I just had the brilliant idea of doing a report card for each month of the season. Let's have everyone list the players with a A-F next to them with comments. The first one can be for the beginning of the season. We'll call it October Report Card. At the end of each month we can do another one an talk about player improvements and such. Unfortunately, I'm at work and actually have to work right now. Anyone want to start it off? Chris
Steve Francis A+ Steve is averaging over 30 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists per game, while shooting over 50% from the field and 44% from behind the arc. Cuttino Mobley B Cat has been playing great. He is averaging 23 a game. The only reason that I am not giving him an A is because his shot selection sucks. Juaquin Hawkins A He isn't a star, but considering that no one expected a lot out of him, he is exceding everyone's expectations. Eddie Griffin C- Other then Griff's 23 point performance against the Sonics, he has been shooting aweful. Kelvin Cato B- He has been playing good basketball. He has been hustling a lot. Yao Ming C Ming is coming from across the globe. I don't expect him to make a big impact until maybe next season. He will be a star. Bench D+ Our bench isn't doing anything! Rudy T F I hate his style of coaching.
TheReasonSF3, I agree with most of your grades, but I dont agree with the fact that Yao has a better grade than Griffin. Griff hasnt shot the ball particularly well, but his defense is solid and he is still putting up just under 11 points a game. Yao Ming, on the other hand, has done nothing for this team but bring sell out crowds. Sure, he needs time to develop, but very, very few people expected him to play as he has. His rebounding is extremely poor, his shot-blocking is non-existent, and his strength is like that of a 6'0 guard. Im not worried about his future. I believe he will be a great asset to this team. However, I dont know if he will be great in this system. He will do his job and he may be a top 5 center. I would give Griffin a C+. I would give Yao a C-.
I can see where you are coming at. I gave Griff a C- because he isn't playing like he is predicted too. I gave Yao a C because I didn't expect him to make a huge impact early on, but I can see why you think that Griff should be higher then Ming.
Steve - F Cat - F Hawkins - F Griffin - F Cato - F Yao Ming - F Moochie - D- (bonus points for the 'fro) Rest of team - F Rudy - D+ (nice ties and a fine daughter)
Steve Francis A- His team has not looked very good. Cuttino Mobley C+ He IS scoring. Juaquin Hawkins B+ Does all the little things well. Eddie Griffin C+ One Game does not a player make. Do it every night EG. Kelvin Cato B+ His play has really been an A so far but I need more convincing still. He disappeared last game. Yao Ming D- Only my kindness is preventing an F here Moochie Norris D- Easily my least favorite Rocket. Rudy T C- I love the guy but I fear without Dream he seems lost.
Steve - B- (The points and individual stats are great, but he's not playing a mature game right now. He needs to make the game easier and become more efficient. He's shooting around or over 50% from the field right now, but think of what his % would be if he didn't force shots . He's becoming one of the league's truly special offensive players, but he has to make the game easier for himself and his teammates.) Cat - B- (See above minus the shooting %.) Hawk - B (The 'designated stopper' has been solid. Needs to shoot a little more, and create a few more plays, i.e TOs and steals.) EG - B- (Would be a B if it weren't for his FG%. Coming along nicely, and recent strong play may make it hard to take him out of the starting lineup.) Cato - B+ (Will the real Slim Shady please stand up, please stand up... This is the player the Rockets had in mind when they traded for Cato. Would get an A if not for the fact that he should've been playing this way all along.) Yao - Inc. (The scorecard for Yao is 1 good game, 1 decent game, and 2 not-so-good games. In other words, he looks like a typical rookie. But you just got to feel that once Yao becomes comfortable, he'll start playing with a lot more aggression and confidence.) Mooch - C+ (Has been solid, grade would be higher if he can find his jumper.) Rice, KT, Mo, Nachbar, TMo - Inc. (These 5 are why NO ONE should be 'throwing in the towel' yet. If they can integrate this quintet into the 'flow', the depth and talent level will simply be NASTY! Rudy & Co. - B+, Inc. (The first grade is for the roster they've assembled on paper, and the improving defense, as long as they don't have to play Gary Payton every night . The second grade, a reflection of the lack of offensive cohesiveness, and not having the full compliment of players they've envisioned the entire offseason.) Point of concern, so far (other than the offense): Rebounding. Better than last year, but there's still a lot of room for improvement.
FWIW, I'm being lenient right now because the season's so young. Trust me, I'll get 'tougher' as the season progresses.
Francis A- *making the right pass at the right time will improve his grade* Cat B- *needs to work on shot selection and look for open teammates.* J. Hawk B+ *good D and hustle could turn into great roll player* E Griff C+ *consistency is key to improvement, good D presence inside* Cato B *where has your game been all these years? Keep up the hustle* KT Incomplete *has looked out of sync when on the court* Boki Incomplete *see notes for KT* Moochie C- *has shown nothing this season* Ming D/Incomplete *tough transition, will take time to adapt.* Collier C- *seems to be a liability on the court* Rice D *No D and so far no shot* Mo T. Incomplete *put down the bong and lets play ball. * Rudy and Staff C *Needs the players to run plays that are called after timeouts and to continue to groom ming for the NBA game. Showing patience with Ming gets extra credit from me. *
