Houston Rockets Team Report posted JANUARY 22, 2000 Print it! By TSN correspondent Michael Murphy Houston Chronicle Here's an analyrical look at the Houston Rockets at the midway point of the season: BURNING ISSUE: The biggest hurdle facing the Rockets in the second half of the season is how well they can integrate a healthy Hakeem Olajuwon into an offense that is his being handed over to the super-rookie Steve Francis. Olajuwon has not played in a perimeter-oriented offense since his days at the University of Houston, when Rob Williams and Clyde Drexler were roaming the court. Olajuwon has missed much of the first half after undergoing hernia surgery, so the passing of the torch has not been a problem. But Olajuwon is back in the lineup, and should be ready to start at any time, so it might become an issue. Olajuwon has said he's fine with the offense the way it is now. The Rockets have to stay on the course they've charted for themselves, and if Olajuwon is willing to focus on defense and rebounding, taking what the defense gives him on the offensive end of the floor, they could put together a nice push in the second half. NEWCOMER ANALYSIS: What can you say about Steve Francis? Little Stevie Wonderful has been sensational, and you have to wonder if the Bulls aren't wondering if they possibly made a mistake by selecting Elton (Generic) Brand with the top pick. Francis leads all rookies in scoring (18.1 points), assists (7.0) and is even tied for fifth in rebounds (4.8). And that's with Francis keeping himself in check for much of the season. He has not had one of those crazy 35-shot games or anything like that. Francis has been content to spread the wealth, keeping his teammates happy. The "other" rookie, Kenny Thomas, has blossomed of late. Even though he averages only 6.9 points and 5.2 rebounds, Thomas has posted double-doubles in four of his last five games, averaging 15.8 points and 10 rebounds over that span. The key is that Thomas has attempted just one three-point field goal in that span, taking his game inside where it belongs. Shandon Anderson, a free-agent acquisition from Utah, has been solid, averaging 10.4 points and 4.4 rebounds. Anderson's forte has been defense, where he is usually assigned to opposing twos and threes. Anderson's ability to run the floor makes him a good complement to Francis in the backcourt. The other newcomers have had varying degrees of success. Walt Williams came billed as a shooter, but has hit just 42.4 percent from the field. Carlos Rogers underwent surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb, but had been a surprisingly strong addition, averaging 9.1 points and 5.6 boards. The 6-11 Rogers gave the Rockets a different look at power forward, able to shoot from the perimeter and post up smaller players. Kelvin Cato has missed the last nine games with a sprained right wrist, but was averaging 8.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.9 blocks before the injury. Cato gives the Rockets a key weakside shotblocker to complement Hakeem Olajuwon on the front line GAME PLAN: Everyone is pretty much waiting to see how things will shake out with the Rockets. If Hakeem Olajuwon kicks back and lets Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley handle things, then the Rockets should be able to make a push in the second half. The biggest missing piece thus far has been a consistent interior scorer to balance the outside game provided by the guards. Olajuwon should be able to average in the vicinity of 16 points just by moving without the ball and dumping in the passes he'll get, and he's still capable of grabbing double-figure boards. And if Kenny Thomas is able to keep up his production, then the Rockets will be able to score with anyone. A playoff spot is a reach right now, but it isn't entirely out of the question. But they won't be able to absorb any more injuries, the biggest problem they've had this year. MIDSEASON POSITION ANALYSIS: Center -- Pig Miller is still the starter, but he's just holding down the fort until Hakeem Olajuwon comes back. Miller has been a horse on the boards, averaging 7.8 in just 24 minutes per game. The problem is that Miller has been joined by Kelvin Cato, Carlos Rogers and Olajuwon in the middle, making things pretty muddled inside. Olajuwon will soon take over the center chores again, and his offense will be a huge plus. Olajuwon has logged just 51 minutes in the last three games, but he has shown flashes. Olajuwon's 31-point, eight-rebound game against Sacramento on Nov. 18 showed he still has the touch on offense. Grade: