It seems no one wants to mention it, so I'm going to put it out here. Mo Taylor got one (1) rebound last night ("Seven cents, Vern?"). He was outrebounded by Williams, Olajuwon, Anderson, Francis, Mobley, Norris, and Rogers. Bullard and Cato were the only other players to get minutes and they also had one rebound. I don't want to become a Mo Taylor basher since I don't like the complementary positions for Rudy T or whoever else. But he's making it hard on me because a team needs their starting PF to grab some rebounds. I know 10 per game may have been too optimistic for someone who is bad at rebounding, but come on: I could get 1 rebound if I played 25 minutes in an NBA game. He said he was going to get stronger on the boards and I've heard all the reasons why we should sign Mo even though he's an historically bad rebounder. But we're not seeing anything. I did notice a few times that Mo went downcourt on a Bucks miss and let others grab the defensive rebounds. HP, can you tell me if this is in the game-plan somehow? Meanwhile, Othella is averaging 10 boards a game for Vancouver. ------------------ Rockets Draft Obligations Summary http://www.gaffordstudios.cjb.net/
Give it time. He had some decent rebounding in the preseason and so far has been hampered with two injuries. Wait until the all star break and then let's look at how he is doing. ------------------ There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
He may not be the best rebounder in the world (quite an understatement), but I'm not going to worry until it starts to hurt the team. As long as the rebounds are being made and he continues to play great offense and above-average defense, I'll be happy. ------------------ "Priorities is our values"-Dubya at campaign stop in San Jose on 11/1/00 visit www.swirve.com
Man I would love to bring Yinka Harrington back at some point. I like Mo, but he's going to cost some serious money to resign next season (assuming he plays well). O, on the other hand, is going to be underpaid for the next several years. He hates it in Vancouver and they've got their PF of the future already in Swift. I doubt we'd make a move this season, barring injury. But if we don't sign Mo or CWebb this offseason I could see us trading a package of Collier + a decent draft pick for Othella. ------------------
In the preseason, Taylor got 9, 4, and 7 rebounds, for an average of 6.67. That's just about his average last year. And 9 boards isn't a lot of boards. As for the injuries, the ankle sprain doesn't count because he left once he sustained it, giving him 1 rebound for 25 minutes. He's playing with a bad ring finger, but if it was going to hurt anything, it would be his shooting touch not his rebounding. And it hasn't even hurt his shooting touch. As for waiting for the All-Star break, I'll still be watching then. As I said, I don't want to be coming down on Taylor all the time, but I need more rebounds from him. Yes, he provides some nice offense from PF, but I won't be satisfied even if we outrebound our opponents. Having guards doing rebound duty keeps them from doing other things that they need to do, like fast-breaking. ------------------ Rockets Draft Obligations Summary http://www.gaffordstudios.cjb.net/
Juan, I said he had some decent rebounding in the preseason, not stellar. Too early to tell...that is all I am saying. Give the boy time. I know a lot of you are salivating and can't wait to say "I told you so" about Taylor and his rebounding. But I am not ready to say that yet. There were rebounds to be had in Taylor's 25 min. of play, true. But it seemed Walt and Shandon were all over the glass. On the broken finger thing....have you ever played with a broken finger? It damn sure affects more than shooting touch. It affects anything you do with that hand. Rebounding is hard with a broken finger, I assure you. I have broken 4 fingers playing ball, and it isn't easy to even dribble the ball, much less shoot it and rebound. I am not making excuses, but I am not ready to throw in the towel after 2 regular season games. I need to see 20-30 games and see what the numbers say then. ------------------ There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness." [This message has been edited by HOOP-T (edited November 03, 2000).]
If you want to compare broken fingers, I had six fractures in a span of maybe 2 years. One was in a slammed door, but I think all the rest were from playing ball. And yes, it hurt like hell to try to use it for anything and I pretty much stayed off the court while I was healing. I'm not saying that broken fingers don't affect rebounding, I'm saying his break is not that bad if he can shoot 8 for 10. I'm not throwing in the towel, by any means. I just want to be sure that people are watching it because it isn't starting out well. Every box-score, I'll be looking fro his rebounding totals. ------------------ Rockets Draft Obligations Summary http://www.gaffordstudios.cjb.net/
Mo is no Danny Fortson, that is for sure. I cannot defend him by explaining his positioning on the floor. Mo is a great shooter and dribbler. I don't see a thirst for the ball, though. Juan, to answer your question, I've seen him out in front of the fastbreak, now that you mention it. I'll look for this and get back to you if I see a pattern. I do have a general comment regarding why Shandon and Walt get a lot of rebounds: Our system relies heavily on the 4-out-1 offensive scheme (four players out and one in), as opposed to the 2-3 or box set, etc. This keeps the lane unclogged and is designed for teams with great shooters/penetrators. Arkansas with Scoreless Williamson is a great example. Iowa St with Fizer and the 3 guards did it often, too, I am told. The defense is spread out, and thus crashing the boards has more opportunities. Look to see how often we are inverted (ie. Mo is in high post areas and Shandon/Walt have better rebounding position). Again, I can in no way justify Mo's rebounding based on our offensive system. He is no Danny Fortson. Hopefully, he will get more hungry.
HoopT, That's nothing, I have 8 broken fingers and I can still snare 14 rebounds a game - you just gotta play through the pain!! ------------------
Dr N, You are exactly the type of player the Rockets need then. Man, 8 broken fingers and 14 rpg. You are INTENSE! ------------------ There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Hey, if Walt and Shan can pick up the rebounding slack in most games like they did verses the Bucks, I have no problem if Mo Tay only get 5 reb. a game or thereabouts. Wiz for rebounding title in 2000! ------------------ She hates testicles, thus limiting the men she can admire to Democratic candidates for president. -- John Greenway, "The American Tradition", on feminist Elizabeth Gould Davis
I'm not a Mo basher, but as far as rebs he is as unproven as our rookies. Its just too unnatural having our little guys do the dirty work. ------------------ I'ma need more than 6 and a half rebounds a game from the PF
If this trend of good shooting and poor rebounding continues throughout the year, what kind of money should be offered to him next summer? Mango ------------------ Test Your NBA Trade Ideas 1. Put new topics in the proper forum. Things happening in the rest of the NBA 2. Use clear wording for new threads. 3. No duplicate threads 4. Conduct yourself as an adult. The Serious Police are watching. Donate Blood or be assimilated!
Teams are going to start working harder to keep our backcourt and SF off the boards. To contuinue winning Mo and Cato are going to have to show better boardwork... ------------------ I'ma need more than 6 and a half rebounds a game from the PF
Unnatural? What difference does that make. Rebounds are rebounds. We lost Tuesday because our team defense sucked and we missed free throws. If you take more than 40 free throws in a game, you should NEVER lose. We won Thursday because our team defense was great and we hit our outside shots. Shandon and Steve are strong rebounding guards. I sincerely hope they remain that way throughout their careers. If that means there are less rebounds for Taylor or that we don't need him for that, that's fine. W's are far more important than REB's. ------------------ Save Our Rockets and Comets SaveOurRockets.com
Let me also point out that Cat had several big plays in the paint in the 4th quarter. It also ocurred to me that Mo was out high a lot when Hakeem was in. Once, he had to start his post up moves from about 18 feet out. If he does play out a lot more than most 4's, then it is reasonable to assume he won't have as many rebounding opportunities. ------------------
