It's fascinating, and amusing, reading about all the "what if" scenarios and the "wish lists" of my fellow Rocketheads anxious to return to the championship days of yesteryear. Maybe some of the dreams will come true; I hope so. You gotta wonder what the Rockets strategy is in continuibg to rebuild the team. Many of the players high on wish lists are what I consider to be "greyhounds" - young, tall, and underweight for their height. Swift at 6'8", 210, and Miles at 6'9", 190 could get killed trying to bang with the O'Neals, Robinsons, Mournings, et al. The pace of the NBA, and the style of play, is significantly different than high school or college; remember how ineffective Swift was against the bangers from Wisconsin. Unless they bulk up real quick, it could be a serious problem for guys like that. Remember Bradley when he first came into the league? Although he did have some pretty sharp elbows and knees, as CB can verify. I sorta lean toward the Rottweiler type, like Martin or Fizer or the kid from Auburn. Defense and rebounding is still the key to success in the NBA (ask any member of the Heat or 76ers). Stamina, strength, and courage is more important in the long run than flash and dash. You might think the Rockets need more greyhounds, but I think they need more Rottweilers. IMO, and only my opinion, is that Swift is just a younger and skinnier Cato, who shoots about as poorly (and isn't as tall). ------------------ "Who Wants To Be A Rocket?" - and probably a millionaire as well. The off-season will be interesting!
I'm with you. K-Mart of Fizer would be nice. K-Mart probably can't be gotten but maybe Fizer could slip to 9, huh? Love that iNtEnSiTy. ------------------ There are 3 kinds of people: those who can count and those who can't.
If Fizer slips to number nine, I will buy you all a case of beer and fly you all to my home for a draft party. Not necessarily in that order, as it would be hard to travel to Dallas toting a case of beer. ------------------ HOOP-T Hey Shaq, Acme called, and they want their bricks back!
Fizer at #9 is a stretch but it happens every year. These long lean athletic guys start to look good and some hero slips. This year, it might be Fizer. Without question, Fizer is a warrior. I think the Rockets need a banging, glasseater more than anything else right now.... other than an heir to Hakeem! ------------------ There are 3 kinds of people: those who can count and those who can't.
What is the lowest (or highest, whichever way you want to look at it) pick that has won the ROY? ------------------
I perused the list of past winners and my hunch is it was Mark Jackson in 1987-88. If memory serves me correct, he was picked somewhere around 15 (if not later) by the Knicks originally... hometown boy and all that stuff. ------------------ There are 3 kinds of people: those who can count and those who can't.
RichRocket, Good job. BTW, just how rich are you? Mark Jackson was the #18 pick in 1987 draft by the Knicks. Other notables in that draft he beat out for ROY : Armon Gilliam #2 (that has to hurt), Scottie Pippen #5, Kenny Smith #6, Kevin Johnson #7, Olden Polynice #8, Horace Grant #10, Reggie Miller #11. From briefly looking at the drafts from the past, it's rare the ROY isn't a top-4 or top-5 pick. Here's some good trivia for you to use : David Robinson was drafted #1 in the '87 draft. He won ROY in the '89-'90 season. ------------------ ? [This message has been edited by Dr of Dunk (edited May 22, 2000).]
As a graduate of the Naval Academy (Anapolis I believe), Robinson served time in the military before he started in the NBA. Would return another trivia question, but my mind is blank right now ------------------
Not Rich, just Richard, and a Rocket fan for life. ------------------ There are 3 kinds of people: those who can count and those who can't.
A little of subject here, but Bobby, you mentioned that defense and rebounding still win championships--ask the 76ers or the Heat. Well I live in Philadelphia most of the time and trust me, the reason they get to the second round of the playoffs is because of their defense. Theo Ratliff and Co. keep them in the games. While Iverson is an undeniable superstar, his offense can only carry them soo far. The 76ers, IMHO, have concentrated too much on defense, and now need another serious offensive threat(which they hoped to get in Kukoc, but didnt). Even the Heat, you can't argue that they arent a superb defensive team, especially with Zo, and they rebound too. The Knicks beat them cause tehy were also somewhat good defensively, but the main reason is that they had more offensive options if you ask me--Spreweel, Houston, Johnson, Ewing, etc. Nontheless, in regards to the Rockets, you are probably right. Athleticism can only take you so far. Instead of asking the 76ers or the Heat, how about asking the Suns, now there is a good examplem (or the Kings, or the BUcks, as good as they did do defensively) ------------------ Don't sweat the petty things, and don't pet the sweaty things!
BINGO! Basketball, even NBA-style basketball, is still a team game and defense demands a team-concept. Offense is more oriented to one-on-one situations. Great analysis. Now I understand why the Knicks keep getting back there! Isn't Sprewell awesome?! What a comeback..... ------------------ There are 3 kinds of people: those who can count and those who can't.
I don't know if I'm right on this, but this is my analysis. Today's NBA games have a lot more athleticism than it ever had. The good teams are filled with super athletes. You can double-team, triple-team all you want, but there's bound to be a guy score 30 points easy on you if you play off him. Look at the Knicks, you can double-team Spree or/and Houston. A guy like Charlie Ward or Childs can seriously burn you. So I'm going to say that one-on-one defense is at a premium nowadays. If you can match a superstar up one-on-one defensively, and not be burned, that's going to be your saving grace. Also, another thing, 76ers would have whooped the Pacers' ass if Snow and Iverson were healthy. That's my 2 cents, what do you guys think? Peace out ------------------ Louisville Rockets my ass
