*sigh* Now I feel better Pencil us into the second Round now. I do really like the acquisition of Bonzi Rocket RIver
A difference a day makes for our offseason. Will fans still want CD's head after all is said and done?
RR- I was on the phone with my gf,when I first got home last night. I hung up on her, telling her that one of the best things that could ever happen to the Rockets did. I told her I had to go because I had to celebrate. I screamed, did a little dance and had a few brews. I have been clamoring for Bonzi, even when he was not a realistic/favored possibility. Guy can play, no huge weakness. I posted awhile back, that Shane Battier needs to be our 4th best player for us to contend. Well.... There ya go Alston Wells McGrady Battier Yao If healthy, that is the best starting lineup in the league, no doubt. Alston is going to thrive with his options, and McGrady, Bonzi and Battier will be keeping it open for our big man. This is big.
We finally have a legit third scorer since getting TMAC. Bonzi can cause match up problems, rebound, and most importantly he scores.
On paper, I view the Rockets now (AB-after Bonzi) as a solid contender. Once the team works out chemistry issues, proves that Ming's foot and TMac"s back can take a licking and keep on ticking, and works the "kids" into the rotation, I think the Rockets will be beating up on people. By the All Star break, the elite teams in the West will start worrying about them, if not before. My main questions are about Alston, who really worries me, and can Battier, Howard, and Hayes really play PF by committee. The PG and the PF positions still don't matchup well with the elite. But, I haven't seen Battier or VSpan operate. I have a little concern about the back-up center, Mutombo is almost as old as me. Overall, the Rockets are solid at starting center (Ming), starting sf, (TMac), and starting sg, (Wells). Talented veteran core. Actually, now the Rockets have a pretty impressive bench. If one or two of the rookies pan out or surprise, then this team is going to make a serious run.
Nobody remembers losers, ask the Mavs of last year, or Karl Malone. Getting Bonzi puts us in a position to compete for an NBA championship if the team comes together and stays healthy. Nothing else is really a goal.
I am not worried about the bigs. Yao-Deke-Howard can handle all center duties and SB-JH-Hayes (maybe spot duty for Novak too) can handle all PF duty. We can even handle injuries in the bigs so long as it isn't Yao or SB, as long as they were not multiple injuries (say Howard & Deke) over a long time. I am no longer concerned about shooting guard. Wells and Head should cover it, if Snyder comes through even better. Tmac can even slide there some. Maybe even CS with spot duty as a shooter. I agree PG is the biggest concern. But I love the fact VSpan and Head may see that for them to get major PT they are going to have to do things as a PG that Alston doesn't. JL3 is there competiting to. In sum, if Alston's shooting slump continued or he doesn't play well there are lots of hungry guys ready to take on bigger roles. Overall I see no major changes to the roster needed. I think our front line 5-4-3 is stacked and provides lots of flexibility--bigger, quicker, experienced, shooting and/or more physical combinations among them depending on situations. And I love the competition for all PG minutes and the back-up SG minutes. Guys are going to have to play well or their minutes will go to other players.
I think you may be on to something here Solid. I would add this: it also remains to be seen how V-Span matches up against big physical guards because that's been a huge problem with Euro guards coming into the NBA. I, too, am simply not sold on Alston. I feel that he is the worst starting PG in the West.
This off season the Rockets acquired two of the best players from two other teams that made the playoffs in the Western Conference. The Rockets did this without giving up any of their proven players. I'm confident they will get into the second round.
We have to keep in mind TMac at one time hinted he may not have many good years left in himself. As such, the Rockets management is looking for short- to near-term results. Bonzi Wells will drastically cut the playing time for Head, Snyder, and V-Span, who are promising development projects. If the Rockets don't get to WCF or better this coming season, the Wells acquisition can only be called a disappointment.
theres no excuse for this team not to get 50+ wins and past the 2nd round of playoffs unless we have a major set of deja vu with massive injuries
