With so few pure shooters there is a premium on players that can consistently hit the outside shot. Mo is as good as anyone in the league at hitting the outside shot almost to the arc. I cringe every time KT takes an outside shot but when Mo shoots it from 18 feet I feel like it is almost automatic. I also have to agree with ZRB and Jeff that Mo gets his points in the flow of the offense while KT seems to be better at holding the ball running down the clock and then beating his man off of the dribble. A consistant outside shooter like Mo will do a lot more for opening things up inside the paint than a penitrator like Kenny. Mo stretches the defense while KT causes the defense to collapse into the paint.
NJ I was waiting for you. Collectively, the contributions in this thread is unfair to KT. I do not have a problem with what was said regarding MoT. Let me say that I am convince that KT has more range on his jump shot. It is very close to 3pt status and MoT does not have that range, he is more mid-range. While MoT has the size, KT has the speed. I am intrigued by the news that MoT was eating KT up. I would think that MoT would be receiving some licks himself. I have KT's volume of work last year versus all of the PF mentioned by Jeff, which I review from time to time. That work included a game against Utah where the first 3 offensive possessions of the game KT when up against Malone and scored on all three. Also it include a game opening drive on Antonio Davis for a dunk and a foul. In fact it was against those elite PF's that he scored almost 15pts per game, and I would say that he was not fully utilized. KT will also benefit from having a better quality cast with him. Added to that KT can play the SF spot bringing more power to that position than we have had in a long time. Just last night I saw him in a game against Phx last year going up against Marion. Regarding the prospect for KT long term in Houston, I could easily see him staying here long-term if improvements continue. If he improves this year like he did last year, he is going nowhere.
Are you crazy Jeff...just "let his contract run out" for $1m in cap relief. My goodness. I like MoT a lot, but there is not much I understand about your assessment of Kenny in this thread. That quote right there sums it up with me. I'm sure glad you are not CD. For awhile, I thought you were just praising MoT against the "MoT Sucks" crowd, like saying he is "Destroying Kenny" in some sort of practice in the first week of July, one week into getting cleared to practice. But now I beginning to think you are clueless. I hope you don't mind the criticism, but saying the Rockets "might be content" letting Kenny's contract run out for cap relief has to be the worst assessment of Kenny on this bbs ever, and has to come out of deeper, darker reasoning than a quick, flippant remark. What makes you say that, presumably over contract squabbles??? How would they ever be "content" with that? "Oh well, he wants too much, no biggie...I'm content to just let him go, because we can use that $1m in cap relief" my goodness!!!
I think the team needs Kenny's hustle, energy, defence, and post up game more then they need Taylor's jump shooting. He's probably the best post up player the team has right now. Griffin and Yao could possibly become good post up players as well, but who knows. They may just end up being jump shooters for the rest of their careers. On a team full of jump shooters, I think we need someone who we can toss the ball into the post and let them do their thing. He's the closest thing to a "banger" the team has right now.
HP, you are right. I would think that that was an oversight on Jeff's part. If they did not do that with Shandon Anderson, it is not KT they would do that with.
Well, Shandon might have taught them a lesson, considering we now have Rice's contract. Nothing against Rice, but he won't be a long-term solution, obviously. But it's unlikely we'd just let KT go. He does have value. (Still waiting for Jeff's "F.U.H.P." post...)
Wow, this thread brought out the heavy hitters. Mo is a very talented offensive player w/ better range than KT. I was at all the home games last year and KT's deep perimiter shoot was off more than it was on point. He had some good outside shooting spurts but he's not as good a shooter as Mo and like ZRB said, Mo gets his in the flow while KT has to turn into the human blackhole to set up his drives. That being said, KT’s quikness and his abilty to drive are better than Mo T's making him a valuable offensive player as well just in a different way. And their rebounding is about the same. Mo LOVES being a Rocket and was at virtually every home game last season and was at the Summer League games encouraging EG and the guys. I think he understands the situation w/ himself and EG and could figure out a way to coexist w/ our future guy even if it means splitting minutes w/ EG at the 4 and w/ Ming at the 5. Taylor & Griffin's abilities to at least play a combined 10-15 min. at the C makes also Cato expendable. I like KT as well. Do you all honestly think he can play 10 min or so a game at the SF position? If he can I would love to be able to keep him as well but if not, he's obvioulsy the odd man out in the Rocks PF rotation. We do have a lot of back2backs this year (22 ) so the more depth at the 3,4,&5 the better I think so I hope they keep all 3 to keep the depth and see how or if it can work out and if it doesn't sign & trade KT for a back up SG or SF (we’ll need one in a couple of years when Rice id done).
If the rockets resign him, it will be much more than he is currently paid. That would be a lot of luxory cap relief (if it is invoked). As far as a trade goes, it takes two to Tango. Other teams may be assuming they can buy him (w/o bird rights KT will be cheaper) instead of trade players since its doubtful the Rockets will be forced in to s/t (unless thye get a good offer, doubtful since they will be in a weak selling position) or sign him outright after this contract. I expected the Rockets to be able to get something for him this offseason so thye don't lose him without compensation. The rockets don't really need anything in particular this season, but are in a better selling position now than they will be next offseason.
I like both KT and Mo and I think the both bring different things to the team so I'm kinda split on this deal. I'd HATE to see KT leave for a little cap relief since next to Rice KT is our only player with any kind of post play. (excluding rookies yet to play) I think there is room for both on the team, but if either or both had to go in say a S&T for Lewis I wouldn't feel so bad since I think Griffin is the Future at the 4. That said... I'm ready to see them play... Is this the longest offseason ever?
