Rafer - Aaron Brooks - Francis Tmac- Barry - Head Artest -Battier- Mike Harris Scola - Hayes - Landry Yao - Deke - Dorsey I know we have a a jam at the 3 spot, but i dont think that's necessarily a bad thing, e specially for Harris. Remember that this roster has a lot of flexibility. A lot of players can be moved around: PG: Rafer, Tmac, Brooks, Francis, Barry, Head SG: Tmac, Barry, Francis, Head, Artest, Battier SF: Artest, Tmac, Battier, Landry, Harris, Barry PF: Scola, Landry, Hayes, Dorsey, Artest, Battier, Harris C: Yao, Deke, Scola, Hayes, Dorsey, even Landry So its actually an advantage to have similar players in this case. Harris supposedly has been working on his handle and shooting, as advised by the team this offseason, so he would be able to play SG, SF, and PF. Plus, he's another guy you don't have to worry about playing because you know he's goinig to get some decent numbers just by working hard. .
Leunen's signed overseas. He won't be with the Rockets this season. Still have the option to pick him up next year, though. At this point, I'd rather have Newley than Leunen. Anyways... Francis Deke Strawberry Head Sorry, Harris.
Damn, I didn't realize Leunen got signed overseas. Obviously it was for good reason. I guess Head will get the spot by default.
We keep the guys we know can contribute to this team: Luther Head: Although he's had bad playoff performances to date, he does contribute his outside shooting to this team. He knows how to play within the Rockets' system. Mike Harris: He contributed very well during the 22 game winning streak in place of Carl Landry when he got injured. He's also good to have on the practice court, someone who'll push other guys to play harder. Deke: We know for sure this guy can contribute. I don't think age is even a question anymore for him. For the past two seasons, he bailed out the Rockets when Yao got hurt. He can contribute with more minutes when needed, but his real value is as a backup to Yao. Deke is also good for moral support off the bench. Then I would keep Steve Francis, because as a fan I would love to see him make a comeback. It would only help our point guard depth if he can be 100%. As for Wafer and Strawberry, we don't know what they can give this team. I question their abilities to shoot or ability to truly play the point. But coaches might see something we don't.
harris, francis, mutombo, strawberry... keep mutombo as a reserve, so when we win a ring...we can give it to him....francis has definitely got to stay...trash the others...
I cant believe people still want to keep Francis. Even if he is in great shape he'll never contribute again. His body just isnt capable of the athleticism that was his game. He never was a high IQ player just an incredible athalete. He will never be a good player again. Its time to cut him loose. Besides this team only has room for one sentimental roster spot and that has to be Mutombo because at least he actually can contribute.
rox need deke in there. he will provide leadership and defense to the younger guys. that 22 streak had alot to do with deke's contributions.
wafer is probably the next one to be cut, and we will do some trade in this season to sign DEKE in the middle of this season, that's it.
I don't think we're going to sign Mutombo until the second half of the year, unless Yao goes down. Even then, I think Adelman feels that he can platoon Scola/Landry and Dorsey there, especially since he can play Artest at PF. Not only will that keep Deke fresh for the playoffs, but will also keep a roster spot open, and give time to find out who is who, and find a trade or way to get us under the luxury tax. So, in that case, I think we'll keep Harris, Francis, Head, and Strawberry. That'll give us the chance to see if Francis truly recovers from his injury or not. If he doesn't, Francis could be let go, or traded for his expiring salary. If he's solid, we'll either trade Head, Harris, Strawberry or someone for a draft pick. But, that will give us time to see who can do what, or showcase someone for trade value.
I agree. Not to burst no ones bubble but this is the guy who said he built the toyota center. When it comes to contributing i agree with you his game was based on explosiveness sonething he doesnt have anymore. I think he will be somehow more of a distraction in the locker room to be honest. o well
No one is asking or needing Steve to come in and play like Stevie Franchise. Personally, I'm tired of people counting Steve out as a pro ball player. Count him out as an all star or even a starter, since most of his game was about explosiveness and hops, but there's stuff injuries can't take away. 1. He still has a very good handle. Yes he played with the ball too much early in his career, but the guy can handle the rock, period. Even with his banged up legs he can still beat guys off the dribble better than any other pg they have. 2. He's become an extremely reliable FT shooter. Something the Rockets need since they've struggled with it in the playoffs lately. 3. The attitude he brings. He'll have a much better relationship with the guys on the team (especially Yao) than guys like Wafer or Strawberry. He actually has a positive influence on Yao since he's very emotional and gets Yao pumped up more than anyone else. He definitely will not be a distraction to the team. He hasn't b****ed or caused drama besides saying he'd like to play more, early last season, which wasn't a bad thing considering he actually played solid minutes when he did play. 4. He's really good at creating contact. He can still hang in the air for a bit and go into defenders to create free throw opportunities. Again, something he does better than the other point guards. He also finishes very well on the fast break. 5. Experience. He hasn't exactly had experience with deep playoff runs, but he still has been around for a while now. Has had some playoff battles and big games in pressure situations. Has hit big shots. That's something not many guys on this team can claim.
we dont need his offense we got enough offensive players in Artest MCgrady scola Yao. We need defensive players and that is what Strawberry is, a defensive specialist.. As in his attitude i think it will be more a distraction. If Francis doesnt get minutes which he porbably wont he will be more likely to throw a fit then a guy like strawberry. His ego is big for the fact that he actually was the face of the Rockets once and would not like to be one of the guys that doesnt play.. He is good friends with Yao but seeing Francis and Yao just reminds me of those ugly uniforms and all those lotery seasons.. Its a new time. We are a new team. Stawberry is younger and with more upside.
Hayes and Head should be traded - can't go another year watching Hayes shooting free throws, Head is just a 1 trick pony who disappears in the playoffs every year!
Why would we need defensive players when we were the #2 defensive team in the NBA last year?? any other year we're number 1 had it not been for a great Celtics team. Now we added Ron, another defensive weapon. We're more than set with defense. Defense is mostly about hard work and commitment, than invididualized talent or skills. Offensve on the other hand, is more about skills and talent. So its more important to build the offense as much as posisble, especially since we've had offensive issues even when tmac and Yao were both playing. Francis' ego is not an issue. Period. He's always had a cockyness to him, but he's not a bad guy and definitely is not going to make a big deal about playing. He simply said he's like to play more, just like I'm sure Hayes, Brooks, Scola, Landry and many others around the league would like to. He wasn't being selfish. And who cares if Francis thinks he built the Toyota center or that he was THE guy in Houston once, that's in the past, the important thing is that he knows where he fits NOW, and that he definitely knows. Also, Strawberry doesn't have a lot of upside to him, thats part of the reason why he was a secoun rounder, one spot away from not even being drafted,then traded, and now not even likely to make the team. By definition he does have more upside than Francis since Francis has already peaked, but then so does any 4th grader since they're still growing and improving. Its about winning now, not about rebuilding, not about bringing along prospects, not about giving an opportunity to a longshot, but about building a solid veteran ballclub that clicks together and has versatility. Francis adds to that a lot more than Strawberry or Wafer.
Not most of his game, all of his game relied on it. He played with it to much early in his career???? Still does!! Even if he beats them of the dribble he just drives into a crowd throws up a wild shot and turns the ball over. You cant shoot FT unless youre in the game and hes not good enough to get in anymore. We have enough cheerleeders!! Thats an interesting way to describe driving into a crowd and throwing up a wild shot. Not exactly.
