14 Houston 43-39 KEY ADDS: Jeff Van Gundy If new head coach Van Gundy can convince Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley to involve Yao Ming more in the Rocket offense, Houston will make the leap from underachiever to playoff team. http://www.nba.com/features/rank_030724.html Pretty high considering we haven't been very active this offseason.
The Rockets didn't need to add any serious free agent, just improve the team chemistry and this team will be fine. I think the Rocks will win about 47 games this year and get the #6 or #7 spot in the playoffs. As long as we get ANY playoff berth I'll be pleased.
Maybe you guys haven't noticed, but we have Yao Ming, Steve Francis, and Cuttino Mobley on this team, 3 allstar calliber players. We don't need to add a superstar to this team, we just need specialists. We've got a 3pt shooter, now we need a rebounder. Our only problem is that we don't have a legit starting 3 right now and we probably won't solve that problem until midseason or next year when Rice's contract expires. I think in 2 years, we will be badass.
Getting a PF or having Griffin and Mo produce would be great, but all the Rocks need is one more piece, and athletic, defensive SF, and they'll be set. The Rockets showed flashes of being a 50 win team last year, but there was no control of that team. Now that we have someone who will pull out the whip and get this team under control I think they'll play like a solid, playoff team like they should have last year.
I think we will be badass in two years also... I just hope we can participate in some playoff games in the meantime... Someone's gonna get screwed in the Western Conference. Hell, if we were in the East, I'd be PISSED if we didn't end up in the top four.
I dont think we need a big free agent either. Remember Yao only averaged 13.5 pts last year. If he can up his average to around 17-21 pts, that will make the team more dangerous. Also Eddie needs to have a breakout season like Kenyon Martin did for the Nets. When I say breakout, I dont necessarly mean in scoring. If he can prove that he is a legit low post threat, that will be a big help. This team still has a lot of potential.
Jon Barry isn't a great defensive specialist, but he does get on a player's nerves. He plays defense that can get the other guy frusterated, and can get him to cause some technicals. (think Danny Ferry w/ some skills) He can play almost all the positions other than center, and he won't be expensive. If the Rockets can they should at least take a stab at him.
Bring in Dennis Rodman, trade Griffin and Rice for Sar. Yao/Cato MoT/Rodman Sar/Boki/Pike Mobley/Pike Francis/Moochie Griffin's rebounding to offset Mo's lack of it. SAR to give us a low post threat, and Pike to offset his lack of 3-pt shooting skills. This team looks pretty good to me if Van Gundy can get them to play D.
I think the Rockets are bent on NOT making the same mistake they did last year with 3 decent PFs. Kenny, Eddie and Mo. They traded Kenny away and gave the spot to Eddie to sink or swim. After all, he was "The Pick" from last year and was suppose to be the answer. He sank a little but picked up valuable experience. Now, if J. Posey was signed, then there would be J.P., Boki and Rice at SF. This again would have pushed Boki to the bench another year. Remember, Boki was kept on the bench the whole last year. The man DID NOT PLAY. It's now his turn and the Rockets are hoping that he will have an impact at SF. This can turn out badly but it had to be done. The "cheap" insurance of signing J.P. to a low contract went out the door when he got a 4 year 24 mil contract. But that's life. I think the new ex-Clip (Pit) is a backup 2 for Mobley and maybe a temp SF. This will allow Boki and Rice to have the majority of the minutes. Also, the team is talking about using Griffin at the 3 so that might happen too.
We also had 3 allstar calliber guys and specialists (Rice, Posey) last year. Hopefully a year of experience for Yao and a new coaching staff will help.
I think you very well might be right. Anyways this team should make the playoffs with the lineup they have now. Francis/Norris Mobley/Pike Nachbar/Pike/Rice EG/MoT Yao/Cato Not bad, good enough for somewhere between 6-8, hopefully. But I do hope they add in Hawkins and TMo, they could be some solid backups.
Yes!! I don't know what have Phoenix but they are the new Jazz for me. My most hated team. They are not better than us!!!!! Everybody against Suns NOW. Houston Arena must be an infern with the Suns. Marbury- FRancis Yao- AMare Playoff contenders Shawn Marion sucks, he seems to be ortopedic, he has a extrain body, You see how he walk????? DIE at Suns!!!