Read this on CNN/SI today: August 29, 2001 HOUSTON - The Houston Rockets have re-signed backup point guard Moochie Norris to a free agent contract, Rockets General Manager Carroll Dawson announced. Norris averaged 6.6 points and 3.5 assists in 82 games last season, including 6 starts. He set career highs in shooting with a field goal percentage of .446, and minutes played at 20. Norris, 28, led Houston in points three times and assists 4 times. The 6-1, 175-pound point guard scored a career-high 28 points on Mar. 13 vs. Indiana. Houston is the 4th team Norris has played for in the 4 seasons he has been in the NBA. He averaged 3.2ppg in Seattle in 11 minutes before finding a home in Houston and more playing time with 6.9ppg in 20 minutes in the 2000 regular season. Prior to entering the NBA, Norris averaged 23.6 points and 8.9 assists in his senior year at West Florida. He played 2 seasons at Odessa junior college averaging 12.5 points and 4.9 assists per game. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Excerpt from today's Houston Chronicle... Mo' Fashion? Chuck back to the City of Clutch? Earlier today in a press conference, Mo' Taylor shocked the city of Houston by announcing his departure from professional basketball. He is leaving to fulfill his dreams of modeling men's jean jackets. "I truly believe that fashion comes in cycles, and I want to promote the return of the jean jacket." His former teammates comment on the situation: Rudy Tomjanovich: "He wore that jacket everywhere, he reminded me of that kid from Charlie Brown. I told him I was going to fine him if he kept wearing it during pratice. Best of luck to him." Steve Francis: "He bought me a jean jacket for my birthday and insisted I wear it everytime we hit the town together. He had this whole Night at the Roxbury ordeal that he wanted to portray with me. You wouldn't believe how much chicks dig his haircut. Best of luck to him." Cat Mobley: "I must admit, I was jealous when he bought Wink a jean jacket and only gave me a set of Jenga. I really wanted to wear a jean jacket to the set of Debra Duncan. Did you catch that by the way?" Kelvin Cato: "What? Who's Mo' Taylor? Hey when does Summer League start? I want to show off my dunks and I've been practicing this new glare." Dan Langhi: "He really cared about me. I have this really bad hang up when it comes to girls. If you haven't noticed, I have a really long neck. So Mo' gave me a jean jacket, and flipped up the collars. Now I wear it everywhere. Chicks dig the Langster." The Rockets reportedly offered Charles Barkley a one year contract to come out of retirement and fill the position opened by Mo Taylor's surprise retirement. The Round Mound of Rebound believes with his help, the Rockets can make it to the Finals against Jordan and the Wizards. "Me and Michael. I'm friends with Michael Jordan. Everyone got that?"
With the signing of Mooch, Mitchell Wiggins, and Manute....who will be the odd man out on the Rox roster?
I talked to a "friend" today who works at a "malt shop" and his "wife" is "close friends" with the "wife" of a certain "trainer" for the "Houston Rockets." Apparently, word is on "the street" that the "Rockets" are interested in bringing a certain former "point guard" out of retirement. Word is now that a certain chubby "power forward" has retired, this "point guard" feels comfortbale playing in "Houston." The power forward in "question" hassled him quite a bit in a city in the "desert." I can't name "names" but his initials are "Kevin Johnson."
According to the Philadelphia Inquirer Dikembe Mutumbo has apparently had enough of Philly and reigning MVP Allen Iverson. Here is a copy and paste job from today's late on-line addition of the paper: Mutombo Requests Trade by Fullton Messier Dikembe Mutombo, acquired in a trade last season with the Atlanta Hawks for Theo Ratliff, apparently has had enough of the 76ers and Philadelphia. Mutombo who earned Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2000-2001 wants to leave Philly. Mutombo's trade request comes as a shock to the 76ers organization as he never had complained publicly concerning his role with the team since being acquired last year. The reasoning behind Mt. Mutombo's trade request are still not entirely clear. According to an inside source speaking on the condition of amonimity, Mutombo has requested he be traded to the Houston Rockets. Dikembe has sited that he prefers the warm weather in Houston which more closely compares to his homeland climate in Zaire. Mutombo who is close friends with ex-Rockets center Hakeem Olajuwon, says he feels obligated to help his friend. "Hakeem told me that he feels terribley about how he left Houston for Toronto and he wanted to somehow make it up to the Rockets organization and the city of Houston." stated Mutombo. Mutombo went on to say, "Hakeem said his backup, Kelvin...Crater or something, is in no way possible of playing starting center." As a favor to his longtime friend and fellow Native African Olajuwon, he is in talks with his agent to be traded to Houston. An added motivation for Mutombo is he wants to earn back the respect he lost by getting dunked on regularly by Shaquille O'Neal in last years NBA Finals. "I was Shaq's (female dog) last year. I cannot let the name of Mount Mutombo be disrespected!" Mutumbo yelled while curiously waving his finger back and forth. By playing in the Western Conference Mutombo will have more opportunities to play the Lakers and win back his respect. With Mutombo's departure appearing imminent, the 76ers will likely rely on Matt Giger to carry the load at center as the Sixers have already lost Todd MacCulloch to free agency. Last year's MVP and team captain Allen Iverson was quoted as saying, "Well (gee), I'll just have to shoot 40 (stinking) times a game instead of 30. Reports out of Houston are that the Rockets are ecstatic. Head coach Rudy Tomjanovich says, "Dikembe is that final piece to our puzzle. With him being added at the center spot we are looking to go all the way this year." Kelvin Cato, who will likely lose his starting spot on the roster laughed off the speculation stating, "What, I hadn't heard. I don't really care though. I'm going to be rich if I start or rich if I sit the bench. He he he."
