I assume they mean from injury... KRIV Fox 26 is running a segment on Rockets who are re-habbing from injury this summer. Saw clips of Collier and Taylor working out. The show is on between now and 10pm. Should be interesting.
Showed the Rocks working out - most specifically Mo Taylor and Jason Collier. They were both busting it in the weight room. Collier says he is already in great condition. Taylor says he is feeling better than he has in a long time and his weight is coming down. Anthony Falsone (Rockets strength and conditioning coach) said Taylor really didn't have a good work ethic because he never had to work back from an injury like this. Falsone told him that he was going to work harder than he ever work. "You don't have to come in today if you don't want to be an all star," is what he said according to Taylor. Mo was pissed several times during rehab because Falsone worked him so hard, but Taylor was all smiles during the interview saying he felt great. Taylor has also gone to a nutritionist to change his diet and has completely altered his work ethic to "have more discipline" so he could have a longer career in the NBA. He said he needed a change in attitude as much as rehab. (Damn! AMEN!) Falsone said that Collier needed the work because he isn't as talented as some guys. Collier said he has set goals and believes he can be the player he always wanted to be.
Thanks Jeff. The more I see, the more I am impressed. I believe we are experiencing the beginning of something GREAT. Both Collier and MoTa are busting their arse. Where is Cato?
I missed tonight's report, but it almost sounds like they just re-ran the report from four days ago: http://bbs.clutchcity.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=37127 Weird.
This looked like the extended "feature" version. They can run longer versions on the weekend than they can during the regular news because of time. This one had more quotes and info than the one during the week but there were pieces in the weekly story that came from this one.
Man, I hope Collier makes it in the NBA-- with the Rockets no less. I like his attitude. Someone (nikeSTAD?) had/has one of his lines in their signature (~ I know it's just garbage time but to me it's not garbage time). The guy was booed on draft night and since has been chronically hurt. He must have show something for RudyT and CD to pick him at #15. He may be a career back up but let him be our career back up. Both he and Tim Duncan started out as swimmers. Are there other similarities?
It bears noting that was a horrible draft. At #9, the Rockets took Joel Pryzbilla and traded him for Collier. This year's #15 was like that years #6 or #7. There were a few guys that have done well who were taken after Collier (Quentin Richardson, Turkoglu, Desmond Mason, Morris Peterson, etc), but that was a rough draft.
It's really starting to sound like Mo is going to be capeable of really hanging with the pf's in the West. I don't know how the Rockets are going to handle having three very capeable pf's. I guess it's a good problem to have.
Encouraging news,Jeff.I was wondering what Taylor's weight is now? I hope that his attitude change will be permanent.
I hope it's true that they are both working hard. However I have a hard time forgetting that Collier reportedly busted his a$$ last summer too - "really bulked up" - if I recall. But I didn't notice anything when training camp started.
They both were acc players of the year, no? Anyways, i may be in the minority here. In fact, i'm sure i am, but I really think collier could be the perfect back-up for us. Despite what some may think collier has skills, he just doesn't have the athletic ability to be a top-flight center in the league. He does however have enough to be a decent backup, though. He comes alot cheaper than cato, so if ming is the real deal and playing 35 minutes a night, i would rather have collier (a similiar player to ming) than cato ( not similiar at all) playing the backup ten minutes each night. This is of course, if we could find a good trade for cato. Which isn't likely
I've been wondering this myself. I can see having three power forwards on the roster. We will have three small forwards, but one of them is Morris and Rice is injury-prone. That makes sense. We'll have three centers, but Collier hasn't really demonstrated his ability to play on this level consistently or stay healthy and Yao will need time to work into NBA shape. That makes sense. We'll end up having three point guards with one really just as injury protection. Still, we have a hole behind Mobley. Even if Oscar Torres returns, he is not going to be the long-term solution. I can't help but think that moving a PF for a SG/SF might not be a bad thing. I think Mo T. is feeling the heat. I honestly believe he feels like it is time to step up or he is going to get shipped out and he loves it here. This is his chance to prove himself. With his injury status and large contract, the Rockets are really forced into seeing where he goes from here. I think the Rockets really don't want to move Kenny Thomas. The guy was so good for them last year and they, IMO, are worried about getting bitten on the ass by the injury bug next year and being bare on the front line. Personally, my bet is that it is Taylor's job to lose until Griffin has matured enough to take the reins. Even when he does, I could see Taylor and Griffin on the floor together, while the combo of Griffin and Thomas was not always effective last season. You're right. It's a good problem to have, but it is one that bears watching.
Isn't it funny that when the team takes a young player at your position it motivates you to CHANGE your attitude. DaDakota
Where are all the Taylor haters now? I mean, when Clutch first talked about Maurice, and how out of shape he was, there was about 200 people hundred ready to get rid of him. Got Drive? Obviously, some of you don't. Go Taylor!!
