Glen Rice is a legitimate 17-18 point scorer, so if he and MoT are healthy together, with their great mid-ranger jumpers, and Cat and Stevie drivin to the hoop, our offense will be the most feared next year next to the Mavs. I don't think trading for Rice was a bad idea like some others do, but i just think it was a failure so far. Does anyone think differently?
Yes. Rice does not have the body ala Dale Ellis or Eddie Johnson to continue to be a threat from outside. He carries too much weight, which will keep his legs from being strong enough to hit that shot. I'd love to see it, but I don't think it will happen.
Rice cannot be judged this season because of his knee injury. I believe he is a lot better than Walt because he also has a post-up game and he rebounds. I'm sure he will come back healthy and in shape next season in order to prove that he's not a bust for the Rockets.
My problem with rice is on defense. He hasn't been "quick" in 5 years, and his position needs to be pretty mobile I can see Marion, Lewis, Rahim, Miles, Pierce, McGrady, Tim Thomas, Garnett, Sprewell, Rose, Patterson, Wells, Ricky Davis all taking him to the basket Peja, Lewis, and Szczerbiak may well be content to trade 3's with him. If he's back in form, he can trade 3's with anyone. (so could Matt Bullard) I don't care if he averages 15 a night, he's going to give up 20. Rockets need the most help on defense. Period.
That's a good point... However, name me the last good defensive SF the Rockets have had. You'd have to go back to Horry, or to a certain extent Elie (if you consider him a SF) to find the last SF who played any defense for us.
In his defense, even last year he carried quite a bit less weight. His planar fascitis injury required him to sit on his @ss all summer, which in turn prevented him from remaning fit. He didn't, in fact, even have the full pre-season to get going. His injury sidelined him until just about the start of the season. I wouldn't be supriesed if he comes back out of shape next year, but I don't expect it. I think if we plan on him being a 40+ minute player we'll probably be disapointed, but then we shouldn't discount him totaly, either.
When has Rice ever been skinny? He's always been large for a SF. Hell, Walt Williams is no Calista Flockhart either, and his jumper is doing fine. Rice will be able to shoot open Js. I just hope he can be healthy. If we had him healthy this year, I think he would have given us 11-13 ppg, 40% 3s, and 4 rebounds a game.
Rice was so overweight that he couldn't bend his legs to get power on his jumper and all his shots were flat this year.
Bless your hearts! Hope springs eternal! Rice's career was over several years ago. Why do you think the Hornets traded him? And L.A.? And N.Y.? He WAS a great perimeter scorer, a true All Star, but some people age faster than others. Get real, Rice will not recover is former skills. He is a pipe dream on this board. I think he will retire and I wish him a wonderful life. He will not impact the Rockets in any way other than draining capital. The "when Glen returns" posts just amaze me.
All this team needs is a pure outside shooter, and that's what Rice brings. Next year he should average 15-18 points just on the open looks he's gonna get. Mobley's gotten a whole lot better this year, plus Mo T will be back. He could average 20 cuz he can post up. He was hurt this year, plain and simple. Even if he averages the 12 points that he had his last year in New York, that's enough to take the pressure of Taylor, Mobley and Francis.
At the very least, Rice gives us depth/options when healthy. Not having him and Mo, has killed our SF/PF depth. I would say that if we had both of them, we would be at least a .500 team.
I agree with my best friend Shooter. Rice was killing Spree in the NY game this year. Not with outside shots, but by posting up. I dont think he will average 18 ppg, but rather 12 ppg. He doesnt play defense, but then no one on out team plays that side of the floor anyways. Rice was regarded the single best shooter in the game just 3-4 years ago. At the least he should be able to make wide open three pointers.
Just how badly do the Rockets need a 12ppg SF who doesn't play D??? Rice was taking it a bit personal with Spree... and if he can post and spread the floor i'll be happy, only b/c i have no choice but to accept him as a rocket.
Uh, name me the last SF we've had who could play defense. Horry? Also, a 3pt shooting SF is a must in Rudy's offense. I can't think of a SF who had a bad shot, as long as Rudy's been coach. Guess why we cut Stacey Augmon when we got him in the trade for Pippen?
Augmon was making like 2.5 million and i'd say the last time we had a 3 that defended was the last time we were in the playoffs
For one thing Pippen, WAS NOT a good man to man defender with us. Look what a 21 year old Kobe did to him in that playoffs series. Also, Pippen's only good defense was reading the passing lanes and creating a few turnovers. As for Augmon's salary, what does that have to do with anything? The Rockets still had to pay him that 2.5 mill after cutting him. I know he was a throw-in, but it proves my point that Rudy would rather have a SF who can shoot, over a SF who can only play defense. I don't necessarily agree with that, but that is Rudy's philosophy with the SF in his system.
alright, alright lol Yes you're right, Rudy is living vicariously (sp?) through his SF Rudy was never able to get enough shots But my statement was how badly do the Rockets need a 12ppg who doesn't play D Not what will Rudy put on the court... I'm playing Coach!
