I hesitate to be too confident, but they are definitely improved. They must now use this talent to produce wins...which I think JVG can do.
I really hope JVG platoons DW and DA fairly evenly with Barry getting a few minutes at the 2/3 as well. Both DW and DA are no spring chickens and I really hope that we can avoid injuries due to overplaying. If we can keep them both fairly fresh (20-25 minutes of PT a night) going into the playoffs, we'll be the clear #2 team in the West at the very least.
At least he's not stopping over and spending time in Crawford. Perhaps he's getting inspiration and perspective. Some things are destined. Head being drafted. DA and SS coming in. Bowen, JB, and DM being resigned. As we waved good-bye to CW and JP, I remain astounded, surprised, and curious. What else can you show me CD? Got one more trick up that sleeve?
I think he's confirmed the entire NBA will become a Rocket this season. Expect news conferences the entire month of August.
I'd say he is coming here with the expectation that he has just as good a chance to start as anyone else. Whether he does or not depends solely on if he can prove he deserves to.
wow...incredible. outside of ridiculous trades..within the framework of the possible...I can't imagine the Rockets having a better offseason this summer than they just did. i'm really impressed.
Lovefest continued...I agree. This team is already primed to make a deep run into the playoffs. As Houston sports fans, we are blessed at this point to be rooting for the Astros, Texans and Rockets.
hmmm, I'm scratching my head here trying to figure this one out.... who's JP? Did you mean Scott Padgett?
Anyone remember during the '01 playoff series between the Mavs and the Spurs? Juwan Howard injured Anderson with a hard (seemingly flagrant) foul. That play pretty much killed the chances of both teams of reaching the Finals that year. It's ironic that both of them are teammates now on yet another Texas team with the potential to contend for the Finals. Destiny!
YES!!! Just woke up and it is great to hear the news. This offseason has been killer and we are now one of the deepest teams in the league.
I think we really addressed the needs of our Playoff exit with our offseason. We got a savvy, athletic, strong shooting guard in the draft, we got a hyper-athletic spring activated powerforward with a mid-range game, weak side and strong side shot blocking and a veteran athlete 2-guard who will add quickness and a scorer to the backcourt without giving up too much in outside shooting (compared to Wesley/Barry and esp. Sura). This is what our team makeup/rotation is looking like: Ming/Mutombo Swift/Howard McGrady/Barry/DAnderson DAnderson/Wesley/Barry/Head Sura/Wesley/Barry I really think that this mix will allow us to rest McGrady a little more as DA can play the three just like Barry. I think the loser might end up being Sura/Wesley whose minutes will drop as we add the perimeter quickness. I think DA is a complementary player in the starting lineup, but could also be a Cuttino off the bench scorer when McGrady sits. He can slash, create his own shot and is a great passer. We want to limit his minutes though in order to keep him healthy/fresh for the playoffs.
Actually, if I know sth about JVG then when season starts: Yao/Deke Howard/Swift McGrady/Barry Wesley/Anderson Sura/James
Mike James? Head goes to NDBL for 05-06 barring injury. Ming/Mutombo/Swift Swift/Howard/Baxter?/Bowen McGrady/Sura/DAnderson/Bowen Wesley/DAnderson/Barry Sura/James/DAnderson I agree we can way bring down Tmac's minutes and all our guards. I prefer to start DW over DA because I think they are comparable players but DA is more versitle and thus can help multiple positions off the bench. In fact Sura and DA can provide Tmac relief at SF (maybe Sura playing Tmac's role on defense/rebounding, DA in Tmac's slot in the offense). I see Bowen losing all meaningfull minutes barring injury--we just have better alternatives at back-up SF. Assuming all are healthy (big if) I'd like to 24-27 MPG for Sura, DA, and Wesley, 21-24 MPG for James and 13-17MPG for Barry. I see no reason why we can't bring Tmac's minutes to the mid 30s like the Spurs average for TD and Manu, we don't lose nearly as much with Sura/DA doing Tmac's roles than alternatives last year. We have a deep roster where everyone can give 100% every minute they are out there--this is a good thing.
you guys think that Swift and DA make us an immediate contender????... we got KILLED in game 7 by Dallas...it just showed how deep and athletic they were compared to us....Sura/Ward/Wesley/Barry are all old or injury prone...this team does not have enough youth....still a good offseason based on the salary cap situation.....but still far away from Spurs/Suns/Heat/Pistons.
