Chuck Hayes, Keith Bogans, and Gerald Fitch all played at Kentucy University and all are familiar with eachother. Though they won't be the star players for this team, if we can keep them and work with them, in the future (1 - 2 seasons), that would be an interesting trio around Ming+McGrady. Fitch will probably be coming off the bench for Alston, so will Hayes and Bogans, but I say we should keep them and work with them. This would be interesting, 3 guys from UK on the Rockets. Maybe if they turn out better than expected, they will be our starting PG,SG, and PF later...
I think its a smart idea that Dawson and Van Gundy are getting these kind of tough minded players. Bogans,Fitch and Lampe are a look at the future and are proof that the Rockets are serious about getting,younger,longer,more athletic and quicker. These are the type of guys we need if we are to compete with the Suns,Pistons,Spurs and Mavs. Also I think WE MUST REMAIN Mutombo,WEsley and Howard as backups but replace them with starters who fit the description of Bogans,Fitch and Lampe. Rockets are going to be right back on top next season and competing with the top teams in the nba. Go Rockets!!!
Actually what we now see is a deliberate act - to get players (especially the younger ones) from winning basketball programs. It is not a coincidence that we now have within our fold: 1. Luther Head - Illinois 2. Lil Hayes - Kentucky 3. Gerald Fitch - Kentucky 4. Keith Bogans - Kentucky I strongly believe that Lutherbeing a product of the fighting Illini contributed to choosing him in the last draft. JVG has been hinting this for the longest; that losing is a bad habit to break and to curtail this you have to get players who have won before or at least have a history of winning of course being talented comes with that. That to me is the 'spiritual' side of sports and basketball - different coaches see it differently though. Just note the players we will draft this year and beyond (as long as JVG is here) - if they are are not flat out bonafide talents like an Odom or maybe OJ Mayo like prospect, he will mostly come from a winning basketball school or culture.
You know, we might have really latched onto something with these U of Kentucky kids. They're familiar with each other; they come from a great program, so obviously they're coachable. They've really got something to prove and will work hard. Granted, they won't be top-tier players, but tough role players that JVG can plug in for 10-12 minute spells. And they won't have cost us anything: draft picks, $$$, etc. So the only "problems" would be in the off-season: we can plug the holes but need to fill the grave. We need our 3rd option on offense, and by that, I'm thinking, a starting-caliber shooting guard.
Sorry for being cynical, but I think you guys are reading way too much into this. I would be shocked if even 2 of these guys are still with the team next year.
i think hayes has a great shot of being here. he is a very good rebounder, young, cheap, and driven. jho is old and swift sucks (might be traded). bogans is here to stay. nice defender, slasher, spot up shooter. young and cheap with something to prove. this new guy... he will probably be gone.
Now we need to hire the their coaches at Kentuky, then we will be all set. Our season is complete. Gundy is happy, finally he got the line up he wants. 3 hardnose Kentuky guy, Rybo and head, they will listen to him on every play, hustle on every play.
Speaking of Kentucky, Tony Delk just got waived by the Hawks. I think he would be great here in the short-term. Luther Head is just not getting it done.
Well I was just pointing it out. I'm pretty sold on Hayes and Bogans staying for next season, just from the way they've been playing. I'm not sure about Fitch, but hell, he's quick, that's for sure, we could always use a quick pg. We just have to make sure he doesn't turn out to be another Swift: Lots of potential, but no good, consistent, production (as of yet). For Fitch, I think we might have dumped junk to get junk, but hopefully Fitch proves me wrong out on that court.
Beat me to it. I would waive Fitch and sign Delk. He's got the experience we need for a playoff push. Fitch is developmental.