sources have just comfirmed that Mutumbo's departure from the Eastern Confrence to the West Conference is in large part due to a certain Nigerian trying to remove center competition from the East. In unrelated news...hackers have identified 10 million dollars missing from Hakeems account and 10 million surfacing in Mutumbo's. When trying to reach Hakeem for a comment his PR manager said he was vacationing in Miami with Mourning. In more unrelating news...Denver has shown interest in Mourning...
Cuttino Talks about his Jacking Off Rockets guard finally explains to his fans why he finds it necessary to dominate the "Field Goals attempted" category day in and day out by Cuttino Mobley Look, I know that for the last three years, fans have complained about my constant jacking off. And I don't blame them. If I were a fan, and someone on my favorite team kept jacking so much in evey game, I would be upset too. But you need to understand, I jack off for a reason. We would not have had 45 wins last year, if I hadn't committed myself to playing well on the offensive end. And to be a good offensive player, you simply have to jack. There's no way around it. Jacking off leads to wins. Sure, my jacking wasn't always successful. Sometimes, I came up lame. But other times, my jacking off led to powerful eruptions of points. And that is why I like to jack off during games. I would advise any young player to jack as much as possible. It may bother your teammates, and your coach, and your fans, but in the end, your jacking off will lead to wins.
Rockets Trade Kelvin Cato to Jack N' Da Box for the 99 Cent BOYZ. We also get future rights to the Meaty Cheesy Boyz. Everyone agrees that Jack is getting the Shaft. In other related news, Kelvin Cato had a surgical procedure over the weekend to remove a large amount ( 75-100lbs) of Lead from his Colon area. Other NBA Newz: MJ announces he wont come back unless they find a cure for osteoperosis. David Stern has suddenly dissapeared from the face of the earth. The last person seen leaving his office was described as a pointy tailed red looking guy.... NBA Locks out its shi** refs and allows the fans to call the games.
You've got your rumor wrong. I overheard some high ranking Rockets brass saying Kelvin Cato plays like a "bowl of manure". j
I was at Piggly Wiggly checking out with groceries, as I turn...Moochie Norris, I can't believe it. I say hey Mooch it's me ROXRAN from CC.net fame....What are you doing here? Mooch looks around nervously and tells me: "look I've been coming here for eight years now and you is the first fool to recognize me, so keep it on the down low...aieght." ....Sure, sure...but the one thing I gotta tell my imaginary friends at CC.net is are you gonna stay or go?....He says "I will continue, but it won't be here..." , and with that Mooch takes his grocery cart outside to his car....Meanwhile I just stood there looking at him kinda numb and dumbfounded by the whole episode. Did he mean he won't return to the Rockets or did he mean he won't continue shopping here since I blew his cover?...Obviously this has been an enormous scoop, so make sure you give me the front pge props Clutch!
August 29, 2001, 10:35 PM AP NEWS Rockets Reach Agreement with 400+ lb Center In a stunning move, the Houston Rockets have reached an agreement with overweight center, Thomas Hamilton. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but sources close to the Rockets stated it was a multiyear deal valued around $42 million. Hamilton, the 7 foot 3 inch heavyweight out of King High School had previously been cut by coach Rudy Tomjanovich. With the apparent lack of big men available, the Rockets were forced to go with the best alternative. "I believe this is a great day for Rockets basketball," commented GM Carroll Dawson. "Thomas Hamilton has proven that he can throw his weight around, and solidify our center position for years to come." Hamilton, aka "two sandwiches" was ecstatic, and said, "I'm gonna go celebrate! Two Xtra large meat lovers pizzas and 4 Big Macs!" Tomjanovich was not available for comment.
