http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/paul_forrester/01/23/west.grades/index.html FIRST-HALF RECAP Considering that Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady have missed a combined 22 games with injuries, it's a minor miracle the Rockets hit the halfway point at 25-16. But the absences have allowed coach Jeff Van Gundy to emphasize what he emphasizes best: hustle, defense, hard work. And Houston has listened. It is the NBA's toughest team to score and shoot against and among the league's best rebounding clubs. Not surprisingly, Van Gundy has leaned hard on a collection of veterans and role players, none harder than 40-year-old Dikembe Mutombo, who has manned the boards like a player 10 years younger. Now that we think about it, Van Gundy may have his team just the way he likes it. GRADE: A- Star Student YAO MING Yes, he's out until February, but the career highs he produced in scoring and blocked shots helped the Rockets get off to a good start in a beastly division. Back of the Class BONZI WELLS Though signed to a relatively inexpensive $2.1 million deal, Wells, whose scoring would have been a welcome boost to a team often lacking its two best offensive players, has given the Rockets a mere 13 games. LOOKING AHEAD It's been easy to forget about the Rockets, lost amid the Mavs-Spurs-Suns battle for league supremacy and the frequent absences of their two superstars. But Van Gundy and his band of glue guys have kept Houston in the rear view mirror of the West's best. The Rockets' presence only figures to loom larger with the return of Yao (mid-February.), who poses a matchup advantage few teams can overcome. And should the Rockets continue to pace McGrady and his balky back, they have the type of elusive scorer/playmaker who can keep them apace against the growing legion of track-meet teams. This being a Van Gundy team, though, getting into a sprint isn't the Rockets' style. The ability to stop a team in its offensive tracks can still win in this league, no matter how unpopular an approach. We have a sneaky suspicion Houston will remind plenty of teams about that well into the spring. ---------------- A- is pretty much right around the mark i'd give them. nice little snippet of what other people are saying about the rockets right now.
Bonzi Wells is the "back of the class" according to Forrester, it's kinda hard to spot the caption, sorry
He will soon be big for us as he gets more playing time. I can take his poor performance so far as long as he continues to improve.
It's nice to read a non-Houston sportswriter assesment of the team that doesn't totally bashing us or ignore our past sucesses. I like the idea of being in the rear view mirror a lot. It seems like that is just where we are right now.
word. with all the bickering going on over insignificant players, you seem to completely forget that this team is set to make some major waves in the 2nd half and postseason.... assuming we can stay healthy, of course. i like being in the rearview mirror, so to speak
Wow are they nice. I'd give them a B- for now. Besides Mutombo and I guess Head, our bench is just in need of help. I hope the rumor of attaining Chucky Atkins is true. Yes he is not a superstar. Yes he is not the best point guard but I think we should be looking at the fact that he would be an upgrade over Jl3. We also need to figure out the situation with Boni. Either play him or ship his butt somewhere for someone that can play. Only then will I give the Rockets an A- to A rating.
I wan't Bonzi to stay!!! he will be a HUGE contribution in playoffs, I really do believe he will be officially our 3rd scorer (that we've been looking for) in playoffs if he stays!!
I think come playoff time, our starting would still be Alston/McGrady/Battier/Hayes/Yao, but sometimes we would play McGrady/Bonzi/.../.../Yao
you mean rockets detriot right...... I like our chances against anybody but the suns. i think we could take it to the wire against the mavs in seven.
