I agree ... and disagree. The Rockets absolutely cannot stand pat this summer ... but, only a little tweaking is necessary. More than anything, the Rockets need to be healthy. Losing three part-/full-time starters to injury is ridiculous, and the team seemed to do well considering Francis, Rice, and Taylor's absences. No team in the league could withstand such injuries. Steve Francis, PG: Star. When healthy (and migraine-free) Francis is one of the top 10 players in the league. Cuttino Mobley, SG: Solid. Mobley could learn to be more multi-dimensional and give more attention to defense, but he is one of the better (top 1/3) shooting guards in the league. Eddie Griffin, SF: Future star. With the ability to step out to the 3 pt. line and play aggressive, hard-nosed defense, Griffin will be a force in the league sooner rather than later. Can create matchup problems for opponents. Maurice Taylor and Kenny Thomas, PF: Separately, TNT are flawed and inadequate. But they're nice complimentary players who won't win or lose a game. Kelvin Cato, C: A backup, at best. Bench: A nice group of complimentary, role-player types. Francis' injury exposed a glaring weakness in the backcourt depth. Draft and free agency: There are a lot of quality swingmen (SG/SF) available this year, but there is a frightening dearth of talented centers. But, the Rockets have the biggest need in the middle (even Kenny Thomas and Maurice Taylor are serviceable at PF) and backcourt depth. If the Rockets miraculously find themselves with a top 3 pick, they have to look at Yao Ming. Before Dallas signed Wang Zhi Zhi, scouts and writers said Ming was much, much more talented than Zhi Zhi, runs the floor very well (especially so considering his size), and has very good range (accurate from 3 pt. range). None of the other available centers really excite me (though, in a pinch, I'd settle for Chris Marcus), so I hope the Rockets will do whatever they can to acquire a good center, via the draft, free agency, or trade.
I don't think fans are responding to the type of game that's being played on the floor. Once the Rockets were champions, they sold out every game. When they were playing the same ball in '93, how many games did they sell out? When it comes to selling seats, it has to do with wins and losses, and playoff success. They don't come to watch fundamentally sound ball. Remember when everyone speculated that the razzle-dazzle of Francis' high-flying game would put butts in the seats? It didn't. People want to win, that's all.
cellsworthox, you make a convincing argument On further reflection, I think that the Rocks offseason plans should be centered on rehabing MoTay and Rice, having EG (and TMo and OT) work on his game and stamina, and drafting the highest potential player with their first round pick. If the Rocks follow this plan plus stay healthy next year and play better team D, a sixth seed in the playoffs is not unconceivable (along with better attendance). The only trade I think the Rocks will consider in the offseason is to move KT to a team where he will get more PT. KT salary cap numbers probably will limit the blockbuster-ness of this trade BTW the games that Francis was out showed that when a team loses it first, third and fourth option on offensive winning is d*mn near impossible.
It don't matter if the Rockets iso 24-7. What the fans care about is WINNING, WINNING all the time, and nothing but WINNING. Which, of couse, leads to the inevietable - the Rockets cannot iso 24-7 if they want to start WINNING.
The Rockets also must be commited to DEFENSE night in and night out. Offense scores points, but D - IIIIII <-----(that's a fence) wins games.
