Here we go now....yee ha A PF, that speculation has Swift being called--btw, I believe drastically changes our team chemistry on offense. If you have two low post players with little range (Swift and Cato) on the court together, Mobley is more easily shutdown, I guarantee it. And pick-n-rolls with Francis/Swift, I believe, are largely useless when the picker is no threat to roll-out and shoot. The only effective version of the pick-n-roll with a non-shooter is one where the picker rolls to the hole, which Parish/Johnson did so well. But exactly how many times have you ever seen Hakeem or Cato do that, even though the Rockets players were picking Francis all over the place. Right now, you simply cannot say Swift will be good at the pick n roll. That is way too premature. Plus, picks are not for the PF in our offense. Picks are to get Francis into the middle of the lane. This notion that pick-n-rolls are a play everyone can run is misleading. Plus, I simply do not believe they are entirely needed with Francis. More on that another time. If you want a pick-n-roll player, Croshere is far more prepared to be that player than NBA players who people say Swift will be. What I'd talk about with Swift is he effect on our defense and how great defense is needed in developing our running game. TexasSalsa, I believe Swift is stronger at helping our running game. I strongly believe if we get Swift, we should play 3 guards as much as possible, and run like the wind! forget the pick-n-roll. As for Moises RF34, you're just talking about building our bench. That's fine. But watch out for speculation on how Moises will actually contribute. You might want to find an NBA player who already does the things you mention than expecting Moises to be that anytime soon. Plus, the role you have him doing in the offense, is more suited for Kenny Thomas anyhow, IMO. I'm largely with Crisco. A big passer/shooter like Croshere who is used to motion sets like Indiana plays will fit in nicely. More Thoughts: 1. We need defense 2. We want to run 3. We want to play 3 guards at a time 4. We had success with Walt at PF at key parts of games, hell Bullard outscored many PFs as well throughtout the season. Go back and look at his 1st quarter stats when he was starting. So, who already in the NBA is a PF that can move over to Center and play with the horses while holding fort on the defenses side. BTW: he doesn't really have to be a starter. This set is only two 5 minute stints maximum, that I recall. [This message has been edited by heypartner (edited June 04, 2000).]
Is the player currently on a team with a coach that belongs back at the college level he came from? Mango ------------------ Live long and prosper. Donate Blood! [This message has been edited by Mango (edited June 03, 2000).]
Swift actually has somewhat decent range, up to about 10 feet, which he'll likely extend. Moiso would be a good pick/roll candidate, as he can go out about 15-20 feet. ------------------ Rockets fans wanted at hoopsboards.com Draft Chat, NBA Chat, Team Chat, and more!
HP well said and i agree but i said give and go not pick and roll. yah agreed on swift but thats what rudy T wants to do anyways is run like the wind. btw i agree on cato and swift tahts why i said cato is likely gone if we get swift. personally i might like to see us get dan langhi that big guy who can shoot the ligths out from vanderbilt. he will be there in the 2nd round and can even shoot the 3. when francis penetrates, langhi can bring his man out to get him out of the lane and keep defenses honest with his shooting. btw do u think its possible and smart to try to get croshere and swift? croshere would be a good guy to have although i'd rather have swift. and btw if we get swift we really shouldnt try for webber IMO just add a vet or 2 and resign every1 else next summer. but seeing how getting swift is very unlikely dont think that will happen. croshere is a good fit because he can do the same thing langhi does and set a mean pick. btw croshere is a very good athlete too it will be intresting if we got him to see how he does with our fast paced team. ------------------ --TEX
Before I appear anti-Swift, or anti-two shot-blockers. I'm not. I think Cato with a Swift or Ratliff has outstanding possibilities. Just become none of those three would make a great Malone-type pickers, we can still get a sum gain having both those guys on the court, due to the effect they have on defense, and the effect that has on the running game. I'm looking for sum gains. Plus, there are plays you can likely run with Swift/Francis if he does turn out to be strong low-post player. What I find difficult, is figuring out what to do with Mobley when you take a weak-side shooter off the floor. I'd like to start a whole thread on that. [This message has been edited by heypartner (edited June 03, 2000).]
heypartner, Since Cat was able to get to the basket without picks, pick-n-roll would be unnecessary for him. Is there some other team in the league that was able to overcome a similar problem? Could you answer my question earlier in this thread? Mango ------------------ Live long and prosper. Donate Blood!