B-. Power forward -- Much like the center spot, this position has been a mystery. Rogers, Cato and Matt Bullard have all started at one time or another, and each brings a different look. Rogers is the most versatile of the bunch, able to knock down the jumper, hit the offensive boards and block a few shots. And Rogers has to be dragged out of the lineup, a necessary characteristic in Houston. Grade: C. Small forward -- Walt Williams has been hit and (mostly) miss from the perimeter, unable to find any kind of consistency with his shot. Williams (8.7 points, 3.5 rebounds) isn't exactly a stopper on defense, so shooting is what's needed from him. Shandon Anderson has made a handful of starts here, and his ability to run the floor is what gets him involved in the offense. Anderson is a huge upgrade defensively over Williams, even though the Wizard would be a good if he could ever find his jumper. Grade: D. Off guard -- Anderson has been pretty much what the Rockets expected, averaging 10.4 points and 4.4 rebounds. the only real "problem" is his passive attitude on offense. Anderson is not the type to demand the ball, even when he's rolling. The way the Rockets have been struggling, Anderson needs to be aggressive when he's hot. Grade: C. Point guard -- Steve Francis has been sensational, even though he still has the occasional big-turnover game. But Francis has proved that he can get just about any shot he wants just about any time he pleases. And his ability to finish drives to the paint has many defenders playing on their heels, setting up Francis' crossover stop-and-pop. Grade: A. Bench -- The bench has been so thinned by injuries that it's amazing the Rockets get anything. Cuttino Mobley has been the strongest contributor, even though he still is streaky. Mobley, the Rockets' main "energy guy" off the bench, is hitting 39.5 percent of his shots through 39 games, averaging 14.2 points and 2.8 assists. Kenny Thomas has come on lately, averaging 15 points and 10 rebounds over the Rockets' five-game win streak. Thomas gives the Rockets a mismatch guy on the front line, able to out-quick bigger defenders and overpower smaller guys. Matt Bullard still provides outside shooting. If the injuries ever clear up, the Rockets should have a strong, deep bench with guys like Kelvin Cato and Tony Massenburg added to the mix. Grade: C. Coaching Rudy Tomjanovich finally has the team understanding what he wants, and it hasn't been easy. Unable to rely on a consistent lineup from one night to the next, Tomjanovich has had to resort to plug and pray lineups. Making the transition from one generation to the next is never easy (just ask Jeff Van Gundy), but Tomjanovich is pulling it off. Grade: A. WHO'S HOT: Steve Francis is learning how to control a game, able to take over in clutch situations and make the game his own. Francis, who looks more and more like the second coming of Isiah Thomas with each game, has developed a knack for making big baskets in the fourth quarter. Cuttino Mobley may be streakier than a grade-Z Windex knockoff, but he gets the job done. His ability to get to the basket is rare. Now, if only he'd use it more often. The problem is that Mobley is too often content to pull up and take the jumper when he could easily get to the hole. STRONG TO THE HOOP: Now comes the big test for Hakeem Olajuwon. The Rockets have upcoming games against Miami, Minnesota, Golden State, at Denver, and then back home for the Lakers and Charlotte. The key is that several of those teams have a strong inside scorer- Miami's Alonzo Mourning, Minnesota's Kevin Garnett, Denver's Antonio McDyess (who bombed the Rockets for 40 points and 12 rebounds last Thursday in a 122-115 loss to the Rockets), the Lakers' Shaquille O'Neal and Charlotte's Elden Campbell. Olajuwon has been easing himself back into the lineup, and understandably so. If the Rockets are going to sustain this hot streak they're presently enjoying, they're going to have to have Olajuwon rise to the occasion. While they certainly don't expect him to match everyone point-for-point, they need as much of leveling factor as possible. FEARLESS PREDICTION: Pig Miller will be relegated to the bench soon, but don't expect him to get lost in the shuffle. Miller provides a bit of much-needed toughness in the box, and there is no way Rudy Tomjanovich will squander that by stranding Miller on the bench. Expect him to log decent minutes even after Olajuwon comes back to the lineup. http://www.sportingnews.com/nba/teams/rockets/ [This message has been edited by 3pointer (edited January 25, 2000).]
