The Rockets have a bad matchup against MJ. 1. Glen is too slow, his body looks older than Jordans, he has no lateral movement and MJ has zero respect for Rice's D (not O). 2. Cat - First, in order to stop MJ you have to be smart, Cat doesn't qualify, he's too hyper on D and will get several fouls call against and then Rudy will switch him. Second, Cat is too light to stop MJ in the post and there is no way he reaches the MJ turnaround. Finally, MJ is too savy on offense with too many moves to be stopped and with Cat having to play D, his O will suffer. 3. Steve - I love him to death, however, he's too short for the assignment, he has a lot of heart but no height. Also, he's too light and young to stop the moves by MJ. Plus, MJ will rest on D while guarding Rice who shoots nothing but three's and doesn't move well.
This might become Eddie Griffin's job, or, they might elect to play a team (zone) defense. Either way, they only play him twice...so a 2-0, 1-1, or 0-2 record against the Wiz shouldn't sink the season (although it should be 2-0). The Rockets need to worry about defending the Lakers, Spurs, and Kings.
I think Cat can handle MJ on defense. Eddie G can't, he falls for far too many head fakes and doesn't stay on the floor. In the second half Rudy will use Cat, Steve and Moochie and Jordan will HAVE to try and guard one of them and they will blow by him.
I don't know the wizards have beaten the Rockets a couple times the last few years. Boy that sounds so pessimistic.
Wanting to see Jordan fall flat on his face is another word for JEALOUSY. He can never fall flat on his face. He can always just go into his pocket and pull out six nuggets. Do you guys actually think Cuttino can guard Jordan when he has shown no indication he can guard anyone of lesser talent? Same goes for Francis. They can drive by him, but he can shoot over them with his eyes closed. Hmm... I wonder if everyone here who wants all this bad on Jordan also wish for Alonzo and Shaq to destroy Hakeem each and every time since he is over the hill and stayed for the money in Toronto. But of course, Dream is God and that would be sinful to say something like that about Dream, right? Let the man live his life. He still can play so let him. This ill will is not right. Do you guys want the Rolling Stones to stay retired? Do you want them to be offkey when they sing? What about Karl Malone? What about him??? Its their life. Thats what they love to do. For you guys to wish so much ill will when if you were Jordan you would do the same is absolutely wrong in my opinion. Its not like he is going to win another title. He is on the Wizards for Christs sake. Leave the man alone.
You're right Almu, we shouldn't take glee in Jordan losing. As a matter of fact we should never feel happy when anyone loses. I think that every time the Rockets win, a piece of us all should die on the inside, because, man, it must hurt a lot to lose in the NBA; those apposing teams sure work hard! And George Bush sure is a smart man, isn't he?
I just never have liked MJ...sorry if that upsets you Almu. Also, Ive never liked Karl Malone either...so I would be just as happy if he retires having never won a championship...or better yet...I hope the Jazz as a whole never make the playoffs again...cause I really dont like that team or its fans in general one bit. Now while it probably isnt realistic to expect that Jordan, Malone or the Jazz will be persistant losers from here on out...I still have hope. And yes...you are correct about one thing...Dream will always get my best wishes...no matter how things went down. But thats because I like him. The only jealousy that comes in to play at all in my thinking is...I am green with envy when it comes to all of their wallets.
I remember the Rockets did lose a game to the Washington Wizards last season. I'm a Rockets' fan. I'm not worried about the Wizards and Michael Jordan. They're in the Eastern Conference. I'd look at Golden State though, and think, wow, they'd got something to look forward to this season, now that they've got Jason Richardson. The man can dunk. And word has it that Danny Fortson and Erick Dampier are recovering from their injuries. Add Antawn Jamison with his new contract, and the Warriors are a team to reckon with in the West.
Actually, that would probably be pretty painful to see. I so wish Barkley could have stuck around, but I'll never forget watching his knee...<i>shift</i>... I'd be a little to nervous just to see him on the court. As for Jordan, I don't mind him coming back. But I wonder how long the league is going to depend on him to 'save' them. Sooner or later they are going to have to figure out a way to draw fans without him. Maybe they'll learn the 'feed us Kobe and Shaq' method won't work...
