The upside that this time has is enormous! Probably more then any other team in the league. I am a huge fan of the Ojajuwon era in the mid 90's but even thoughs teams cant compete with talent that we now have Only time will tell how good this young team can be, but if everything pans out the way it can, we could be one of the best teams in NBA history. All about pottential Heres why: Point Gaurd: Steve Francis has the complete package. He can score at will, he can play defence, he rebounds, and he plays at an intesity level that most coaches dream about. I rate him an A+ Shooting Gaurd: Cuttino Mobley is everybit as compettive as Francis, he hustles, like to take the big shot, and he is good for 20 points a night. Defense will be much better this year. I rate him an A Backup Gaurd: Mochie Norris can change the rythem of a game in an instant. He brings great energy off the bench. He is good for 6 points and 4 assist a night. I rate him a B Starting Small Forward: Kenny Thomas gives everything that he's got. He plays defense, rebounds, and scores when needed. He makes everyone around him better. He can also play the 4. I rate him a B+ Starting Powerforward: Eddie Griffin has more pottential then any other Rocket. He might be the Franchise of this team in 4 years. He can shoot, play deafense, and rebound. He can play the 3, 4, and 5, and he is only going to get better. I rate him a B+ right now, but in a few years he can be an A+ Center: The big fella, Yao Ming is going to be the next big thing in the NBA. He is 7 "5" and he uses every inch he has. This yer he will make an imapct immediatly. He will be good for a double double, and three blocks. I rate him a B+, but soon he will be an A+ Bench: Tons of talent, Rice, and Taylor and Norris bring tons of scorring immedialty. We are now deep at every posistion. Morris and Nachbar can both be A rateings at the small forward in the futuure. I rate our bench an A I rate our team an A- In the future we could easily be an A+ We have three players that could be MVP canidates in the future. Just look at this: Future: Francis:20 points, 8 assist, 7 rebounds, 2 steals Mobley: 20 points, 3 assist, 4 rebounds, 2 steals Morris: 15 points, 5 assist, 5 rebounds, 3 steals Griffing: 20 points, 10 rebounds, 3 blocks Ming: 20 points, 10 rebounds, 2 blocks Bench Nachbar Taylor Norris Cato Npw that is scary!
What a postitive and benevolent post! I must sign on with you and agree the only thing that can stop us and national recognition is injuries. We have the most talent of any team in the league. That is my theory.
Thats 95 points just from the starters. I think that is rather impossible unless we start playing like the old 70-80's teams when the shot clock was a non issue.
BE REALISTIC!! That is 95 points pergame by the starters!! That WILL NOT HAPPEN, but let's go one by one.
Until a team wins at least 2 championships it is premature to talk about being one of the best teams of all times, or even having the most upside in the league this year. If at the end of this season the Rockets are better than 6 in the Western division, as predicted, then I will say they were a success this year. ~Kountzer~
Wow. Thats about all I can say. I am amazed that a guy can say that this team is better than the Hakeem led Back to Back champs when that team did not come close to the playoffs. That kind of blind faith is comendable (or just stupid). I like the 95 points from the starters too. Obviously we are talking about the Denver Nuggets led by Alex English circa '85, or maybe even Run TMC. We can't be talking about the Rockets. Mind you, things will be somewhat different with the new offense and the presence of Ming (which I don't give all that much wait too), but this is still the same team that was the most 1 dimentional offense in the league last year. Basically, it was Steve dribble around for a while until he drove and kicked it out, or until the shot clock ran down and he was forced to jack up some piece of crap. You don't score like that. When Stevie is on, that's fine and great, but when he is not.... Don't get me wrong, I love this team and I love its players and I have a lot of confidence in them, but a lot of things must change before your Notradomus like predictions can anywhere close to being true.
yes they are far fetched, but we have great talent at any night, and you people are in for a suprise in ther next couple of years
LOL....I like positive post as much as the next guy, but this is a bit too much expectation. Francis will be a much better scorer than 20/gm and the others will drop off or stay the same. Yao can score 20/gm or more but that will be in time. I only hope to make the playoffs this year, if that happens, the sky is the limit for this team!
I think this team will grow and become one of the most competitive teams in the NBA in a couple years, much like the Mavs and Kings nowadays. However, the statistical predictions for this year are juiced. The numbers for the starters should be like this: Francis: 21 points, 8 assists, 4 rebounds Mobley: 15 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds Thomas: 12 points, 2 assists, 7 rebounds Griffin: 11 points, 9 rebounds, 3 blocks Yao Ming: 16 points, 11 rebounds, 3 blocks Off the bench: Taylor: 8 points, 3 rebounds Rice: 9 points Cato: 5 points Norris: 6 points, 4 assists For a grand total of 103 points/game.
I think we have found some one here who has put a little thought into it!!! These are also numbers of a well balanced productive team. Realistic expectations and stats. These are close to what I think could be what you may see in the second half this year, next year and beyond. The first half of this year you will see higher point totals from Steve and Cat until they have confidence in the rest of the players and get adjusted to not having to be the men night in night out.
