http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/huddle031020.html Inside The Huddle - October 20, 2003 Want to stay connected to the Houston Rockets? Get the latest daily behind-the-scenes scoop on your favorite team with our latest feature, "Inside The Huddle," where you'll find daily notes and quotes from Rockets players and coaches. Walking Shoes Rockets sharpshooter Eric Piatkowski, who is suffering from a severe high ankle sprain, was spotted at Monday’s practice without his walking boot. The 6-7 swingman had been wearing the boot ever since injuring the ankle, but seemed optimistic about donning basketball sneakers from this day forward. Piatkowski will still be held out of practice for a while and spent most of Monday on the exercise bike and the EFX machine. The former Clipper has never really endured any type of injury during his nine-year NBA career and cringed at the fact of having his ankle taped every day, as he did for the first time ever on Monday. “I don’t like it either,” said Piatkowski. “I want to make my ankle as strong as possible so I don’t have to wear it anymore. They said that they might make me wear ankle braces too. The trainers are telling me that things are going really well. I’ve never had this before so I don’t know how quick it’s going to heal, but today was a lot of progress for me.” Second Language While many media members have heard Rockets center Yao Ming speak English many times before, Yao still seems to be more comfortable relying on his interpreter Colin Pine. However, after Monday’s practice, Yao was asked how his mastery of the English language was coming along. The 7-6 big man responded by doing a segment of his media session in complete well-spoken English. “Thanks to you guys (the media) things are easier now for me, and Colin too,” Yao said. “One year ago, he (Colin) would face the camera and feel very nervous. Now look at him, he looks much better.” Mo Better Injured forward Maurice Taylor was able to work up a sweat and get some shots up at Monday’s practice. Taylor believes his shoulder injury is healing fast and that he is close to being ready to see some game action. “I feel about 80 percent,” Taylor said. “I don’t really have any soreness or anything like that. It just gets tight a little bit when I shoot a lot of shots and I lift. It seems to get fatigued faster than my other shoulder does, but other than that I feel fine. Its just a matter of when they’re going to let me play a preseason game, but I know that I’ll definitely be ready for October 30." Cat is Back Cuttino Mobley, who is battling a hip flexor, went through the entire practice Monday and felt good afterwards. It has not been determined if the 6-4 guard will play in the Rockets next preseason game, but Mobley says he definitely wants to be out there. “I’m a basketball junkie,” said Mobley. “I just want to go out there and play. I definitely need these couple of games. If not, at least some practices, but I won’t rush it. I’m just excited about this season and excited to win. I’ve been praying for us to have a real good season because we owe Houston that. We have to think big! That’s our whole slogan right?”
Any time anyone feels like they cant find something to like about cat just needs to look at this quote. The opposite of Cat must be Eddie Griffin
Thanks for the scoop. That was interesting and good news. I'm excited to have Mobley, Taylor, and soon Pike back in the rotation. It's definitely good to hear about Taylor. I was getting a little worried about the power forward position with the whole Griffin fiasco. Speaking of Griffin, there was no mention of Adrian's injury and when he might be back. Any word? Getting positive players back like Mobley, Piatowski (and Taylor??) makes it easy to forget that this team has been in some turmoil over the past week or so. I'm looking forward to seeing how well this team meshes because the talent level is definitely there. This should be a fun and intersting season.
Nice to see a progress report on those injuries. Looks like for the season opener we will have everyone except Pike. I would venture Pike might be out a week longer. Those high ankle sprains can be tough to come back from quickly. It would be nice to see Taylor and Mobley get some action in the last preseason game against the Spurs.
Good 2 see Mobley exited about B-Ball thats wat it take to B a winner and yes eddie should learn from mobly no doubt about it
Eddie Griffin or Meech. Have you heard this guy? Very intelligent, but b-ball is not a love... more like a burden brought on by his height.
