It's pretty clear what our starting 5 will be: Dream/Cato (don't know about this one-depends on Dream; Taylor; Williams; Anderson; and Francis. With these guys on the floor, how do we use Taylor the most effectively. Williams and Anderson don't command the ball that much. Francis is a good point guard that can score and looks to set people up, too. So Francis will get his points and help others out. Dream and Cato are both defensive forces, and Dream can score still, even though a lot less capably than in years past. So what kind of plays do we use to set up Taylor. He can shoot, put I don't think that he's a pick and roll kind of player. He can shoot from anywhere inside the three point line, and can create off of the dribble with the best of the power forwards. But what kind of set will he thrive in? P1st,S2nd ------------------ Don't anybody ever suggest again that we sign Tracy Murray to a deal.
That's a good question. Now that I think about it, I don't really think I have ever seen Mo Play except for a few games vs the Rox.... I'll be looking to see what some of the guys here who know more about him to see what kind of set he can thrive in. I personally feel that he will play in the same kind of role as Kenny Thomas did last year, but will be much more effective scoring wise. ------------------ Langhi has got to still be pissed that Vandy didn't get into the big dance.
Mo can score in the post, which makes him pretty effective when he's on with Cato - it allows Cato to get to the blind side and then crash for the offensive boards! He can also shoot from range well - although we DEFINITELY don't want him thinking he can nail the three - and can certainly set a pick with his big body and then slide to the hoop or drain the outside jumper - pretty effective when Hakeems in! He ALSO has the skills to take his man off the dribble from an iso - but I'd prefer that he didn't do that. His shooting % last year wasn't great for a PF, and that's mainly because he took a lot of iso's and forced a lot of shots. Hopefully that won't happen this year and he can concentrate on pick'n'rolling and posting! He can also finish pretty strongly, both on the break and off a feed (from Francis/Mobley on the drive?). I'd say his ppg will be lower than last year, mainly because he's not getting the same liberty to chuck the ball at the rim, and because we have more scoring options than the clips did! ------------------
Our 3 main options this yr. in this order: Francis Taylor Mobley All three can score, and depending on whom we play and the different match ups that is the player that will lead the team on points scored. Once in a wile I foresee Anderson sneaking a few games in where he will lead, also, Hakeem should have a few games where he will lead (I sure hope so) but for the most part it will be those 3 guys were our points are going to be comming from . I think that Cuttino will be getting better shots this yr. specially if Taylor is effective comming out the gate, Mobley should find himself more open but so will WW and Anderson, once again though , it all depends on how Mo starts the season , if he shows early on that he needs to be guarded then our guards will kill other teams from the outside, really WW should have a very productive yr as long as he doesn't go into one of those 75% of the season funk as he did last yr. I hope that our post up players can be effective that way our guards can do more damage. ------------------ Life moves pretty fast, If you don't stop and look once in a while you might miss it!! ... Ferris Bueler
I may be wrong on this, but it seems to me that he'd be really valuable in a 3-guard set (with Steve, Shandon, and Cat or Mooch) as a fourth scoring threat, because when the enemy sees that 3-guard set out there, he might also shift down to a guard-oriented set - and then end up being vulnerable up front. Sort of a 4-pronged offense - nearly impossible to defend against unless you're deep in guards and have a defensive minded 4/5... Alternatively, if Hakeem kicks his asthma problem, and Cato wakes up, and KT learns a little consistency, (or even if only one of these happen) then we could field a pretty formidable front line - which could result in more open shots for the guards - which IS our mainstay scoringwise... This team has scoring options out the kazoo. Our opponents are gonna need alot of good D to counter it - and a smart coach, too. ------------------ "I am an idiot. Admit that you are too, and we'll talk..." (response given to me by my cognitive psych prof when I asked him about mental maps)
IMHO Mo is solid posting up low on the strong side or high on the weak side. I would like to see some double lows and double highs (especially with Dream and Cat on the floor). We will see as early as preseason whether or not he's gonna dish it when he's doubled. I can see Dream's mid-range shooting and Cato's ability to go to the hole being enhanced if double teams comes from the 5. If the double comes from the 3, Walt and Langhi will benefit. It would be a real gamble to leave Steve, Shandon or Cat to double Mo. I think Mo can score on most PF's if he's not doubled. Here's his stats vs some top teams/PF's: Faker$ - 16.3 p / 7.3 rebs / .5 asts Spurs - 16.3 p / 7.7 rebs / 1.33 asts Jazz - 15.7 p / 6.0 rebs / 1.0 asts Port - 22.5 p / 5.5 rebs / 2.0 asts SAC - 14.5 P / 8.0 rebs / 1.3 asts Other W.C.: 21.7 vs Denver / 8.3 RPG vs Mavs / 3.7 APG vs. Denver For comparisons sake, Karl Malone averages 3.7 APG. Team assist tots - Jazz 2041, Rocks 1774, Clips 1479. There is alot of upside if Mo learns to give up the rock. The Rockets (with the possible exception of Cuttino) are a team the will give it back. The Rockets @ 21.6 APG were closer to the Faker$ (9th in team assists - 23.4) than they were to the Clips (last in team assists - 18.0). ------------------ GATER [This message has been edited by GATER (edited September 28, 2000).]
Heypartner, Don't forget "rebound 1st during game, stand around or be a gimp in the hot-tob when he gets home 2nd". Seriously, if he passes and rebounds in addition to consistent scoring, we might have to talk to Falk a little longer after this season! ------------------ Don't anybody ever suggest again that we sign Tracy Murray to a deal.
Good luck trying to implement that when MoTay is playing for a big contract. He will shoot whenever he touches it. ------------------ In order to be a success in life, you need 2 things: 1. Don't tell everything you know.
BobFinn, Contract years for players make 'em bring it all to the table. I think that he's got enough talent around him to play smarter rather than harder and IMPROVE his scoring and tenacity at defense, rebounding and passing. He should be able to do all of those, except the scoring more part because there is only one ball on the court at a time. I expect a lot out of Mo Taylor since we turned down Jordan for a one year deal this offseason, told Duncan that he be Suckin', and sent Grant Hill to sit in the sun and think about what made him an inadequate team leader in Detroit . ------------------ Don't anybody ever suggest again that we sign Tracy Murray to a deal. [This message has been edited by Pass 1st, shoot 2nd (edited September 28, 2000).]
Heypartner, What's up with that game. Name a date on the weekend and we'll go check one out. ------------------ Don't anybody ever suggest again that we sign Tracy Murray to a deal.
I disagree Bob*. Rudy will not allow that. No way. Being a blackhole will be the last mistake MoTay makes this year. Gator and Treeman, Thanks for the input. I can't wait to see what Rudy does with him. I hope you are right. Has anyone else seen him much? I'll be looking at his passing. If he can pass, I'm placing my bets on us seeing quite a lot of new plays involving the high post. Stuff us Rocket's fans have not see in over a decade. Think about that! Bob*, did I say it is not nice to depress a season ticketholder like that.
p1s2, I don't have tickets in hand yet. They just invoiced me. Once I get them, my friend and I will do a draft, and then I'll know what games I can take friends too. You pick a game, and I'll see if I can draft it.
Heypartner, I'll do that, but you don't have to pay. Watching the game with somebody who knows basketball would be enough for me. It also helps that you're a Rocketsnut too . But I will let you know which games work for me soon. I'll email you about this more later. I don't wanna be the guy who gets bashed posting b.s. in the wrong forum . ------------------ Don't anybody ever suggest again that we sign Tracy Murray to a deal.
Dude still cant rebound... ------------------ I'ma need more than 6 and a half rebounds a game from the PF
