave the Rockets outside shooting, rebounding and a player that hustles before he got injured. Game of the year: Houston Rockets at Cleveland Cavaliers. In this game Carlos Rogers scored 22 points and grabbed 11 rebounds off the bench. Rogers led this team in that game. Biggest heart: Carlos Rogers. This year Rogers played with so much heart. He rebounded, scored, block shots and hustled. ------------------
MVP - Francis (Nuff said) MIP - Kenny (Has become a consistent performer) 6th Man - Mooch (Followed closely by KT) ROY - Collier (Still not crazy about Rocks selecting him, but he was effective and looks like a definite keeper. Jason, please improve your conditioning so you can gain a step or two) DPY - Dream (Doesn't block as many shots, but he doesn't have to since shooters tend to get gun shy when he's around) Biggest Heart - Close call, but I'm going with Carlos. With all the unfortunate things that have happened to him, its a testimony to him that he's still sane, nevermind playing in the NBA. A lot of people might have retired, turned to drugs or alcohol, etc., but Los keeps a smile on his face, an upbeat attitude, and is ready to play hard every night. Biggest Disappointment - Cato (I'm not wasting words to explain this selelction, he's not worth it) Game of the Year - OOOHH, that's a toughie. As far as thrills, the 3OT game against Indiana, no question. But as far as gameplay, the dismantling of the Sixers in Philly where Brown and Francis had a few words afterwards. I can't remember a team looking as good as the Rocks did that game. ------------------ [This message has been edited by Live (edited April 12, 2001).]
MVP - Cuttino, this guy is the only one who could be counted on to always provide a scoring punch when it was needed. At the end of the season he started deferring to Francis for the final plays, and Francis could not seem to get the job done. The fact that he is mentioned in trade talks for the likes of media darling Kobe Bryant says it all. MIP - Francis, He went from being the best rookie player to being one of the top point guards in the league. He has learned to rely on his teammates more , especially on the pnr. If only he would realize that he is not as clutch as Cat, I think that he could definitly help lead this team to a championship. 6th man - Air Bullard, this song inspiring icons of the championship years has consistanly done his job at a level of excellence for years. This season was no exception. There is no other player I would rather see setting the picks for a pnr. I even saw some flashes of good defense against the likes of Peja Stojakovic ROY - Sean Colson, when given the minutes, he really tried to make the most of them. Another excellent CBA pickup by Les and Co. Play of the year - This one is a three way tie. Cato's up to the rafters slam. Francis breaking one of the Bull's player's ankles about 3 times on one play and then nailing the jumper right in his face. Mobe's off balance fadeaway jumper just inside the three point line. ------------------ "Of course, thats just my opinion, I could be wrong" -- Dennis Miller [This message has been edited by Hydra (edited April 12, 2001).]
most valuable player - steve francis most important player - hakeem olajuwon, he is the only reason why we had any shot at the playoffs ------------------ http://www.democrats.com mgh 1925-2001
Our big playoff hope this season was based on that we had a easy schedule in the end of the season. Next year we have to play em all over again, and do we really think we can dominate the east like we did this year all over again? Do we think we will pull out as many comeback wins? Do we really think the refs gonna screw us less? What I hope for is that we will not be bugged down with injuries, and that we can improve on our western record - and sweep the Clips (might not gonna happen - Clips are getting better each year). All in all I hope we can improve, and I do think that next year we will be in the playoffs, but I think we'll struggle to get 53-54 wins. Of course this is based on this years team - a good draft/trade and Webber will change a lot. ------------------ We can reach our destination, but it's still a ways away.
I can't believe some of you can honestly look at yourself in the mirror and say you would take Collier over Jamal Crawford. You proably would take Langhi over Larry Hughes ------------------ President of the Steve Francis, Jamal Crawford,Larry Hughes, and Charles Woodson fan club.
While I agree with most of the picks for the awards, there is one beef that I have; Moochie's numbers are no better then they were last year. I just checked them out, and they are almost identical, infact, his points are down. I believe Cat is the most improved. ------------------ "GiddyUP!!!" Krammer from Seinfeld
OOPPS!! Saving myself from embarassment!! Olive branch? ------------------ [This message has been edited by Live (edited April 12, 2001).]
I can't believe some of you can honestly look at yourself in the mirror and say you would take Collier over Jamal Crawford. Crawford has done nothing at all to distinguish himself from Collier in the NBA. You have yet to show any statistical evidence whatsoever to make anyone believe Crawford is better than Collier at this point. Crawford has done virtually nothing in Chicago whenever he has stepped on the floor, and you cannot deny that. Collier produced very well when given the backup center minutes. While neither is guaranteed to be a star or a bust, you simply cannot logically show how Crawford at this point is better. I know you like the players with the crazy hops who can "jump out of the gym" as you put it, but that doesn't make a basketball player. I'll take the kid with good fundamentals who knows the game, has maturity, a good work ethic, and fits with the team anyday over the kid with the freakish athletism lacking basketball skills. It seems like from your posts you are all about flash in calling future stars-- but here's a newsflash for you-- the NBA isn't like that. Rudy and other GM's take substance (Collier) over flash (Crawford) anyday, and it's why they win championships and it's why you're sitting at home. You proably would take Langhi over Larry Hughes If I'm the Rockets, yes I'd prefer the 6'11 SF with the great shot, good basketball knowledge, the concept of team play, good speed, and good potential over the ball hogging selfish poor shooting SG (a position we don't need) with no defense or knowledge of winning. If GS called me right now and asked me if I'd trade Langhi for Hughes, I would indeed turn it down and I'm pretty sure CD would do likewise. ------------------ President of the Mo Taylor, Jason Collier, and draft Richard Jefferson fan club! Draftsource.net ClutchTown.com
MVP - Steve Francis MIP - Hakeem Olajuwon 6th Man - Kenny Thomas Biggest Heart - Carlos Rogers Smallest Heart - Kelvin Cato Best Defender - Shandon Anderson Best Scorer - Cuttino Mobley Best Rebounder - Steve Francis Best 3 point shooter - Matt Bullard Best Jump Shot - Dan Langhi Best Jump Hook - Hakeem Olajuwon Best Halfcourt shot - Francis/Norris Best Free Thrower - Steve Francis Best Minute user - Sean Colson Best Dunk - Maurice Taylor Best Block - Steve Francis Best Layup - Cuttino Mobley Best Missed Dunk - Kelvin Cato Best Hair - Moochie Norris Best Facial Hair - Dan Langhi Best Jersey Number - Jason Collier ------------------ http://bbs.babitze.com
MVP: Stevie MIP: Cat 6th: Mooch Defensive: Cat Offensive: Stevie Clutch: Mooch Biggest heart: Langhi/Los Underappreciated: KT Best Game: Pacers 3 ot Player who needs theme music: Langhi Peak: Comeback against Spurs Rock bottom: Loss to Nets ------------------ Ceo of the Walt Williams and Lisa Malosky fan club. atheistalliance.org [This message has been edited by DEANBCURTIS (edited April 12, 2001).]
