I know that the Rocks are coping with a lot of injuries, but this is not a playoff team even with Francis back. Getting Rice was a huge bust and we have to put Rice in the same multi-year dead meat catagory as Cato. As proved in this losing streak, Moochie is not a starting NBA point guard, but is a capable back-up to Franchise. Another troubling trend is the lack of defense that this team displays. It looks like they have quit on Rudy. In the first quarter against Cleveland, the Cavs were taking shooting practice against the Rockets. There wasn't a Rocket within 5 feet of any shot. Getting down 20+ in EVERY game is lack of effort, not just lack of talent. Rudy is at his best evaluating raw talent (Horry, Cassell, Moochie, Cat, Torres, Ellie, etc.), not at trading for established big names, such as Glen Rice. These guys are still living on the Drexler trade, when most every other trade or big free agent signing has been a total bust. Just think if the Barkley trade was never made, we still would have Cassell and Horry on the roster (two starters on playoff - if not NBA Finals teams). The Barkely trade was to win an NBA Championship, not to mortgage the team's future. Ditto for the Pippen sign and unload deal, which got us the Wizard and Cato. I could go on ranting on the losing streak for about a day and a half. More to come (lack of shooters on team, Rudy can't adjust to the new defenses, etc., etc.).
Uh, if we didn't make the Barkley trade, we wouldn't have won 50 games or so in 96-97. The 95-96 team was 49-33 or something like that, at the heels of a 4-0 sweep by Sea. At the time, Sea was the class of the WC, and to get to the Finals, you had to beat Sea. So, we bring in Barkley to beat Sea, and we did. If you think the 95-96 team was worth a damn, you are sadly mistaken. You also seem to be overrating Cassell tremendously. He is a good offensive PG, provides VERY little defensively, and he's the biggest crybaby in the NBA. Bigger than Pippen. Horry, is a good BACKUP PF. In all honesty, the Rockets fleeced the Suns in the Barkley trade. We gave up 2 journeymen (Bryant and Brown), a backup PF (Horry), and a malcontent who has played for 300 teams (Cassell) for one of the greatest PF's of all-time. Bear in mind that Drexler and Olajuwon were bound to slow down a bit, so a 3rd man was vital IMO. If we stayed pat, the 96-97 Rockets would have lost in the 1st or 2nd round. Be glad that Rockets do what they can to win titles. Look at the f-ing Astros who look to dump payroll every year.
Well the one thing about Rudy and company is they will right themselves on their mistakes. Somehow, they find a way to get rid of Cato, Rice, and Moochie just like they did Bryce,Price, and malone, and pippen. They'll make it right, maybe not this yr, but next yr. Someone will believe they can get cato to play and reclamate Glen rice too.