Unfortunetly, the players like Moiso aren't available, or would cost us an arm and a leg. Heypartner, I think if we draft Moiso, he will be able to start. He's polish enough to be able to contribute. I know he'll struggle like any rookies does in the beginning, but I know he's able to learn on the fly. What I was envisioning was Rogers role, not Kenny's actually. Moiso will be a more pollished Rogers with a better offensive game. Remember when we ran a Francis, Cat, Shandon, Rogers, Cato lineup? When all 5 worked the offense to perfection against the Lakers, it was a beauty to watch. I think Moiso is the answer to the weakside shooter and weakside blocking problems. ------------------ Check out the new and improved Draftsource.net
On Morris: Haywood's a center. He's a person there seems to be some Cato in....athletic 7 footer, that's a poor rebounder. Morris is a 6'9'' super athletic SF, that Francis really likes, and has said I believe that he hopes is on the Rockets eventually. He's a good defender, and is reminded by many of Scottie Pippen-game wise. He'd be a perfect Rocket fit if we got a big man this year. ------------------ Rockets fans wanted at hoopsboards.com Draft Chat, NBA Chat, Team Chat, and more! [This message has been edited by NIKEstrad (edited June 03, 2000).]
Good point about next yr's draft Nike. I think the immediate concern in this draft should be an athletic PF like Moiso and then figure out the SF position later. The Rockets would have a couple of choices, either try to sign someone in FA to fill the SF hole (Outlaw or Croshere) or if that does not work out just wait till next yr's draft. Even if the Rockets do make the 8th seed next yr which is possible, they would still be able to land a quality complementary SF mid first rd as the 2001 draft is loaded. The early possibilities for 2001 SFs are Terence Morris, Shane Battier, Gerald Wallace, Vincent Yarbrough, Richard Jefferson, Tayshaun Prince, etc, and I am sure even more will emerge during the season. ------------------ Check out the Best Source for Draft Info Draftsource.net
What's more, is that everyone will go crazy over the big men, so if we're a top 15 pick (which I think we'll be) and all the big men go early-Chandler, Curry, Woods, Haywood, there's 4 of them, then guys like Wallace, Griffin, Troy Murphy, etc. go, Battier, or Morris, or Yarbrough would be there for us. And, if we got the Detroit pick next year, or an Orlando pick, or both, we'd have the possibility of moving up a little to grab Morris or Wallace if they're projected to go earlier. One more SF that could break out-Lavell Blanchard. ------------------ Rockets fans wanted at hoopsboards.com Draft Chat, NBA Chat, Team Chat, and more!
I would like to have a power forward that can play defense, score nicely , rebounds well and can RUN with Francis. Stromile Swift fits that description. But its going to be hard getting him. All I know is Rudy is going to have a hard time choosing who he wants. ------------------ President of the Moochie Norris FAN CLUB
rf34, If the Rockets dont think they are gonna land a PF by trade or FAgency, then I think getting Moiso should be of high priority. But dont expect him to be doing all those things you listed hiim doing in your thread before, cuz to me that sounds like things Webber brings to the table, and I dont think Moiso is gonna do all that as effectively as it mite sound. Maybe in the years to come, but not rite away. IMO, if the Rockets got Moiso, he should be behind KT in the rotation until Moiso starts outplaying on a regular basis and a NEED to start Moiso becomes apparent. but thas only if the Rockets cant get a tried and true NBA PF thru other means. Either way, I like the Rockets chances at shaking up their big men rotation for next year. ------------------ I have a special purpose.
Oh yeah, and another thing, the Rockets need to invest in better microphones, so they can avoid that embarrasing debacle at Clyde's ceremony. Hakeem's ceremony should be first class all the way. ------------------ You just want to be on the side thats winning.
Okay here’s the deal… 1. When the 9th pick comes around I would draft whoevers left out of Miles, Miller, Moiso, Pryzbilla, D. Johnson, Olumide, Tsakalida … in that order. For the purpose of this thread I willl assume we get Darius Miles… 2. Now I would trade Cato for Christian Laetner… There are several reasons why ? A. Rudy says we need inside players who can play away from the basket , He has a good 15 foot jump shot B. He is also a very good rebounder and can run. C. He is also a free agent next year and if we needed cap space to sign Webber we could choose not to resign him. 3. I would trade Drew, K Thomas , and W. Williams for Olowakandi. 4. I would use my 2 million exception for a backup SF. Okay here is the lineup for 2000/2001… Center……… Olajuwon, Olowakandi P-forward…. Laetner, Massenburg, C Rogers S-forward…. Miles, Matt Bullard, FA S-guard……. Shandon, Mobley P-guard……. Francis, M. Norris And if we can sign Webber next year... Oh MAN! ------------------
3. I would trade Drew, K Thomas , and W. Williams for Olowakandi. You are kidding right? Kandiman is not worth that much, the most i would give up for him is Drew and maybe Carlos Rogers. I also want to give Cato probably one more chance and see what he is made of. But speaking about CWebb, if the kings dont improve or pass the 1st round then Webber will be looking to leave so Houston could have a chance. But webber wants to win and he wants to do it now and the only way he signs with us is if he thinks Houston can win. ------------------ President of the Moochie Norris FAN CLUB
