My Rockets Rant and why I think the core should be dismantled

Can you be more negative. Yao has just played his rookie season, make a few minor changes and give it a chance. If you keep dismantling the team, you turn into the clippers.

 

Six or seven years? Ouch!

I can't agree with that timeline.

1) Rice will be gone this summer. (Hopefully not for a Glen Robinson equivalent or I may agree with the 6 year drought). That will (should) add some productive and experienced role players.

2) If RT doesn't make the playoffs in 2003-04 there will be major changes. In spite of any criticisms of Les Alexander, he is willing to pull off a big trade.

3) Even if I would agree that the pieces don't fit together (Kidd, Mashburn, Jackson compared to Francis, Mobley and Yao) the situations are very different.

IMO, Yao (as a big man) is untouchable and not equatable in any way to Tarpley. Further, I have more faith in the Rockets ownership and management that they would do a better and quicker rebuild if Francis and Mobley were ever on the blocks.

 

So you would trade Yao because he won't be able to work out in the summer?

Otherwise, I can't really disagree with the rest of your points, particularly about Cat & Steve. This team needs better passers & shooters, and I have some reservations about either of them fitting into that role.

 

you do realize that the Rockets did not lose every single game this year?

 

Quit holding back, Summer Song Giver.

Damn, I have a lot of the same concerns, like being VERY concerned about Yao's offseason schedule, Steve's progress at the point (or the lack of it) and Griffin's development (which I wish were faster... he HAS to make a leap in his progress this year. I know he's young, but we need a force at the 4 spot). But if I thought your scenario was going to play out, I'd step in front of one of the 'Dillo buses here in Austin and just end the agony.

I'm by nature more optimistic. Right now, anyone except Yao is on the table and in play. I would be shocked if Steve were moved, due to his contract, but nothing is impossible. We will make at least one major, MAJOR move in the offseason. The hints are there, and the Rocks have never been shy about pulling a blockbuster. And I hope Rudy get's at least one addition to the staff who will make an impact on the players, with the clear ability to take over as head coach if needed.

Les has a new playpen. Les wants to fill it. Les wants to win.
They are going to do something about what Les wants. I hope we like what it is. But I can't get that discouraged about where the team is going. There's a 'Dillo with my name on it out there and I'd rather stick around.

 

The Rockets Owner Les and the Rockets Management are wearing 'Rose Colored Glasses'. "Greatest Team ever assembled" Its going to take another season of loosing money and being out of the playoffs for Les to get the message. That this selfish group of Basketball Players is not a Basketball Team. Loads of individual talent but unwilling to play the team game, with a couple of exceptions. Too many players being paid too much money to do their own thing and not the Team thing. Mobley has had FIVE years and still plays like he is the only person on the Team. At times he plays great defence but is inconsistant. Francis is a player that at times gives us glimps of greatness,yet even now that he is in the big money league,he wont be able to fulfill what is required of him in the Point Guard position, even after FOUR years he is still a scorer and not a playmaker.He rarely plays defence. Like all the Guards Moochie Norris is an expert at dribble mania and is so poor that he shouldnt be in the NBA. having lost all positives of former seasons.He had one good game when Francis was injured and showed us just what a Point Guard should be. He showed Francis up and was quickly replaced by an injured Francis. James Posey, what a surprise, energy and enthusiasm, sort of showed everone how to pick the game pace up. If he improves his shooting I consider him a plus on the Team. Rice, should be in the Far East. Eddie Griffin, needs help both personally and with his game, he needs a personal coach who can help him have confidence to play the NBA Game. He needs to have the desire to be a significant player and needs to be practicing with his team during the off season. He is one full of promise and potential.Mo Taylor needs to get well and fit. After this he needs a lot of off season practice with his team. His play looks more like a Small Forward rather than a Power Forward!As a Power Forward he is wanting when it comes to defence, rebounding and passing, at times he can be selfish,refusing to pass when in an impossible position to score.Yao Ming, did not surprise, except that he has a long way to go in being able to play the NBA Game. He needs coaching on how to position himself both in defence and offence. He needs to be much more demanding and agressive. He needs to give up on the idea of being a Point Center. If de doesnt he will never earn respect as a dominent Center, he has a tendancy to pass first shoot second.He needs years of Stamina Training. Kelvin Cato was a bright spot coming off the bench and is considered the best back up Center. We need more from him next season.

 

This whole "greatest team ever assembled" stuff is definitely the worst example of taking a quote out of context that I can ever recall...Heck, that's not even the right quote...

 

Looks like your wish for Rudy T to be replaced will come true.

 

Dont you realise that I am only creating an interpretation of the message that Les gave to us on that occasion.