Where the hell does this KT is a whiner bull**** come from? Also complain for voice displeasure it not a negative. Closed mouth doesn't get fed. Rocket River
I never said Boki or Ming is ready to start. Ming and Boki are both good players but will need time to get in the flow of the NBA. EG was in the same boat last year and did a fine job when MoT and KT were hurt but showed his lack experience and stamina after he hit the rookie wall. MoT has made it clear that he WANTS to be on this team and by his actions this summer helping and tutoring EG shows he is a team guy. MoT has never said one word about his playing time or where he plays. He played Center when Dream and Cato went down and did not gripe once.He has stated publically that he loves Rudy and would play for him anywhere, anytime. Now contrast that with KT attitude last season when he was coming off the bench and EG was starting. KT was barking to the media that he should start and was being under-used. KT is a blackhole when he receives the ball and has a me against the world attitude. Basketball is a team game Besides , when MoT started at PF we were a 45 win team, with KT starting PF we were a 28 win team. I like KT's drive and guts but he is a tweener and nothing is going to change that. He is at a disadvantage in the western conference.
hold on. First, he is restricted FA next year. Letting the contract run out is what Toronto is doing with by renouncing restriction on Keon Clark. We will get Kenny for fair market, if not below it. And there will be a lot of teams with cap room next year to help with SnTs, especially if Duncan and Kidd stay put. Secondly, by your logic, you can save $5m in cap relief by not using your MCE and $1m exception, too. Don't you have to replace a roster spot if you are "content" to let him go? Anyhow, all cap-logic aside, in my opinion it is just mindboggling to be content with losing Kenny for a free roster spot. We aren't talking about freeing-up cap room to spend on a free agent here, like Shandon in the Webber sweepstakes last year. We won't see cap room. You put it to a vote on the BBS and Rockets organization and how many do you think would be "content" with letting Kenny's contract run out. It would be a terrible disappointment to not close a contract with him this summer, or next year as a restricted FA, or work a trade this year or next. Letting his contract run out has to be the last choice anyone would make. It seems like a left-field comment by someone who is vastly devalues Kenny, to me.
Ditto Stylez, I fully expect KT to play ten minutes or more at SF. My simple logic is that he is the most complete player we have at the position at the moment. I do not buy this black hole business. When you have the success rate driving both left and right, which is well known to your defenders, then it is in your best interest to sought things out when you get the ball. We know he can hit the jumper; however it is good to hesitate to see what the defense wants to do. When you are unstoppable you have that luxury. You can get a clear out and drive or hit the jumper. Rice at this stage cannot demand that kind of respect. Yes the jumper would be respected but Rice's drives may not. We will have to see with Nachbar. I do not feel one bit exposed if KT has to put in time at SF. Before last year I called KT the most blocked Rocket. Boy did he change that in a hurry.
KT does all the little things (rebound, play D, not ask for the ball) you need someone to do. Mo T does all the things that a pampered superstar does (gets paid a lot, shoots alot, doesn't rebound, doesn't play D). Mo T may be an all around better player but with Stevie, Cat, Ming, Griff and Rice around do you really think we need another offensive player? Give me the grit that KT brings into the game. Sure Mo might score more but I will take KT on this team any time.
Therein lies the problem. What is best for the player is not always whats best for the team in general and the offense specially. KT does not have the range or ability to put the fear of his outside shot into defenders. Where is it said he is unstoppable? If he was so unstoppable why didn't he average more than 14 ppg last season? He barelt shot 66% from the charity stripe. He missed every one of his 3-point attempts and Tierre Brown averaged as many assists as KT did in 1/3 the minutes per game. Again, I like KT but he is a bench player who thinks he is a starter. KT has to have the ball to be effective.
Mo has great ball handlingand shooting. He runs the floor very well to. And he's a big body so big pf's and c's can't move him around. He's only like 24 or 25 he will get more rebounds as he learns the game.
agree DearRock, The other thing about the "black hole" business and MoT "gets his shots in the flow." To me, they play the identical role, are used in the very same plays, and have the very same responsibilities. MoT might shoot more immediately in his ISOs or off the PnR versus Kenny looking to drive when he runs those sets, but how is one more in "the flow" or produce more flow than the other? It's not like one passes out of their ISOs, PnR opportunities more than the other. The other thing to consider about "flow" and MoT's low post moves is MoT hasn't gone against NBA zone rules, yet. KT has proven his low post moves are equally effective against zones. MoT starts out on the wing and will dive in with one dribble (or so) then turn his back and tend to back in the last 5' or so, using his dribbling and butt action as he goes for power moves. He likes to come across the lane, too. Kenny flies past his defender and uses quick spins and left and right baby hooks. We can only hope at this point that MoT remains effective with his low post moves against zones, because we don't want him to turn into a jump shooter...we have added Nach and Ming for that, and so we are not as desparate for it. We want to move Ming to the high post, and MoT, KT and EG become opposite side low block players...is my guess, possibly alternativing high/low post with Ming. We'll still see the PF wing ISOs, since they are both so good at it, and they will still both run the PnR for the guards, but Ming will change the offensive makeup of the team. So the dynamics of the PF position will change, and we don't know what "in the flow" of the Rockets means anymore. We will see more flow this year, hopefully, regardless of who plays. Stagneity will not be coming from the PF position, if it still happens. We will get a chance to see who adapts to more motion better. Both MoT and KT have shown signs of having a good feel for the game and good court vision for passing. Hell, I look forward to seeing them both on the court together, sometimes. GO MO, GO KENNY
45 games that is Did FRANCIS MISS 22 some odd games that year? Hampered in several others? Wasn't that this Hakeem guy here that year too? BUT THAT DOES NOT MATTER . . . BECAUSE MO WAS THE REASON FOR ALL THAT Rocket River