please stop with the fantasy teams and lets do as HP wanted and see how these players would effect the rockets from a coaching standpoint. while thats a nice lineup ill bet a $100 that it doesnt happen and im still scratching my head on why every1 thinks kenny T is some sort of bad luck charm taht we must get rid of this offseason. HP ok im gonna do a new effect The Darius Miles Effect Immediate Effect- Miles will come in and play proly 10-15 min his first year to get a feel for the game. in his first year he will often look to take the ball to the basket because he has no shot yet. he will have some nice moments with plays completed through sheer athleticism. he will no doubt like to run and be on the recieving ends of many alleyoops. he will likely turn the ball over alot. his substitution will probably be for mobley since he likes to attack the basket. he will probably run that alleyoop play very well... Some Drawbacks- could be injury prone cause he is so skinny. wont contribute immediatly. no shot at all so cant hit a big one down the stretch. is a risky pick. at his age he could be very immature some other pluses- he is a freak athletically and u cant teach taht but u can teach a jump shot. has great height and long arms for the SF position. he wnats to play here. he can handle the ball very well. he is a good passer. some other intangibles- he is very raw, but watns to play here. his ego will come into play on how much he is willing to work to get better. ------------------ --TEX
HP ok ill do the effects certain rookies will have on the team. i want RF34 to help me he seems to know what he is talking about. u do the veterans like austin croshere. and NIKEstrad please do a marcus camby effect on the team if u can since u seem to think he fits well here. i think ill do a mike miller effect today or tom. ------------------ --TEX
OK, I think I'll go after the "Camby effect" First, on defense: DEFENSE How many times has Cato had to leave his man to help out when KT is overmatched, or when penetration comes through that Francis, Mobley, or Walt screwed up on the perimeter? Plenty. Camby, when combined with Cato would give us 2 lean tall shot blocking machines, that would provide weak side defense, and covering up for our guards mistakes. When Camby plays alone, he can patrol the paint just as well, if not better than Cato could alone. Camby can start or come off the bench. Camby also gives us the punch we need in the rebounding department. In a shade over 26 minutes per game, Camby had more rebounds than anyone on last year's Rockets except Barkley. In his 2nd year, he led the league in blocked shots. Defense wins championships. Having 2 defensive stalwarts that are 6'11'' with long arms, 26 years old, and superb athleticism is definitely a good thing. OFFENSE Everyone wants to run the 2 shakes, and we still could. Camby isn't a wide body, or lumbering bodies, which I think would damage it even more, as he can get out of the lane. He's not as bad an offensive player as he is being made out to be. He didn't score nearly 15 ppg in his rookie year by accident. While not over powering, he does have the skill to post up. Defense creates offense though. Camby's shot blocking and rebounding is sure to start many fast breaks, and when he doesn't start them, he can finish them easily as well. Is his offense similar to Cato? In basic terms, yes, but his is much more polished and he has a little more of an arsenal. Camby can stick the short open jumper, and has a knack for getting the ball near the basket. Other Camby is an emotional, hustle player, which the Rockets do not have many of. He'd mesh well with this team, and wants to learn and become better. He also could light a fire under Cato. Camby gives us a guy who can play center, which gives us "Cato insurance". Many want to trade Cato, and there's a high demand for him, and Camby would allow us to trade him, and get a star SF or PF, without needing to get a center, in most cases an extremely overpriced one in return. ------------------ Rockets fans wanted at hoopsboards.com Draft Chat, NBA Chat, Team Chat, and more!
The Mike Miller Effect Immediate Impact (+s)- mike miller gives the rockets a very versatile small forward. he will be able to run almost all of our existing plays and even enhance some. miller will be able to post up smaller forwards and or guards allowing for our shooters to get open, and if we had guys cutting, he will find them because he is an excellent passer. mike miller also will be able to stand out on iso plays because he can shoot the 3 or take it in for the mid range shot. mike miller will also be able to take slower people off the dribble because he can drive to the basket. miller is a good athlete and can probably finish some alley oop plays because he has excellent leaping ability. miller is an excellent team player having learned from playing with that deep florida team, so if he isnt hitting he wont force shots very often, and will look for the guy who is hitting. he also probably wont complain about minutes if walt is having another good season. mike miller also has the ability to handle the basketball allowing him to be the much discussed point forward for short periods of time when we need francis to score or simply to take some pressure off francis, or to setup mobes or whatever, this is still a very key and useful attribute. some drawbacks-miller is a bit slow running down the court. he will have to work on his speed to keep up with our young greyhound rockets, because we will want to run ALOT. he also needs to be more agressive at times instead of letting the game come to him which isnt necessarily bad but he needs to take control more. he also needs some time in the weight room. he needs to react better to certain situations like the michigan st. game. he needs some overall more polish to each aspect. some other intangibles and pluses- rudy T likes miller. he is a very good fit here. im not sure if he wants to play here though. he needs to get stronger. miller seems like a good kid. he couldve used some more college experience. sometimes miller can try to be a little too fancy. overall he is a great fit for the rockets if they decide to draft him. sometime soon ill post the dermarr johnson effect. ------------------ --TEX [This message has been edited by TeXaSalsa (edited June 04, 2000).]
